Peralta Adobe facts for kids
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Peralta Adobe
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Peralta Adobe
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| Location | San Jose, California |
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| Built | 1797 |
| Architect | Manuel González |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000454 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1973 |
The Peralta Adobe is the oldest building in San Jose, California. It's also known as the Luis María Peralta Adobe or the Gonzales-Peralta Adobe. This special building, made of adobe (a type of sun-dried brick), was built way back in 1797. It was built by José Manuel Gonzeles, who was one of the people who helped start San Jose. The adobe is named after Luis María Peralta, who lived there and became very well-known.
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History of the Adobe
Who Built the Adobe?
José Manuel Gonzeles, his wife, and their five children traveled with the Spanish Anza Party to California in 1776. He was one of the people who helped create the Pueblo de San Jose de Guadalupe. This was the first local government in California, started in 1777. The Peralta Adobe was actually the second house Gonzeles lived in. His first home wasn't good because of winter floods.
Peralta Family Takes Over
In 1804, Gonzeles passed away. The adobe then went to Luís María Peralta in 1808. Peralta was a sergeant in the Spanish Army. He was also a commissioner for the Pueblo of San José. He owned a huge piece of land called Rancho San Antonio in the East Bay. This was one of the biggest ranches in Alta California (which was then part of Mexico).
Peralta made some changes to the house. He divided it into two rooms and added a porch, a kitchen, and a chimney. He died in August 1851. After his death, the adobe was passed down to his two daughters.
The house belonged to María Josefa Peralta until July 1862. Then it went to María Dolores Peralta until 1866. After that, it was owned by Baltazar Peralta, who was Luís María Peralta's grandson.
Later Years and Restoration
During the 1870s and 1880s, the adobe was used for storage by different people. In 1949, a small part of the adobe's corner had to be removed for a new building next door.
The City of San Jose bought the adobe building in 1966. It was carefully restored, and the park around it was finished in 1976. The Peralta Adobe is now San Jose's first Historic Landmark. It's also a California Historical Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Plus, it was the first place recognized as part of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail.
Visiting the Museum
The Peralta Adobe is now a historic house museum. You can arrange tours to see what it's like inside. The building is about 20 feet wide and 41 feet long. It has two rooms that connect and are about the same size. The walls are very thick, about 2 feet! They are made from adobe blocks that are 22 inches by 11 inches by 4 inches. Inside, the adobe is set up to look just like it would have 200 years ago. Outside, there's an outdoor fireplace oven called a horno.
The Peralta Adobe and the Thomas and Carmel Fallon House are part of The Peralta Adobe & Fallon House Historic Site. This site is on San Pedro Square in downtown San Jose. It's managed by a local group called History San José. The Fallon House was built in 1855 in the Victorian style.
Images for kids
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The California Historical Landmark plaque
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Front view of the adobe
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Side view of the adobe
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A close-up of the side
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Inside the Peralta Adobe
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Another view inside
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Detailed woodwork inside
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Historical items on display
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Related Pages
- Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
- Luis María Peralta
