Casa Jesus Soto

Lara-Soto Adobe (built 1842 by Francisco Soberanes) at 460 Pierce Street. Also called Casa Jesus Soto (Soto was 2nd owner). Now a historic monument used by Monterey Institute of International Studies. John Steinbeck purchased this house from artist Josephine Blanch, who had restored it in 1940. Steinbeck lived here from 1944-11-10 - 1945-04-05 with second wife, Gwyn, and first son, Thom, while he wrote The Pearl. This is the time at which he realized that he was not accepted in Monterey.