About
Quaint, charming, and picturesque all describe the Professorville neighborhood, yet fall short of capturing the rich history and importance that serve as the backdrop to this tight-knit community. Professorville is not only a highly desirable area, but an important heritage site to greater Silicon Valley.
The neighborhood was established by Stanford professors in the late 19th century who wished to own land, rather than lease it on campus property. Hence, Professorville was created and remains a showcase of original Palo Alto architecture. Many homes incorporate inspiration from the East Coast, reflecting the roots of its early residents. This led towards the architectural mix of Craftsmans, Queen Anne Victorians, and Colonial Revivals that the neighborhood is known for today.
In the late 1970s, Professorville was nominated as a national historic district with individual homes attaining a level of historic designation. This has maintained the rich origins of the area, including preserving landmarks such as the Hewlett-Packard (HP) Garage; viewed by many as the birthplace of Silicon Valley. With this honor also comes added restrictions, which tend to deter developers and some buyers who want to do major remodeling.
This architecturally stunning and historically beautiful neighborhood provides a unique history and charm while also providing great walkability to downtown and Heritage Park.
