Rengstorff, Henry A., House
historic place
The Henry A. Rengstorff House, a historic place in Mountain View, Santa Clara County, was erected in 1867. This elegant house is considered one of the finest examples of Victorian Italianate architecture on the West Coast. Henry Rengstorff, a German immigrant, arrived in San Francisco in 1850. He became a prominent businessman and landowner in the Santa Clara Valley. Rengstorff built the house for his wife, Christine Hassler, and their seven children. The 16-room house, constructed of redwood and Douglas fir, was originally located on a 164-acre ranch near Rengstorff Landing, a significant shipping point for grain and produce. The Rengstorff House served as a center for family life and community gatherings. It is the oldest known building in Mountain View. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. It represents the prosperity and architectural style of the late 19th century in the region.