Visit this culturally significant site, with a history extending back to Fulgencio Higuera a descendent of Jose Higuera who came to California from Spain on the de Anza expedition (1775-1776). The original adobe home was constructed in 1840.
The view of Fremont and its surroundings is spectacular from this particular spot. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the park!
Sitting in the Rancho Higuera Historical Park is an old adobe building, one of the last remaining buildings in Washington Township from the Spanish-Mexican era of California (1776 – 1848). The adobe was built between 1830 and 1840 on land granted to Fulgencio Higuera. Maps show that the adobe was also associated with Juan Crisostomo Galindo, hence the name of the adobe is “Galindo-Higuera Adobe”
The adobe is 30 feet wide and 40 feet long, with three rooms on the lower floor and two rooms on the upper. The walls are 23 inches thick. The individual adobe bricks are 22 inches long, 11 inches wide, and 3.5 inches thick. It is cool in summer and warm in winter, the thickness of the walls making excellent insulation. There is no fireplace, as all cooking was done outdoors. Coals were brought into the house for warmth.
The Higuera Adobe has been newly cleaned and new interpretive panels have been installed at the information center.
Plan your visit
- Open Dates & Times: 10 am – 12 noon on the 2nd Saturday of each month (April through September ONLY), weather permitting.
- Suggested donation: $2 per visitor / $5 per family.
- Museum members and children 5 and under are always FREE.
- The park is located at 47300 Rancho Higuera Rd. in Fremont.
- Please park at street level and walk up. Handicapped parking is available.
Questions? Let’s talk! Call us at 510-623-7907 or email us at info@museumoflocalhistory.org.
Rancho Higuera Historical Park is closed October through March. Check back in March 2023 for an updated calendar. You can always check our calendar for the most up-to-date information
Docent-Led Group Tour
Two-hour docent-led group tours are available for $5 per visitor. To arrange your private tour, call us at 510-623-7907 or email us at info@museumoflocalhistory.org.
- Slide show about the history of the adobe.
- For students tours: activities of the Rancho/Mexican era (make adobe bricks, candles, etc.)
- Tour of the adobe.
- Walk to the nearby Agua Fria Creek and discuss native American presence and natural habitat.
