Simi Adobe–Strathearn House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Simi Adobe–Strathearn House
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Strathearn House, September 2008
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| Location | Simi Valley, California |
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| Built | 1893 |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000825 |
| Added to NRHP | May 19, 1978 |
The Simi Adobe–Strathearn House is a very old and important building in Simi Valley, California. It used to be the main office for a huge piece of land called Rancho Simi. This rancho was one of the first "land grants" given by the Spanish government in a place once known as Alta California.
The name "Simi" comes from "Shimiji," which was the name of a village belonging to the Chumash people who lived here long before the Spanish arrived. Rancho Simi was one of the biggest land grants in California, covering about 113,000 acres!
The house also became the home of Robert P. Strathearn in 1892–93, which is why it's also called the Strathearn House. His family lived there until 1969. Then, the house and some land around it were given to the Simi Valley Recreation and Park District. Today, you can still see parts of the original adobe (a type of brick made from earth) house inside the Strathearn House. It's now part of the Robert P. Strathearn Historical Park. Rancho Simi is recognized as a special historical place in California and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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Exploring Strathearn Historical Park and Museum
The Simi Adobe–Strathearn House is a key part of the Strathearn Historical Park and Museum. This park is like an outdoor museum where you can learn about the past. The Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District owns and takes care of the park. The Simi Valley Historical Society helps run it.
What You Can See at the Park
The Strathearn House itself is set up like a historic house museum. This means it looks just like it did when people lived there, with old furniture and household items. It helps you imagine what life was like long ago.
The park also has a Visitor Center. Here, you can see different exhibits about the history of Simi Valley. This is also where tours of the park begin. You can only go inside the historic buildings if you are on one of these special tours with a guide.
Besides the main Strathearn House, many other old buildings have been moved to the park to keep them safe. These include:
- A children's playhouse from 1924
- The original St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church from 1902
- The first Simi Valley Library
- A "Colony House" built in 1888
- The Banaga Barber Shop
- The Currier pitting shed
- Two barns filled with old farm tools and equipment
The Simi Valley Historical Society
The Simi Valley Historical Society is based at the park. This group works hard to find, protect, and keep old buildings, places, and important landmarks safe. They also collect old items that tell us about history. Their goal is to create a place where these items can be kept and to share historical information with everyone. They also encourage and support research into the history of the area.
See also
