With the help of German and Chinese immigrant workers, Samuel Martin built his Gothic Revival home in 1861 and named it Stonedene, Scottish for House of Stone.

In 1929, when Martin's grandson wanted to update the house and double its size, he is said to have hired renowned architect Julia Morgan, who was also working on San Simeon's lavish Hearst Castle at the time, to preserve the original structure, and add a solarium, west wing, and carriage house.

"It's rare that you find land that so eloquently speaks to almost every significant period of time for our state," says Solano Historical Society President Elissa DeCaro.

Source: National Trust for Historic Preservation, 5 November 2010