Historical Walking Tour - City of Concord

C O N C O R D ,
C A L I F O R N I A
This piece was produced by the
City of Concord with the assistance of
the Concord Historical Society.
Historical
Walking
Tour Guide
Concord Historical Society

Concord’s Rich Heritage
Welcome to our self-guided tour of the
most historically significant buildings
in downtown Concord. Many of the buildings
date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s.
While some remain private residences, many
have been restored and are used as office or
commercial buildings. As you stroll through the
downtown area, with the green oasis of Todos
Santos Plaza as its heart, you will sense the rich
cultural and architectural heritage, which is the
legacy of the founding families of this city.
Todos Santos (All Saints) was the original
name of the city now called Concord. In the
1860s, Salvio Pacheco, his son Fernando,
and his son-in-law Francisco Galindo had the
20 acres, which is now downtown Concord,
surveyed for a new town. Nineteen blocks
were plotted around a central plaza. Don
Salvio dedicated the plaza to the people of
his new town for use as a park. Today, Todos
Santos Plaza continues to be the site for
numerous community festivals and celebrations.
There is no official documentation on the
changing of the name of Todos Santos to
Concord. The only reference to its origin
appeared in The Contra Costa Gazette of
April 17, 1869. “Concord is the name, as we
hear, by which the sponsors have decided to
call the new village that is to form the east
extension of Pacheco town.” In May 1969,
the new town residents held a party in a local
store to celebrate the founding of Concord.
Don Salvio Pacheco

Historical Landmark Guide
1. Todos Santos Plaza
2175 Willow Pass Rd., bounded by Willow Pass Rd.,
Salvio St., Grant St. and Mt. Diablo St.
2. County Fire House
2210 Willow Pass Rd.
3. Maltby-McKinnon House
2350 Pacheco St.
4. Barnett House
2080 East St.
5. Elworthy House
2118 East St.
6. Ginochio-Accinelli House
2459 Pacheco St.
7. Rosal Apartment
2178 Pacheco St.
8. Elworhty-Keller House
2156 Pacheco St.
9. Bibber House
2108 Grant St.
10. Neustaedter House
2156 Grant St.
11. Alves House
2190 Grant St.
12. Bolla House
2289 Bonifacio St.
13. Nunez House
2334 Almond Ave.
14. Webb-Soto House
2243 Mt. Diablo St.
15. Kelly House
1987 Bonifacio St.
16. The Beebe House
1921 Concord Ave.
17. Salvio Pacheco Adobe
1870 Adobe St.
18. Old Fire House
1982 Concord Ave.
19. Perry House
1990 Concord Ave.
20. Foskett & Elworthy Building
2001 Salvio St.
21. Masonic Hall
1765 Galindo St.
22. Francisco Galindo Home
1721 Amador St.
23. Ivey House
1849 Clayton Rd.
24. Eddy House
1800 Clayton Rd.
25. Keller House
1760 Clayton Rd.

HARRISON ST
BROADWAY ST
ADOBE
GALINDO ST
CONCORD AVE.
17
ST
WILLOW PASS ROAD
ALMOND AVE
BONIFACIO ST
GALINDO ST
11
10
9
15 14 12
16
18
19 20
PACHECO ST
MT DIABLO ST
SALVIO ST
1
13
8 7
3 4
Todos
Santos
Plaza
GRANT ST
2
COLFAX ST
5 6
CONCORD BLVD
CLAYTON ROAD
PORT CHICAGO HWY.
EAST ST
VISTA TERRACE
21
SUTTER ST
23
22
AMADOR
CLAYTON ROAD
25
24
ASHBURYY
MARINA
ELLIS ST

Downtown Concord’s Historical Walking Tour
1. Todos Santos Plaza
2175 Willow Pass Rd. bounded by Willow Pass Rd.,
Salvio St., Grant St., and Mt. Diablo St.
The Plaza was dedicated in 1868 by its pioneer founders
Don Salvio Pacheco, Don Fernando Pacheco and Don
Francisco Galindo as the public square in one of the
original 20 blocks laid out for the new town. The plaza
continues to serve as the site for local celebrations,
concerts, carnivals and festivals. The 1993-94 renovation
project is the square’s seventh major renovation.
2. County Fire House
2210 Willow Pass Rd.
Built during 1938-1939 at its existing location, which
was on land in the original village of Todos Santos, Fire
Commissioner DeRosa arranged for the new Fire District
to purchase these two lots for $5,000. The construction
cost was $2,800. The white adobe structure had two
large halls for its trucks and included nine smaller rooms,
two kitchens, and several sleeping and ready rooms.
Currently it remains in use as an emergency and fire alert
station for No. 6 Engine Company. The Contra Costa
County Consolidated Fire District is the current owner.
3. Maltby-McKinnon House
2350 Pacheco St.
Built in the 1890s off what was then the west end of
Bonifacio St., this wood-frame house was used as the
original, local residence for the A.W. Maltby family while
their “mansion” at 3033 Bonifacio Street was being
constructed. The house was moved to 2390 East St.
circa 1915, then to its current site in 1979. The house
now provides office space for a social service agency.
4. Barnett House
2080 East St.
Located at the southeast corner of East and Pacheco
Streets, the house was built by David Levinson. The
house gets its name from subsequent owners George and
Florence Barnett. For many years it served prominent
families as a private residence. It is currently used for
commercial purposes.
5. Elworthy House
2118 East St.
The house was built in 1912-13 for Herbert H.
Elworthy, who was then Mayor of Concord, his wife
Annie (Brawand) Elworthy, and their four sons. During
the 1970s and 1980s, it was converted for use as a
church and child-care facility, but was restored to its
original configuration in 1988-89 and is currently used
for commercial purposes.
6. Ginochio-Accinelli House
2459 Pacheco St.
The lot for this house was purchased for residential
construction in 1911 by C.R. and Emma Potter.
Subsequently, it has been owned by Emma (Potter)
Miller, the J. Robillards (1920); the A. Guthries (1922);
and Anton and Josephine Accinelli (1924). The Accinellis
also owned the popular Tony’s Toggery on Salvio Street
and were very prominent in community activities. Peter
and Edith Ginochio purchased the house in 1944. It
remains a private residence.
7. Rosal Apartment
2178 Pacheco St.
The apartments occupy land which was originally included
in the original survey for the village of Todos Santos.
The two-plus corner lot was parceled in 1936 for the
apartment configurations and they were sold to Pierre
and Pauline Paillassou. The two-story, white stucco,
eight apartment structure remains a prominent feature
in the downtown.
8. Elworthy-Keller House
2156 Pacheco St.
This small, single story, wood-frame structure has had
many owners and tenants. Initially the lot was part of
the Brawand’s property holdings and was in the estate
deeded to Minnie Brawand, Alice Brawand, and Annie
(Brawand) Elworthy. Title also passed through the Ivey,
Wells, Douglas, Bell, Wessman and Matinrazam families.
Its association with the Kellers no longer can be confirmed;
possibly a member of the Keller family was a
temporary tenant. The building is presently used as
professional offices.
9. Bibber House
2108 Grant St.
This house was built in 1912-13 by L.V. Perry for
Charles and Carrie (Beebe) Bibber at a cost of $3,733.
In addition to its large size and prominent architecture,
the house is known for its exquisite wood paneling
and beautifully finished staircase. Charles Bibber was
the Deputy County Assessor. The house remained
in his family for two generations. It has since been
reconfigured for commercial purposes and is used as
professional offices.
In addition to its large size and prominent architecture,
the Bibber House (no. 9) is known for its exquisite wood
paneling and beautifully finished staircase.
10. Neustaedter House
2156 Grant St.
Built in 1906 by L.V. Perry for Barney Neustaedter, the
prosperous owner of early Concord’s “Pioneer Store,”
the simple wood-beam exterior belies its detailed, richly
appointed interior. It remained in the family until
acquired and restored by contractor James Galton. In
1988 it was resold and remains a private residence.
11. Alves House
2190 Grant St.
This corner was the site for the first Concord Grammar
School. The present two-story, wood-frame house and
barn were built circa 1897 for the George Alves family.
A son, Frank Alves, occupied the house until his death in
1992. Remembered for its extensive vegetable gardens
and flower beds, and the long, white picket fence, the
house remains a private residence.
12. Bolla House
2289 Bonifacio St.
Early owners of this property included Mary Freitas,
and Hatte and Harold Green. Miss Caroline L. Bolla, a
member of a local farming family, acquired the property
in 1924. The two-story, wood-frame house was converted
to office-commercial uses by its current owner.
13. Nunez House
2334 Almond Ave.
Built in the 1890s on the south side of Salvio Street
between Grant and Colfax Streets, this home was
adjacent to the Nunez family’s saloon in the original
Todos Santos Village. When that block was reconstructed
circa 1906 to accommodate the new building of the First
Presbyterian Church, the Nunez house was moved to
this location. The architecture of the house distinguishes
it as the most prominent expression of the popular
Queen Anne-style which still exists in Concord. The
house is a private residence.
14. Webb-Soto House
2243 Mt. Diablo St.
Built circa 1880 for Captain Barney Webb, this house
was later the residence of the Presentation M. Soto
family. Presentation Soto was an early local shop keeper,
Concord’s sixth Postmaster, and sixth Mayor. The
house also was known as the Jackson House during
the residence of Elma (Soto) Jackson. In 1991, it
was restored, and converted for use as professional
counseling offices. The house was restored to
residential use in 1999.
15. Kelly House
1987 Bonifacio St.
The house was built circa 1915 for Mr. and Mrs. Frank
Kelly. Mr. Kelly was a blacksmith at the nearby Boyd and
Jaquith Blacksmith Shop. The Ray Crenna family were
subsequent, long-time residents. Later, the wood-frame
building was damaged severely by fire. It has been
restored for commercial office purposes.
16. Beebe House
1921 Concord Ave.
The Beebe House was built circa 1870 as the residence
of Benjamin and Fannie Beebe and their children. It was
originally located about a quarter of a mile west of the
town of Todos Santos (Concord) on “The Road to
Pacheco”, now Concord Ave. Success at farming allowed
Mr. Beebe to finance the Navas and Beebe General
Merchandise Store, which opened in Todas Santos in
1871. The City of Concord took temporary possession
of the house in 1992, when the location was needed for
expansion of Highway 242. The house was moved to
2401 Bisso Lane, where it remained until 1996, when a
buyer was found and the current location selected. It has
been restored and is used for commercial purposes.
17. Salvio Pacheco Adobe
1870 Adobe St.
The first permanent structure in this area was built
during the 1840s as the headquarters for Don Salvio
Pacheco’s 17,921 acre land grant – Rancho Monte del
Diablo. The Adobe was constructed by the Miranda
Brothers of Sonora, Mexico and local Indians. Don
Salvio moved his family from San Jose, California, into
the eight-room, two-story adobe in 1846. It remained in
the family until the early 1930s. Since then it has been
restored and remodeled several times. The building has
served as a restaurant and a bank. It is currently used by
Metro One Credit Union.
18. Old Fire House
1982 Concord Ave.
The City’s first Fire House, this structure was originally
located on a lot on the west side of Mt. Diablo St. near
Willow Pass Rd. In 1883, J.W. Guy was paid $870 to start
construction on the building which eventually opened in
1892. Its cast-iron bell summoned firemen and signaled
curfew. In 1911, to accommodate pending construction
of the Concord Inn, the structure was relocated around
the corner to the south side of Willow Pass Rd. In 1939,
it was converted for City Hall and Police Department uses.
Subsequently, it housed, in turn, the Chamber of
Commerce, an art studio, and the Salvation Army. In
1981, it was moved to its present location. It is currently
used as commercial and office space.
19. Perry House
1990 Concord Ave.
Built in 1911 by its original owner, the well-known
contractor Laurence V. Perry, the building faced Clayton
Rd. off Colfax St., near the present location of the
Tishman Building. Constructed as a wood-frame, twoflat
structure, Laurence and Isabelle (Nunez) Perry and
their daughter Laurine occupied the upstairs; the lower
flat always was a rental, many times for local high school
teachers. The house was moved to its current location in
1981. It was been restored, remodeled and is currently
in use as a law office.
20. Foskett & Elworthy Building
2001 Salvio St.
Sam Bacon’s Store, considered to be the first
commercial establishment in the village of
Todos Santos, first occupied this site. In
1911, the Foskett & Elworthy Corporation
selected W.H. Weeks of San Francisco to
design this structure, the first modern,
stone-stucco building in Concord. The
original tenant at the prime corner
position was their own First National
Bank. Over the years, a series of banks, food
markets, retail stores, barber shops and
Frank William Foskett (above right) and Herbert Henry
Elworthy (above left) built the Foskett & Elworthy building
(no. 20) in 1911. The two men started as partners in the
Concord Meat Market, later the Foskett & Elworthy Meat
market, and started the First National Bank. Foskett was
its first president. Elworthy was Concords’s second mayor.
Juan C. Galindo, grandson of Concord’s founder, and his
wife remodeled the Galindo home (no. 22) in 1873.
professional offices have occupied this key downtown
facility. Completely restored in the 1970s, the current
corner tenant is a restaurant. The large mural on the
east exterior wall by artist Dan Fontes was commission
by the City in 1992.
21. Masonic Hall
1765 Galindo St.
Concord’s Masonic Temple provided the ceremonial
meeting room and social hall for Mt. Diablo Lodge
#448, Free and Accepted Masons. Constructed in 1927
by L.V. Perry for $31,550, the temple was dedicated on
October 6, 1928. This imposing facility incorporates
approximately 9,600 sq. ft. on two levels. The building
is presently owned by the City of Concord and is being
used as an art gallery.
22. Francisco Galindo Home
1721 Amador St.
This house was built in 1856 for Don Francisco Galindo
and his wife, Maria Dolores Manuela (Pacheco) Galindo,
Don Salvio’s second daughter. At that time, it was one of
the few Victorian ranch houses in the county. When their
oldest son, Juan “John” Galindo and his bride, Marina
“Sarah” (Amador) Galindo took up residence in 1880,
the original six-room house was expanded to ten rooms.
After their eldest child Frederick and Catherine (Hittman)
Galindo were married in 1911, title transferred to the next
generation. Since Mrs. Catherine Galindo’s death in 1966,
the house was maintained by her children. After the death
of Ms. Ruth Galindo, the home became the property of
the City of Concord. It is presently being restored as the
Galindo House and Gardens.
23. Ivey House
1849 Clayton Rd.
Originally built in the 1870s for John Brawand, a partner
in the Salvio Street Livery Stable, the house was located
on Grant Street. By 1899, Henry Ivey became sole
proprietor of the livery stable and his family occupied
the house. Daphne Ivey sold the property to the Wells
family in 1926. The house was moved in 1979-80 to
accommodate a redevelopment project. The house has
been restored and remodeled for its present use as a
professional office.
24. Eddy House
1800 Clayton Rd.
Build by L.V. Perry circa 1900, this small, wood-frame
building was the home for the William Henry Eddy
family. William Eddy began and operated a maintenance
garage and sales agency for Mitchell and Dodge cars at
several locations in downtown Concord. The building
was originally located on the northwest corner of Willow
Pass Rd. and Mt. Diablo St. In 1927 the house was
moved to Amador Ave. where it was discovered in a
deteriorated state in 1980 by the City of Concord. The
present owner rescued the building from demolition,
moved it to its present site and restored it for use as a
commercial office.
25. Keller House
1760 Clayton Rd.
Built in 1902-03 by L.V. Perry for C.H. (Harry) and
Elodia Keller, the house was initially located at the southeast
corner of Galindo and Clayton Rd. Paul and Marie
Keller acquired the house in 1912 when his brother,
Harry, purchased a large ranch in Clayton. Paul was
founder of the P.L. Keller Hardware store, was City Clerk
(1910-1914), and was very active in civic and cultural
affairs. In the late 1970s, the house was converted to a real
estate office and restored. In 1984, it was moved to its
present Ellis Lake Park location where it is used for offices
by the City of Concord, it’s current owner.