Don Francisco Galindo House 

The Don Francisco Galindo House, locally known as the Galindo House and Gardens, is a 19th century house in Concord, California, designed in 1856 by Francisco Galindo and his wife, Maria Dolores Manuela (Pacheco) Galindo, daughter of Salvio Pacheco who was Rancho Monte del Diablo’s grantee.

The house in Contra Costa County is one of the few remaining Victorian Ranch Houses. It underwent major remodeling in 1875 resulting in an extended basement, first floor and second floor. It was during this time that Juan “John” Galindo, the eldest son of Francisco and Maria, and his bride, Marina “Sarah” (Amador) Galindo, moved into the building. After the marriage in 1911 of Juan and Marina’s eldest brother, Frederick, and Catherine (Hittman) Galindo, title was transferred to next generation.

After the death of Catherine Galindo in 1966 her children Harold, Ruth, and Leonora preserved the property. The last direct descendant of the family, Ruth Galindo, lived at home until her death in December 1999. With the transfer of Ruth Galindo ‘s properties, approximately 1.5 acres (6,100 m2) of the house and its surrounding land were deeded to the City of Concord to be preserved as a house museum and park for public use. Following a series of public workshops and meetings in October 2001, the City of Concord adopted a Master Plan for the Galindo Building, designed by San Francisco ‘s historic preservation architecture firm Page & Turnbull including a Museum Operating Plan.

In September 2010, ownership of the Galindo House and land was passed to the Concord Historical Society from the City of Concord, which spent the next two years renovating the house and opening it to the public in 2012. In May 2013, the Society moved the Masonic Temple (which was dedicated in October 1928) to the Galindo House property facing Clayton Road from its position at 1765 Galindo St. to become part of the Society’s historic resource center and meeting room.

The Don Francisco Galindo House is a small little historic house with a lot of history. It is nice to get some info of the city you actually live in! The  volunteers who ran the visit are very nice and informative. The house is well kept and has lots of cool photos and old fixtures to look at. Generally a fun place and only $3 entrance fee. Definitely a good place to visit!