White House is a view to coastside past

Sitting adjacent to a crop field and on a slight bluff, the Johnston House today looks restored and pristine. This wasn't always the case.

Abandoned since the 1920s, the house, which sits on Half Moon Bay city lands, was identified as being of historical significance around 1970 by a couple passing through the area. Derelict and in danger of falling down at the time, the property was originally modeled after a traditional Eastern Salt-Box design.

"It was trashed," said current foundation member Jack McHugh. "There were cattle roaming in and out of what was left of the building."

The Johnston House architecture, unique in the area, coupled with the long-standing history of the family who had lived there, led to a movement by the couple and other like-minded preservationists to save it. Through their efforts and those of others over the years, the home now sits fully restored and holds a place on the National Register of Historic Places.

"This is the only salt box design house around," said foundation Vice President Edie Phillips. "It's also the oldest non-adobe standing structure on the coastside."

James Johnston, as the story goes, came from Ohio to California in 1849 seeking to take part in the Gold Rush. While here, he married Petra Maria de Jara, a Mexican native. The two of them purchased 1,162 acres in 1853 on what is today much of Half Moon Bay. The couple had several children before Jara died in 1861.

Shortly after Jara's death Johnston ran into financial troubles. Large portions of the acreage ended up being awarded to a bank after a lawsuit, though Johnston was allowed to keep the home. Reportedly devastated by the loss of his land, he died less than a year later.

After the house was inherited by one of Johnston's sons, it passed from him to several other owners. It was eventually abandoned until the foundation, in conjunction with Half Moon Bay, began its restoration.

Today the foundation, which has successfully raised the equivalent of $400,000 in donations and free labor for 30 years, continues to work to see the house preserved.

As part of the restoration, period furniture was sought to be placed in each of the 11 rooms. Though much of it is not original to the property, the foundation luckily received several pieces from descendants of the Johnstons.

To fund their efforts, the foundation holds two fund-raisers each year in addition to soliciting government grants. The most successful event is the annual Holiday House.

The home is also open to the public for docent led tours on the third Saturday of each month and by reservation for large groups. The next open house is scheduled for Aug. 21.

"This place is unique," said Ryan, who remembers the ruins of Johnston House from when he visited the area as a child. "It gives a true picture of what life was like in that time."