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Abbe Ranch House
Designated: February 3, 2004
Location: Larkspur
Current Owner: Private Property
Nominated By: Richard A. Farmer
Historic Significance
The Abbe Ranch House was the only home of the James and Polly Abbe family. James Abbe was a well-known photographer, having photographed many stars of the silent screen. He also covered the Spanish Civil War from 1936 to 1937, opposite Ernest Hemmingway. He was the first Western photographer to photograph Stalin.
The children, Patience, Richard and John, wrote three books and were famous in their own right. The Abbes purchased the land and constructed the home with the proceeds of the children’s books. The children were the actual owners of the home. The ranch house was completed in 1938.