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

Carmelite Monastery – Bond Ranch

Point of Historical Interest No. 2

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, April 5, 2023

1. Carmelite Monastery – Bond Ranch Marker

Inscription. Judge Hiram Graham Bond owned the ranch 1895-1909.
Purchased by U.S. Senator James d. Phelan in 1913. The monastery chapel and residence buildings were constructed in 1917 as a permanent monastery for the community of Cloistered Discalced Carmelite nuns. In memory of Mrs. Francis J. Sullivan, Phelan’s sister. Monastery buildings designed by Maginnis & Walsh, who designed the national Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C. Plans for the chapel won first place at the 1925 Paris International Exposition. It is considered the most perfect example of Spanish Renaissance Ecclesiastical architecture in the New World. The residence of the nuns is known as the Monastery of the Infant Jesus. The converted carriage house and redwood water tower were built prior to 1860.

Jack London, a frequent visitor, used the ranch as the starting locale for his famous novel “Call of the Wild” and Marshall Bond’s dog for the hero of the book.

Erected 1970 by Santa Clara Historical and Landmark Commission. (Marker Number 2.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Notable Buildings • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.

Location. 37°

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20.87′ N, 121° 57.128′ W. Marker is in Santa Clara, California, in Santa Clara County. It is on Lincoln Street south of Benton Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1000 Lincoln Street, Santa Clara CA 95050, 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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: “Cowboy Jim” Donovan (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Kiely House (about 700 feet away); Mission Santa Clara Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Morgan House (approx. 0.2 miles away); John Fatjo House (approx. ¼ mile away); Elim Community Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Old Downtown Santa Clara (approx. 0.3 miles away); Robert Menzel House (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Clara.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, February 16, 2012

2. Carmelite Monastery – Bond Ranch Marker

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, February 21, 2012

3. Carmelite Monastery – Bond Ranch Marker

The Carmelite Monastery image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, February 21, 2012

4. The Carmelite Monastery

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, February 21, 2012

5. The Carmelite Monastery

Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 23, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 2,629 times since then and 71 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 17, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 23, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.