Heathcote-MacKenzie House
Also known as: Heritage House
Why it's listed
Built about 1905 on the grounds of what is now the Pleasanton Fairgrounds, this one-and-a-half-story Craftsman bungalow was constructed for Rodney G. MacKenzie, a wealthy Canadian harness racing enthusiast. He used it to entertain fellow Canadian racers who wintered their horses in the area, and their spending on hay, grain, labor and lodging boosted Pleasanton's small economy between 1895 and 1912. In 1912 MacKenzie helped form a Fair Association that held fairs and races on the site, and the house served as its office until 1970, after which it became a museum for a valley historical society. The wood-framed house has a gabled roof, clinker brick chimneys, a recessed dormer, French doors and a tile and brick porch with hand-carved pillars. Asbestos siding, probably added in the 1940s, covers the original wood. It is the only surviving structure from the area's racing business and one of few Craftsman bungalows nearby.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house was the center of historical horse racing activity in the Livermore-Amador Valley for over 75 years and is the sole remaining structure from the area's racing business. It also served as the office of the Fair Association and is one of very few Craftsman bungalows in the area.
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 91001538, listed October 29, 1991. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton |
|---|---|
| County | Alameda County |
| Listed | October 29, 1991 |
| Reference number | 91001538 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1905 to 1941 |
| Architectural style | Bungalow/Craftsman |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Entertainment/Recreation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Currently used as a government museum for a valley historical society; renovation work funded by state grants and local funds is complete. |
| Acreage | 0.4 |
| Coordinates | 37.65999, -121.88491 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
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 91001538.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q133258231
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.