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Paxton Adobe Could Be Demolished
November/December 2020
 West facade c. 1946 |
 Paxton Adobe, 2019. Photos courtesy Historic Structure Assessment for 2608 S. Escondido Blvd. by Brian Smith & Assoc. |
The historic Paxton Adobe, at 2608 South Escondido Blvd., Escondido, is a key link in the continuity of adobe house construction for the southwestern United States and it could be demolished for a 42-unit housing project. Reviewed by the Escondido Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) in July, the vote was 2-2 for saving the building (an inconclusive vote due to one commissioner being recused and two others not present). Without HPC support, the Planning Commission approved the demolition permit in September, as did the Escondido City Council, unanimously, in late October. SOHO's position is the demolition of this important resource requires a full Environmental Impact Report.
Eligible for the State of California and City of Escondido historical registers, the c. 1946 Paxton Adobe, recently known as the Hacienda de Vega restaurant, began as a model home and office for the Longview Acres Estates subdivision. As the model for an entire development, which is a strong stylistic contributor to Escondido's character, this adobe illustrates a significant contribution to the broad patterns of California's heritage, and an important link to the first adobe structures built in Alta California.
Furthermore, the Paxton Adobe represents a continuation and revival of this important building method and material. Today, Escondido's popular annual adobe home tour, which has included the Paxton Adobe, highlights the revival of the adobe style architecture that became popular here after 1945.
The building is also significant for its association with important people, such as Charles Paxton. After serving the Longview Acres Estates developer, the property became a nursery operated by landscape architect Gene Peregov (1959-1962). In 1962, the adobe was converted into a restaurant, owned by Patrick Brillo Osorio and later, the Cueva family. As a 1946 adobe that embodies distinctive characteristics of the classic adobe style, the Paxton Adobe has gained further significance and material integrity through its changes in use.
Beloved by many, the Paxton Adobe's preservation is strongly supported by the community as a significant contributor to Escondido history. A candidate for SOHO's 2020 Most Endangered List, this adobe is an important cultural link to storied adobe house building over decades in the Southwest, and must not be lost.
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