A jewel in the crown of the 2025 Santa Clara Historic Home tour on Dec. 5 and 6 is the 1905 colonial revival style, two-story Franck Mansion at 1179 Washington St. It was last on the tour in 2013, and this may well be your last chance to peek inside.
At least in the lifetime of partners Lou Faria and Bob Blake, the mansion’s third owners. They began preparations last March and have outdone themselves in decorating the house to wow visitors.
“Joy to the World” is the holiday décor theme Faria and Blake chose, reflecting a love of travel and their hope for the world. Each main floor room—even the bathroom—is decorated as one of the seven continents of the world—Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America.
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A detached guesthouse, added by Faria and Blake, transports guests to Hawaii and the Portuguese island of Madeira. Santa Claus is in the swimming pool.
Of all the wonders of their holiday world on view—collected over decades, the showpiece is a five-piece presépio de Natal—a Nativity set from the mid-18th century. Although rescued from a demolished convent on Madeira, it is possibly Spanish. It was passed down through Faria’s paternal Portuguese family.
Faria and Blake painstakingly created a rocky, hilltop village (about six-foot square) like one might find on Madeira. The presépio de Natal is underneath this village, sheltered in a cave.
Miniature painted clay figures, also from the 18th century, populate the village. The figures were stored loose in boxes and had broken. Faria and Blake spent hours matching the pieces, then patching and gluing them together.
Preparing for the historic home tour has been a daunting job. They have devoted countless hours—and restless nights.
“Usually when I’m in bed at night, I start thinking of how things will go,” said Faria. “It’s sometimes overwhelming. There’s always something to do.”
After the holidays, the partners intend to rehome most of their holiday decorations rather than risk mounting a steep ladder again and hefting them back into the attic.
“It was a thrill to find a unique item, but we’re done looking now!” said Blake.
“We hope visitors will get peace and joy as they go through the various homes on this year’s tour,” said Faria, one of the tour’s founders in 1978. “We hope to bring our own joy to the world here at the Franck Mansion.”
Originally owned by the son of California State Senator (1894-1896) Frederick C. Franck and purchased by Faria in 1977, the mansion got a fresh coat of yellow paint in 2024. A huge deodar cedar as old as the house and a fat palm tree are in the yard, which is surrounded by an 1800s English cast iron fence.
The 2025 Santa Clara Historic Home tour also features the Fire Museum and three other private homes in the Old Quad district: a 1905 Queen Anne/Colonial Revival, a circa 1911 Craftsman Bungalow and an early 1900s laborer’s cottage.
Adding to the ambiance, members of the Silicon Valley Chapter Model A Ford Club park cars from the 1920s and 1930s in front of the homes. Front yard entertainment includes Santa Clara University singers.
Visit www.sc-hometour.com for logistics and tickets ($30 now or $35 on the tour days). In 2024, $8,000 was raised, benefiting organizations that promote historical preservation, such as the Railroad Museum, Fire Museum and Harris-Lass House Museum.
Kids have a free photo op with Santa at the Harris-Lass House at 1889 Market St. on Dec. 7 from noon-2 p.m.
“The historic home tour is a very cherished holiday tradition in Santa Clara. It provides the public with the unique opportunity to view the inside of some of the city’s wonderful historic homes,” said Janet Stevenson, Santa Clara Historic Home Tour chair.
“It’s a full weekend to celebrate Santa Clara’s history!”
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