It's time for our annual BBQ at the Rowland Mansion on Saturday, October 19th, 2024
It's time for our annual BBQ at the Rowland Mansion on Saturday, October 19th, 2024
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John A. Rowland I, was co-leader with William Workman (at right) of the first American pack train of settlers into Southern California, arriving in Los Angeles on November 5, 1841; soon thereafter, they secured title to the La Puente Rancho.
John Albert Rowland I (the first) visited the La Puente Valley in the early 1800's looking to find property that would best suit his business endeavors and support his family's needs so he set his sights on settling in La Puente. John Rowland received a California land grant which was initially given by Juan Alvarado in 1842. Later, the Rancho La Puente land grant was a total of 48,790 acres which was split between John Rowland and William Workman. John Rowland and William Workman establish themselves as early pioneers of Southern California. They were the early settlers of California just before it was to become a part of the United States.
The John A. Rowland Home, built in 1855, was the first two-story brick house in southern California, and is the oldest brick house now standing in this area. In 1897, Rowland's daughter, Victoria, and her husband, Josiah Hudson, remodeled the home, changing the slope of the roof, stuccoing the bricks, and adding a kitchen. Their daughter, Lilian, later made a few other minor changes in the interior of the home.
This is the home as of May 2018.
This 150 year old English Rose vine is
growing on the back of the property.
In 1950, Lilian Dibble(at right), granddaughter of John A. Rowland I, turned the water tank located south of the home into a museum especially for the school children. The Round House, as it is now called, contains ranch equipment and Indian artifacts. It is open to the third grade hands-on tours.
The La Puente Valley Historical Society once maintained a Heritage Room. The room, which was in the basement of La Puente City Hall, was dedicated to preserving the history of La Puente, the La Puente Rancho, and the people who live in the La Puente Valley. It is our wish to once again in the near future provide these resources to the community, at the restored Rowland Home.
The Rowland Home- 1855
La Puente Kaleidoscope Parts I and II
Footsteps To The Past
True Tales of the San Gabriel Valley
Note Cards and
United States Bicentennial Medallions
Here is a short 5 minute video about the Rowland Home and Dibble museum. It is a bit dated, in form and function, but it's here for records sake and your enjoyment.
La Puente Valley Historical Society, Inc.
PO Box 522 La Puente, CA 91747 US
Copyright © 2019 La Puente Valley Historical Society, Inc. - All Rights Reserved.
Rowland Home & Dibble Museum: 16021 Gale Ave.