The original Martin Murphy, Jr. house, built in 1850, quickly became a landmark and was regarded as one of the most historically important buildings in Santa Clara County alongside the mission of Santa Clara. As one of the earliest wood-frame houses in California, it had been prefabricated in New England and shipped in pieces around Cape Horn. Standing alone for miles with an unobstructed view to San Francisco Bay, it became an icon of local history. After falling into disrepair, efforts to save the old homestead led to the founding of the Sunnyvale Historical Society and Museum Association in 1956, but despite public outcry the original house was demolished in 1961. The house standing there today was built in 2008 as a recreation of the Martin Murphy, Jr. family home, based on old photographs and documents and made possible through public and private donations.