Roberto-Sunol Adobe
Also known as: Laura Villa
Approximate location: the National Park Service places this pin arbitrarily within the property, not at a surveyed point (stated accuracy ±12 m).
Why it's listed
Roberto Balermino, a Christianized mission Indian, built a one-room adobe in 1839 on the grounds of Rancho Los Coches, which had been the swine range of Mission Santa Clara. In 1844 he received the rancho as a grant from Governor Micheltorena. Don Antonio Maria Sunol, the first postmaster of San Jose, bought it in 1847 and had a brick house built beside the adobe. Stephan Splivalo, a Dalmatian sea captain, bought the property in 1853 and added a frame second story in 1854, giving the house its final look, with a long veranda and a balcony with wood balusters. The complex also includes a century-old Black Mission fig tree that still bears fruit. It shows the shift from Hispanic to American control in California and reflects Gold Rush era simplicity. Rancho Los Coches was one of very few grants made to an Indian, and it figured in a landmark land grant case. The adobe is one of two remaining from San Jose's pueblo days.
Significance in brief: The complex illustrates the transition from Hispanic to American cultural dominance in California. It is tied to the ethnic history of California because Rancho Los Coches was one of very few land grants made to an Indian, and it later figured in a landmark land grant case. The adobe is one of two remaining from San Jose's pueblo days, and the house is among the area's earliest surviving American-era residences.
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 77000344, listed March 17, 1977. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 770 Lincoln Ave., San Jose |
|---|---|
| County | Santa Clara County |
| Listed | March 17, 1977 |
| Reference number | 77000344 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Roberto Balermino (adobe); Antonio Sunol (brick structure); Stephan Splivalo (frame second story) |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | At the time of nomination the property was being restored. Plans called for the two-story section to become a professional building and the adobe to become a museum. |
| Acreage | 0.6 |
| Coordinates | 37.31634, -121.90705 (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 77000344.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q89536560
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.