The Glass House

David and Eliza Glass began their journey west from Iowa in 1850 during the height of the Gold Rush. They arrived in Placerville and after a short time moved on, settling in Alamo. Their son, Clement Rolla Glass, later wrote that after purchasing three wagons, five horses, three yoke of oxen, and two cows so the baby Francis should have plenty of milk, they had remaining about $500 with which to face the wild and desolate journey to California. In 1859, David and Eliza purchased 740 acres of the former José María Amador Land Grant from James Dougherty. In 1877, the 2500 square foot house was built for $2700. The house has eight rooms and a kitchen that predates the rest of the house. Its grandeur and Victorian Italianate architecture stood out among its neighbors, and the Contra Costa County Gazette described it as a handsome architectural design. Forest Home Farm Historic Park is on the National Register of Historic Places and the California Register of Historical Resources.

San Ramon, California · United States