Although he is known primarily today as a ranchero so wealthy he was called "El Rico", my 3rd great grandfather, Juan Avila played a significant and historical role in southern California history.
As the American troops under Commodore Robert Stockton camped by the Los Angeles River after the inconclusive Battle of the Mesa, about 9 A.M., January 10th, 1847, three civilians approached bearing a white flag of truce. The three men were Eulogio Celis, William Workman, and 34 year old Juan Avila, called up from Rancho Niguel.
Under the flag, the City of the Angeles was surrendered with promises that "property and persons" would be respected. The taking of Los Angeles effectively ended the Mexican-American War in California.
Ironically, Stockton made his headquarters in the Avila family adobe for five days while he settled the city's inhabitants into a military occupation. Originally built about 1818, the Avila family adobe had fallen to ruin by the 1920s. In 1930, restoration was begun as can be seen the photograph. The restored Juan Avila adobe is located along the camino in San Juan Capistrano.
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