The Forest Home Farms is a 16-acre historic community park located in San Ramon, California. In 1997, in memory of her husband, Travis Moore Boone, Ruth Quayle Boone located the property and all the buildings thereon to the City of San Ramon for use as a park and historical site.
The 16-acre (6.5 ha) farm is situated at the base of the Berkeley Hills, and Oak Creek divides it into two parts that are almost equal. The site's northern portion contains all the structures built or used by the Boones, except for the cistern, which sits on top of a hill at the property's southwest corner. The structures are composed of two houses, 14 outbuildings, and two pergolas. The houses reflect nearly a century of in the valley residential growth. The Boone House is a Dutch colonial with 22 rooms, which has been remodeled many times since it was built in 1900. Ultimately this home will serve as a retreat and meeting center.
The fourteen outbuildings, which differ significantly in construction date and size, include a barn originally constructed between 1850 and 1860, a farm equipment and automotive storage structure with 7,000 square feet (650 m2), and a three-building walnut processing plant which includes a three-story hulling and drying structure.
The southern portion of the property now houses the David Glass House, the late 1860s to early 1870s Victorian-style structure. This home at Lora Nita Farm has been relocated from its original site. The Glass House is a two-story, wood-frame dwelling with a rear one-story wing, which may be older than the house's main body. The tank house is a two-story, wood-frame structure, which is possibly slightly later in date than the home, somewhat changed from the historic condition.
The development period for this project is very long, and there is a master plan detailing what needs to be done to make the park publicly accessible. The research is expected to take place over the next five years so hopefully certain areas of the property will be limitedly open to the public. The site will eventually allow the public to see what life had been like in the valley near the beginning of the 20th century. In addition to the structures, there will be agricultural artifacts and an antique farm equipment collection. Employees of the City of San Ramon Public Services have already restored several John Deere tractors and vehicles, along with volunteers.
This amazing must-see site is conveniently located near some of San Ramon’s other top attractions. Make sure to check them out on your next visit:
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San Ramon Community Center
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Memorial Park
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Diablo Valley College – San Ramon branch campus
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UC Davis Graduate School of Management – the Bay Area working professional program in San Ramon
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Walt Disney School Park
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Rancho San Ramon Community Park
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Central Park
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