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Work is underway for Wunderlich Park’s historic Dairy House makeover.
On Sept. 27, Friends of Huddart and Wunderlich Parks and the San Mateo County Parks Department held a ground-breaking ceremony for the restoration of the 150-year-old structure.
The Dairy House “may be the oldest refrigerator in the county,” according to Kym Teppo, executive director of Friends of Huddart and Wunderlich Parks. For one of the oldest stone structures in the Bay Area, county parks has embarked on the process to restore and transform the structure into an interpretive exhibit.
In its current state, the Dairy House is on the “brink of collapse,” according to the Friends of Huddart and Wunderlich Parks.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see this historic restoration finally begin after years of planning and fundraising,” said Teppo. “This project isn’t just about preserving a building — it’s about honoring our shared history, revitalizing a beloved building and investing in the future of the park.”
Built in 1874, the limestone Dairy House was used to preserve perishable goods such as fruits, dairy and meat. It was built by Simon Jones, a farmer and owner of exporting business S.L Jones & Co. in San Francisco.
Jones named the property that is now Wunderlich Park, Hazel Wood Farm, where he grew orchard crops and grapes for export. The Dairy House was used to keep all the harvested “goods fresh in an era before refrigeration,” according to Teppo.
In prior years, the structure was part of the Friends of Huddart and Wunderlich Parks educational programming for school field trips about California history but is currently closed off and covered due to its crumbling state.
In a newsletter, Teppo described Wunderlich Park as “not only a treasure for hikers, but a special place for history buffs and equestrians too.”
Historic structures are scattered through the park, including the Folger Estate Stable, Carriage House, Blacksmith Barn and Chinese Stone Walls. All have been recognized by the National Registry of Historic Places.
The envisioned future Dairy House will be decorated with ham hocks, milk jugs and bushels of vegetables — giving guests a peek into what it looked like in the 19th century.
“We’re excited for what this means for the generations who will gather, learn and connect here for years to come,” said Teppo.
The Friends of Huddart and Wunderlich Parks began fundraising for the renovation in 2021 with a goal of $400,000. By March 2025, it had raised $300,000. According to Teppo, the organization is still accepting donations and has currently raised up to 87% of its goal amount.
The nonprofit and county parks estimate the renovation will be completed in January or February depending on winter weather conditions. Heavy rain will delay the renovation due the limestone structure’s sensitivity to precipitation.
For more information on the Dairy House visit huddartwunderlichfriends.org/save-the-dairy-house.
