Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum |
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Timeline of Events | |
THE MURPHY FAMILY | |
| (A detailed film of The Forgotten Journey, produced by John Krizek for PBS on DVD may be purchased in our museum giftshop) The Martin Murphy party crossed the plains in 1844 to California. They were the first party to cross the Sierras in a covered wagon, the first to bring oxen across the plains and the first to use the route now used by Union and Pacific Railroads. The Donner party used the route two years later and Martin Murphy, Jr. was a member of the party who rescued them. | |
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Martin Murphy, Jr. settled in what is now Sunnyvale. He had his home milled to his specifications in Bangor, Maine and it was shipped around the Horn in 1850. It was assembled in Sunnyvale using wooden pegs and leather straps as there were no sawmills. It was the first frame house in the area. This house was continuously lived in by members of the Murphy family until it was given to the City of Sunnyvale in 1950. It was made a State Historical Landmark in 1958 but was unfortunately demolished by the city in 1961 due to extensive damage following a fire. |
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The Murphy house was the site of the largest private party ever held in California. It was held in July of 1881, which was the 50th wedding anniversary of Murphy's. General invitations were sent out and it is estimated that over 10,000 people came. Special trains came from San Francisco and San Jose for it. The party lasted three days. Wood from the 1000 square foot dance floor constructed for the celebration was later donated to the priests for the first Mountain View Chapel there.
The Murphy’s played a very important part in early California history. Martin Murphy, Jr. is credited with founding Sunnyvale, bringing the railroad through his property and helping to establish the Convent of Notre Dame and Santa Clara College. These were the first institutions of higher learning in the area. His son was the first student enrolled and is the only layman interred in the Mission Chapel. The Murphy family is credited with founding four other cities in the area. Martin Murphy Sr. started San Martin, Martin Murphy Jr. started Sunnyvale and son John the town of Murphys in gold country. Martin’s son James was the first bank commissioner, other family members were State assembly and Senate members, and Martin was the first rancher to grow wheat in the Sacramento Valley. Martin’s original ranch in the valley was the site of the Alvarez-Castro insurrection. His sons John and Patrick were officers in the Mexican War. The Sunnyvale Historical Society and Museum Association has worked to recreate this historical house as a museum to tell the Murphy story and showcase the Murphy Family memorabilia. Copyright © Sunnyvale Historical Society and Museum Association, Inc., All Rights Reserved
Site Currently Maintained by Howard Chuck email: howard@howardchuck.com | |