It was the first domicile on what we now call Stanford University. It was built by Peter Coutts in 1873, and was his home until he returned to France in 1882. Bought by Leland Stanford, it was furnished with expensive, museum-like furnishings, some dating back to Marie Antoinette. In 1891, it was the destination of the group who would administer the new university: David Starr Jordan and his family, Orrin Leslie Elliott and his. On its porch, Leland Stanford and Jane Stanford greeted the Jordans and the Elliotts on the first evening of their arrival. On its porch, the first entrance tests were administered. On its porch, David Starr Jordan greeted the women of Roble Hall when, one evening, they came to celebrate the birth of his daughter, Barbara.

These are some of the recorded events taking place within the confines of this building. There must be countless others. And yet, now, hidden within the oaks of Comstock Circle, Escondite Cottage, now known as the Administration Building of Escondido Village, is unmarked as an historical site and closed to visitors.

As part of my research for a series of novels I am writing about Stanford University—-1891: A Novel about Stanford University is written and published. 1892 is partially written and should be completed in a year—I am preparing an historical tour of Stanford University that could be used in conjunction with the books. In somewhat of a happenstance manner I have published this tour on my blog. I expect to combine these tidbits and place it on my site: http://home.earthlink.net/~jerryfranks.

The tour had just been to Encina Hall and I was about to describe Escontite Cottage when I decided to revisit the site, I had not been there in 3-5 years. I wanted to make sure it was still there. At first, I was not certain. The surroundings were different this time. Using a “where are you” map, I picked out the administrative building for Escondido Village and made my way there. Rounding the turn, I knew the building before me had to be it. The porch had been changed and a second floor added, but the narrow windows were unlike those of its single story neighbors, and it had an older, more majestic appearance.

Walking in, I was greeted by a young Hispanic woman. I asked her if she knew she was working in an historic site. She said that she did and had looked up the cottage on the Internet. She knew all about Peter Coutts and the history of the building. I was pleased. I asked her if I could look around. She said, nicely, no I could not. Could I peek around the doorway? Yes.  The building had not been gutted. The doors and woodwork looked like the original. Down the narrow hall, I could see various rooms that might have been the dining room, parlor, and bedrooms. Up and down that hallway, Kingsley Jordan and Lewis Elliott would have chased one another. I asked the young lady if the interior was pretty much as it was and she said yes, it was. I thanked her and exited, highly elated that Escontite Cottage remained, still pretty much as it was back in 1891.

If you would like to visit this historical site, take the Bowdoin exit to Stanford Avenue, turn left to Escondido Road, turn left, go past Olmsted—This is the only homage paid to Frederick Olmsted who designed the oval and its surroundings. For more information about the relationship between Leland Stanford and Frederick Olmsted, go to my site.—-the next turning to the right is Comstock, turn. The address is 859 Comstock Circle. You won’t be able to go in and look around, but perhaps our friendly receptionist will let you take a peek down the hallway. Tell her the old guy with white hair sent you.

Let’s see we were at the mausoleum. Near there are the cactus gardens. For some reason, during Victorian Days, the well-to-do felt cactus gardens were exotic. Even today, some people love cactus. I am not one of them. When I was last there, about a year ago, some of the cactus lovers were restoring the grounds. I imagine the site has vastly improved. And while I am at it, the grounds where the old Palo Alto grows, on Alma Street, were also improved by some dedicated individuals. They did a wonderful job. Too bad, when I was there, no one else was. Some joggers from Menlo Park passed through, but it was old stuff for them. Back to the Cactus Gardens, now I am capitalizing, about the best thing is to imagine Stanford couples romancing in this secluded area. It must have been interesting.

In my mind, the museum would be the next stop. Now it is the Cantor Museum and mostly devoted to art objects. When I was in school, the museum was closed, going through some kind of renovation. In the lobby, if you can imagine, was Stanford’s own Steam Engine in all its glory. With the new emphasis, the engine was moved to Sacramento. That must have been interesting. There is a room devoted to the Stanford family, but I bet there are lots of memorabilia that is stacked in boxes like the storage area in Citizen Kane. I like the stuff identified with the Senator—particularly the pearl handled cane. It is in all of his later pictures and there it is in all its glory. The boy’s art and stuff he colected shows that he was a pampered child. And why not, he would die when he was fourteen. And if he hadn’t died there would be no Stanford University.

From the library, walk toward the main quad and you will go by the Chemistry Building, now vacant and waiting for what? Someone to come along and tear it down or use it as a real museum. Who knows. I was never in it. Chemistry was way off the beaten path. The reason it was so isolated was the explosion over at  San Jose’s College of Pacific Because of that most of the students transferred to Stanford. For obvious reason, COP, in Strockton, has brushed that portion of their history under the carpet. I don’t see why. It is a great school, and I think, overcoming that diversity is a wonderful accomplishment. But, as you will see, history is funny. People pick and choose the portions they want, and we have to guess at what really happened.

That’s enough for now. Stay with us. We are approaching the oval and getting to the interesting part about the realtionship between Senator Stanford and Frederick Omsted. Please forgive the typos.