The Evening News. October 17, 1916

18. The Sunols' Adobe Ruin

A few mornings ago some workmen were tearing down the walls of an old adobe in the rear of "Deckers Shoeing Shop" in Market Street near the station of the Peninsular road. Few persons noticed it, but it belonged to one of the most famous residences of the old Pueblo days. It was formerly the residence of Don Antonio Sunol.

The main portion of the residence stood almost intact until six or seven years ago, when it was bought by the O. K. Garage and for the most part razed to make room for the new building.

At the time there was considerable excitement because it was known that Don Antonio had been a rich man. He owned the great Rancho del Valle as well as the Rancho los Coches, in Alameda county. In Don Antonio's time there was no bank, and so, wealthy people buried their gold in strong boxes. There were rumors that he had hidden treasurer in the thick adobe walls. A crown gathered expecting to find Spanish doubloons, but they were disappointed.

Don Antonio was born in Barcelona, Spain. He came to San Jose in 1818. He had passed several years in Spanish wars, and had served under Jerome Bonaparte. He was a man of education, experience and shrewdness. He married Miss Bernal, one of the heiresses of the vast Santa Teresa ranch. He kept a large merchandise store, and like many of the old Spaniards he manufactured red soap and candles. The old Dons were never too proud to manufacturer soap. Even the Ortegas of Gilroy who had thirty-three miles square, incidentally had a soap factory on what is now called the Rancho del Rey at Monterey. The Hotel Del Monte owns the Rancho Del Rey.

Don Antonio Sunol was the first man to work the Almaden mines discovered by his brother-in-law, Berryessa. Sunol's luck went awry in connection with the Almaden. He spent $400 on it, became discouraged and abandoned it.

In trading he was sharp and keen as a Yankee. He sold a great many supplies to Sutter, of sharp and keen as a Yankee. He sold a great many supplies to Sutter, of Sutter's fort. Among the most interesting early California letters are those that passed between Sutter and Sunol. Don Antonio threatened to seize Sutter's cattle by force if he did not pay his bills. The Gringos never got the better of Don Antonio. He died a rich man.

While Don Antonio was a very able business man, he was always interested in public affairs. He was San Jose's first postmaster, and in 1846 he was one of the twelve men appointed by Alcalde Burton to govern San Jose.

Don Antonio was one of the most generous men. His wine cellar was famous. His servants were perfect. In 1835 he gave the site of St. Joseph's church to the parish. His wife is one of the two persons buried under the altar of the old church. Later when the secularization of the Missions came he, with Mariano Pico, bought the Mission of San Rafael for $8000. When Archbishop Allemany came to this country from Spain he was first a guest of Don Antonio who had known him in Barcelona.

Now that the old house is gone not many mementoes of Don Antonio Sunol exist in San Jose. One of the most interesting belongs to his granddaughter, Miss Margarita. It is the engraving of a little Saint Anthony. For years it was worn in the case of his watch. On the back of the engraving there is written in Don Antonio's handwriting that this saint had traveled with him through the war of 1808 and to the Bay of Bristol. The Spanish words are:

"Este santo me a accompanado en la guerra del anno, 1808, l en la navagasion esta la bala de Bristol."

Transcribed by Kitty LaFavor, for the Santa Clara Co. CAGenWeb Project. 2008

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