Montebello Historical Society

About Montebello Historical Society

The Montebello Historical Society operates the Juan Matias Sanchez Adobe Museum and Historic Site, the oldest standing adobe in Montebello. Built in 1844 during California's Mexican era on what was once Rancho La Merced, the adobe serves as both a preserved family home and educational space. Visitors explore exhibits documenting the structure's layered history, including its original construction by Casilda Soto de Lobo and her sons, and its later expansion under Juan Matias Sanchez. A permanent exhibit honors Marge "Poncho" Villa, Montebello's hometown baseball champion and her impact on women's sports. The site hosts living history events, including reenactments of the nearby 1847 Battle of Rio San Gabriel featuring musket-firing demonstrations, cannon displays, and soldier reenactments. The adobe grounds are accessible to visitors with mobility needs, and staff can arrange accommodations for those who are blind or visually impaired. The museum is located in Montebello, California, and operated by a volunteer-run nonprofit partnership with the City of Montebello.