A lavish mansion blending Mission, Pueblo, and Moorish styles, built for philanthropist Phoebe Hearst in California’s Amador Valley.
At a glance
Hacienda del Pozo de Verona was a significant early-20th-century estate that combined architectural traditions from Spain and the American Southwest. Designed for one of America’s leading philanthropists, it later became the founding home of an exclusive country club and anchored a residential community that persists today.
History
Architect A. C. Schweinfurth designed the mansion for Phoebe Hearst on land that was once part of the Rancho Valle de San José. Construction took place between 1894 and 1898. Subsequent expansions were designed by the renowned Julia Morgan, adding further distinction to the property.
In 1924, a group of businessmen acquired the Hacienda, and it became the original home of the Castlewood Country Club. The estate fire of 1969 destroyed the building, though the community it spawned endured. Alameda County established the Castlewood County Service Area in 1968 to support the growing residential area.
What you see
The Hacienda combined Mission Revival, Pueblo Revival, and Moorish architectural elements—a distinctive synthesis reflecting early California’s multicultural heritage. A railroad station, built on the Western Pacific Railroad at Verona to serve the estate, facilitated access to the property during its operational years.
Cultural significance
Though the original structure no longer stands, Hacienda del Pozo de Verona represents an important chapter in California’s architectural history and the philanthropy of the Hearst family. Its legacy shaped the Castlewood community, which developed from houses built around the country club and continues as a recognized residential area.
Key facts
- Country: United States
- City: Pleasanton, California
- Coordinates: 37.6371, −121.8949
- Original construction: 1894–1898
- Architects: A. C. Schweinfurth; Julia Morgan (additions)
- Destroyed by fire: 1969
Practical information & getting there
The Hacienda no longer exists, but the Castlewood community and the Castlewood County Service Area preserve its legacy in the Amador Valley near Pleasanton. Historical interest in the property is best pursued through local archives and historical societies in Alameda County.
Sources & resources
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