Valencia Hall was built by Frederick Augustus Hihn on Valencia Creek as a meeting place for the workers in his lumber mill. A fine example of late Victorian vernacular architecture, the building is a singular reminder of Hihn's ambitious plans for the area.

Hihn came to California from his native Germany at the age of nineteen to seek his fortune in the Sierra gold camps.

After initial setbacks, he became one of the most prosperous visionaries and entrepreneurs in the history of Santa Clara County. His enterprises included Camp Capitola, the first seaside resort community in California.