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

Maintain Social Distance. Wear your mask. Use hand sanitizer.

***

Enjoy yet another special history tour led by local historian Mike Boulland. This one is at Bernal Historic Ranch Park. He tells excellent stories. We were there in Nov 2019. In 2020, Stephanie S and Stan presented. Mike will tell his stories a little better this 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:

https://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/parkfinder/Pages/SantaTeresa.aspx (Santa Teresa County Park)

http://www.stpfriends.org/BGJDed/BGJDed.htm (Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch dedication)

http://www.santaclaracountynewsbeat.com/2019/06/10/bernal-ranch-unlikely-cowboy-recalls-youth/

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

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

https://www.openspaceauthority.org/community/urban-success-stories/success-story.html?env=success%5C-story-15---- (Albertson Parkway)

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

Photos:

https://www.sccgov.org/sites/parks/parkfinder/PublishingImages/SantaTeresaBernalRanch.jpg

Barn at sunset (PC: Ron H/Santa Teresa Park Friends)

https://s3.amazonaws.com/gs-waymarking-images/31be5b34-4ad8-48d3-9fc0-06c43b90bbac.jpg

Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/HySf0PfJl_I/hqdefault.jpg

Patrick Joice is Jose Joaquin Bernal's great great grandson, 2019 (PC: Santa Clara County Newsbeat)

https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/d/6/a/highres_486367530.jpeg

group shot from the spring of the Black Robbed Woman, Nov 2019 (PC: Stan)

https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/c/8/5/highres_486367301.jpeg

What is it?, Nov 2019 (PC: Stan)

https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/d/8/5/highres_486367557.jpeg

3 deer in defensive posture, Nov 2019 (PC: Stan)

https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/7/e/6/highres_493542982.jpeg

Bernal Ranch, Nov 2020 (PC: Stan)

https://secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/3/8/c/highres_493541868.jpeg

Ducks on the pond, Nov 2020 (PC: Starr)