Kottinger, John W., Adobe Barn
Also known as: Kottinger Barn
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Why it's listed
Built about 1852, this adobe barn at 200 Ray Street in Pleasanton was constructed by John W. Kottinger, an Austrian-born lawyer and one of the town's founding settlers. The roughly 35-by-35-foot building has 2½-foot-thick walls of locally made adobe brick on a stone foundation, plastered outside and topped by a redwood-shingled gable roof. Kottinger used his house as a courthouse and a section of the barn as a jail, with a tunnel between them to avoid hostile crowds. The barn also supported his stock raising. His house was torn down in 1930, leaving the barn as the only structure associated with him. It is the only adobe remaining within Pleasanton's city limits and the best preserved of three in the area. After years of deterioration, it was restored in 1984 and converted to a wine tasting room beside a small shopping complex, though its original setting has been lost to subdivision.
Significance in brief: It is the only remaining structure tied to John W. Kottinger, a founder of Pleasanton, and is the only adobe left within the city limits. It served as a jail when Kottinger held court in his house, and was one of the town's first public buildings. It is an uncommon non-residential adobe and the best preserved of the three adobes remaining 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 85002305, listed September 12, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 200 Ray St., Pleasanton |
|---|---|
| County | Alameda County |
| Listed | September 12, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85002305 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | John W. Kottinger |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Restored to its historic appearance in 1984 after severe deterioration, and renovated for use as a wine tasting room within a small shopping complex. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Coordinates | 37.66294, -121.87240 (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 85002305.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q133255049
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.