Welch-Hurst, 15800 Sanborn Road, Sanborn Skyline County Park, Saratoga, Santa Clara County, CA

Significance: Welch-Hurst was built at the turn-of-the-century as a family retreat for James R. Welch, one of Santa Clara County's most prominent Superior Court Justices. The primary materials used in the house's construction are redwood logs and wooden shingles, contributing to its rustic, informal appearance. Square, hexagonal and rectangular sections - the result of successive additions - and extensive landscaping lend a picturesque quality to the over all design. / Located in the redwood forests of the Santa Cruz mountains, Welch-Hurst was created as a gentleman's working ranch and family retreat at the turn of the century by the Hon. James R. Welch, Santa Clara Co. Superior Court judge. This fine rustic revival structure has an exterior of rough split redwood logs and is surrounded on two sides by a veranda of native stone walls and piers. Two large open gazebos punctuate the veranda at each end of the front facade. The extensively landscaped grounds contain many species of native California fruit and nut trees, stone terracing and a manmade pond with swan houses and an island with a stand of redwoods. The interior features a hexagonal dining room and large main hall paneled in redwood with exposed redwood log construction and detailing. Welch-Hurst was the residence and office of the 1977-78 HABS Santa Clara Count Project.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: FN-131
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: FN-132
Survey number: HABS CA-2006
Building/structure dates: ca. 1913 Initial Construction
Building/structure dates: ca. 19t1 Subsequent Work