Site of Juana Briones de Miranda Home on Rancho La Purísima Concepción

The bronze calls the seller its Indian grantee and misspells him. José Gorgonio, a Native Californian from Mission Santa Clara, held the grant from 1840 and sold it to Juana Briones in 1844, with José Ramón. That year she won a church separation from an abusive husband. Her house, earth packed inside a timber frame, stood up this street for over 160 years. This plaque went up in 2007, amid thirteen years of litigation over the owners' demolition permit. Crews took the house down in June 2011, and a salvaged piece of wall is now a museum exhibit.

What the plaque says

Site of Juana Briones de Miranda Home on Rancho La Purisima Concepcion In 1844 Juana de Briones de Miranda, a pioneer Latina property owner, businesswoman and humanitarian, purchased the 4,439 acre Rancho La Purisima Concepcion from Indian grantee Jose Gorgornio. The grant extended two miles south, encompassing Foothill College and most of Los Altos Hills. The site of the home that was constructed of earth inside a wooden crib is located up this street at 4155 Old Adobe Road. In addition to raising her seven children, Juana managed a large cattle ranch and was a noted curandera. California Registered Historical Landmark No. 524 Plaque placed by California State Parks in cooperation with the Juana Briones Heritage Foundation and the City of Palo Alto, March 12, 2007.

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Homesite of Sarah Wallis — 1.7 mi
• Lou Henry Hoover House — 2.4 mi
• First Commercially Practicable Integrated Circuit — 2.8 mi
• Casa de Tableta — 3.1 mi