Stow House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Stow House
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The Stow House, Goleta, California
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 Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | 304 N. Los Carneros Rd., Goleta, California |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival, Italianate |
| NRHP reference No. | 00001166 |
| Added to NRHP | September 28, 2000 |
The Stow House is a special historical building in Goleta, California. It used to be the main building for a large ranch called Rancho La Patera. Today, the Stow House is home to the Goleta Historical Society. This group works to save and share the history of the Goleta Valley. The house itself is built in a unique style called Carpenter Gothic.
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What is the History of Stow House?
The Stow House was once the center of Rancho La Patera. This ranch was part of an even older ranch called Rancho La Goleta. In 1871, a man named William Whitney Stow bought a huge piece of land. He paid $28,677 for about 1,043 acres (4.2 square kilometers). He bought this land for his son, Sherman P. Stow.
Sherman Stow built a beautiful Victorian home on the property. It was designed in the Carpenter Gothic style. He moved into the house in 1873 with his new wife, Ida G. Hollister. The family made the house bigger two times. These changes happened in the 1880s and again in the 1910s. Three generations of the Stow family lived in this house over the years.
How Did the Lemon Orchard Start?
In 1875, something very important happened at the ranch. About 3,000 lemon trees were planted. This was the first time lemons were grown for sale in California. Sherman Stow's son, Edgar Whitney Stow, later became a state senator. He set up a special lab at the ranch. There, he worked to create lemon plants that could resist diseases. This was a huge help for other lemon growers in the area.
The ranch also had the first commercial irrigation system in the area. This means they used water to help their crops grow. They used a pond that the Stows had created. This pond was later made much bigger and became Lake Los Carneros. You can still visit this lake today!
What Can You See at the Museum?
Today, the Stow House is a museum. Inside, you can see old family photos and furniture. These items tell the stories of Sherman and Ida Stow. You can also learn about their children and grandchildren. It's a great way to see what life was like long ago.
What is Near Stow House?
The Stow House is located right next to Lake Los Carneros. This lake has nice walking trails. It's also a great spot for watching birds. You can also find the Goleta Depot nearby. This is part of the South Coast Railroad Museum.
Sometimes, you might even see wild animals on the trails. Animals like coyotes and bobcats have been seen there.
Are There Ghost Stories at Stow House?
The Stow House was featured on a TV show called Ghost Adventures. This episode aired on June 28, 2023. On the show, the crew explored the Stow House. They also talked to people who said they had seen strange things happening there.
