Le Petit Trianon
Why it's listed
Built in 1892 for Charles A. Baldwin and his wife Ellen Hobart Baldwin, Le Petit Trianon is a wood-frame mansion with a stucco exterior and wooden columns, pilasters and shutters, located on the De Anza College campus in Cupertino. Its doors, windows, columns and shutters echo the Trianon architecture near Versailles, giving it a distinctive French character. The Baldwins' 137-acre estate became a well-known wine-producing property. In 1909 the house passed to Harriet Pullman Carolan, who hosted lavish entertainments there around the time of the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition. It was later sold in 1940 to E. F. Euphrat, and the Foothill district then acquired it for the college with the understanding that it would be preserved. Interior wainscoting, trim, mouldings and parquet flooring remain largely intact. The building was moved a short distance and set on cribbing while funds were sought to restore it as a California history museum and research center.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is a unique example of 16th-century French architectural influence, modeled on the Trianon at Versailles, particularly in its doors, windows, columns and shutters. It is also tied to prominent owners and the Baldwin wine estate. It was planned as a California history museum and research center for the college district.
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 72001552, listed November 15, 1972. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | De Anza College campus, Cupertino |
|---|---|
| County | Santa Clara County |
| Listed | November 15, 1972 |
| Reference number | 72001552 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1892 |
| Architect / builder | Built by Charles A. Baldwin and his wife; architects not named in the form |
| Architectural style | 16th Century French influence (inspired by Le Grand Trianon and Le Petit Trianon at Versailles) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Fair condition; temporarily placed on cribbing south of its permanent site awaiting funds for relocation, reconstruction and restoration; planned as a history museum. |
| Acreage | 15 |
| Coordinates | 37.32053, -122.04728 (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 72001552.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14683067
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.