History of Filoli

Learn about the many people who have connected to this land over the years.

By the Numbers

Year Constructed

1917

Year Opened to the Public

1975

Property Acres
House & Garden Acres
Visit the Vibrant Landscape

Lamchin Tribe

Filoli sits on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Lamchin, an independent tribe of the Ramaytush Ohlone peoples, the original inhabitants and stewards of the San Francisco Peninsula. The Lamchin village of Ssupichom was established on what is now Filoli in about 1000 CE. The Lamchin were one of the largest local tribes of the Ramaytush Ohlone, with about 350 people. Because of the mission system and continued effects of colonization, only a few Ramaytush Ohlone descendants remain in the Bay Area; however, their work has immense impact on ecological restoration, research, culture, and community.

Cultural Landscape Report

Portion of the O’Connor Ranch in the 1894 Official Map of the County of San Mateo, California

Rancho Cañada de Raymundo

Mexico won independence from Spain in 1821 and took control of California. Promises to the Ohlone of land were never fulfilled—instead, the new government granted enormous ranchos to political allies. In 1840, Irish immigrant John Coppinger was granted 12,545 acres. Coppinger and his wife Maria Luisa Soto built an adobe home among towering redwoods and extensive pastures on Rancho Cañada de Raymundo. They sold lumber, raised cattle, and cultivated wheat and potatoes. After Coppinger’s death, Soto inherited the property and later sold sections, including the acreage that would become Filoli.

San Mateo County Historical Association

Logging the Hills

The hills of Filoli once contained towering old-growth redwoods, but the tallest trees were first to meet the bladed teeth of logging saws. Oxen dragged sleds of lumber to Redwood City to be shipped to San Francisco, where demand soared along with the population during the Gold Rush. By 1860, 35 mills populated the hills east of Skyline Boulevard.

Photo Credit: San Mateo County Historical Association

"Bourn family portrait taken at 2050 Broadway, S.F.  Sarah Esther Chase Bourn, seated in ornate arm chair, in dark long dress with light-colored shawl over her shoulders, full light-colored lace scarf tied at her neck, white lace mantilla on the back part of her head, surrounded by her family.  First row, left to right:  Maud Bourn Vincent, Elizabeth Rose Vincent, Sara Esther Chase Bourn, Maude Bourn Hayne.  Second row, left to right: Arthur Rose Vincent, Agnes Moody Bourn, Maye Bourn Tucker, William Bowers Bourn II, Ida Hoxie Bourn. Sarah Chase Bourn, seated in ornate arm chair, in dark long dress with light-colored shawl over her shoulders, full light-colored lace scarf tied at her neck, white lace mantilla on the back part of her head.  Her right hand rests in her lap; her left hand is obscured by a basket and flowers.  Ferrol Egan's book The Last Bonanza Kings identifies as taken March 1919 at 2030 Broadway, San Francisco."

The Bourn Family

Born in 1857, William Bowers Bourn II was raised a wealthy son in post-Gold Rush San Francisco. In 1881, he married Agnes Moody, a family friend. After the 1906 earthquake and fire, wealthy San Franciscans – including Agnes and William – migrated south to the peninsula to escape the city and build grand estates. The Bourns created Filoli to fulfill their vision of a self-sustaining country estate. Filoli overlooked the Spring Valley Reservoir that Bourn oversaw as president of the water company.

Pictured: The Bourn Family, surrounding Sarah Esther Chase bourn in the middle, in 2050 Broadway, San Francisco. Circa 1917

"Birthday party for William Phillip Roth (Bill) family shot in the Reception Room. From left to right, front row: Lurline Berenice Matson Roth seated in a light colored graphic dress, with Bill seated in center, wearing a dark suit and tie, and young James Coonan (Jim)? in a suit; second row: James Coonan (Jim) in a blue jacket and tie, next to his wife Lurline Matson Roth Coonan in a white gown with purple and yellow floral pattern, Kathy Roth? in a yellow belted shirt dress, Lurline Coonan (Lolly) in a bright green and dark blue patterned dress, and Berenice Matson Roth Grant in a light colored floral dress; third row: Unidentified Man in a jacket and tie, next to an Unidentified granddaughter in a light dress with red trim, and Joan Roth? in a dark pink dress; William Matson Roth (Bill) obscured in back in a jacket and tie. Both Lurline and Bill both wear yellow flower leis around their necks, 10 family members stand around Bill seated in pale blue floral decorated library chair. The lower corner of the south wall tapestry is visible in background, along with a standing figure statue on the tabletop behind them, along with an elaborate clock and stand."

The Roth Family

After Agnes and William passed away in 1936, the Roth family purchased Filoli. Lurline Matson Roth was the daughter of Captain William Matson, founder of the Matson Navigation Company. Lurline’s husband, William “Bill” Roth, would later take over as company president. While the Bourns had the vision to create the Filoli House and Garden, the Roths carried the estate forward thanks to their stewardship. Lurline took great interest in the Garden, working with the Bourns’ original garden designer to add to its beauty. After her husband’s death, Lurline decided to move to a smaller home and later donated the house and garden to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Pictured: Birthday party for William “Bill” Roth (seated center) with Lurline Matson Roth seated to his left. Both are surrounded by family and friends. Circa 1960

Cultural Landscape Report

Filoli house staff in the Butler's Pantry, ca.1960

Historic Staff

A staff of 35 people cared for the estate at peak, including butlers, ladies maids, cooks, chauffeurs, and gardeners. Most of them lived and worked on site in the staff wing of the House.

Pictured: Filoli House Staff in the Butler’s Pantry, circa 1960