Landmark #898 | Santa Clara County | Visited: August 28, 2016 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
What is it? | The Roberto-Suñol Adobe still stands! |
What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: This historic adobe was built in 1836 by a native Californian, Roberto Bellarmino, on Rancho de los Coches, which was officially granted to him by Governor Micheltorena in 1844. The one-story dwelling was enlarged in 1847 by the new owner, Antonio Suñol, the second story and balcony were added in 1853 by Captain Stefano Splivalo.
OTHER TIDBITS: Mr. Bellarmino was a Native American official at Mission Santa Clara, who became a full citizen of the Mexican government after secularization. He gained Rancho de los Coches from the governor, then lost it in a debt he owed to business manager, Antonio Suñol. Señor Suñol was a seafaring merchant who ended up in San Francisco due to illness, then went south where he became San Jose’s first postmaster, a town councilman, alcalde, and later, Sub-Prefect of the First District, which amounted to San Jose, San Francisco, and Santa Cruz! This landmark is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places! |
How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: 770 Lincoln Ave San Jose, CA 95126 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~348mi (561km) — 5.8hrs |
When should I go? | You can view the exterior any time you like, but this is now a government office building and isn’t open for tours! |
This historic resource is owned and operated by the California Pioneers of Santa Clara County. It is now a museum with exhibits on each era of the occupants of the adobe and house. We hope to open by Dec 2021 or early January 2022 after being closed for Covid and construction work. Our visiting hours will only be Saturdays from 12-2 due to the shortage of docents. The site was donated to the Pioneers by the heirs of John Bruzzone Sr. in 2015, who restored the site in the 1970s.
Hi Gayle! Thanks so much for letting me know! I’ll update this page with your new visiting hours right away!