Stroschein, Carl, House
Also known as: The Little Yellow House
Why it's listed
Built in 1927 by brothers Carl and Fred Stroschein, this small yellow house at 31682 El Camino Real in San Juan Capistrano covers 650 square feet and is clad in false bevel drop siding. Its steep roof and porch show some Tudor influence, though it has no defined style. The house and its detached garage are original and unaltered, with wood sash windows, a brick fireplace, and a kitchen cabinet cooled by air from the basement. The lot was carved from a 40-acre ranch William Stroschein bought in 1887. Carl Stroschein lived here and ran his office from the house while serving as San Juan Township constable from 1938 to 1953. He was the last elected constable in the township, and his service covered the Second World War, when he helped organize a civilian defense council. The house is the surviving remnant of the family ranch, along with a walnut tree and orange trees in the yard.
Significance in brief: The house is significant under Criterion B for its association with Carl Louis Stroschein, the last elected Constable of San Juan Township, who used it as both home and office. His tenure from 1938 to 1953 marked the end of elected township constables in Orange County. It reflects San Juan Capistrano's shift from a remote farming community to a town more integrated into the county.
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 09000823, listed October 14, 2009. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 31682 EL Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano |
|---|---|
| County | Orange County |
| Listed | October 14, 2009 |
| Reference number | 09000823 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1938-1953 |
| Architect / builder | Stroschein, Fred and Carl |
| Architectural style | None; some Tudor elements in roof pitch and porch, but no particular architectural style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Social History, Politics/Government |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Both the house and garage are original, unaltered, in excellent condition, and in their original location; the house is still used as a residence. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 33.50263, -117.66148 (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 09000823.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q133332316
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.