vallejo victorian house tour

"With twenty eateries available to feast on, it’s the place for families to gather and celebrate from 11 AM – the spectacular Fireworks display over Mare Island Straits.

"This is the Mad Hatter’s 6th year magically transforming the waterfront in a Hatter’s style for all with a full day of family adventure, performances, children’s rides and free interactive activities around the tea party.

"Bring your kites to launch with the Gigantic American Flag Kite and other enormous kites that will be overtaking the skies before the fireworks.

"The festival hosts two large festive food courts serving everything from a good ole Southern barbeque to an international smorgasbord cuisine of delights from Greek dishes to Mexican, Filipino, Cajun, Salvadorian and Vegan specialties along with a host of creameries and shaved Hawaiian snow cones to keep everyone cool.

"There will be the popular watering hole of the Hatter’s Artisan Beer & Wine Pub, hosted by Vallejo’s Bay Area Stage Productions with live continual entertainment and craft beers from Napa Smith Brewery along with fine wine choices as well as crafted Apple Cider delights!

"The 5th Annual Maritime Dog Parade kicks off in the early afternoon as the Solano Middle School Percussionist Band enters the Waterfront from the parade, and the furry wide-eyed cat mobile leads the parade. The costumed furry four-legged Maritime Parade is hosted by Haute Dogs Boutique & Barkery at 507 Georgia Street.

"Children experiences are endless with bungee jumping, train and bull rides, an interactive reptile compound, kite flying and so much more. There will be a tented Mad Hatter Tea Party and Alice in Wonderland croquet playing with Wonderland’s Queen and a Tea Party with all the Hatter’s friends sitting around a giant Obtainium Tea Cup.

"There will be West African Drumming along with cultural performances of Filipino and Mexican folk dancing throughout the day. Many of the parade floats will make their way down to the festival for appearances on the waterfront that’ll team up with our Hatter characters as the glowing giant kite displays decorate the skies. What’s not to like?"

https://patch.com/california/suisuncity/calendar/event/20190704/583325/july-4th-celebration-dog-parade-fireworks-2019-vallejo

MAD HATTER PARTNERS

We would like to thank and acknowledge our partners.

8th Annual Grand Victorian Homes Tour of Vallejo

Have an Alice in Wonderland adventure and walk into some of Vallejo’s outstanding architectural homes built by some of the finest architects in the Bay Area.

As always, we will have an assortment of beautiful Vallejo homes — some that have never been on the Tour with a few favorites from one of our past ones.

Tickets include the wine-tasting Reception hosted by Vino Godfather with live music & a variety of food from Vallejo merchants, and an After Party on Mare Island.

The 3-5pm Reception for the Tour will be hosted at the historic building that was once Vallejo’s City Hall built in 1927 and designed by architect Charles Perry. It is now the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum. The Museum’s exhibits of the history of Vallejo will be open during the reception.

$35 Ticket includes:

Reception: 3-5pm at the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum with live entertainment, food, wine, coffee & Tour Guide & Map provided.

Self-Guided Tours: 4-7pm

After Party: 6-8pm (though last year actually went beyond 10pm)

Proceeds support the Mad Hatter Holiday Festival & Parade (Web Page: www.hattervallejo.com , & Facebook Page: MadHatterHolidayVallejo & 3-minute YouTube video @ www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN6MhLHYFrI ), California’s Most Whimsical Fantasy Holiday Happening. It is an entertainment-filled celebration of the festive season along with the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in Vallejo.

For more information or questions, call the Mad Hatter Holiday Festival Information Line @ (844) 344-8793, or Michael Bauman @ (925) 451-7682.

More information and tickets.

Date(s) - Sun, Dec 10, 2017 3:00 pm

Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum 734 Marin St., Vallejo

Upcoming events at this location

• Fun Home - Thu, Apr 18, 2024 - 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
• Fun Home - Fri, Apr 19, 2024 - 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
• Youth Poets in the Spotlight - Sat, Apr 20, 2024 - 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
• Fun Home - Sat, Apr 20, 2024 - 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm

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9th Annual Grand Victorian Home Tour

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In Vallejo the story of Victorian architecture was very dominated by the American Industrial Revolution and the fact that Vallejo was a boom town. Most of the buildings we now have in Historic Vallejo were built after 1880.

Some of the wealthiest people in California lived here during those years and they built homes to show off their status. Most of these Victorian mansions can be found in the Architectural Heritage district.

Not to be out done, local merchants and shop owners built Victorian homes which were just as elaborate, even though they were much smaller. These homes can be found in the Saint Vincent’s Historic District.

If you have a part of the Vallejo Victorian story you want to share, I look forward to hearing about it in the comments section. I read every comment and I hope to hear from you there.

I’m Chris Jacobson, a local Vallejo realtor. I love our historic homes.

Office: 707-812-1390 | Cell: 707-805-4014 | BRE 01987892

2 thoughts on “The Vallejo Victorian”

Chris, do you ever do tours?

Hello Joan. Thanks for leaving a comment. There is an annual walking tour that is a ton of fun. And I don’t want to interfere in what they are doing. Here is a link. https://www.hattervallejo.com/

I have done a few workshops at my home including a wooden window workshop. I have been thinking about how to create a type of tour that is also a learning workshop that folks might really like. If and when we get done with Covid I will do this. I am looking forward to it. So stay tuned for more info.

Do you have a historic home here in town?

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This blog exists to encourage local preservation and increase our enjoyment of living in Historic Vallejo. If you own a Vallejo historic home, this blog was made for you.

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General Vallejo’s Home & Bio

In 1850 Mariano Vallejo purchased some acreage at the foot of the Sonoma hills to build his retirement home. The land surrounded a free-flowing spring that the Native Americans had called Chiucuyem (“crying mountain”). Vallejo retained this name for his new estate, but translated it into Latin, Lachryma Montis, (“mountain tear”).

Grapevines were transplanted to the new site along with a wonderful assortment of fruit trees, as well as decorative trees and shrubs. The quarter-mile-long driveway entrance was lined with cottonwood trees and Castilian roses. A vine-covered arbor shaded a wide pathway around the pool into which the spring flowed, and a number of decorative fountains and delightful little outbuildings graced the carefully tended grounds.

In 1852 the two-story main house was completed beside the spring and its pool. The wood-frame house was done in the very latest Victorian Carpenter Gothic style, highlighted by a large gothic window in the master bedroom, twin porches, dormer windows, and elaborate carved wooden trim along the eaves. Bricks were placed inside the walls of the house in order to keep it warm in winter and cool in summer. Each room had its own white marble fireplace. Crystal chandeliers, lace curtains, and many other furnishings including the handsome rosewood, concert-grand piano, were imported from Europe.

Along with several pavilions and outbuildings, Vallejo’s estate also included a large barn and houses for the working staff. The Cook House was a three-room wooden building behind the main house. The cook lived in one room while the other two rooms were used for food preparation and cooking. Near the main house, a special warehouse was erected to store wine, fruit, and other produce. The building was made of specially prefabricated timbers imported from Europe. Its walls were made of bricks that some say had been used as ballast on sailing ships. Eventually the building was converted to residential use and came to be known as the “Swiss Chalet”. Today it serves as a museum and interpretive center for the Vallejo Home.

As time went by, the General suffered one economic setback after another. He eventually lost nearly all of his vast land holdings, and was even forced to sell the vineyard and other “nonessential” acreage at Lachryma Montis. In 1933 the Vallejo home and some 20 acres of the original Lachryma Montis lands were acquired by the State in order to protect and preserve this historic site and its collection of important artifacts and documents. Today the buildings and grounds are carefully maintained, and the house itself is furnished throughout with many of Vallejo’s personal effects, as though the General and his wife had just stepped out for a moment. The museum, grounds, and the home itself (California Historical Landmark Number 4) are open to the public. A secluded, shaded picnic area is available for public use.

Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo

In 1834, Governor Figueroa gave Vallejo vastly increased powers and sent him north once again, with the title Military Commander and Director of of the Northern Frontier. The Mexican Congress had decided to close down all of the missions in Mexico, a process we now call ‘secularization’. He was to oversee the closing of Mission San Francisco Solano and its transition to a parish church. Furthermore, he was authorized to found the pueblo of Sonoma. To reward and encourage the bright young army officer, Governor Figueroa gave Vallejo ten leagues of land (44,000 acres) in the Petaluma Valley to develop as a private rancho .

In 1836, a new governor, Juan Bautista Alvarado, named Vallejo Commandante General of all Mexican military forces in California, and though this title was later changed, Vallejo remained the undisputed ruler north of San Francisco Bay as long as California remained a Mexican Province. His far-reaching civil and military powers soon made him one of the wealthiest and most influential men in California. His adobe home on the plaza at Sonoma, La Casa Grande , attracted visitors from throughout the world, and was one of the largest and best furnished private homes in California. The Petaluma rancho prospered greatly, and was increased in size in 1844. Vallejo also acquired the 80,000-acre Rancho Soscol and other lands that brought his total land holdings in 1846 to more than 175,000 acres.

During the 1830s and 40s an increasing number of U.S. citizens were arriving in the weakly held, poorly administered province of California and many people, including Vallejo, began to feel that in the long run U.S. takeover was inevitable. On June 14, 1846, a group of 30 to 40 American frontiersmen took matters into their own hands. They “captured” the unresisting Pueblo of Sonoma, “arrested” Vallejo, and had him imprisoned at Sutter’s Fort. They announced the establishment of a free and independent Republic of California and raised a new, homemade flag – the Bear Flag – over Sonoma. Less than a month later the U.S. flag was raised over California, and in August U.S. officials freed Vallejo and allowed him to return home. To his dismay he found that his rancho had been stripped of its horses, cattle, and other commodities by the Bear Flaggers, and by the free-wheeling American, Captain John C. Fremont. Although Vallejo attempted to restructure his affairs to fit the new era, this political and economic setback was only the first of many that haunted his life after the decisive year of 1846.

In 1848 Vallejo was a delegate to California’s constitutional convention, and he was elected to the State Senate in 1850. In that same year he offered to donate a 150-acre site and $370,000 worth of buildings to establish a permanent state capitol in a new city he proposed to call “Eureka,” but which soon came to be known as “Vallejo.” His grandiose plans for the capitol and the new city around it ran into gold rush era labor troubles and fell through entirely in 1854 when the legislature grew tired of waiting and decided to establish permanent quarters in Sacramento. This was a serious blow to Vallejo’s personal prestige, and to his long-range economic dreams and ambitions. Afterward he limited his political activities to the local level. He was elected Mayor of Sonoma in 1852 and again in 1860. In later years, as his fortune continued to decline, he lived quietly at his home, Lachryma Montis , writing a five-volume history of Californla’s Mexican period, and corresponding with his large family and many friends. He died in 1890 at the age of 82 and was buried in the little cemetery on the hill above Sonoma.

Plan Your Visit

• Fees & Hours
• News & Events

Historic Locations

• Blue Wing Inn
• General Vallejo's Home & Bio
• Grasslands / Open Space SSHP
• La Casa Grande Servants' Quarters
• Mission San Francisco Solano
• Petaluma Adobe
• The Sonoma Barracks
• The Sonoma Plaza
• The Toscano Hotel

Vallejo's Home

A half-mile northwest of the plaza, this lovely historical estate, also known as Lachryma Montis (Latin for ‘Tears of the Mountain’), was built in the 1850s for General Vallejo and named for the on-site spring, which the Vallejo family made good money from by piping water to town. The Gothic-style American-Victorian home remained in the family until 1933, when the state of California purchased it, along with its original furnishings. A bicycle path leads to the house from downtown. Tours 1pm, 2pm and 3pm Saturday and Sunday.

363 3rd St W

Get In Touch

707-938-9559

https://www.sonomaparks.org/pub/place/4

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SUPPORT THE VALLEJO SUN

Upcoming vallejo events — holiday festivities abound.

• Posted by    Gretchen Zimmermann
•  Dec 06, 2023
• Copied to clipboard

VALLEJO – Unique gifts by local Vallejo artists will be available at several craft fairs and festivals this weekend, plus music, theater, family activities and the annual Grand Victorian Homes Tour are all happening as holiday festivities continue.

Friday's art walk will offer handcrafted wares by local vendors as accordion player Squeezebox Goddess performs eclectic music from traditional to 80's pop-punk to funny songs to children's music from the Anchor Pantry foyer.

Vallejo Main Street’s Jingle and Mingle event takes place Saturday morning downtown with live music, crafts, contests, tasty snacks, and prizes.

Studio Tableaux will team up with Dillon Bread company on Friday and Saturday morning to bring you amazing artisan-baked treats, handcrafted gifts, vintage holiday decor, and distinctive cookware.

The annual Mare Island Art Studios Holiday Bazaar opens this weekend with a wide variety of fine art, jewelry, textiles, ceramics, and handcrafted gift items.

Bring the kids to the Festival of Lights at Children’s Wonderland to take part in free activities. The festival will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings now through the end of the year, excepting Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

If you enjoy holiday music, a joyful array of holiday tunes will be performed by the Vallejo Choral Society and the Napa Methodist Cathedral Choir at the historic St. Peter’s Chapel on Mare Island on Saturday afternoon. 

And what would Christmas be without Scrooge? Bay Area Stage will be performing “A Sherlock Carol”, in which the Great Detective solves a crime on a dark and treacherous Christmas Eve, haunted by the spirits of the past, present, and future. Several shows are scheduled on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 17.

The annual Grand Victorian Homes tour will start at the Vallejo Museum on Sunday afternoon and end at an after-party at Vino Godfather Winery, with a tour of some of Vallejo’s finest homes in-between.

As always, there will be great live music and community events happening throughout the week. Check the list below for details.

Wednesday, December 6

Baxter robertson.

This accomplished musician has composed for movies and television. He performs originals and standards in a style that can be loosely described as dancing blues and R&B.

• Wed, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Empress Theatre Lounge
• 324 Virginia St.

Lawyers @ Your Library

Local attorneys offer free legal advice and referral. Sign up in-person or by phone (1-866-572-7587) starting at 9 a.m. on the day of the program. Lawyer consultations from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

• Wed, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• John F. Kennedy Library
• 505 Santa Clara St.

Thursday, December 7

Genalogy society of vallejo-benicia annual holiday meeting.

Potluck, Round Table discussion & board elections. Bring a labeled dish to share for our potluck. Drinks will be provided.

• Thurs, noon to 3 p.m.
• Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum
• 734 Marin St.

Social Justice in Public Health Series - Innovation: Implications for Racial and Criminal Justice

Touro University’s Social Justice in Public Health Seminar webinar series is an innovative collection of lectures from experts in the fields of public policy, public health, and social justice.

An examination of the social and racial implications of artificial intelligence, predictive algorithms and their impact on health equity and criminal justice. Speaker Steven Renderos is Executive Director of MediaJustice, a national racial justice organization that advances media and technology rights of people of color.

• Thurs, 5 to 7 p.m.
• Webinar registration

City Park Upgrades - Public Outreach Meeting

City Park's horseshoe pit area is getting some upgrades, and GVRD wants to hear from you.

• Thurs, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• Attend via Zoom

Friday, December 8

Vallejo vintage makers market & dbc popup bakery.

Join us for sweets and savories, vintage holiday decor, handcrafted gifts, amazing baking accouterments, and chocolate from Spirited Sweets Chocolates.

• Fri, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Dillon Bread Company
• 451 Ryder St., Suite B

Loma Vista Farm’s Christmas Tree Sales

Loma Vista Farm in Vallejo has several varieties of fresh Christmas trees and poinsettias for sale Their prices are cheaper than local stores and the sales help support the farm. And as a bonus, you get to see all the animals while you’re there.

• Fri, noon to 5 p.m.
• Loma Vista Farm
• 150 Rainier Dr.

The Makery: Open Use Hours & Make it Fridays!

The Makery! Equipment includes: 3D printer, vinyl cutter, digital production equipment, and much more! Drop-in and discover what we have, or make an appointment to use specific equipment. Check out 'Make it Fridays!' we will have a special activity to get your creative muscles working.

• Fri, 2 to 4:45 p.m,

Festival of Lights

Bring the kiddos or friends down to Children's Wonderland to enjoy the free holiday festivities, music, and hot cocoa! Friday through Sunday, December 2 to 30 except Christmas Eve and Christmas.

• Fri, 4 to 7 p.m.
• Children’s Wonderland
• 360 Glenn St.

Florence Douglas Center Holiday Dinner

Hearty dinner and entertainment by La Banda. Photo ops with Santa and the Grinch.

• Fri, 4:30 to 7 p.m.
• Florence Douglas Center
• 333 Amador St.

2nd Friday Art Walk

The Vallejo Art Walk takes place all over the downtown area with street vendors, artists, local merchants, musicians and galleries. Expect some extra holiday cheer this month.

• Fri, 5 to 9 p.m.
• Downtown Vallejo
• Georgia and Marin

Live Music with Groovy Judy Band

Join the Groovy Judy Band for an evening of groovy tunes, good company, and festive vibes! No cover — show free with dinner. Arrive early to get a seat near the stage.

• Fri, 6 to 9 p.m.
• 301 Georgia St. #122

Paint and Sip Party

Join us as we celebrate fall. Each guest will receive a 8x10 canvas, paints, & brushes. 2 beverages are complimentary. Instructor will be on site and will provide art theme the day of the event. No drop-in option available for this event. $25, 18 years old to paint and 21 + to Sip. Pr-registration required.

• Fri, 6 to 8 p.m.
• Vallejo Community Center

A Sherlock Carol

Two beloved classic tales. One thrilling new mystery. When a grown-up Tiny Tim asks Sherlock Holmes to investigate the peculiar death of Ebenezer Scrooge, the Great Detective must use his tools of deduction to get to the bottom of the crime. But it is a dark and treacherous Christmas Eve, and once again the holiday is haunted by the spirits of the past, present, and future.

• Fri, 8 to 10 p.m.
• Bay Area Stage Theatre
• 515 Broadway St.

Saturday, December 9

Benicia christmas parade & holiday market.

Join us for a beloved holiday tradition. The parade starts at 10am at First and D Street and features local marching bands, dancers, and the much-anticipated Santa Claus. The Holiday Market features handcrafted arts & crafts, gourmet items and delicious foods. Event by Benicia Main Street

• Sat, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Downtown Benicia
• First and D Streets

Breakfast with Santa

Enjoy a delicious breakfast and share your holiday wishlist at our annual breakfast with Santa. Every child will get to take a picture with Santa and enjoy a free gift. We will also do a raffle and decorate cookies! Pr-registration required.

• Sat, 8 a.m. to noon.
• 225 Amador St.

Community Coffee Tasting - Live music by Duo Gadjo

A special Dark Holiday market showcasing eccentric creations by the Bizarre Artists Talent Society. Duo Gadjo will play Gypsy jazz from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A bientôt!

• Sat, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Moschetti Coffee
• 11 Sixth St. (Curtola Pkwy. & Solano Ave.)

Farmers' Market

Shop here for a great selection of California-grown greens, fruits & veggies, ethnic varieties, as well as some nice specialty booths offering goods like honey, homemade soap and other goodies.

• Georgia and Marin Streets

Vallejo Vintage Makers Market & DBC Bakery Popup

Join us for sweets and savories, vintage holiday decor, handcrafted gifts, amazing baking accouterments, and chocolate from Spirited Sweets Chocolates .

• Sat, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Vallejo Project Unity Garden Tree Workshop

Join us in the Vallejo Unity Garden to learn about tree replanting, drip irrigation and cover crops.

• Unity Garden
• 2160 Sacramento St.

Mare Island Art Studios Holiday Bazaar

One-of-a-kind handcrafted gifts by in-house and guest artists include gift baskets, textile art, jewelry, greeting cards, prints, fine art, ceramics, mosaics, holiday decorations, and hand-knitted dog sweaters.

• Sat, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Mare Island Art Studios
• 110 Pintado St.

Jingle and Mingle 2023

Join the Vallejo Main Street team for another epic event filled with music, crafts, contests, tasty snacks, and prizes.

• Sat, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A Holiday Choral Extravaganza

The Vallejo Choral Society fnd the Napa Methodist Cathedral Choir will present a joyful array of Holiday tunes, including a few sing-alongs. The doors will open at 1:30 p.m. to give you time to enjoy the Tiffany stained glass windows and an interlude of holiday tunes on the pipe organ.‍

• Sat, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
• St Peter’s Chapel
• 1181 Walnut Ave.
• Sat, 4 to 7 p.m.

Live Music with David El 3-oh!

Jazzy HipHop/Latin Rock/Funk by David El on vocals and guitar, David Bell on bass and AC Lewis on traps. No cover with dinner. Arrive early to get a seat near the stage.

• Sat, 6 to 9 p.m.

Live Music Saturday with Bear West

Bear West is what you get when a folk song slides right off a razor and into the gaping maw of a hungry grizzly whose teeth are covered in the honey he just stole from the local beehive. Bear West is a bad idea wrapped in good intentions and a lullaby.

• Sat, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Mare Island Brewing Co. Taproom
• 289 Mare Island Way
• Sat, 8 to 10 p.m.

The Best Intentions Home For the Holidays Concert

Presenting original Motown classics, old school, and R&B sound from the 60’s 70’s, 80’s and up, the Best Intentions’ unique harmonic, soulful tones and their smooth choreography, have come to be recognized as the signature of the group.

• Empress Theatre
• 330 Virginia St.

Sunday, December 10

• Sun, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sun, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

St. Peter Chapel - Historic Tour

St. Peter's Chapel is open without an appointment every second Sunday. A museum by itself, St. Peter Chapel, built in 1901, is known for its large collection of stunning Tiffany windows, vaulted ceilings with exposed redwood beams, and historic plaques. Learn about Mare Island through the lens of the oldest Navy Chapel in the country.

• Sun, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• St. Peter’s Chapel

Neverwas Haul Tours

The Haul is a 3-story Victorian House on Wheels that was built for Burning Man in 2006. A must-see while you visit the Holiday Bazaar at the studios.

• Sun, noon to 4 p.m.

Sunday Jazz with Carmen Gonzalo

Amazing jazz singer Carmen (Gonzalo) Lauren will be performing along with Bryan Girard on saxaphone, Greg Sankovich on keyboard and drummer/singer/whistler extraordinaire Gerry Kennett at Bambino's "2nd Sunday Jazz Series". Bambino's serves tasty dishes in copious amounts and they have a full bar. No cover with brunch.

• Sun, noon to 3 p.m.

Grand Victorian Homes Tour of Vallejo

Visit some of the finest homes built on the West Coast here in Vallejo's Architectural Heritage District. Reception will be hosted by the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum where guests can enjoy themselves with food, wine and desserts while listening to live holiday music.

• Sun, 2:30 to 8 p.m.
• Sun, 8 to 10 p.m.
• 515 Broadway St
• Sun, 4 to 7 p.m.

Tuesday, December 12

City council regular meeting.

City Council meetings are now hybrid in-person and on Zoom. Agendas can be viewed on the City Agendas & Videos webpage and are posted a minimum of 72 hours in advance for regular meetings and 24 hours in advance for special meetings. There will be a video link at the left of the agenda page once the meeting begins.

Action Calendar items: Agendize consideration of a resolution recommending a ceasefire in Gaza for a future meeting. Consider purchase of traffic enforcement cameras and other technology to assist the Police. Consider sale of the Herbert House .

• Tues, 7 to 11 p.m.
• Vallejo City Hall
• 555 Santa Clara St.

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Gretchen Zimmermann

Gretchen Zimmermann started volunteering with Vallejo Open Studios in 2010, launched the Vallejo Arts and Entertainment website in 2014 and creates mixed media sculpture at Mare Island Art Studios.

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