A Brief History

The Stein Family Farm, operated by the National City Living History Farm Preserve Incorporated, in National City, California, was the home of the Stein Family. Charles Stein, an immigrant German farmer, his wife Bertha (Pallas - from National City) and their five children lived on the farm.

In 1897, the construction of the Otay Dam caused major flooding to Charles Stein's property, which at this time was located near the Mexican border. Infuriated by flood damage to his property, Charles sued the builders of the Otay Dam and took $1,000 of the settlement money to purchase the National City property in 1900.

The Stein's house, the barn and other buildings along with over 2 acres of property now make up the Stein Family Farm Museum.

Charles Stein had moved this lovely 1880's Queen Anne Victorian to his southerly lot with his horse drawn wagons at the turn of the century and later sold the house and property to his foreman who ran his orchards in El Nido. When developers purchased the property in 2017, they were told by the City that the house was not historic and they were planning to demolish it. The National City Living History Farm Preserve (NCLHFP) contacted the developers and explained the history of the house and talked them into paying the relocation fee to move the house roughly 50 feet north onto the remaining Stein Farm property just south of the barn.

What the Stein's Queen Anne house looked like prior to Chula Vista Police Department SWAT utilizing the building as a practice raid site.

Currently it is resting on an almost complete foundation while more funds are raised and until COVID impediments subside. Once the foundation and exterior are complete, the interior restoration will begin. Many interior features still remain, including the hardwood floors, moldings, picture rails and miscellaneous period details. Eventually the house will be used as a museum for historic displays, a gift shop, classroom for teachers/students as well as possible rental space to help support the continued running of the farm. Check out the Stein Family Farm on our Facebook and Instagram pages.