Vicente Martínez Adobe

Contrary to a long local legend, John Muir never lived in this adobe. Vicente Martínez built it in 1849, a year after his father Ignacio died, and sold it four years later to Edward Franklin, who gave the canyon his name. An Australian, Thomas Redfern, sold it on around 1874 to Muir's father-in-law, Dr. John Strentzel, who swapped the cattle for orchards and used the adobe as a storeroom and foremen's quarters. Muir's elder daughter Wanda lived here with her husband, Thomas Hanna. The bronze says it is open to the public; it is currently closed for safety.

What the plaque says

Vicente Martinez Adobe In 1849, Vicente Martinez built a two-story adobe ranch house on his portion of the Rancho Pinole. This land was inherited from his father, Don Ignacio Martinez, a Spanish officer who became Comandante of the San Francisco Presidio and later Alcalde of San Francisco. In 1966 the National Park Service acquired the adobe and it is now open to the public. California Registered Historical Landmark No. 511 Plaque placed by the State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the National Park Service, Joaquin Murrieta Chapter No. 13, E Clampus Vitus, and in honor of Louis L. Stein, Jr. July 23, 1983

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Muir Woods National Monument — 25 mi
  A redwood canyon saved from a reservoir by a gift, and named for a man who had been there once.
• Muir Beach Overlook — 26 mi
  A cliff edge on Highway 1, and the concrete dugouts where two-man crews watched the sea after Pearl Harbor.

More markers nearby

• John Muir Home — steps away
• Site of the Murder of Dr. John Marsh — 2.5 mi
• Benicia Arsenal — 3.9 mi
• Benicia Capitol — 4.3 mi