History

The Ygnacio Peralta Home (California Historical Landmark #285) recalls the Rancho days of Early California. The land on which it rests was part of the "Rancho de San Antonio", an area of land stretching from San Leandro Creek to what is now called El Cerrito. This 68 square miles of land had been granted to Ygnacio Peralta's father, Don Louis Maria Peralta, by the Governor of Alta California in 1820. The father divided this land between his four sons in 1842.

The house was built in 1860 for Ygnacio Peralta by his son-in-law, William P.Toler. It was the first brick house in Alameda County, and was originally sited on forty acres of land with a palm-lined horseshoe drive and gardens that fronted on East 14th Street. The house belonged to the Peralta family until 1875, when it was sold by the widowed Senora Peralta to A.C. Peachey. Peachy was an attorney and professor from Virginia and added an extensive wooden addition to the house. Peachy's son Daniel Best purchased it in 1909 and cultivated apricots and cherries on the grounds. That was the year of San Leandro's first Cherry Festival.

In 1926 the house was planned for demolition in order to develop a residential subdivision. Through the efforts of Mrs. L.S. Pratt, the Alta Mira Club, founded in 1907, purchased the Home to serve as its Club House and has preserved it since. As a result of these efforts, this Peralta Home is available to the public for cultural and educational programs and private events.

This Peralta Home has been registered as a historical landmark since 1937.