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Building History

The Neary-Rodriguez Adobe remains the oldest structure in Santa Cruz, CA. The National Register of Historic Places nomination form stated of the building: "Once part of Mision La Exaltacion de la Santa Cruz, the Neary-Hopcroft Adobe is the oldest and most historic structure in Santa Cruz and the only one remaining from the original mission complex. Although the actual date of its construction is unknown, local historians agree that it was built circa 1810, when the mission was its most prosperous. It is also generally agreed that the adobe (really a duplex) served as the mission guardhouse, with the commander of the guard and his family in one side and his subordinates housed in the other." The commander of the Mission guard from 1812-1816, Narciso Berreyesa, and his family first occupied the building shortly after its construction. (See National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form, Neary-Rodriguez Adobe, accessed 09/25/2015.)

Following Mexican independence in 1834, the new Mexican government took possession of all 21 of Alta California's missions from the church, and began to sell off some mission assets. At this time, this adobe residence was divided in half, part of it was sold to the the Rodriguez Family, who remained here after 1957, and the other part was purchased by Felipe Armas, Santa Cruz's first justice of the peace after CA Statehood on 09/09/1850. Patrick Neary acquired the Armas portion in 1865, and his descendants occupied the building until its acquisition by the State of California Parks Department in 1957.

Building Notes

This rectangular, adobe-walled building measured 23 feet wide by 130 long, and rested on limestone foundations.

Alteration

At some point between 1810 and 1853, a second story was added, accessible by both interior and exterior staircases. Aside from the parlor, living room and a middle chamber, that were redecorated later in the nineteenth century, other rooms in the Neary-Rodriguez Adobe remained unchanged since before 1850.

The State of CA purchased the house in 1957, realizing it was an historic property. Little renovation began until 1965, when the Neary Family side of the duplex had its roof and walls repaired due to extensive water damage. (See National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form, Neary-Rodriguez Adobe, accessed 09/25/2015.)