About The Museum
The Roberto Adobe & Suñol House are among the oldest and most historically significant homes in Santa Clara County. The adobe was built by Native American Roberto Balermino c1836. In 1847, Antonio Suñol built the brick Suñol House adjoining the adobe. Suñol owned San José’s first store; he was the alcalde (mayor), sindico (city attorney), sub-prefect (assistant governor), and the first postmaster of San José. The non-profit California Pioneers of Santa Clara County acquired this property to create a free museum for the benefit of the public. It is located at 770 Lincoln Avenue in Willow Glen, San José, California. The adobe is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Read the full history below.
Visit
770 Lincoln Ave, San Jose CA (map & directions)
Open Most Saturdays from 12 Noon until 2 PM
(Not open on Major Holidays)
Private Group, VIP, and company tours can be arranged. Contact SCCPioneers@Gmail.com.
(A donation payable to California Pioneers of Santa Clara County is requested for private group tours.)
Gratis tours en Español con cita previa
This is your national treasure! (One of two owned by the California Pioneers of Santa Clara County.)
The Roberto- Suñol Abobe is included in:
National Register of Historic Places, # 7700034.
State of California Historic Landmark, # 898.
Santa Clara County Heritage Resource Inventory.
City of San José Historical Landmark, # 83.
City of San José Heritage Tree # HT-03-012 (fig).
Historic Roberto Adobe & Suñol House
San José has only two extant adobes, one of which is the Roberto-Suñol Adobe, located at 770 Lincoln Avenue in Willow Glen, San José, California. On May 31, 2013, the owners – siblings John Bruzzone Jr., Jeanette Bruzzone, and Joyce Lo Franco — donated the adobe, as well as the two-story historic landmark Suñol House and grounds to the California Pioneers of Santa Clara County. The California Pioneers of Santa Clara County created a museum for the benefit of the public. The adobe is included in the National Register of Historic Places.
“This is a unique opportunity for our community to enjoy a museum that will showcase the five major eras of our valley’s history, with each period being represented in a very tangible way at the site,” said Superior Court Judge Paul Bernal, who is also the Official Historian of San José and the president of the California Pioneers of Santa Clara County. “The story will span the Native American era, the Spanish era, the Mexican era, the Early American era, and the modern era. We specifically tell the story of how the residents of the homes influenced local history, and how local history affected the occupants. There are fun interactive learning games for children in every room of the museum. The California Pioneers of Santa Clara County is thrilled to have received this gift from the Bruzzone family, and we are humbled to be the next stewards of this outstanding historic resource. This is a monumental donation not only to the California Pioneers of Santa Clara County but also to the community.”
For thousands of years, the indigenous people known as the Tamien lived in what was later called Willow Glen.
In 1775-1776 Spaniard Lt. Col. Juan Bautista de Anza led a settlement expedition that resulted in the founding of Pueblo San José de Guadalupe. San José was the first civil settlement in California, and would later be California’s first state Capital. Mission Santa Clara was founded in 1777, and what became Willow Glen was part of the mission lands, used for grazing 10,000 sheep and raising pigs.
A Native American named Roberto Balermino was born c1782 and grew up on this part of the valley in a rancheria called San Juan Bautista, where the Guadalupe and Los Gatos Rivers came together in Willow Glen. His adult occupation was that of a cook, probably serving food to the army of Indian shepherds at this site. Around 1836, Roberto Balermino built the Roberto Adobe, which still stands today. He petitioned the Mexican governor for a land grant called Rancho de los Coches (Ranch of the Pigs). He was granted the 2,219 acres in 1844.
By 1844, Spaniard Antonio Maria Suñol was living upon Rancho los Coches with his wife Maria Dolores Bernal and their children. Suñol was among the most educated citizens of San José, having been schooled in France. In 1847, Suñol acquired Rancho los Coches, and built a brick house adjoining the Roberto Adobe. It was the first brick house to be completed in Alta California. At this residence, which still exists on the historic site, Suñol entertained members of the first California Legislature.
In 1853, a Dalmation sea captain named Stefano Splivalo purchased the Suñol home, and the surrounding ranch. Splivalo added a second story and encased the brick walls in wood siding. In the 1870s he added three eastern rooms. This is how the home looks today.
In 1906, Italian immigrant Julio Bassoni acquired the houses and four acres. He and his descendants maintained a typical Willow Glen orchard here until 1966.
The Bruzzone family founded the Pied Piper Exterminator Company in 1934 and settled on Willow Street, in San José. John Bruzzone Sr., inherited the business. He owned the land behind the adobe site. In 1973, Bruzzone first laid eyes on the adobe and Splivalo’s home, which carried the name “Laura Ville.” When Bruzzone learned how unique the buildings were, he spent much time and money restoring them to their earlier glory. He hired adobe expert Gilbert Sanchez, an architect, and contractor, to re-enforce and rebuild the Roberto-Suñol Adobe and the Suñol-Splivalo House. They lifted the second story off the first story, used concrete and steel to strengthen the building, and placed the second story back down on the first story. It took three years and $300,000. The buildings were reopened in 1977. Laura Ville was rented as law offices until 2012.
On May 31, 2013, the three children of the late Julia and John Bruzzone Sr., sought a reliable historic organization to take possession of the property. Their wish was in line with John Bruzzone Sr.’s love of local history. They chose the California Pioneers of Santa Clara County.
The California Pioneers of Santa Clara County was created in 1875 in San José, California, with the purpose of celebrating those pioneers who came before us. It was founded with about 450 members. Today, the organization is proud to still have about 450 members.