SPECIAL: Historian-led tour at Bernal Historic Ranch Park (South San Jose)

Enjoy yet another special history tour led by local historian Mike Boulland. This one is at Bernal Historic Ranch Park. He tells excellent stories. Mike has been leading these tours for us since 2019. His stories get better every year!

Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch is an important historic site. Rancho Santa Teresa was founded in 1826 by Jose Joaquin Bernal, who was a member of the Juan Bautista de Anza party of 1776. He named the ranch after Saint Teresa of Avila, patron saint of healing, after hearing stories of a mysterious woman who miraculously cured the Indians at the springs on the property. In 1858, Carlos Gulnac, who married Joaquin's grand-daughter Rufina Bernal, built the ranch house. Their daughter Susan Gulnac married Patrick Joice. The Joice family ran the ranch until it was sold to IBM in 1980. The county acquired the property in 1986. The efforts by San Jose Preservation Action Council, Friends of Santa Teresa Park and Santa Clara County Parks were instrumental in protecting the property from development. Restoring the ranch and springs took several years and over a million dollars. Santa Clara County and the Historic Heritage Commission provided the funds. The Bernal Historic Ranch Park opened to the public in June 2002.

Our leisurely 3-mile tour begins at the Bernal Gulnac Joice Ranch entrance at the intersection of Manila Drive and Camino Verde Drive. NOTE: This is not the Bernal Road entrance, so please don't go there.

The only restroom is at the beginning/end. Please plan accordingly. Bring a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, water, and snacks to share if you like.

Please update your RSVP 24+ hours before the event. Try to be on time. Do not No Show or crash. No +1. Members only.

Parking:

Park outside Bernal Gulnac Joice Ranch along Manila Drive or Camino Verde Drive and walk in.

Websites:

Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch dedication (2002)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rancho_Santa_Teresa

https://calisphere.org/item/ark:/13030/hb1p30034w/

http://www.harker.com/History/PDF/Booklets/WhoppersandGhostlyTalesfromRanchoSantaTeresa.pdf

Photos:

Can you tell Mike is a history teacher?, Nov 2024 (PC: Stan)
Trail through time, Nov 2024 (PC: Ronald H)
Sunset at Santa Teresa (PC: Ronald H)
Bernal "ghost" school, Nov 2024 (PC: Stan)
Trail through time, Nov 2023 (PC: Stan)
Inside Bernal House, Nov 2023 (PC: Ron H)
Group shot at bull bear tree, Nov 2022 (PC: Stan)
Dramatic re-telling, Nov 2021 (PC: Stan)
Spittlebug!, Nov 2021 (PC: Stan)
Stephanie substituting for Mike at Bernal Ranch, Nov 2020 (PC: Stan)
Ducks on the pond, Nov 2020 (PC: Starr)

Group shot from the spring of the Black Robbed Woman, Nov 2019 (PC: Stan)
What is it?, Nov 2019 (PC: Stan)