Bachelder, Thomas Foxwell, Barn
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Why it's listed
Built in 1888 beside Sinbad Creek on Kilkare Road in Sunol, this two-and-a-half story sandstone barn was built into a hillside so horses and vehicles could reach both floors. Its honey-colored walls, about three feet thick, were cut from stones taken from the creek and left rough, with quarry marks still visible. Brick relieving arches top the symmetrical openings, and a cement plaque in the cross gable bears the initials of original owner Thomas Foxwell Bachelder and the date. Bachelder was a San Francisco lawyer who subdivided his large Sunol ranch in 1884, donated land for the church, and built the Hazel Glen Hotel. The barn is one of only two stone buildings in the area and the most significant agricultural building there. After years of vacancy, it was converted in the 1970s to a residence and auto body shop. The stone exterior was kept intact, while the interior, roof and rear wall were rebuilt.
Significance in brief: The barn is considered locally significant under Criterion C for architecture in the context of Sunol's development from 1860 to 1910. It is one of only two stone structures in the area and the most significant agricultural building ever built there. It is also a bank barn, a type rare in California, and the only surviving building tied to Bachelder, who shaped the town.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 94000359, listed April 15, 1994. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1011 Kilkare Rd., Sunol |
|---|---|
| County | Alameda County |
| Listed | April 15, 1994 |
| Reference number | 94000359 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1888 |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Other: 19th century stone barn (bank barn) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Converted in the 1970s after long vacancy; now used as a family residence on the upper floors with a custom auto body shop on the first floor. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Within district | Niles Canyon Transcontinental Railroad Historic District |
| Coordinates | 37.61270, -121.89757 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 94000359.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q123232300
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.