The Larkin House Collection consists of material connected with the Larkin House State Historic Monument in Monterey, California. In this historic adobe, decisions were made and actions taken that shaped the early history of the State of California. The collection, while not possessing a large group of Thomas O. Larkin manuscript documents like that held by the Bancroft Library, still contains good examples of documents and photographs associated with Larkin and his descendants.

The Larkin House is a reminder of the influence Thomas Oliver Larkin exerted not only on California's political history but also its secular architecture during the first half of the 19th century. In 1834, Larkin constructed one of the first two-story houses to be built in Monterey and one of the earliest examples of Monterey colonial architecture. It became known as the Larkin House adobe. Larkin adapted eastern form to available materials: adobe and redwood. The Larkin House adobe is distinctive for its broad roof overhang above the second floor windows and its surrounding balcony. The roof, designed to shelter the adobe from the corroding effects of rain and wind, was stylish as well as practical and became the predominant design for adobe buildings of the period. As Larkin's home and business place, for over five important years the adobe served as headquarters and the center of social life of the Capital. Here historic decisions regarding California's future were made.

17.98 cubic ft. (18 boxes)

Property rights reside with the California Department of Parks and Recreation. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or to publish, please contact the California Department of Parks and Recreation, Monterey State Historic Park.

Legal Status Public