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Historical place in Spartan Keyes, San Jose

Hill House

Photograph of Hill House
Kris Johnson Jr · Google Maps user photo

Listen to this story 1 min

The story of Hill House

Hill House is the restored home of Andrew P. Hill, moved here into History Park after it had been in the way of demolition. The Victorian Preservation Association learned in 1995 that the house was under threat, bought it for $1, and restored it after the move.

Hill House was originally at 1350 Sherman Street. History San Jose says it was moved to History Park on Sunday, February 9, 1997, and that it was Andrew P. Hill’s home from 1898 until his death in 1922. The preservation story is the thing to notice here: this is not just an old house, but a building saved and re-sited so it could keep standing.

You are looking at a San Jose City Historic Landmark, now part of History Park in Kelley Park. The park setting matters because Hill House stands within the larger History Park complex, alongside other historic buildings gathered from around the city.

If you want the quickest practical detail, History San Jose lists the official visit information at its site. And if you’re tracing the house’s earlier identity, the Library of Congress page for a Charles Hill House gives 338 West Saint John Street, San Jose, Santa Clara County, California, though that page may refer to a different house of the same name.

In brief

The Edwin Markham House is a historic home located within San Jose's Kelley Park, at History Park in San Jose, California. It was once the residence of American poet Edwin Markham, who journeyed to California with his mother in 1844. He wrote the poem The Man with the Hoe, while living at the Markham House. The California Historical Landmark No. 416 plaque is located at 432 South Eighth Street in San Jose, marking the spot where the original home once stood.

Before you go

Time to allow
1.5-2.5 hr
Address
1650 Senter Rd, San Jose, CA 95112, USA

Where this comes from