Higgins way and adobe drive pacifica free#

The county purchased the home in 1947, and today it serves as a living memorial to the Ohlones. It was used as a brothel, hotel, and storage facility for artichokes, among other things. As one of the oldest homes built in San Mateo County, this former residence changed hands several times. Francisco Sanchez, a prominent member of a Californio family, built the Sanchez Adobe between 18. The areaвЂ™s original inhabitants, the Ohlone, passed down their knowledge of the land to the missionaries, and later, Mexican rancherias (settlements), who occupied the land. This historic mission, tucked into PacificaвЂ™s San Pedro Valley, is often overlooked by locals as a great history-lesson outing, even without kids. Sanchez Adobe, part of the San Mateo County Parks system, is a historic mission in Pacifica built in the mid-1800s. Open for visitors on the third Saturday of every month from 11 a.m. James Johnston House, 110 Higgins Canyon Road, Half Moon Bay 65. When the WatkinsвЂ™, who were affiliated with the Smithsonian, discovered this treasure, they initiated a round of conversations that resulted in its restoration. The ranch, along with the home, was foreclosed on by 1879. Petra came from a long line of rancheros, but even she couldnвЂ™t help Johnston with his cattle-ranching prowess.

вЂњHe wanted to build this stately type of farm and home that would be worthy of his wife, Petra,вЂќ she says. The house, built in 1855 by Scottsman James Johnston, was a gift for his Mexican-born wife, Petra de Jara, according to docent Gail Stevens. You might not be able to visit it today if it was not for Malcolm and Joan Watkins, who discovered the homeвЂ™s provenance during a road trip in 1962. This historic saltbox-style New England colonial sits unassumingly in the middle of a field of wildflowers and native grasses just south of Half Moon BayвЂ™s Main Street. (Photo courtesy San Mateo County and Silicon Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau) The Johnston House off Highway 1 near downtown Half Moon Bay was built by James Johnston as a gift for his wife.

Higgins way and adobe drive pacifica free#

All of these historic homes are free to visit unless otherwise noted, but donations keep them up and running. Visit these gems and learn how they came to be and how their place in local history impacts life here today. Some of that wealth (and property) were squandered, but some owners and heirs reinvested in their communities. And of course thereвЂ™s Leland and Jane Stanford. William Ralston had his country home in the Belmont canyon area, Cipriani House, enlarged to 100 rooms and hosted lavish parties.

Flood вЂ“ of Flood Mansion fame вЂ“ built a country estate named Linden Towers, with remnants of the estate still evident throughout the Lindenwood neighborhood of Atherton, including the brick wall along Middlefield Road. Their actions amplified a divide that would only grow, mostly through generational wealth. The wealthy converged on this pristine land, bought up acres and built their summer homes, traveling via the newly built railroad. These estates wouldnвЂ™t have been built without massive land acquisitions, many initiated by the California Land Act in 1851.

And, though most of the areaвЂ™s large estates like Mills (Millbrae), Gables (Woodside), and La Dolphine (Hillsborough) have either been demolished, sold or parceled off, or remain in the hands of private citizens, there are several that are run and supported by nonprofits or cities, welcoming and educating visitors on the areaвЂ™s history. More than 100 years ago, the Peninsula had the largest collection of country estates west of the Mississippi. Wealth and the San Francisco Peninsula (Silicon Valley) have been entwined long before the likes of Apple and Oracle. Filoli in Woodside is one of the most popular estates to visit on the Peninsula. Visit these landmark estates and see what it was like a century ago (or more).