Rachel michaels

Portal to the Past Written and Designed by Rachel Michaels

Acknowledgement I would like to dedicate this book to the Friends of the “R” House organization. They are the unsung heros of the Rengstorff House and without them this establishment wouldn’t be here today. Thank you for all you do to keep our local heritage alive and engaging.

Table of Contents Foreword.......................................7 Introduction................................9 Chapter One..........................10-11 Chapter Two..........................14-15 Chapter Three.......................18-21 Conclusion..................................24 Works Cited.................................29

Foreword

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Has that always been there?” Is the thought that crossed my mind when I first laid eyes on the Rengstorff House. I wasn’t aware of the historical significance or any mystique that this house possessed at the time. So why bother with it now? Ignorance is bliss after all.

Admittedly, at first I didn’t think the Rengstorff House was anything out of the ordinary, other than it’s peculiar placement in the heart of Shoreline Park. I didn’t know and, frankly, I just wasn’t interested. Until I walked inside.

My tour guide tipped his top hat, greeted me and offered me to come inside. I wandered into the main room, admiring the ornate Bradbury & Bradbury wallpaper that enveloped the area. From the antique armchairs to the 3D mini-model of the house itself, I was hooked. The Rengstorffs were an unparalleled family, of which I was captivated by not only their hardships and barriers but their success too. At only five minutes into the tour, I knew I wanted to learn more.

In researching the Rengstorff House and family, I uncovered not only their family history, but also how the home has affected the community for multiple generations and counting. The coexistence of past and present in Mountain View was what struck me as especially interesting, because of their being polar opposites and the fact that this kind of diversity is able to function here.

Ultimately, writing this book was revelatory for me. I delved into a piece of my community’s heritage that was completely unknown to me at the start and I ended up with a greater acknowledgement and respect for the individuals who paved the way before me and made their mark in this reputable area.

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Introduction

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link. And there it was, The Rengstorff House, serenely resting amidst the grass. A spring breeze engulfed the area and attempted to attract visitors from the surrounding attractions at Shoreline Park and lure them to its open doors. Italianate architecture captures your attention. You meander to the backyard and are blown aback by the vintage windmill. The array of hydrangeas and tulips embellish the gardens and promptly invite you to afternoon tea. They’re quite friendly, the flowers.

Blink. You glance over at the sidewalk and are swept up by the energy of the children. Left and right they gallop ahead of their parents and fling themselves onto the grassy ground.

Parents “ooh” and “aah” at their absolutely adorable children, so content in their own little worlds.

Blink. The children are gone. The parents are gone. The life is gone. Alas, the House only attracted more passer bys than actual visitors. While being able to give so much, it receives so little in return.

Present day, The Rengstorff House of Mountain View is like that one beloved sweater that resides in your closet. You’ve had it for longer than you can remember, but yet you wouldn’t dare wear it out of the house as it has one too many snags in the thread. When you glance in your closet, your newer, flashier clothes seem to effortlessly make the sweater disappear. Yet even with some deformities, you still can’t bring yourself to give it away.

The Rengstorff House resides amidst the future of the technological world. As members of this dynamic community, it’s imperative to the success of our society to acknowledge our local heritage and the ideals of which this city was built upon.

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Chapter One: One Man, One Dream, One House

“

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Their move to California came at a time when thousands of others were settling in the West.

After the mid-century Gold Rush, there had been a steady stream of pioneers making the trek by wagon across the prairies and over the mountains to California”.

-Ignoffo

The year was 1850 when Henry Rengstorff, at only twentyone years of age, arrived in the San Francisco harbor from Germany.

Having just missed the height of the Gold Rush, Rengstorff was still determined to succeed. Like many other immigrants, Rengstorff came to this nation not knowing a single word of English, yet his drive and ambition propelled him to achieve leaps and bounds in the business world. Upon his arrival in the San Francisco harbor, “he discovered it was a town of very transient people, prospectors coming in from all over the world in search of the Wild West” (Van der Vort). As the job supply in California at the time faced no shortage, Rengstorff was quick to locate a job. For a brief period of time, he earned his income working

on a bay steamer, shuttling people back and forth between San Francisco and Alviso.

Several years later, Rengstorff decided to leave the shipping business to work as a laborer in the Santa Clara Valley. Eventually, he, “saved enough money to purchase squatter’s rights1 to 290 acres of land in San Jose. Just three years later, he added another 290 acres to his holdings” (Friends of “R” House).

A few years after making the move to the Santa Clara area, he met the love of his life, Christine Hassler in November of 1857 (“Henry Rengstorff Biography”).

Hassler, also a native of Germany, came to America just a few years before Rengstorff. They had a total of seven children together, yet only six lived to adulthood. Most of which grew up to be very talented and accomplished individuals.

The family’s next milestone came, “In 1864, [when] Rengstorff 1 Squatter’s Rights is the method of gaining legal title to real property by the actual, open, hostile, and continuous possession of it to the exclusion of its true owner for the period prescribed by state law.

bought 164 acres of land which is now part of Shoreline Business Park.

There he built the Rengstorff House” (Friends of “R” House). While some viewed the house as not out of the ordinary, others saw it as a mansion at the time. The Rengstorff family members were a humble and hardworking folk and didn’t intend to refer to the home as a mansion. Furthermore, it’s original intention was a diligent farm that could support a large family; The home itself simultaneously embodied ornate styles of Italianate architecture. To this day, that is one of the more symbolic elements of the home’s identity.

In addition to the building of their home, Rengstorff also built a ship landing, located a short distance away from their home. The ship landing business took off; Mainly exporting lumber, hay and grain, the business served as a pivotal company of the Bay Area. This business ended up playing a significant role in the development of the Santa Clara County economy, quickly making Henry Rengstorff a prominent businessman. Rengstorff continued to thrive in this community

for several years to come. (Friends tain View activists (the Friends), Rengstorff started out as just of “R” House) the house probably would not be an immigrant from Germany. With After a lifetime of success and standing today. The group desper- out speaking any English, he mantriumph, Henry Rengstorff passed ately pleaded for the preservation of aged to find work in California and away in 1906 at the age of seven- the Rengstorff House, as they were eventually climb his way up the ecoty-seven. He left his legacies to his aware of its historic value. In 1979, nomic ladder. He eventually settled family, and the home was eventu- the city of Mountain View ended up in the Santa Clara Valley, which ally inherited by his grandson, Per- paying the land development com- is where he raised his family and ry Askam after his aunt’s passing. pany one dollar for the property. Yes, ran his businesses. The Rengstorff Askam was the last relative of Hen- that’s right: A buck. The house was House was built circa 1867 and has ry Rengstorff to occupy the home. then moved to its current location, been turning heads ever since.

In 1959, Askam sold the home to a Shoreline Park, where it was goland developing company. The company “I think it can provide a cultural experented the home out rience and a link to both our local histo various individual tory and something that’s considerably families for the next broader. Whether it’s an understanding twenty years. According to a volunteer doof the nineteenth century or an undercent at the Rengstorff standing of architecture.”

House, “The land development company did not invest the -Jen Roger, President of the Friends of the “R” House money to keep up the repairs and keep it up to date that they should have. Over the next 30 ing to sit for the next eleven years, years, the house fell into such dis- awaiting enough donations to begin regard where no one wanted to rent the process of restoration. During the house, no one wanted to live in that period of time, $1,250,000 was it” (Van der Vort). The house expe- raised to cover all the expenses of rienced a period of turmoil to the the renovation. The House began extent that the city viewed it as an restoration in 1990 and was comeyesore, and was ready to take a pleted in 1991. The House also acwrecking ball to the shambles that quired its wide variety of furniture still remained. and various artifacts from private

If not for a group of Moun- donations over the years.

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“It is that coexistence an that coexistence and it r just today or tomorrow, also. And that yesterday

toda

-Jen Roger, President of the Frie

nd it’s the juxtaposition of reminds us that we’re not but we have a yesterday gave us a foundation for

ay.”

ends of the “R” House

Chapter Two: The Jigsaw of Society-Does this Piece Fit Here? emember that well-worn utilized, others differ on the topic. sweater in your closet? The Edna Van der Vort, a volunteer doone you love so dearly, yet cent at the Rengstorff House, firmly would never give away? You know believes the house, “is a treasure the drill. Well now you really have alright.” Not only can it be used as to ask yourself, is this truly some- a gathering place for friends and thing worth holding onto after all family during the summer months, this time? Over the years, many but is also serves an untold eduhave asked a similar question re- cational purpose to all ages of the garding the Rengstorff House. community. It’s so diverse in its

The prevalence of technological companies in Mountain View is endless.

On the contrary, historic sites like the Rengstorff House are not. In this day and age, they unfortunately don’t possess the same allure as some of the prominent companies in -Edna Van der Vort our area. As Mountain View is well known for its portal to the future of the technological boundless usability opportunities; world, it obviously attracts a wide For that reason alone, it deserves array of people from all over, looking the acknowledgement and appreciato hop on the bandwagon. Since this tion it deserves. In response to its area is enveloped with this passion continued preservation, Jen Roger for success and advancement, the (President of the Friends’ organidomination of the tech companies zation) noted that, “We come from seems almost effortless. this beautiful agrarian background.

While some people may argue Like most of America, we’ve grown the space could be more adequately up so fast and bulldozed a lot of our

R

history to make room for our tech experience. I think hanging onto something like this invaluable.” It’s that modern mind-set that propels us into tomorrow, yet it’s that sentimental mind-set that allows us to ponder the events that took place yesterday.

The combination of contemporary and vintage life conspicuously actuate this town everyday. While we can agree the hype concerning Silicon Valley is centered around companies like Google, Microsoft and LinkedIn, we should also acknowledge the need for validation of the lesser known aspects that make up the community. Clearly, the culture of Mountain View is dynamic and mysterious and exciting. This society has a strong desire for the well-rounded citizen.

This implies not only being able to look forward to see what’s coming our way, but also being able to step backwards and gain perspective on what’s come before us. This is a skill that is vital to the future success of our diverse and thriving culture.

“The Rengstorff House bears witness to our past.”

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“Like most of America, we’ve grown up so fast and bulldozed a lot of our history to make room for our tech experience. I think hanging onto something like this invaluable.”

-Jen Roger, President of the Friends of the “R” House

Chapter Three: Keeping History Alive, One Friend at a Time

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T

he ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it.” (Emerson) Without the Friends of the Rengstorff House, the Rengstorff House would just be a pile of rubble. This handful of dedicated volunteers strive to bring life to this wonderful establishment. From fundraising to guided tours, this group tirelessly bridges the gap between the past and the present for the local community.

While the grounds are still technically owned by the city of Mountain View, it’s the Friends who maintain the charm of the House with the help of private donations. In addition to the annual funds it receives, the Rengstorff House also occasionally secures donated items such as furniture, artwork and toys.

The volunteers then check the authenticity of the item to make sure that it best represents not only the era, but the overall spirit of the house and the family as well. Three days a week, they also offer tours to

the public. Dressed in time period clothing, one can’t help but be captivated by their theatrics.

The first time I visited the Rengstorff House, I was immediately hooked by one of the tour docents, Charlie. He was dressed as if he had just sauntered straight out of the early nineteenth century. His extensive knowledge on not only the

of how little I would’ve gotten out of it if it weren’t for Charlie. Without that presence of someone so knowledgeable and passionate about something so underappreciated and overlooked, one can’t help but be enamored by the House. Edna Van der Vort, a volunteer of five years, expressed to me why her passion for this establishment is still as strong as it was five years ago: “People have the same passion and interest in this period of time, in the accomplishments of this family. You evolve as a historian certainly because you learn so much about this period of time from other people...But it is fascinating because there’s a certain essence about that period that I love.”

She expressed this constant exchange of ideas that goes on every time she’s at the House. So not only can the people who visit the Rengstorff House benefit from the docents, the docents can also learn so much from the visitors.

“The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it.”

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house, but the family as well made quite an impression. After giving us a thorough overview of the life of Henry Rengstorff and how the House came to be, he proceeded to walk us through each of the rooms in the house while sharing facts about the artifacts. Looking back on my very first visit, I couldn’t help but think

Special exhibits have become an in- work to create an all inclusive and in the celebration of the past. To apcreasingly popular attraction at the engaging atmosphere. Whether it preciate and to acknowledge older Rengstorff House. Whether it be a be a one day exhibition of fine Victo- times through community bonding one day exhibition of fine Victorian rian lace or antiques in the garden is exactly what the Friends do on a lace or an antique show in the gar- or a longer exhibit of Victorian era daily basis. Their expertise and enden, the Friends constantly work to photography, the Friends work to thusiasm for this time period play create an engaging atmosphere. The create an engaging atmosphere. The a key role in bringing this estabPresident of the Friends organiza- President of the Friends organiza- lishment to life for the community. tion, Jen Roger, is a particular fan tion, Jen Roger, is a particular fan Through various fundraisers, tours of one event that emerges only once of one event that only emerges once and special events for the public, the a year. On Halloween Friends ceaselessly night every year, the to create an all “You meet such interesting people. work “R” House is transinclusive and engagformed into, “Mouning atmosphere.

People who have the same pastain View’s spookiest sion and interest in this period of house” (Roger). Appealing to all ages, time, in the accomplishments of this “haunted house” this family...You evolve as a histoseeks to enthrall the imagination of the rian certainly because you learn community. so much about this period of time

The Rengstorff House’s goal is bring from other people.” people in and encourage them to take part -Edna Van der Vort in the ongoing celebration of the past.

To appreciate and to acknowledge older times through a year. On Halloween night every community bonding is exactly what year, the “R” House is transformed the Friends do on a daily basis. Their into, “Mountain View’s spookiest expertise and enthusiasm for this house” (Roger). Appealing to all time period play a key role in bring- ages, this “haunted house” seeks to ing this establishment to life for the enthrall the imagination of the comcommunity. Through various fund- munity. raisers, tours and special events for The Rengstorff House’s goal the public, the Friends ceaselessly is bring people in and to take part 21

Conclusion

C

lose your eyes and picture your hometown. Do any special places come to mind? Are they different than before? If so, are they relative to the local heritage of your hometown? Now what changed, you ask? The mere act of thinking is what changed the most.

Today’s fast-paced society has us all on our feet around the clock.

We’re always so focused on getting from here to there that seeing what’s right in front of us seems so difficult sometimes. Places like the Rengstorff House of Mountain View, California have resided in our hometown far longer than most probably have. The historical landmarks in our community are our local portal to the past as they give us a chance to experience culture and knowledge in a new light.

Immigration and hardship stories like the ones of Henry Rengstorff are the founding ideals for the city of Mountain View. Rengstorff was just a common man from Germany who wanted to harvest his curiosity for not only the Gold Rush, but the United States in general. He

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pulled himself up by his bootstraps, was a hard worker and eventually became one of the most successful individuals in California during the nineteenth century. While he was well known at the time for his sizeable amount of land and prospering business, we also remember him today as a family man. The Rengstorff House communicates all those values effectively, and speaks volumes about this city’s importance and heritage just by its mere presence.

With regards to the current state of our community, it’s quite obvious what Mountain View revolves around today. In most places today, especially our own, technology is the driving force of success and tomorrow. On the other hand, it’s definitely a very forward thinking to have this breadth of diversity in one city, yet sometimes the more prominent aspects of one society tend to dominate the lesser known ones. As I mentioned earlier, it’s just the mere act of identifying and acknowledging our local heritage that can make the difference between unknown and respected.

Parallel, that one sweater in your

closet is often times masked by some of the newer additions to your wardrobe. Maybe the sweater signifies something special to you: a story, a memory. Regardless of the attachment, it’s a part of your identity nonetheless.

Furthermore, the group of individuals that best exemplifies respect and acknowledgement for this establishment is the Friends of the “R” House. They are the backbone of this establishment and single-handedly organize all the events and fundraisers that take place. These unique individuals not only originally saved the House from destruction, but have also tirelessly spent their time and energy to create an engaging atmosphere everyone can take part in. Thanks to their continued drive and dedication, the Rengstorff House will be able to bring history to life for many more years to come.

Works Cited City of Mountain View. “City of Mountain View - Rengstorff House.” City of Mountain View - Rengstorff House. Google, 2000. Web. 26 Jan. 2014.

Dworkin, Kristine. “The Odd History of the Rengstorff House.” Examiner.com.

Clarity Digital Group, 12 Nov. 2010. Web. 13 Feb. 2014.

Feuer, Margaret. “Rengstorff House.” Rengstorff House. Palo Alto Stanford Heritage, 22 Nov. 2013. Web. 13 Feb. 2014.

Friends of “R” House. “The Friends of “R” House.” The Friends of R House. Aesthetic Design & Photography, 2001. Web. 26 Jan. 2014.

HENRY RENGSTORFF- PIONEER FARMER SANTA CLARA COUNTY. History of Santa Clara County, California. Comp. Joseph Kral. N.p.: Historic Record, 1922. 383.

HENRY RENGSTORFF- PIONEER FARMER SANTA CLARA COUNTY. Santa Clara Research. Web. 07 Mar. 2014.

Ignoffo, Mary Jo. Captive of the Labyrinth: Sarah L. Winchester, Heiress to the Rifle Fortune. Columbia, MO: Univ. of Missouri, 2010. Print.

Roger, Jen. Personal interview. 09 Feb. 2014.

TheEventHelper. “Resources.” Rengstorff House. TheEventHelper, 15 July 2011.

Web. 13 Feb. 2014.

Van Der Vort, Edna. Personal interview. 22 Feb. 2014.

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Portal to the Past

Rachel Michaels

Rachel Michaels, a first-time author, is currently a junior at Mountain View High School. She is also a first year student at the Freestyle Academy of Communication Arts and Technology. Rachel enjoys giving back to her community and competing for her school’s water polo and swim teams. In her free time, she indulges in watching movies and reading books. She also cherishes spending time with her friends and family. After high school, Rachel plans to pursue a higher education.

Portal to the Past Written and Designed by Rachel Michaels