Johnson-Taylor House
12020 Black Mountain Road, San Diego CA 92129

Courtesy Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS)

Courtesy Friends of Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve

THE RANCHO PENASQUITOS HISTORIC RANCH HOUSE was built in 1823 by recipients of the first Mexican land grant in San Diego County. It was enlarged in 1862 and the building and site now comprise a National Historic and Archaeological District. Areas of significance include: archeology, historic, agriculture, architecture, and exploration/settlement. The National Historic Places Register Reference Number is 80000843.

In 1846, the Ruiz-Alvarado ranch house, as it was then known, was the first stopping place for Gen. Steven Kearny and his Army of the West as they retreated from their defeat in the Battle of San Pasqual, the first and last battle fought in the state in the Mexican-American War.

The rancho then passed to George Alonzo Johnson, who married Alvarado's daughter, Estefana, in 1859. The former sea captain set about expanding the modest ranch house, spending $30,000 on the work.

In 1869, it was, according to a local journalist, "not only commodious but most conveniently planned and tastefully furnished; while outhouses, barns stables, milk house, wash house and bathhouse are in keeping with the dwelling and are well adapted to the conveniences and pleasures of a gentleman of taste and refinement."

Johnson later lost the rancho due to taxes "and some questionable land dealings" to Col. Jacob Taylor, who turned the ranch house into a stagecoach stop on the San Diego-to-Yuma run.

Friends of Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve LINK