Sunnyvale in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Heritage Park Museum

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, August 17, 2020

1. Heritage Park Museum Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

"along with the mission of Santa Clara, [it is] one of the most historically important buildings in Santa Clara County."
-Mildred Brooke Hoover in Historic Spots in California, 1937

The original Martin Murphy, Jr. house was a landmark as soon as it was built in 1850. As one of the earliest wood-frame houses in California, it had been pre-fabricated in New England and shipped in pieces around Cape Horn. It was the only building for miles and had an unobstructed view to San Francisco Bay.

The Murphy house became an icon for local history. Sadly, over time it fell into a state of disrepair and in 1956 the Sunnyvale Historical Society and Museum Association was founded to try to save the old homestead. Despite the public's outcry the original house was demolished in 1961.

The house which stands here today was built in 2008. It was re-created from old photographs and documents of the original Martin Murphy, Jr. home. It was made possible through generous donations from both public and private sources.

A recreation of the Martin Murphy, Jr. family home dedicated in 2008

Erected by

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Sunnyvale Historical Society and Museum Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.

Location. 37° 21.39′ N, 122° 1.504′ W. Marker is in Sunnyvale, California, in Santa Clara County. Marker can be reached from 570 East Remington Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: East Remington Drive, Sunnyvale CA 94087, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Prune Capital of the World (within shouting distance of this marker); Prune Heaven (within shouting distance of this marker); Labor Day Prunes (within shouting distance of this marker); Yugoslavian Orchardists of Sunnyvale (within shouting distance of this marker); Antique Entry Gate (within shouting distance of this marker); Vintage Sundial (within shouting distance of this marker); City Hall Bell & City Hall Cornerstone (within shouting distance of this marker); Prune Steamer Pot / Hendy Manhole Cover (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sunnyvale.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. CHL Marker for the Martin Murphy Jr. House

Also see . . . Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum (HeritageParkMuseum.org). (Submitted on September 2, 2020.)

Heritage Park Museum Marker - wide view, with museum in the background image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, August 17, 2020

2. Heritage Park Museum Marker - wide view, with museum in the background

Heritage Park Museum (based on the former Martin Murphy Jr. House) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, August 17, 2020

3. Heritage Park Museum (based on the former Martin Murphy Jr. House)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 3, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2020. This page has been viewed 144 times since then and 47 times this year. Last updated on September 2, 2020, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 2, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.