A brief chronology of ownership of the property at 800 Cannery Row (Pacific Biological Laboratories) compiled from public documents by Ms. Robbie Behrens.

     The following is a list of legal documents filed at Monterey County office of the recorded in Salinas. Entries in normal type give an exact chronology of deeds concerning the property at 800 Cannery Row, site of Edward Flanders Robb Ricketts' lab. Entries in italics give a list of legal references concerning related properties and people. Reel and page numbers are included for each document allowing easy reference.

1850s    Milton T. Little acquires 640 acres of land bounded by the Presidio and the bay. After his death in 1879 Milton Little's estate became involved in a lawsuit with David Jacks over ownership. The dispute was resolved in favor of Little but in return for legal services the lawyer received an interest in all property from Foam Street to the bay.

1886     Property described as Lot A in Block One is granted to D.M. Delmas of Casa Delmas, a corporation under California law operating from room 31 in the Crocker Building in San Francisco. Grantors are Milton Little (son of the above Little) and Franklin P. Bull. See book 11 page 71, book 12 pages 381, 384.
 
1897    John F. Sarber is deeded Lot A Block One from Casa Delmas. Deed is dated 12 April 1897 and recorded 30 July at  1:25 pm that same year. Deeds Book vol.52 pages 195, 196, 197.

1900    Caroline G. Sarber is deeded Lot A Block One from her husband, John F, Sarber, in consideration of her "love and affection". Deed dated 18 Dec. 1900.  Deeds Book vol. 71 page 472.

1902    J.B. McAbee is deeded Lot A Block One, Lot A Block 12 from John and Caroline Sarber. Lot will now be referred to as existing in both blocks one and twelve because of its position on the map. J.B. McAbee is described as of San Jose in Santa Clara county. Deed dated 25 Oct. 1902, deed recorded 1 Nov. 1902 at 11:45 am. Deeds Book vol. 71 page 309.

1903    Mary J. Nelson is deeded Lot "A" Blocks One and 12 from J.B. McAbee and Edna L. McAbee, his wife. Mary J. Nelson is described as of San Luis Obispo county. Deed dated 14 Feb. 1903, deed recorded 17 Feb. 1903. Deeds Book vol. 72 page 134.

1910    The City of Monterey is granted the right from Mary J. Nelson to lay a storm drain/conduit through the Irving Ave. Gulch. Drain measures 42" inside. Right granted 22 March 1910, recorded 9 June 1910 at 9:03 am. Deeds Book vol. 116 page 122.

1917    Joseph Rodriquez, Vicente Rodriquez, Constantino Raldos and Tosi Lopac (see next entry for name correction) are deeded Lot "A" Block One and 12 from Mary J. Nelson. Mary J. Nelson is described as a widow from Pacific Grove. Deed dated 18 Dec. 1917, deed recorded 21 May 1918 at 9:03 am. 154­D page 329.

1920    Correction to previous deed. Names should read Joseph Rodriguez, Vicente Rodriguez, Constantino Roldos and Joseph Lopez. Deed correction dated 27 Oct. 1920, deed recorded same day at 9:03 am. 177­D page 58.

1920    Fred Spallino is deeded Lot "A" Block One and 12 from Joseph and Rita Rodriguez, Vicente Rodriguez, a single man, Constantino and Josephine Roldos and Joseph Lopez, a married man of Havana, Cuba. In consideration of the next deed I can only guess that this sale did not work out or that Fred Spallino became a partner in ownership. Deed dated 27 Oct. 1920, deed recorded same day at 9:04 am. 177­D page 60.

1923    Vicente Rodriguez is deeded Lot "A" in Blocks One and 12 from Joseph Lopez. Deed dated 4 March 1923, deed recorded 7 March 1923 at 9:03 am. Book 14­OR page 485.

1928    Pacific Biological Laboratories is deeded Lot "A" in Blocks One and 12 from Vicente Rodriguez.  The address at this time is 740 Ocean View Av. Vicente Rodriguez is described as a widower and Pacific Biological Laboratories is a corporation under California law. Deed dated 24 July 1928. Fee# 46808  Book OR vol. 157 page 414.

1928    Deed of trust between Pacific Biological Laboratories and the Bank of Italy National Trust and Savings Association. Promissory note for $7,000.00 to be paid in monthly installment of $60.00 for six months then $90.00 each month until sum and interest is paid. Signed by Edward F. Ricketts, president and A.F. Ricketts, secretary. Deed of trust dated 21 July 1928, recorded 24 July 1928 at 2:24 pm. Book OR vol. 159 page 313.

1929-1930    Rosco C. Wright files a notice of completion with Pacific Biological Laboratories. Rosco C. Wright has been contracted for the erection and construction of a frame office and warehouse building on Lot "A" Block One and 12 on 21 Oct. 1929. Structure completed on 15 Jan. 1930. The address at this time is 800 Ocean View Av. Date recorded 16 Jan. 1930 at 9:04 am. Fee# 62332 Book OR vol. 222 page 445.

1931    C. Abbott and Alice F. Ricketts file deed of joint tenancy from Albert L. & Lillie Pawley for properties at 489 Junipero, corner of 14 St. in Pacific Grove. Deed dated 15 June 1931. Fee# 78892 Book OR  vol. 297 page 283.

1934    Deed of reconveyence between C. Abbott & Alice F. Ricketts and W. Mack Silas & A.W. Furlong as trustees for Albert & Lillie Pawley. Properties at 489 Junipero reconveyed. Mortgage of $1,621.87 is take as deed of trust. Deed of trust recorded 14 Sept. 1934. Fee# 7579  Book OR  vol. 408  page 214.

1936    Alice F. Ricketts files termination of joint tenancy with late husband C. Abbott Ricketts who died on 23 January 1936. Description of properties; 489 Junipero property, Terraplane Six automobile, 25 shares capital stock Pacific Biological Laboratories. Recorded 21 March 1936. Fee# 27151 Book OR vol. 473  page 96.

1937    Yee King is deeded a portion of Lot "A" Blocks One and 12 from Pacific Biological Laboratories. The Lab site measures 25' by 89' while the King property is 25' by 100'. Yee King is described as a native born citizen of the United States. The sale of this property, the loan in the next deed of trust and $3,000.00 insurance are what pays for the rebuilding of the lab after the fire on November 25, 1936. There is no legal evidence that John Steinbeck paid for any of these costs. Deed signed by Edward F. Ricketts and A.F. Ricketts. Deed dated 26 June 1937, deed recorded 22 June 1937. Fee# 42502 Book OR vol. 531 page 228.

1937    Deed of trust between Pacific Biological Laboratories and Bank of
America National Trust and Savings Association, successor to Bank of Italy. Deed of trust notes that as of this date Pacific Biological Laboratories is in full ownership of Lot "A" Block One and 12 and that a loan in the sum of $3,600.00 with interest is made. Date of deed of trust recorded 26 June 1937. Fee# 42501 Book OR vol. 536 page 100.

1939    Deed of Trust between Pacific Biological Laboratories and John and Carol Steinbeck. In consideration of this loan of $6,000.00 from John Steinbeck the P.B.L. corporation is now Pacific Biological Laboratories LTD. The loan will be paid at 3% interest per annum, payment of principle is deferred until 1 September, 1941, thereafter $30.00 per month payment, Lot "A" Block One and 12 is security. Names of loaning party also include Webster Street, as Steinbeck's attorney, and Peter J. Ferrante. Money from this loan seems to have gone to the payment of loan made two years previous and the rest could have gone to the purchase of supplies needed for the Sea of Cortez journey. Deed of trust recorded 1 Aug. 1939 at 11:50 am. Fee# 69583 Book OR vol. 626 pages 482­488.

1939    Deed of reconveyence between Corporation of America and Pacific Biological Laboratories. Deed of trust fully paid by Pacific Biological Laboratories. Deed of reconveyence recorded 1 Aug. 1939 at 11:50 am. Fee# 66582 Book OR vol. 627 page 163.

1943    Deed of reconveyence. Mortgage paid in full by Alice F. Ricketts. C. Abbott Ricketts name still included. Recorded 14 Sept. 1943. Fee# 17997  Book OR  vol. 802  page 72.

1945    W.O. & Rosemarie Lunde and J.H. & Frances Yee are deeded Lot "A" Block One & 12 Portion from Yee King. Deed dated 16 Oct. 1945. Series #13367  vol. 884  page 477.

1947    Edward F. Ricketts is deeded property at 871 Lobos St., Monterey from Elwood and Barbara Graham. Deed recorded 6 June 1947. Fee# 18915  Book OR  vol. 981  page 491.

1948    Edward F. Ricketts and Toni Ricketts, his wife, are deeded property in joint tenancy at 789 Lobos St., Monterey. Deed dated 10 Oct. 1947 while Ed and Toni still lived together but not recorded until 5 January 1948. This would be after Toni, who was never legally married to Ed, had left and Ed had married Alice C.  Campbell. Series# 196  Book 1028  page 78.

1949    W.O. & Rosemarie Lunde and J.H. & Frances Yee are deeded Lot "A" Block One & 12  from trustees, Webster Street and Peter J. Ferrante. Deed recorded 4 Nov.

1949. Series #45394 Book 1171  page 234.

1948    Alice C. Ricketts is deeded property at 1124 Piedmont from Charles M. & Julia Gillette. Deed recorded 29 Sept. 1948.  Series# 29916  Book 1091  page 1.

1951    Fred G. & Frances Strong are deeded properties at 871 Lobos St. from Edward Ricketts Jr. acting as administrator of the estate of Edward F. Ricketts. Property is granted for sum of $270.00. Deed dated 31 Aug. 1950, deed recorded 7 Nov. 1951. Series# 43936  Book 1339  page 481.

1956    Harlan R. and Louise M. Watkins are deeded Lot "A" Block One & 12 from W.O. & Rosemarie Lunde and J.H. & Frances Yee. Joint tenancy is granted in consideration of $8,000.00. Deed recorded 16 July 1956 at 9:29 am. Series #20579  Book OR vol. 1722 pages 34,35.

1958    Pacific Biological Laboratories is deeded Lot "A" Block One & 12 from Harlan and Louise Watkins. Deed dated 16 May 1958, deed recorded 26 May 1958 at 3:50 pm. Series #14096  Book OR   vol. 1874  page 407.

1959    Quit claim­Jean­Pierre and Betsy Kunstle file quit claim from P.B.L. Recorded 29 June 1959. Series #21374 Book OR  vol. 1968  page 598.

1972    Quit claim - Edward Larsh and Jane Larsh file quit claim from P.B.L. on 7 June 1972. Reel 785 page 1099.

1992    Quit claim­Patricia Turner files quit claim from P.B.L. on 27 July 1992, 8:35 am. Reel 2825  page 970.

1992    Quit claim­Chris Graham Stotler files quit claim from P.B.L. on 27 July 1992 at 8:36 am.  Reel 2825  page 971.

1993    City of Monterey is deeded Lot "A" Block One & 12 from Pacific Biological Laboratories. The address at this time is 800 Cannery Row. Deed recorded 2 Dec. 1993 at 9:02 am.  Reel 3032  pages 1325 to 1331.
 

Back to Research