Redman House - Watsonville, California
Posted by: 
hotshoe
N 36° 53.775 W 121° 46.663
10S E 608903 N 4084060
A grand lady fallen on hard times, this landmark is the focus of preservation efforts by the local community
Waymark Code: WM533X
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 11/03/2008
Views: 8
Designed by renowned architect William Weeks, this huge home was built for James Redman in 1897. In the 1930's it was sold to the Hiraharas, one of the first Japanese-American families to own farmland in the nation. Unlike other Japanese families, the Hiraharas managed to retain control of their property during the WWII period of internment. Only in the late 1980's was the land leased to a strawberry grower, the home abandoned and left to deteriorate. It was added to the NRHP to hinder demolition while the Redman-Hirahara foundation pursues funds for preserving and restoring the property.
It is not open to the public, except for charity fundraising events.
Street address:
1635 West Beach Street
Watsonville, CA USA
County / Borough / Parish: Santa Cruz county
Year listed: 2004
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Architecture/Engineering
Periods of significance: 1875-1899
Historic function: Domestic / Single Dwelling
Current function: Vacant/Not In Use, Work In Progress
Privately owned?: yes
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Season start / Season finish: Not listed
Hours of operation: Not listed
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.