Historical Sites in Fremont

The land was purchased by George Patterson in the late 1800s who moved to California to search for gold and ended up turning to farming.  The visitor center has historical exhibits and is also the location of the station for the horse-drawn train for a tour of the area.  The site hosts many  sites to see including an Ohlone Indian Village, mid 19th century pool house, Patterson house built in 1857, vegetable garden, an aviary once home to exotic birds, walnut orchard, 1850 blacksmith shop and shed and other historic buildings.  Check the schedule for naturalist lectures and demonstrations.  Bring your own food and drink and eat at the Deer Park or Farmyard picnic areas.  Monarch butterflies spend the winter in the Eucalyptus trees from December to mid-February.  There are restrooms and drinking fountains throughout the park.

The California Nursery Co. was founded in 1884 by John Rock.  It grew to become the largest retail nursery west of the Rockies. The park hosts a variety of trees, a Japanese and Rose garden, fruit orchard, an 1835 Vallejo Adobe as well as other historical exhibits.  It is a great place for history buffs, garden lovers and horticulturists.

There are about four acres of gardens surrounding the 1856 home of pioneer agriculturalists and nursery owners, James and Lucy Shinn. The four acres include trees, rare plants and shrubs from around the world.