Historical Sites in San Jose

This historical site has 87 acres of land that was once a working dairy farm. Visitors can see the farm house, wood barn filled with large and small farm animals, other historical structures, and fruit orchards. There is also a Plant Science Center, two community gardens, and a butterfly garden.  The park has many acres of lush lawns for picnicing and walking. There is also a forest of trees originating from around the world.

There are galleries, historic buildings and a town as well as family activities, a cafe and museum store.  For a park map, please click here

Learn about the history of the New Almaden Mines including the cultural diversity of the people living in the mining  communities, technologies used to extract liquid mercury from cinnabar ore and the different uses of mercury.  Exhibits allow you to experience what it was like to work in a mine, and how New Almaden participated in California’s Gold Rush.  Next door, view Casa Grande’s antique-furnished parlor to see what is was like for wealthy folk in the 1800s. There is also a self-guided walking tour through the small town of New Almaden that includes visiting other historical sites such as the Mine Supervisor’s House, St. Anthony’s Church and the Hacienda Cemetery.

Overfelt Gardens is home to the historic Overfelt House that is representative of 1870s formal Italian Renaissance architecture.  It was designed by its owners Mary and William Overfelt who married in 1854.  They emigrated from Virginia to California in 1858 and established a stock and dairy ranch at Pyle Ranch.  William helped to establish the first free public school in East San Jose.  Mary successfully ran the family ranch for 54 years after her husband died.  The house was declared a City Landmark in 1985.  There are interpretive signs and a restroom at the location.

Built in 1797, the Peralta Adobe is the last remaining structure from El Pueblo de San Jose de Guadalupe. The exquisite Fallon House was built in 1855 by one of San Jose's earliest mayors. The Victorian mansion showcases 15 fully furnished rooms typical of the Victorian period. Learn about Thomas Fallon, a frontiersman in the John C. Fremont expedition, and Carmel Fallon, the daughter of one of the most prominent Mexican landowners in California.