316 Main Street

Built in 1908, 316 Main Street housed the first commercial business in the new town of Los Altos. William and Lillian Eschenbruecher operated a hardware store there for more than a year before electricity and water became generally available to business lots. The store also served as the town's first post office, which William, the first Postmaster, ran from one corner of the store until 1911, when it moved to the Copeland Building at 397 Main Street. After William, commonly called Billy, died a few years later, Lillian and their young son Roy continued the business for many years. Although the front of the hardware store has been altered, the original facade is believed to survive beneath the present storefront. The Eschenbruecher home, once at 130 Second Street, was the first home in the downtown triangle and in 1985 was moved to Los Altos Hills, where it serves as the town's Heritage House.

Los Altos, California · United States