The Romantic History of the Faulkner House

If you drive along Telegraph Road in the Santa Clara River Valley of southern California, you will find, nestled among acres and acres of citrus groves, a lovely 1894 Queen Anne style Victorian called the Faulkner House.  It is the house that George Faulkner promised to build for his bride when they moved to this region from Ohio in the 1870s. 

The Santa Clara River Valley is a very picturesque agricultural region that is referred to as the Citrus Capitol of the World. During the Gold Rush of the 1800s, prospectors searching for gold in California were introduced to the abundant sunshine and fertile soils that could grow anything.  George Faulkner, an experienced farmer, recognized the value of the land when he purchased 150 acres in the Santa Clara River Valley and began experimenting with growing different types of crops. He became a very successful farmer and the Faulkner family continued to reside in the home and farm the land until the 1990s.  

In 1968, the Faulkner House was designated a Ventura County Historic Landmark for being an excellent example of Queen Anne architecture, and also for its historic significance with being the home of a pioneering farmer who made significant contributions to the agricultural industry in Ventura County. 

Over a hundred years after being built, the Faulkner House is still surrounded by thousands of acres of sweet smelling citrus groves.  The Santa Clara River Valley is one of the last remaining agricultural valleys in Southern California, and it is a reminder of the past, when California's landscape was filled with sun-kissed agricultural fields, before they were blazed for the urbanization of cities.