Public Meeting To Be Held June 6 On Proposed Rehab Of Historic RivCo Home

RIVERSIDE, CA — Plans for the rehabilitation of a nearly two century- old adobe house in Riverside that was once a nexus for the safe passage of Native peoples through post-colonial California will be presented Saturday for public scrutiny -- and feedback — during an event in north Riverside.

The Riverside County Regional Park & Open Space District is hosting the "Trujillo Adobe Heritage Village Master Plan" community meeting that's slated for 10 a.m. Saturday at the Springbrook Clubhouse, 1011 Orange St.

"The Trujillo Adobe tells an important story about the people and communities that helped build Riverside County," Supervisor Jose Medina said. "This project gives us an opportunity to preserve that history, honor the legacy of the San Salvador community and create a place where future generations can connect with their heritage."

The Regional Park & Open Space District — RivCoParks — is overseeing the master plan, the centerpiece of which is renovation and long-term preservation of the Trujillo Adobe.

During the gathering Saturday, project developers will go over preliminary proposals for the makeover, showcasing design concepts and other details. Officials will invite attendees, including local educators and historians, to submit comments and suggest changes.

"The project proposes ... development of visitor amenities, interpretive features, accessible pathways, landscaping and educational opportunities that celebrate the history of the site and surrounding communities," according to a RivCoParks statement.

The Trujillo Adobe was constructed in 1862, over a quarter century before the county was formed.

In 2021, the single-story property, located at 3669 W. Center St., was designated by the Washington, D.C.-based National Trust for Historic Preservation one of the "11 Most Endangered Historic Places" in the United States due to its state of dilapidation.

National Trust for Historic Preservation officials said the home symbolizes the efforts of its original owner, Lorenzo Trujillo, to lead migrants, mostly Indians who were escaping Spanish persecution, to safety, often via the Old Spanish Trail.

The house, which is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been recognized as a California heritage site for decades, served as the heart of what eventually became the La Placita de los Trujillos community.

Information about the property is available at savetrujilloadobe.com/.