Cole's Five Cypress Farm
Also known as: Parker Place
Why it's listed
Begun in 1861 and finished in 1863, this L-shaped redwood-frame farmhouse east of Stockton was built by Joseph H. Cole, who came to California in 1850 and became a successful wheat farmer. The house combines Greek Revival clapboard styling with Italianate bracketed eaves, a two-story front gable with balcony, and a brick basement. Servants' quarters in the wing are reached only by a separate exterior stair. Five Italian cypresses planted near the house give the farm its name. Cole's fortunes later declined, and Eric Brandstad acquired the homestead in 1902; his descendants later owned it. Changes over time include plumbing in 1904, electricity in 1919, and a brick porch in 1964. The farm buildings now on the property are later additions. The nomination presents the house as the oldest and largest of three built in the area by early settlers and as representative of the grain farmers who made agriculture the leading industry of San Joaquin County and the state.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the farm is significant for its link to the history of grain and wheat farming in California's San Joaquin Valley, when "Wheat was King." The house is described as a locally distinctive example of Greek Revival style with early Italianate features, notable for superior construction and detailing. Cole is also noted as an early settler and successful farmer in 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 88000578, listed May 25, 1988. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 11221 E. Eight Mile Rd., Stockton |
|---|---|
| County | San Joaquin County |
| Listed | May 25, 1988 |
| Reference number | 88000578 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1861-1902 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival with early Italianate features |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Agriculture, Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied private residence with farmland in agricultural use; the house is described as well maintained and in good condition, with the farm leased by the owners' heirs. |
| Acreage | 143.7 |
| Coordinates | 38.06070, -121.18687 (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 88000578.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.