Acton House

The Acton House is more than an old farmhouse—it is a symbol of Morgan Hill’s journey from its rural beginnings to the thriving community it is today, and of the city’s commitment to preserving its heritage. Originally built on Warren Avenue, the home stood on land that was once part of the vast Spanish-Mexican land grant known as Rancho Ojo de Agua de la Coche.

When John and Charlotte Acton arrived from Minnesota in 1910, Morgan Hill was a young but growing town. Having incorporated just four years earlier, the community had a population of about 1,000 residents. As large ranchos were subdivided and sold, new settlers were drawn to the fertile Santa Clara Valley, which became known as the “Valley of the Heart’s Delight” for its abundant orchards and agricultural prosperity.

In 1911, John Acton built a modest two-story farmhouse, near the town’s water tower on Nob Hill, west of downtown. Constructed at a cost of approximately $2,700, the home became the center of family life for John, Charlotte, and their children. The Actons cultivated walnuts and other fruit crops on their property, and John established himself as a successful orchardist. Their son, Edward Acton, continued the family farming operation and later served on the Morgan Hill City Council.

For more than four decades, the Acton House remained in family ownership as Morgan Hill’s agricultural economy flourished through the mid-twentieth century. Following the deaths of John and Charlotte in the 1950s, the property left Acton family ownership by 1958.

As Morgan Hill began to change and orchards gave way to residential and commercial development, community members recognized the importance of preserving the historic farmhouse. In 1980, longtime residents Chris and Ida Williams, owners of a popular local restaurant, purchased the property and donated the house to the City of Morgan Hill for use as a historical museum.

With the support of volunteers, donors, and the Morgan Hill Historical Society, the house was carefully moved from its original location to a city-owned site on Main Avenue near City Hall in early 1983. After an extensive restoration, it reopened in November 1984 as the Morgan Hill Museum. The restored farmhouse welcomed visitors of all ages, including generations of schoolchildren, who explored local artifacts and learned about the community’s history in an authentic early-twentieth-century setting.

Just over twenty years later, the house faced another challenge. Plans to construct a new public library at the Civic Center required the museum building to be relocated once again. Determined to preserve this important landmark, the City of Morgan Hill and the Historical Society launched a second relocation effort.

Before dawn on an October morning in 2005, the Kelly Bros. House Mover’s crew carefully loaded the entire house onto huge beams & wheels and transported it nearly two miles through town to its current home at Villa Mira Monte.  The move was part of Morgan Hill’s centennial celebration in 2006 and helped transform the historic Villa Mira Monte estate into a community history park. 

After the Acton House was fully renovated, the Morgan Hill History Museum opened its doors in 2010. Today, it stands alongside the 1884 Hiram Morgan Hill House, creating a unique setting where visitors can experience multiple chapters of the city’s past. Its story reflects the perseverance of farming families, the dedication of civic leaders, and the commitment of preservationists to connect residents and visitors with the rich history of Morgan Hill