Page 7 - sw_yesterdaysoflosangeles1927

Gommodore eJtockton' s Headquarters

•....

. ..

YPICAL of the finest residences in Los Angeles in 1847 was
the adobe home of Dona Encarnacion Abila, now dingily
hidden away on the short Olvera street which runs from
Sunset boulevard to Macey street between Main and Los Angeles
streets. This old home, bearing the present street numbers 16 to
24, was the headquarter of Commodore Robert Field Stockton
following the battle Rio Hondo and the Mesa, fought January
8 and 9, 1847.
Dona Abila was the widow of Don Franci co Abila of Las
Cienega Rancho and mother-in-law of Lieutenant-Colonel Garfias,
a cavalry officer under the Mexican general Flores. Don Abila's
rancho, the San Pa qual, also furnished horses to the Mexican
cavalry.
Fearing the wrath of the American troops under Commodore
Stockton and General Kearney approaching upon Los Angeles,
Dona Abila fled to the outlying home of a friend. She left a
Mexican lad in charge who in turn deserted the home.
Commodore Stockton found the home near the plaza unoccu-
pied and appropriated it as headquarters, with his troops camped
nearby.
Although retaining its original outward appearance, the old
hou e had fallen into such a state of decay in the interior that the
health department has placarded it against inhabitation.. At times
afforts have been made to re tore the building becau e of it his-
torical a ociations but outside of a new roof and a few windows
the Abila home ha tood in later years apparently forgotten and
obviou ly neglected.