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 (Spanish: Adobe Peralta) is the oldest building in San Jose, California. It is also called the Luis María Peralta Adobe or the Gonzales-Peralta Adobe. This historic adobe house was built in 1797. It was built by José Manuel Gonzeles, who was one of the people who helped start San Jose. The house is named after Luis María Peralta, who was its most famous owner.
History of the Adobe House
José Manuel Gonzeles was an Apache Indian. He traveled to California with his family in 1776. They were part of the Spanish Anza Party. Gonzeles was one of the founders of the Pueblo de San Jose de Guadalupe. This was the first local government in California, started in 1777. The Peralta Adobe was the second house Gonzeles lived in. His first home was not good because of winter floods.
In 1804, Gonzeles passed away. The adobe house then went to Luís María Peralta in 1808. Peralta was a sergeant in the Spanish Army. He was also a leader in the Pueblo of San José. Peralta owned Rancho San Antonio in the East Bay. This was one of the biggest ranchos (large land areas) in Alta California (which is now California).
Peralta made some changes to the house. He divided it into two rooms. He also added a porch, a kitchen, and a chimney. He died in August 1851. After his death, the adobe house was given to his two daughters.
The house was owned by María Josefa Peralta until 1862. Then it went to María Dolores Peralta until 1866. Later, it was owned by Baltazar Peralta, who was Luís María Peralta's grandson.
In the 1870s and 1880s, the adobe was used for storage. It was used by different people like Zeffiro Bastiani and Lorenzo Scatena. In 1949, a small part of the house was removed. This was done to make space for a new building next door.
The City of San Jose bought the adobe building in 1966. It was then carefully restored. The park around it was finished in 1976. The Peralta Adobe is now San Jose's Historic Landmark #1. It is also California Historical Landmark #866. Plus, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was also the first place recognized as part of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail.
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 house
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Close-up of the side
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Inside the adobe
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Another view inside
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Details of the woodwork inside
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Historical items on display
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Visiting the Museum
The Peralta Adobe is now a historic house museum. You can take tours of the building by making an appointment. The building is about 20 feet wide and 41 feet long (6 by 12.4 meters). It has two rooms that connect and are about the same size.
The walls are very thick, about 2 feet (60 cm). They are made from adobe blocks. These blocks are about 22 inches by 11 inches by 4 inches (56 x 28 x 10 cm). Inside, the adobe is set up to look like it did 200 years ago. Outside, there is an outdoor fireplace oven, called a horno.
The Peralta Adobe is part of The Peralta Adobe & Fallon House Historic Site. This site is on San Pedro Square in downtown San Jose. It is run by a local group called History San José. The Thomas and Carmel Fallon House is also part of this site. It was built in 1855 in the Victorian style.
Related pages
- Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
- Luis María Peralta
