Martinez Historical Society Home Tour

Over the last decade The Martinez Historical Society, working with local homeowners, has presented annual historic tours of our homes and classic buildings.  This has become a popular regional event, since Martinez ahs the greatest number of classic homes in the area.  Along with homes we also display a number of beautifully preserved and restored classic cars, a large classic camera collection, and other historic items. 

This year we will bring you to a very special part of town.  Our eight featured homes are clustered in a compact area which only includes three streets: Highland Avenue, Grandview Avenue, and Willow Street.  This is a great walking experience, but we also provide shuttles within the neighborhood and to the other locations around town.  Most of these homes were built in the popular Craftsman style. One home was built by Joe DiMaggio’s uncle in 1937.  Joe and Marilyn spent the night here soon after their wedding in 1954, and a copy of their marriage license will be on display in the home.

We also include special tours of the 1849 home of Don Vincente Martinez, John Muir’s 1883 Italianate mansion, and the Borland Home, an 1890 Victorian cottage.  The 1927 Veteran’s Memorial Building, the 1937 Shell Clubhouse, and the Shell Alumni Museum are also part of the day’s experience.

Our Tour is Saturday, October 10, 2015, a day to discover the treasures that make Martinez an amazing small town, preserved right here in modern Contra Costa.  Tickets are $25 online at: www.tinyurl.com/mtztour