Rains, John, House
Also known as: Rancho Cucamonga
Why it's listed
This brick house at Cucamonga, in San Bernardino County, was begun in 1860 by John Rains on the former Rancho Cucamonga, and his family moved in the next year. Built of heavy red-clay brick with east and west wings around a central patio, it was roofed with thatch covered in brea and tallow. It also had an early cooling system of floor ducts carrying creek water. The nomination describes it as probably the oldest fired-brick residence still standing in the county. Rains expanded the vineyard and built the first commercial winery in California, which survives as a state landmark. The house later became a center of social life for wealthy southern families. After Rains was murdered in 1862, his widow lost the rancho by the 1870s. Later owners remodeled the house. After a recent sale it stood empty and was vandalized until San Bernardino County acquired it and began planning its preservation.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as believed to be the oldest fired-brick residence still standing in San Bernardino County. It was the home of John Rains, who developed a large vineyard and built California's first commercial winery. The site was also a long-known stopping point and road junction for explorers, traders and travelers.
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 73000428, listed April 24, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 7869 Vineyard Ave., Cucamonga |
|---|---|
| County | San Bernardino County |
| Listed | April 24, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73000428 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1860-1861 (construction dates of house); 19th century |
| Areas of significance | Historic - Aboriginal, Agriculture, Transportation, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Altered by later owners who repaired it, gave it a new roof and remodeled it; after its sale it stood empty and was vandalized. Acquired by San Bernardino County, with steps under way to protect and preserve it. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 34.11122, -117.61077 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 73000428.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q20858232
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.