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José Castro House
San Juan Bautista, CA USA -General Jose Castro House, built in 1839-1841 - panoramio (cropped).jpg
The Plaza de San Juan façade of the house
José Castro House is located in California
José Castro House
Location in California
José Castro House is located in the United States
José Castro House
Location in the United States
Location S side of the Plaza, San Juan Bautista, California
Area 1 acre (0.40 ha)
Built 1838 (1838)
Architect José Antonio Castro
Architectural style Monterey Colonial
Part of San Juan Bautista Plaza Historic District (ID69000038)
NRHP reference No. 70000141
Quick facts for kids
Significant dates
Added to NRHP April 15, 1970
Designated NHL May 15, 1970
Designated NHLDCP April 15, 1970

The José Castro House (Spanish: Casa José Castro), also known as the Castro-Breen Adobe, is an old adobe home. It is located in San Juan Bautista, California. The house faces the town's main plaza.

General José Antonio Castro built this house between 1838 and 1841. He was an important leader in early California. The house is built in the Monterey Colonial style. Later, the Breen family lived here until 1933. Today, the house is a museum. It is part of the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park.

History of the Castro House

Jose Castro (cropped)
Don José Castro, an important leader in early California.
Historic American Buildings Survey Roger Sturtevant, Photographer Feb. 16, 1934 NORTH ELEVATION (FRONT) - General Jose Castro House, Mission Plaza, San Juan Bautista, San Benito HABS CAL,35-SAJUB,3-1 (cropped)
The José Castro House in 1934.

José Antonio Castro's father, José Tiburcio Castro, was a soldier. He was also part of the government in early California. He managed Mission San Juan Bautista for a time. He helped his family and friends get land.

José Antonio Castro received land facing the Plaza de San Juan. He built his adobe house there in 1841. Castro used the house as a base for his military work. Soldiers' living quarters were right next door. He also let his secretary live in the house.

From Castro to Breen Family

In 1848, José Antonio Castro sold the house. The new owner was Patrick Breen. He was a survivor of the famous Donner Party. The Breen family lived in the house for many years. They stayed there until 1933.

That year, the house became a California Historical Landmark. The state of California bought it. It then became part of the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park.

A Museum Today

Today, the José Castro House is a house museum. It shows what home life was like in California in the mid-1800s. Visitors can see how people lived back then. The house was named a National Historic Landmark in 1970. This means it is a very important historical place in the United States.

Architecture of the House

San Juan Bautista, CA USA -General Jose Castro House, built in 1839-41 - panoramio (cropped)
The garden side of the house.

The José Castro House is a two-story home. It is made of adobe, which is a type of sun-dried brick. The house is built in the Monterey Colonial style. This style was popular in California in the 1800s.

The outside of the house is covered in stucco. It has long, covered porches on both the front and back. These porches are a key feature of Monterey Colonial homes.

Unique Design Features

The front door of the José Castro House has special windows. These windows have many small glass panes. This design is not typical for Monterey Colonial homes. Instead, it shows the influence of Greek Revival architecture. This style was also popular in the mid-1800s.

Today, the property includes a half-acre orchard and garden. This area is open to the public. It is part of the state historic park.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Casa José Castro para niños

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