The Hensley House Inn (San Jose, California)

 house, landmark, place with historical importance, bed and breakfast

456 North 3rd Street
San Jose, CA 95112
(408) 298-3537

One of the most attractive Victorian homes in the San Jose downtown area is the Hensley House, located at 456 N. 3rd Street. It replaced the original Hensley home, which burned on December 26, 1870. The Eastlake-Queen Anne style home now serves as a bed and breakfast inn.

America's love affair with the porch and verandah is exemplified in this Victorian. This lovely home is appointed with ancient, stained glass windows and decorative wrought iron fencing on roof peaks. Guest rooms are beautifully furnished and decorated with fine French and English crafted antiques, crystal chandeliers, wall coverings, painted gilded ceilings, curtains and furniture, all of the Victorian era. Halls, closets and bathrooms exhibit extensive use of decorative hardwood molding and trim. The living room, serving as a reception and dining area, also is decorated with Victorian era furniture and antiques. The ceiling is supported by dark stained, heavy wooden beams.

According to SIGNPOSTS, Patricia Loomis' book on San Jose street names, Samuel J. Hensley came here as a kid from Kentucky. He was a major under Fremont in the 1846 Bear Flag Revolt, was a gold miner, merchant, and a pathfinder. Loomis is surprised that he "never had a mountain pass or a trail named for him." His last days were spent in San Jose, where he died a millionaire on January 7, 1866, at the young age of 49.

www.geocities.com/SoHo/Veranda/4103/hensley.html
www.hensleyhistoricdistrict.org/hensley.html