Watsonville in Santa Cruz County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Mansion House
418 Main Street
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, April 23, 2012
1. The Mansion House Marker
On the corner of Main Street and East Beach Streets, where the Lettunich Building now stands, was the Pacific Exchange Hotel built in 1856 by T.D. Alexander. By 1871 the owners decided that a larger and more modern hotel was needed and Thomas Beck was hired to draw up the plans. It was named the Mansion House.Many of the old hotel’s registers have been saved and include such signatures as General Tom Thumb, and Ulysses S. Grant. In 1900 it would have cost $2.00 to spend the night, and free busses would have taken guests to and from the train station.
In 1906, Mateo and M.N. Lettunich purchased the property. They decided to move the hotel north 110 feet and build an office building in its place. In 1914 the old hotel was jacked up and lowered onto a series of 100 feet long log rollers. As it inched along and one log would roll out from the back of the building, it would be picked up and placed under the front.
In 1978, the Mansion House was doomed for the wrecking ball but was saved when the owners donated it to the Pájaro Valley Historical Association. It has been sold various times since. The Mansion House
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.
Location. 36° 54.62′ N, 121° 45.433′ W. Marker is in Watsonville, California, in Santa Cruz County. Marker is on Main Street (State Highway 152) south of E/W Lake Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 407 Main Street, Watsonville CA 95076, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The City Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); This Gun Was Used (within shouting distance of this marker); Kalich Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Where Strawberries are Sweeter (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lettunich Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Year to Remember in Watsonville (about 400 feet away); The Apple Annual (about 700 feet away); Porter Building (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Watsonville.
More about this marker. Mansion House is located across the street from the marker at 418 Main Street.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, April 23, 2012
2. The Mansion House Marker
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, April 23, 2012
3. The Mansion House
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, April 23, 2012
4. The Mansion House
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, April 23, 2012
5. The Mansion House
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, April 23, 2012
6. The Mansion House
Note cornice work.
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, April 18, 2022
7. Mansion House Santa Cruz County Historical Land Trust Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 551 times since then and 76 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 26, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 7. submitted on April 19, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
