[1][2] The Larkin House is located in the historic center of Monterey, California, at the southwest corner of Calle Principal and Jefferson Street.

"[5][6] In 1832 Thomas O. Larkin, a native of Massachusetts, joined his half-brother John B. R. Cooper in business in California.

Larkin sought to build a house more typical of his native New England, but local sawmills were unable to supply him with sufficient redwood for the purpose.

[4] Larkin compromised by building a typical New England frame, but then finished its walls in whitewashed adobe.

[7] The framing made it possible to significantly enlarge the window openings over traditional Spanish Colonial architecture, and the style of this house rapidly spread across California.