The Josiah Merritt Adobe, constructed sometime before 1852, is still in active use as a business & professional building. The property was purchased in a sheriff's sale from its original owner in 1852 by Juana de Castro, Josiah Merritt's wife.

The simple adobe structure was enlarged to two stories and finished in a Greek Revival temple form. Merritt added a three-pillared and pedimented Greek facade on the eastern end of the residence, maintaining a traditional Mexican California exterior designed staircase along the North wall.

The non-classical pillars supporting the second-floor balcony are a common variation of the Greek Revival style practiced in America. The use of three pillars rather than the usual symmetrical number of four or six can be attributed to the small scale of the structure. The two-story pedimented portico is flanked on the left by 4 over 6 sash windows on both floors, and on the right by a pair of doors. A glazed 4 over 6 French window on the upper floor sits over a solid paneled entrance door, again varying the symmetry of the mode. The gable roof is currently covered with a composition material, although it was most likely originally of wood shingle. There is no other adobe residence in California known to incorporate the Greek style in its execution.

The main structure is flanked by a large two-story church and vacant lot and a two-story office building and market. An older (1920's, 30's) commercial block faces the Merritt Adobe from the east. A one-story 20' x 24' flat-roofed addition was added to the rear of the structure before 1948. Other renovations of the structure include the addition of electric wiring, modern plumbing, and facilities before 1948.