Jose Castro House

The Jose Castro House is a two-story adobe building at the corner of 2nd and Washington Streets with plastered clay walls and a tile-covered roof. The structure combines traditional adobe construction with timber-frame techniques brought from New England.

The house was built in 1841 for Jose Antonio Castro, who later served as Governor of California. It later became home to Patrick Breen, a survivor of the Donner Party tragedy who arrived with his family.

The house shows how Californian families lived indoors, with furniture and objects from that era preserved throughout the rooms. Visitors can see how daily routines and personal possessions shaped the life in this household.

The building operates as a museum within San Juan Bautista State Historic Park, where visitors can see furnished rooms and daily objects from the period. The location is easily accessible from the street and open for self-guided tours.

Four glass panes flanking the front door represent an unusual feature for the time period. This detail stands out among other adobe homes that were built in the region during the 1840s.

Location: San Juan Bautista

Inception: 1841

Architects: José Antonio Castro

Architectural style: Monterey Colonial architecture

GPS coordinates: 36.84466,-121.53468

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:02