Peralta Home

The Peralta Home is a Spanish Colonial residence in San Leandro built with brick walls, stucco facing, red tile roofs, and wrought iron accents. The structure features a distinctive design with reception rooms positioned for elegant entertaining and displays the skilled craftsmanship of its era.

This structure was built in 1860 as the first brick house in Alameda County, commissioned by developer W.P. Toler for Ignacio Peralta. Its construction marked a turning point in how homes were built in the region during a period of rapid growth.

The residence shows how Spanish Colonial design shaped the way wealthy families built their homes in 19th-century California. The choice of materials and decorative details reflected both social status and connection to the region's cultural heritage.

The house sits on Lafayette Avenue where visitors can easily view its exterior details from the street and appreciate its construction style. The building has been preserved in good condition, making it possible to examine its architectural features at any time of day.

The house has an unusual floor plan with main reception rooms located on the second level while the ground floor functioned as a basement. This layout was unconventional for homes of that period and reflects experimental approaches to residential comfort.