Restoration work began in the fall of 2010 and the restoration was complete by the summer of 2011. Courtesy Stephen Van Wormer and Susan Walter

EXTENSIVE RESEARCH was done to restore the adobe. IS Architecture of San Diego was chosen for this special endeavor. Experts in working with historic adobes, they used the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Restoration along with the State of California Historic Building Code (SHBC) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements to restore the house and site.

The adobe maintained a high degree of integrity with a great deal of its historic fabric, including the original fireplace mantle, much woodwork, and vigas (wooden ceiling beams), but after decades of neglect, the effort required rebuilding missing adobe and wood-framed walls, as well as, roof features. The architects were able to save the vigas, original interior paint surfaces, doors and walls, and as much additional historic fabric as possible, which is crucial to the restoration of a National Historic Landmark.

During restoration, October 12, 2010

During restoration, June 22, 2011

All photos by Sandé Lollis