Hamilton, Capt. James A., House
historic place
The Captain James A. Hamilton House, a historic place in San Jose, California, stands as an example of late 19th-century architecture. Built in 1882, the house combines Italianate and Queen Anne architectural styles. It was constructed for Captain James A. Hamilton, his wife Anna Thrum, and their children. Born in Portage City, Ohio, in 1826, James A. Hamilton began his seafaring career at the age of eighteen. He rose through the ranks, becoming a Master of Vessel on ships such as the "Sheffield" and the "Italy." Later, as a Captain, he commanded the "Emona F. Herriman" and the "Charles W. Morgan," a ship notable for carrying a significant amount of whale blubber in a single voyage. In 1882, Captain Hamilton purchased twenty-one acres of orchards in Santa Clara County and built this Queen Anne farmhouse for his family. The Captain James A. Hamilton House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 9, 1980. A historical marker, erected in 1984, commemorates Captain Hamilton's life and the house's construction. The house represents a part of San Jose's historical development and the life of a prominent local figure.