Costanoan Peoples passed through this area along a trade route from their villages between the Pinnacles and San Juan Bautista. During the Mexican Era of Alta California, this property was government land adjoining Rancho Santa Ana y Quien Sabe. During the American Era, an orchard was established, and immigrants Thomas and Pantello Ferrando, brothers from Italy, built their home around 1900 and improved the operation with the addition of a barn and other outbuildings. In 1967 the county purchased the property from the Gambetta Family and planned a park for recreational use. The San Benito County Historical Society wanted to include a historic village, and the first building moved there in 1977 was the Sullivan House, built around 1867. It was followed by the Willow Creek School, Dunneville Dance Hall, Tres Pinos Jail, Woods Cabin, Cottage Corners Bar, and the Palmtag Cutting Shed. The San Benito County Historical Park was dedicated on Sunday November 14, 1982.