One of the first houses built in Mountain View; the Rengstorff House has a history that certainly runs the gamut. Built by Henry Rengstorff, who operated a ferry between San Francisco and what is now the home of such companies as Google, LinkedIn and Intuit, it is one of the greatest examples of Victorian Italianate architecture on the west coast.
The 12-room house was constructed in 1864 to house the Rengstorffs and their seven children. At that time it was located about a mile from its present location in Shoreline Park. After sheltering a second generation of Rengstorffs, the home was sold to a development company. A number of families resided there over the next 20 years and quite a few of these folks claimed there were strange happenings in the house. Thumping, crying, lights flickering, they all declared seeing these things yet psychic investigators could never determine the source and no other incidents have been reported since the home was moved to Shoreline Park.
By the late 1970s the home was dilapidated and vandalized. There’s even a famous story about Hell’s Angels riding their choppers up and down the Rengstorff staircase. Is it possible they were attempting get away from the woman with the long dark hair rumored to be seen looking out of one of the second story windows into the marshland? Who knows?
Just as the house seemed destined to be destroyed, the City of Mountain View saved it. Purchasing the home for a whopping $1, then moving it closer to shoreline. It was opened to the public in 1991 after a $1.5 million restoration.
The Rengstorff House is open for guided tours on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays. Docents conduct tours in period costume and talk about the antique Victorian furnishings and other details. The museum also hosts many Victorian events throughout the year.
Visit the event calendar to plan your visit.
