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Construction of Historic Estudillo House, San Leandro -- An Early Grand East Bay Hotel

A rare survival, this itemized bill issued "to the owners of the Estudillo House" in San Leandro, California, was issued by John O'Hagan for construction work done on the house in the summer of 1855.

Includes items such as:

• Framing building $200.00
• 7743 ft. siding at 2.50 square $193.75
• 90 Doors & windows @ 3.50 $318.78
• Framing of Kitchen $40.00
• 49 Days work on Piazza @ 6.00  $294.00

The total amount for the work and materials: $2445.29.

Signed at San Leandro, Dec. 10, 1855, by John O'Hagan.

The Estudillo House, a fancy hotel in San Leandro, California, was built in 1855 by the Estudillo family, one of the region's early prominent families. The area had been a cattle ranch belonging to Juana Estudillo, the widow of the Californio rancher José Joaquín Estudillo, an elite of Mexican California. Unlike the 1850 Estudillo adobe, also in San Leandro, and the adobe counterpart in San Diego (also owned by the Estudillo family), the San Leandro Estudillo House was built with timber-frame construction, reflecting the transition to American architectural styles of the period. Originally intended as a hotel, the building was part of the development efforts by José Joaquin Estudillo's heirs to capitalize on the growing town of San Leandro. This structure not only served as a key social and commercial hub in its early days but also stands as a testament to the Californio influence on the state’s development during the mid-19th century. Today, it is recognized as an important local historic landmark.

Estudillo House

The Estudillo House, established in 1855 in San Leandro, California, was a renowned hotel and restaurant that offered fine dining, lodging, and entertainment for over seventy-five years. Situated on land that was once a cattle ranch owned by Juana Estudillo, widow of the Spanish-Mexican land grantee José Joaquin Estudillo, the hotel quickly became a central hub of the new town. At the time of its founding, California was undergoing significant changes following the end of the Mexican-American War and the 1848 Gold Rush, which drew a flood of settlers to the region.

Juana Estudillo's sons-in-law, William Heath Davis and John Ward, envisioned capitalizing on the influx of new residents and tourists. They persuaded Juana to donate 200 acres of her land, which became the site of the fledgling town of San Leandro. By 1855, Davis and Ward had constructed several buildings, including the grand Estudillo House. Built with timbers transported around Cape Horn, the hotel was lavishly furnished and quickly gained a reputation for its elegance.

Over the next few decades, the Estudillo House expanded to accommodate the needs of the growing community. As San Leandro developed, the hotel became the anchor of the town center, attracting businesses along what is now East 14th Street and Washington Avenue. The hotel's prime location along the stagecoach route from Oakland to San Jose made it a popular stop for travelers seeking respite and a fine meal.

To further enhance access, Davis and Ward built a plank road connecting the Estudillo House to the San Francisco Bay, making ferry travel a convenient alternative to the rough stagecoach roads. By 1872, French immigrant Prosper Godchaux had taken over the establishment, later purchasing it outright. Under Godchaux's management, the hotel became famous for its French cuisine, offering private dining rooms and picnic grounds. His advertisements boasted of fine French dinners available at all hours and the hotel's proximity to San Francisco, reachable in just 55 minutes.

The Estudillo House's popularity soared with the advent of the Oakland, San Leandro, and Haywards Electric Railway in 1892, which included the hotel as a stop on its line. The expanded facilities now featured a ballroom, a picnic area with a grape arbor, and became a social hub for both locals and visitors. The hotel hosted prominent guests, including notable figures like "Black Prince" Peter Jackson, Jim Corbett, "Borax" Smith, Abe Ruef, and the Chabot family. Even San Francisco's Mayor Sutro frequented the hotel, drawn by San Leandro's serene countryside.

The Estudillo House also played host to entertainment, including an 1858 Christmas Eve ball where the young Lotta Crabtree, then only eleven years old, charmed attendees as the "brightest little star of the evening." 

In 1929, the Estudillo House was demolished as San Leandro transitioned into a modern industrial suburb.