Barron Park in Palo Alto in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Homesite of Sarah Wallis

Mayfield Farm

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, June 24, 2023

1. Homesite of Sarah Wallis Marker

Inscription. Sarah Armstrong Wallis (1825–1905) was a pioneer in the campaign for women’s voting rights. In 1870 she was elected president of California’s first statewide suffrage organization which in 1873 incorporated as the California State Woman Suffrage Education Association. The home she built on this site, Mayfield Farm, was a center of suffrage activities attracting state and national leaders such as Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Ulysses S. Grant.

Erected 1986 by State Department of Parks & Recreation, Womens Heritage Museum of Palo Alto, City of Palo Alto. (Marker Number 969.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Settlements & Settlers • Women. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, the Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and the Susan B. Anthony series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.

Location. 37° 24.984′ N, 122° 7.818′ W. Marker is in Palo Alto, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in Barron Park. Marker is on La Silva Drive, 0.2 miles south of Military Way, on the right when traveling south. Nothing remains of the original homesite. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3899 La Silva Drive, Palo Alto CA 94306, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Juana Briones Park (approx. 0.6 miles away); Juana Briones. This is her park. (approx. 0.6 miles away); Mayfield Fire Bell (approx. 0.7 miles away); Play Ball! (approx. 0.8 miles away); The Crossroads of Mayfield (approx. 0.9 miles away); Town and Gown (approx. 0.9 miles away); J. Pearce Mitchell Park (approx. 0.9 miles away); Mayfield School (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Palo Alto.

Also see . . .
1. Sarah Wallis: A 20th-century life in the 19th century. An article by Steve Staiger of the Palo Alto Historical Association, from a series entitled, “A Look Back”. Originally published on Wednesday Jun 23, 1999. (Submitted on September 30, 2007, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)

2. Mayfield. A short "Paloaltowiki" article telling the history of Mayfield, which got its name from Mayfield Farm, along with vintage photos of town. (Submitted on March 8, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

3. Did President Grant Really Visit?. Blog article discussing the possibility that Grant did not, as listed on the marker, visit. Likely, if he did visit, it was in 1879. But the writer cites a lack of references (newspaper, Grant's writings, or other accounts) to confirm a visit. (Submitted on June 28, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Additional keywords.

State Historic Landmark 969 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Leticia A. Kohnen, November 1, 2006

2. State Historic Landmark 969 Marker

women's suffrage

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, June 24, 2023

3. Homesite of Sarah Wallis Marker

Residence of Mrs. Sarah Wallis image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tammy Grier, circa February 5, 1887

4. Residence of Mrs. Sarah Wallis

Photograph Description: The modest but elegant cottage at First (now Ash) and Grant, Mayfield was Mrs. Wallis's residence and now the site of Sarah Wallis Park. This snow fall began at 5 am on Feb. 5, 1887. By 11 am 6 inches of snow had fallen. This photograph was taken at 2 pm. Palo Alto Historical Association. "Guy Miller Archives," Identifier 083-066.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 25, 2007, by Mathew H. Kohnen of San Jose, California. This page has been viewed 2,251 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 3, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 2. submitted on September 25, 2007, by Mathew H. Kohnen of San Jose, California. 3. submitted on September 3, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 4. submitted on December 22, 2022, by Tammy Grier of San Jose, California. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.