This Folk Victorian home was constructed in 1902 by Spaniard immigrant, Geronimo Lorenzo, who worked at the Shell Refinery. Originally constructed on Jones Street across from the fire station, Geronimo moved it in 1943 to its current location near Brown Street. Then he bought the house next door and reconfigured the lot lines to create a wonderful outoof dining area and patio with enough space to add a cottage. You will be enchanted when you see both the house and garden.

For the last 37 years, Kevin Greely has made his home in the house that Geronimo built. A picture is worth a 1000 words, and you can see from the above photos of the dining room and the kitchen that Kevin has been gifted with a strong design sense. All in all, this house is a delightful addition to the Home Tour.

This 1892 house was once home to Martinez Chamber of Commerce Secretary, Mary Yakin, who is responsilbe for the State improving roadway standards by painting white lines on the outer edge of California highways. In 2015, Greg Travers bought the house and made many improvements that will surprise and delight you when you see them.

Greg Travers added 600 Square feet of livable space to his home in the last eight years. This included an impressive lounge. Also the design and installation of this climate-controlled wine cellar in the basement.

This example of the Folk Victorian architectural style was built in 1896. Many well-known Martinez residents have lived here over the decades. Today this is the home of Rose Christiansen. Active in community activities, you may discover that you have seen Rose in Martinez before. The owner of the original Hamburger Mary's in San Francisco, Mary moved to Martinez (and fell in love with our town) after selling her restaurant in the City.

This California ranch style home was built in 1936 on what was then called Pill Hill for Dr. and Mrs. Gaines L. Coates. Today it is owned by John Willson and Ginger Ogden. The home's many original high-quality features (including hardwood floors and French doors) have been restored by John and Ginger. But they have included some judicious updating also. For example, creating a true chef's to support their love of entertaining.

This is entrance to John and Ginger's home. It has expansive views of Carquines Strait. By night, they can see the lights of passing ships. And by day, they can appreciate the many types of ships sailing all the way to Sacramento and Stockton: oil tankers, car carriers, rice carriers, barges and tugboats.

This is another house on Pill Hill, built for another physician, Dr. Wilbur Fahden. The house was completed in 1937 in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, and the living room features a 16 foot barrel ceiling. This was the long-time home of Nancy Fahden, the first female County Supervisor. Then the home passed into the hands of Bill (former City Councilman) and Susan Wainwright. Today the current owners (Catherine Sumner and Michelle Martinez) look forward to showing you how they are caring for this special home.

This is what the historic Morrow House at 1236 Escobar Street looks like today. It is owned by Contra Costa County. Though not currently open to the public, the Historical Society has made special arrangements with the County to open the house for the Tour so you can enter the building. You'll enjoy the absolutely gorgeous woodwork on the main floor that was never painted over.

This is what the dilapidated Morrow House looked like a few years ago. Click on the photo to enlarge it so you can see how far gone the building was. The County is to be commended for preserving the building and for also doing such a great job of restoring it.

The Old Train Station is the oldest remaining commercial building in Martinez. it was constructed in 1877. For decades it was the primary means by which freight and passengers entered and departed town. Since Amtrak moved from this building to the new "intermodal" station in 2002, the Station has been essentially vacant. But on Tour day, you willl be able to enter a portion of the buillding and see the exhibits there.

This photo was taken of the waiting room shortly after it was added to the original Station building circa 1915. You will be able to walk through this portion of the structure on Tour Day. Though the room no longer looks as it does above, you will be able to enjoy the exhibit that the Historical Society has placed there for the Tour.

The Martinez Refining Company Clubhouse is the starting point for all Tours. There are rest rooms inside and there is plenty of parking outside. Complimentary water or coffee is available. The Clubhouse was built in 1937. It has a great Arts & Crafts interior of natural wood. Location: 1635 Pacheco Boulevard in Martinez.

There will be tables of raffle prizes in the Refinery Clubhouse. These were put together by Kathy O'Connell and her helpers. The prizes are packaged so beautifully that one hesitates to open them. But the Historical Society board members and volunteers have outdone themselves to make sure there is much of value in the baskets.

The Diablo Regional Concert Band will play again this year for Tour goers. They will be stationed at the Old Train Station this year instead of at the MRC Clubhouse. The Band is a self-supporting, all-volunteer organization. If you would like more information about the Band, please call Cora Martens at (925)451-6222.

There willl be many exhibits on this year's Tour. This is just an example of an exhibit from a past Tour that focuses on Martinez History. You'll see some impressive new exhibits this year also -- specifically designed to complement the homes and buildings on the current Tour.

The MRC Alumni Museum is behind the Refinery Clubhouse parking lot. It depicts the history of oil refining in Martinez -- beginning with the construction of the Refinery in 1915. The Museum is staffed with docents who are retired Shell employees. They open this Museum for the Home Tour visitors.

The Martinez Museum is also open during home tours. It is the home of the Martinez Historical Society. It features both permanent and rotating exhibits. So there is always something new to see there.