We have driven past this house hundreds of times over the years. The kids in the family called it the haunted strawberry house because it was surrounded by strawberry fields and there is a strawberry stand just a few hundred feet to the right.
It’s actually called the Redman House. It was built in the 1890’s for a man named James Redman. In the 1930’s the house and surrounding property was sold to a prominant Japanese family.
During a very ugly, never talked about phase in our American history the family was shipped off to internment camps. They somehow managed to hang onto the house and returned to it after WW II.
I don’t know when it fell into such disrepair. It was red tagged by the county after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake but a group of investors bought the house and land and have had plans ever since to restore it. They aren’t making very quick progress.
I’m always a little surprised to see it still standing when I drive by.
I was trying to get a shot of the Castroville sign without a port-a-potty in the picture but the traffic was heavy because of the yearly artichoke festival. If you love artichokes thank a Castrovillian.
We had a really fine day of driving through Santa Cruz and Monterey counties. We wanted to check out an area called Corralitos. We just drove semi aimlessly. Where ever the road took us.
We ended up Nicki’s house were she had an absolutely divine dinner. I can’t wait to recreate it myself. She served grilled chicken with buffalo wing type marinade, served with a blue cheese sauce and salad made with fresh, grilled corn, tomatoes and avocado. It was very Summery and delicious.
She could have just rested on her laurels at that point but she finished the meal with a lemon icebox pie that we ate out on the patio, watching the stars come out.
It really was a perfect weekend.
Sounds like a wonderful weekend with great food and beautiful surroundings. I haven’t seen that house before, might be fun to see that.
Oh I can not belive that house is till standing. I always wanted to buy it and fix it up. Sounds like a perfect CA coast weekend. Clarice
Sounds like you had a wonderful trip. I love that haunted strawberry house. It’s looks like something from a Stephen King or Nancy Drew book. Wouldn’t it be fun to explore it?
I love the Haunted Strawberry House. It looks like it could be straight out of a Stephen King or Nancy Drew book. Wouldn’t it be fun to explore it?
Oh well, the reason I have two comments posted is because Typepad told me the first one couldn’t be posted because I wasn’t signed it. So I signed in and reposted. But it took both of them. Stupid Typepad!
I love the haunted strawberry house, what a pitty no one has ever fixed it up.
Cheers Linda
That house is awesome, looks like the Psycho house. I love artichokes, I am trying to grow some this year, not enough heat around here I’m sure, but I’m hoping.
A strong wind looks like it could blow that house right down.
I look at that house every time I drive by it! I love it. I didn’t know the history of it until I read your post.
I’ve been so busy lately I’m now just able to catch up on some blog reading!