Yung See San Fong House
historic place
The Yung See San Fong House, located in Los Gatos, Santa Clara County, is a historic place completed in 1917. Its name translates to 'Young's Home in the Heart of the Hills'. This residence was built for writer Ruth Comfort Mitchell Young and her husband, Sanborn Young, a gentleman farmer and California State Senator. The house blends Asian decorative motifs, like pagoda roofs, with Western architectural design. Its inspiration came from Ruth Young's play, 'The Sweetmeat Game,' which featured a Chinese setting. Architectural elements include a winding road, intended to deter evil spirits, and a statue of the Chinese God of Rice and Plenty at the main gate. The house features stucco, wooden shake shingles, and hand-carved wooden panels with Chinese characters inside. During their residency, the Youngs hosted prominent guests, including President Herbert Hoover and various movie stars and politicians. The Yung See San Fong House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. It represents a unique example of cross-cultural residential design in Santa Clara County.