Temelec
Also known as: Temelec Farm
Why it's listed
Temelec is a group of stone buildings and gardens just south of Sonoma, centered on Temelec Hall, a two-story Greek Revival mansion completed in 1858-1859 for California pioneer Captain Granville Perry Swift. The walls are dressed gray ashlar with white stone trim, with porticos and balconies on three sides. Nearby stand a smokehouse and kitchen, a carriage house and barn, a washhouse, two stone gazebos, a swan fountain, long stone walls and a former fishpond now used as a reservoir. No architect is recorded. Later owners, including the Coblentz family, altered the site with respect for its layout, and it was named California Historic Landmark #237 in 1936. A retirement community now surrounds it, and the hall serves as its clubhouse. The nomination highlights Swift's role in the Bear Flag Rebellion and the California Battalion, and the rarity of a stone Greek Revival house in the state.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the property is significant for its association with Captain Granville Swift, a California pioneer who took part in the Bear Flag Rebellion and served in the California Battalion. It also presents Temelec Hall as a rare stone Greek Revival house in California that retains its integrity, along with its original service buildings and grounds.
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 06000312, listed April 19, 2006. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 220 and 221 Temelec Circle, Sonoma |
|---|---|
| County | Sonoma County |
| Listed | April 19, 2006 |
| Reference number | 06000312 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Built by Captain Granville P. Swift; no architect record remains |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival; Gothic Revival (gazebos described as Gothic-Italianate) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Temelec Hall is described as in good condition and retaining its integrity; it now serves as the clubhouse for the Temelec retirement community. |
| Acreage | 5 |
| Coordinates | 38.26653, -122.49996 (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 06000312.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q123170911
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.