Marker Logo HMdb.org THE HISTORICAL
MARKER DATABASE
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Watsonville in Santa Cruz County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
 

The Mansion House

418 Main Street

 
 
The Mansion House Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, April 23, 2012
1. The Mansion House Marker
Inscription. On the corner of Main Street and East Beach Streets, where the Lettunich Building now stands, was the Pacific Exchange Hotel built in 1856 by T.D. Alexander. By 1871 the owners decided that a larger and more modern hotel was needed and Thomas Beck was hired to draw up the plans. It was named the Mansion House.

Many of the old hotel’s registers have been saved and include such signatures as General Tom Thumb, and Ulysses S. Grant. In 1900 it would have cost $2.00 to spend the night, and free busses would have taken guests to and from the train station.

In 1906, Mateo and M.N. Lettunich purchased the property. They decided to move the hotel north 110 feet and build an office building in its place. In 1914 the old hotel was jacked up and lowered onto a series of 100 feet long log rollers. As it inched along and one log would roll out from the back of the building, it would be picked up and placed under the front.

In 1978, the Mansion House was doomed for the wrecking ball but was saved when the owners donated it to the Pájaro Valley Historical Association. It has been sold various times since. The Mansion House is one of the oldest wooden buildings in the heart of downtown Watsonville.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.
 
Location.
Paid Advertisement
Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.
Click or scan to see
this page online
36° 54.62′ N, 121° 45.433′ W. Marker is in Watsonville, California, in Santa Cruz County. Marker is on Main Street (State Highway 152) south of E/W Lake Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 407 Main Street, Watsonville CA 95076, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The City Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); This Gun Was Used (within shouting distance of this marker); Kalich Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Where Strawberries are Sweeter (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lettunich Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Year to Remember in Watsonville (about 400 feet away); The Apple Annual (about 700 feet away); Porter Building (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Watsonville.
 
More about this marker. Mansion House is located across the street from the marker at 418 Main Street.
 
The Mansion House Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, April 23, 2012
2. The Mansion House Marker
The Mansion House image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, April 23, 2012
3. The Mansion House
The Mansion House image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, April 23, 2012
4. The Mansion House
The Mansion House image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, April 23, 2012
5. The Mansion House
The Mansion House image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, April 23, 2012
6. The Mansion House
Note cornice work.
Mansion House Santa Cruz County Historical Land Trust Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, April 18, 2022
7. Mansion House Santa Cruz County Historical Land Trust Marker
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 572 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 26, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.   7. submitted on April 19, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.

Share this page.  
Share on Tumblr
m=54866

CeraNet Cloud Computing sponsors the Historical Marker Database.
This website earns income from purchases you make after using our links to Amazon.com. We appreciate your support.
Paid Advertisements
Mar. 19, 2024