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

Hutchinson /Cloud-Smith Store/Samuel Cloud House

14501/14503 Big Basin Way

Photographed by Syd Whittle, March 29, 2011

1. Hutchinson /Cloud-Smith Store/Samuel Cloud House Marker

Inscription. These two buildings appear to be connected, but they were actually built by different owners more than a decade apart.

The building on the right was a general store built circa 1884 by John Hutchinson, who became Saratoga’s postmaster in 1886. Hutchinson also owned the Saratoga limestone quarry. Limestone buildings are very rare and this is one of the few that still remain. Samuel Cloud bought the store in 1893, and used the upstairs hall for community and social events.

The ornate two-story Victorian home on the left was built by Samuel Cloud in 1895 for his wife and his daughter, Laura. Laura married Thomas Smith, and they took over the business following Samuel’s death in 1907. Samuel died when he was struck by a trolley that jumped the tracks in front of the store.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 37° 15.445′ N, 122° 2.047′ W. Marker is in Saratoga, California, in Santa Clara County. It is on Big Basin Way (Highway 9) near 3rd Street, on the right when traveling west. The Cloud-Smith Store sits on the northwest corner of Big Basin Way and the 3rd Street entrance to the public parking area. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14501 Big Basin Way, Saratoga CA 95070, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area,

in Silicon Valley,

and on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Site of Martin McCarty's Toll Gate (a few steps from this marker); John C. Hutchinson Building (a few steps from this marker); McCarthy Building (a few steps from this marker); Grover House (within shouting distance of this marker); Saratoga State Bank (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Methodist-Episcopal Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Saratoga World War I Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Saratoga (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Saratoga.

More about this marker. The marker is mounted at the western corner of the Cloud-Smith Store building next to the Samuel Cloud House.

Also see . . . John Hutchison. A transcribed biography originally published in Garden of the World or Santa Clara County, California, Illustrated published by The Lewis Publishing Company in 1888.
Note that at the time of this writing, he was still the Postmaster in Saratoga. (Submitted on March 31, 2011.)

Photographed by Syd Whittle, March 29, 2011

2. Hutchinson /Cloud-Smith Store/Samuel Cloud House Marker

Hutchinson /Cloud-Smith Store and the Samuel Cloud House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, March 29, 2011

3. Hutchinson /Cloud-Smith Store and the Samuel Cloud House

Photographed by Adam Margolis, June 19, 2016

4. Hutchinson /Cloud-Smith Store/Samuel Cloud House Marker

The marker can be seen on the left.

Hutchinson /Cloud-Smith Store image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, March 29, 2011

5. Hutchinson /Cloud-Smith Store

Samuel Cloud House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, March 29, 2011

6. Samuel Cloud House

Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 908 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 31, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 4. submitted on April 13, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 5, 6. submitted on March 31, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.