Building History

It's hard to imagine having the heart, stamina and will to farm entirely by mule power and still dig a basement for a home with only a baker scraper, mule and a pick.... but that's exactly what Mr. Andrew J. Schroepfer did when he purchased "this old house" in 1940 and moved it to it's present location.

We've been asked on numerous occasions about the history of our presently restored office, and still marvel at the story ourselves, so we'd like to share it with you, as told to us.

The house was originally built sometime in the late 1800's by the first circuit court judge of Tulare County. It was located at 705 Church St., at the corner of Church and First Streets, (the corner of the Rainbow Bread Bakery). The house remained there until 1940 when it was purchased by Mr. Andrew J. Schroepfer with the intent to be moved to the current location north of Visalia on highway 63. He bought the house from an estate sale in a very dilapidated condition and moved it in 1940. During the move the house became lodged on the St. John's River Bridge and stalled traffic for a full 3 days before continuing with the move. Once here at our location it was set upon the foundation hole that was dug with mules and scrapers.

Mr. Schroepfer never lived in the house, but made his "home away from home" under the house. While at the ranch during farm operations, he lived and slept underneath the house in the basement that exists today. It was vented with a well casing pipe where he cooked his meals.

The home was then sold to Virgil and Lonnie Rodgers who began restoration on the home some 20 years ago (1970's). Ken Macklin, owning the surrounding three sides of the property, had the opportunity to purchase the home in 1996. At this time the home again was restored and expanded to fit the needs of H.R. Macklin & Sons, Inc. It still contains the water closet toilets and original wood trim and doors that existed in the 1800's. The renovation was done so as to keep as much of the original house in tack as possible. It is surrounded by large pine and shade trees planted by Mr. Schroepfer in the early 1940's on approximately 2 acres of ground.

E-MAIL:  info@hrmacklin.com