Transcript for Telemundo48 Alvarado Adobe interview

0:08 (intro: overview of indigenous items)

Roxy: What most people don't know is that the entire area of the city of San Pablo was first home to the indigenous peoples that lived here, mostly near the creeks. Then a group of people arrived from México that were known then as "Los Californios" (the Anza expedition). They settled here and the small village began to grow more and more.

0:33 (panning over a shot of the Alvarado Adobe)

Libertad: ...a story that vibrates within this museum, the Alvarado Adobe, in the city of San Pablo. This architecture from the victorian era, its symbols of faith, its irreplacable items, I know were originally from the home of one of the descendants of the "Californios," the family of Francisco Castro.

0:51 Roxy: Señor Francisco Castro, Don Francisco Castro, was a soldier and for his services was given over 17,000 acres of land (San Pablo).

1:03 (Scene showing vintage map of San Pablo Bay)

Libertad: Which was left to the children. One of them married Governor Alvarado and they constructed the adobe.

1:10 (sign "CITY of SAN PABLO")

Roxy: If it weren't for the Castro family, San Pablo would not exist.

1:15 Libertad: Do you think the community here has forgotten this history ?

1:19 (entering into a room)

Roxy: Well, rather, this place is on the main thoroughfare, in full view, however, it's hidden in the minds of the people.

1:30 (vintage photo of original Alvarado Adobe)

Libertad: To such a level that the original adobe was razed by the city, however, block by block the community rebuilt what they had lost. On the walls of the new adobe were left handprints, like these, which demonstrates that the hundreds of residents in a community effort built a place that would now give a home to the history of their town.

1:50 Roxy: This place has roots with México, and many don't know that.

1:57 (Roxy thumbing through a book on the counter)

Libertad: Roxy was born in the early 1950s living in San Pablo, and since then, all her life, has wanted to learn more about the history of her community.

2:04 (Libertad seated in chair)

Libertad: You, who have been here all your life, how have you seen San Pablo changed from what it was, to where it is now?

2:10 Roxy: Having been here 70 years, I have watched it grow from a small place to an area with industry and commerce.

2:25 (Alvarado Adobe sign)

Libertad: With the arrival of the Pandemic, the museum was forced to close its doors, and currently only admits visitors with a prior appointment/reservation. And, these hallways each day, are seeing less visitors.

2:37 (entering the Adobe Museum)

Roxy: When you enter into the museum (from the street), you are transported to another world. You are now in the Victorian era. I wish more people would visit so that they can discover the history in order to introduce it to their next generations; so that the history is not lost and that of San Pablo.

2:59 Libertad: Libertad Pedraza, Noticero Telemundo48

END

An excerpt from 'A Brief Historical Sketch of the CIty of San Pablo, California' by William H. Maynard.

Rancho San Pablo (Community History Video Series)

However, we are taking reservations for personal tours. Tours can be arranged for a group of 8 people or less who are currently residing in the same household by calling (510) 255-7488. Because of the small size of the museums and the difficulty of social distancing, only small groups can be accommodated at this time. Masks/face covering are also required. If you have any questions please contact us by phone or email: sanpablomuseums@gmail.com

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Documentary film about the Governor of Mexican Alta California, Juan Alvarado. In 1837 he was appointed governor of Las Californias, and served until 1842. He married Martina, one of Don Francisco Castro's daughters in 1839. After his term as governor was completed, they retired to her family estate in Rancho San Pablo in 1848.

The film premiered in 2020 on Sunday, January 12th in the Wildcat Room at the new San Pablo Library. It was a packed house in the Community Room of the San Pablo Library. For those who didn't attend or were unable to make this event, you missed something memorable. This event was accompanied with performances by the wonderful musical and dance group, Los Arribeños de San Francisco.

This film, by David Anaya, is the first bio-documentary of San Pablo’s most famous citizen and early California’s Mexican period Governors. Governor Alvarado and his family became residents of San Pablo after his retirement from government service. A replica of his Adobe is now a historic house museum.