Foothill College Land History

Item Set

Items

• da_map_santa_clara_1876
  JPEG image of a map of Santa Clara in 1876.
• fh_griffin_pond_bridge_bike_19xx_010
  Two bicyclists stop to enjoy the tranquil beauty of the Griffin fish pond and half moon bridge. Date of photo unknown.
• fh_griffin_rock_pagoda_19xx_054
  Mrs. Willard M. Griffin stands on the large rocks that now highlight the main entrance to the Foothill College Campus. Behind Mrs. Griffin is a pagoda style structure. The Griffins became enamored of Japanese culture and architecture and used this style of structure on many areas of their land.
• fh_griffin_prairie_house_19xx_001
  The Griffin family built a second home on their land and the elder Griffin, Willard M., is reputed to have flipped a coin to determine which of the two sons would get which house. This prairie style home was designed by the same architects that designed the first, larger home, Wolfe and McKenzie. This structure, located near the present day tennis courts, was demolished in 1970 to make way for a new Foothill athletics building.
• fh_griffin_pond_19xx_688
  A view of the Griffin fish pond, Japanese garden and tea house. This image is likely from a locally produced postcard. Date of photo unknown.
• fh_griffin_pond_19xx_047
  A view of the back side of the Griffin tea house, which was situated on man-made island surrounded by water. date of photo unknown.
• fh_griffin_pond_19xx_046
  Willard M. Griffin takes his dog for a ride in his rowboat on the fish pond that surrounds an island upon which the tea house sits. Note the gushing water feature in the pond, not seen in other photos. Date of photo unknown, but estimated to be between 1906 and 1913.
• fh_griffin_pond_19xx_045
  The Griffin family fish pond and tea house provided a serene spot for recreation or meditation. Note the half moon bridge and stone lantern, both traditional items found in Japanese tea gardens.
• fh_griffin_pond_19xx_044
  The Griffin fish pond and tea house were a favorite spot for family relaxation. The man and woman in the boat are not identified but are believed to be Willard C. Griffin, grandson of Willard M., and his wife. Photo likely taken in the late 1930s or early 1940s.
• fh_griffin_house_interior_2019_098
  The living room of the Griffin House as it appeared in 2019.
• fh_griffin_house_interior_1908_056
  The living room of the Griffin House featured a large brick fireplace, which was the primary source of heat. Photo taken in 1908.
• fh_griffin_house_interior_1908_045
  The living room of the Griffin House in 1908 shows the extensive use of California wood used for trim, paneling and staircase construction.
• fh_griffin_house_2019_007
  This drone footage shows the Griffin House roof and side of building. The Griffin Carriage House can be seen in the background. Recorded in 2019.
• fh_griffin_house_19xx_0101
  The Griffin family home built in 1901. Date of photo unknown.
• fh_griffin_carriage_house_lafd_1970s_055
  This carriage house, built by the Griffin family in 1901, was used as the Los Altos Hills Fire Department station for many years. Today is houses the district's archives. Photo taken in the 1970's.
• fh_site_1958_118
  An aerial view of the portion of Los Altos Hills where Foothill College would be built. This photo, taken in 1959, shows the land before clearing and construction for the new campus had begun.
• fh_site_1915_060
  A view of the land in Los Altos Hills in 1915, later to be occupied by the Foothill College campus.
• fh_map_lohman_cusack_1958
  A map of the property prior to the purchase by Foothill College, showing the land owned by the Lohman family, the Cusack family and other smaller partitions.
• fh_griffin_skelley_calpacker_1880s
  Griffin-Skelley was a dried fruit packer and canner, founded in 1881 and merged into Del Monte during its formation in 1916. Griffin and Skelley started packing oranges in Riverside, California, pioneered the dried fruit industry, and eventually moved into canning.
• fh_0wlfruit_1920s_001
  Some of the Griffin fruits were packed and shipped under the Owl Fruit Brand, shown on this label from the 1920s.
• fh_griffin_house_19xx_001
  A view of the Griffin House during the early part of the 1900s; exact date unknown.
• fh_taaffemap_ohlonevillage_1904
  A map, created in 1904, showing the approximate location of the Ohlone Village on the Taaffe property.
• fh_juana_briones
  A portrait of Juana Briones, once the owner of the Rancho La Purísima Concepción. A portion of this land now lies beneath Foothill College.
• fh_ohlone_sfbay_1822
  Artist's depiction of Ohlone natives fishing on the San Francisco Bay in the early 1800s. Artist unknown.