Peralta Adobe
Encyclopedia
The Peralta Adobe is the oldest building in San Jose, California
, built in 1797. It is named after Luis María Peralta
, its most famous resident. The original builder was probably Manuel González, an Apache Indian.
Manuel González, his wife, and their five children accompanied the Anza Party
to California
in 1776. He was one of the founders of the Pueblo de San Jose de Guadalupe, the first municipal government in California, established in 1777. This was the second house that González chose to live in, the first site was untenable due to winter flooding. In 1804 González died and the adobe went to Luís María Peralta. Peralta was a soldier and owner of Rancho San Antonio, one of the largest ranchos in Spanish California
.
The adobe
covers an area of 20 feet by 41 feet (6 x 12.4 m), and has two connecting rooms of approximately equal size. The walls are about two feet thick and made of adobe blocks that are 22 inches by 11 inches by 4 inches (56 x 28 x 10 cm). Inside, the adobe is furnished in much the same fashion as it was 200 years ago, and outside is an outdoor fireplace
.
Purchased by the City of San Jose in 1966, the building was restored and the surrounding park completed in 1976. The Peralta Adobe is San Jose's Historic Landmark #1, California Historical Landmark
#866, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
. In addition, the adobe was the first site certified as a component of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
. http://www.nps.gov/juba/noticias-p3.htm
The site is available for tour by appointment. This site and the Thomas and Carmel Fallon House
, built in 1855 and directly across from the Peralta Adobe, are maintained by History San Jose, a local nonprofit.
San Jose, California
San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay...
, built in 1797. It is named after Luis María Peralta
Luís María Peralta
Luis María Peralta was a soldier in the Spanish Army, who received one of the largest of the Spanish land grants, Rancho San Antonio, a plot that encompassed most of the East Bay region of California.-Biography:...
, its most famous resident. The original builder was probably Manuel González, an Apache Indian.
Juan Bautista de Anza
Juan Bautista de Anza Bezerra Nieto was a Novo-Spanish explorer and Governor of New Mexico for the Spanish Empire.-Early life:...
to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 1776. He was one of the founders of the Pueblo de San Jose de Guadalupe, the first municipal government in California, established in 1777. This was the second house that González chose to live in, the first site was untenable due to winter flooding. In 1804 González died and the adobe went to Luís María Peralta. Peralta was a soldier and owner of Rancho San Antonio, one of the largest ranchos in Spanish California
New Spain
New Spain, formally called the Viceroyalty of New Spain , was a viceroyalty of the Spanish colonial empire, comprising primarily territories in what was known then as 'América Septentrional' or North America. Its capital was Mexico City, formerly Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Empire...
.
The adobe
Adobe
Adobe is a natural building material made from sand, clay, water, and some kind of fibrous or organic material , which the builders shape into bricks using frames and dry in the sun. Adobe buildings are similar to cob and mudbrick buildings. Adobe structures are extremely durable, and account for...
covers an area of 20 feet by 41 feet (6 x 12.4 m), and has two connecting rooms of approximately equal size. The walls are about two feet thick and made of adobe blocks that are 22 inches by 11 inches by 4 inches (56 x 28 x 10 cm). Inside, the adobe is furnished in much the same fashion as it was 200 years ago, and outside is an outdoor fireplace
Outdoor fireplace
An outdoor fireplace is a place for building fires outside of the home. Similar in construction to an indoor fireplace, an outdoor fireplace is usually added to a stone, brick, or concrete patio. It often consists of a firebox and a chimney. As with indoor fireplaces, an outdoor fireplace...
.
Purchased by the City of San Jose in 1966, the building was restored and the surrounding park completed in 1976. The Peralta Adobe is San Jose's Historic Landmark #1, California Historical Landmark
California Historical Landmark
California Historical Landmarks are buildings, structures, sites, or places in the state of California that have been determined to have statewide historical significance by meeting at least one of the criteria listed below:...
#866, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. In addition, the adobe was the first site certified as a component of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
thumb|325px|MAP: [[Juan Bautista de Anza]] National Historic Trail routes in [[Arizona]] and [[California]].The Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail is a National Park Service unit in the United States National Historic Trail and National Millennium Trail programs...
. http://www.nps.gov/juba/noticias-p3.htm
The site is available for tour by appointment. This site and the Thomas and Carmel Fallon House
Thomas Fallon
Thomas Fallon was an Irish-born, Canadian-raised American capitalist and politician, the tenth Mayor of San Jose, California.-Biography:...
, built in 1855 and directly across from the Peralta Adobe, are maintained by History San Jose, a local nonprofit.