San Fernando Valley : Adobe Retrofitting Will Be Completed Soon

A $300,000 renovation and seismic retrofitting project at the Andres Pico Adobe in Mission Hills, the second-oldest structure in the San Fernando Valley, should be completed in two months, members of a local historical society said.

The adobe, which was built in 1834 and was home to Mexican Army Gen. Andres Pico, brother of the last Mexican governor of California, was closed in December 1992 so the city could begin an earthquake stabilization project.

But the effort was delayed and before work began, the Northridge quake struck Jan. 17, 1994, destroying the historic building’s chimney and part of a courtyard wall, and damaging the roof.

Since the building closed, the San Fernando Valley Historical Society, which manages the adobe and maintained an office there, has operated out of a trailer located on the adobe grounds.