Simi Adobe-Strathearn House
Encyclopedia
The historic Simi Adobe-Strathearn House served as the headquarters of Rancho Simi
, also known as Rancho San José de Nuestra Senora de Altagarcia y Simi, one of the land grants in Alta California
by the Spanish
government. The name derives from Shimiji, the name of the Chumash village here before the Spanish.
The headquarters of the rancho served as the home of Robert P. Strathearn (and is thus known as the Strathearn House), built in 1892–93. The home remained in the Strathearn family until 1969, when the dwelling and 5.85 acres (2.37 ha) of surrounding land were donated to the Simi Valley Recreation and Park District. Two rooms of original adobe
remain, now located in Robert P. Strathearn Historical Park in Simi Valley, California
, which have been designated a California Historical Landmark
(#979) and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
The park's Visitor's Center features changing exhibits about Simi Valley
, and is the start for docent-led park tours. The interior of buildings can only be viewed during the docent-led tours. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday there is one tour leaving promptly at 1:00 p.m.. Saturday and Sunday tours are available from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00.p.m., the last tour leaving at 3:00 p.m.. In addition to the Simi Adobe-Strathearn House, there are various historic buildings and structures that have been moved from their original site to the park, including the 1924 The Montgomery children's playhouse, the 1902 St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, the original Simi Valley Library, a Colony House built in 1988, The Banaga Barber Shop, the Currier pitting shed, and two barns with farm tools and equipment.
Rancho Simi
Rancho Simi, also known as Rancho San José de Nuestra Senora de Altagarcia y Simi, was a Spanish land grant in eastern Ventura and western Los Angeles counties given in 1795 to Francisco Javier Pico and his two brothers, Patricio Pico and Miguel Pico by Governor Diego de Borica...
, also known as Rancho San José de Nuestra Senora de Altagarcia y Simi, one of the land grants in Alta California
Alta California
Alta California was a province and territory in the Viceroyalty of New Spain and later a territory and department in independent Mexico. The territory was created in 1769 out of the northern part of the former province of Las Californias, and consisted of the modern American states of California,...
by the Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
government. The name derives from Shimiji, the name of the Chumash village here before the Spanish.
The headquarters of the rancho served as the home of Robert P. Strathearn (and is thus known as the Strathearn House), built in 1892–93. The home remained in the Strathearn family until 1969, when the dwelling and 5.85 acres (2.37 ha) of surrounding land were donated to the Simi Valley Recreation and Park District. Two rooms of original adobe
Adobe
Adobe is a natural building material made from sand, clay, water, and some kind of fibrous or organic material , which the builders shape into bricks using frames and dry in the sun. Adobe buildings are similar to cob and mudbrick buildings. Adobe structures are extremely durable, and account for...
remain, now located in Robert P. Strathearn Historical Park in Simi Valley, California
Simi Valley, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Simi Valley had a population of 124,237. The population density was 2,940.8 people per square mile...
, which have been designated a California Historical Landmark
California Historical Landmark
California Historical Landmarks are buildings, structures, sites, or places in the state of California that have been determined to have statewide historical significance by meeting at least one of the criteria listed below:...
(#979) and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Strathearn Historical Park and Museum
The Simi Adobe-Strathearn House is part of the Strathearn Historical Park and Museum, an open air park that is owned and maintained by the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, and is operated jointly with the Simi Valley Historical Society. The house is maintained as a historic house museum with typical period furniture and household displays.The park's Visitor's Center features changing exhibits about Simi Valley
Simi Valley
Simi Valley is a synclinal valley in Southern California in the United States. It is an enclosed or hidden valley surrounded by mountains and hills. It is connected to the San Fernando Valley to the east by the Santa Susana Pass & 118 freeway, and in the west the narrows of the Arroyo Simi and 118...
, and is the start for docent-led park tours. The interior of buildings can only be viewed during the docent-led tours. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday there is one tour leaving promptly at 1:00 p.m.. Saturday and Sunday tours are available from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00.p.m., the last tour leaving at 3:00 p.m.. In addition to the Simi Adobe-Strathearn House, there are various historic buildings and structures that have been moved from their original site to the park, including the 1924 The Montgomery children's playhouse, the 1902 St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, the original Simi Valley Library, a Colony House built in 1988, The Banaga Barber Shop, the Currier pitting shed, and two barns with farm tools and equipment.