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

Home of Martin Murphy, Jr.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, April 25, 2010

1. Home of Martin Murphy, Jr. Marker

Inscription. Martin Murphy, Jr. arrived in California with his family in 1844 in the first wagon train to cross the Sierra Nevada. The founder of Sunnyvale, he constructed here his house of pre-fabricated lumber brought around the Horn in 1849. Members of the Murphy family lived here continuously until 1953, when the property was acquired by the City of Sunnyvale.

Erected 1960 by California State Park Commission, City of Sunnyvale and The Sunnyvale Historical Society. (Marker Number 644.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.

Location. 37° 22.926′ N, 122° 1.58′ W. Marker is in Sunnyvale, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in the Heritage District. Marker can be reached from North Sunnyvale Avenue east of East California Avenue. Marker is located at the Martin Murphy Historic Park. Parking is available via E. California Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sunnyvale CA 94086, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. De Anza Expedition 1775 - 1776 (here, next to this marker); Hendy Stamp Mill / Hendy's "California" Stamp Mill

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(about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); F.E. Cornell’s Country Store (approx. 0.4 miles away); Del Monte Building (approx. 0.4 miles away); Hendy Ironworks (approx. 0.4 miles away); Joshua Hendy Iron Works (approx. 0.4 miles away); City Hall Bell & City Hall Cornerstone (approx. 1.8 miles away); Prune Steamer Pot / Hendy Manhole Cover (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sunnyvale.

Regarding Home of Martin Murphy, Jr.. This site was designated as California Registered Historical Landmark No. 644 on April 28, 1958.

The house was demolished by the City of Sunnyvale in 1961 due to extensive damage caused by a fire.

The Murphy family is credited with founding four other cities in the area. Martin Murphy Sr. started San Martin, located South of San Jose. Martin Murphy Jr. started Sunnyvale and son John was credited with founding the gold camp which later became the town of Murphys in the gold country. All of these areas have markers documented on Hmdb.org.

Also see . . . The Murphy Family

Photographed By Syd Whittle, April 25, 2010

2. Home of Martin Murphy, Jr. Marker

On the reverse side of this rock base is a Juan Bautista de Anza Expedition Trail marker and a Heritage 76 Bicentennial Landmark Plaque.

. The Martin Murphy party crossed the plains in 1844 to California. They were the first party to cross the Sierras in a covered wagon, the first to bring oxen across the plains and the first to use the route now used by Union and Pacific Railroads. The Donner party used the route two years later and Martin Murphy, Jr. was a member of the party who rescued them.
The Heritage Park Museum offers an historic photo of the Murphy House. (Submitted on April 27, 2010.)

Home of Martin Murphy, Jr. Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

August 17, 2020

3. Home of Martin Murphy, Jr. Marker - wide view

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,158 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 27, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 3. submitted on August 18, 2020.