Los Rios Historic District is just that: an historic district. The street is on the National Register of Historic Places and includes those houses facing Los Rios Street. A street that has not changed all that much since it first became a location for the homes of the Acjachemen/Juaneno Indian neophytes who were not confined to the Mission. This in itself was unusual.
At most Missions the neophytes lived in reed huts, “kichas”, which were burned when old and rebuilt as needed. Of the original adobes, all were built about 1794, once lined this street, only three left: the Silvas, Rios, and Montanez Adobes. The Rios Adobe has been continuously occupied by descendents of the original owner. There are many historical sites here and in the area of Los Rios Street. Please note that Los Rios Street is different than the San Juan Capistrano Mission. Both are NOT the same.
The plaque says, "The Los Rios Historic District was placed on the National Register of HIstoric Places April 4, 1983. This district includes 31 historic structures. The districts registered boundaries lie within the locally designated Los Rios HIstoric Area, a 40-acre planning area which includes home, "cottage" businesses, a park, and museums. And is one of the oldest neighborhoods in California. The district has many interesting architectural styles spanning two centuries. Three homes are made of adobe and are the only ones remaining of the 40 adobes originally built in 1794 by indian neophytes. Nearly 1,000 neophytes lived and worked around Mission San Juan Capistrano. The most common structures on Los Rios Street are board and batten homes built between 1887 and 1910. It is this collection of single-wall-construction homes that are qualified it for the National Register. A few of the home have been built since 1920, but stringent guideline make sue new construction is compatible in size. The district also includes a River Street, originally a narrow dirt road whose history is linked to that of Los Rios Street, having served as the main path across Trabuco Creek, connecting the town to the ocean. Finally, the District includes the Santa Fe Railroad Depot which has served as a vital element of the community since its construction in 1894. Although constructed over a long period of time, the shall homes of the Los Rios HIstoric District create a cohesive neighborhood which retains the small town character of San Juan Capistrano at the turn of the century. The homes posses a striking unity and an unassuming quality of design. Many have restored, such as the home Albert Pryor, now the O'Neil Museum. Please enjoy your visit to the Los Rios Historic District, a special part of San Juan Capistrano's history."
You are welcome to stroll the quiet streets and capture the feelings of San JUan Capistrano a century ago. Most of the homes are privately owned and occupied and can only be view from the street. While all have interesting stores, a few are highlighted on this plaque. "Like much of San Juan Capistrano, the Los Rios Street Historic District and surrounding area was home to Native Americans of the Acjachemen Nation before San Jan Capistrano was established in 1776. The first adobe home for Mission neophytes and soldiers were built here in 1794, some of which remain to this day, including the Rios Adobe, Montanez Adobe, and Silvas Adobe. Wood-fram structures began to be built in the late 1800's and into the early 1900's. The Los Rios Street Historic District is the oldest continually occupied residential street in California. Many historic familes of San Juan were and are connected to the Los Rios area, including the Rios, Lobo, Ramos, Yorba, Labat, Olivares, and other families. The Los Rios Street Historic District was listed on the National Register of HIstoric Places in 1983. The area's rich history is depicted by the photographs placed along this Historic Depiction Program wall in 2009."
All of the cited quotes can be found on the plaques in the pictures OR you can visit the waymarks here: (
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Other waymarks that are included in the district are: (
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