|
In 1855, Dr. Dean Jewett Locke of New Hampshire brought his bride Delia Hammond of Massachusetts to his homestead in the San Joaquin Valley. They built a small frame house which was replaced by a three-story brick structure in 1865, with construction of a water tower in 1881, and a two-story addition in 1882. Soon the house accommodated the Locke thirteen children, relatives, visitors, and sometimes patients. Here Dr. Locke conducted his medical practice as well as other businesses. Both the house and barn were centers for the pioneer community of Lockeford, which he generously supported until his death.
The Locke House is a 22-room, all-brick, airy, light-filled neo-Georgian style farm house. Visitors recognize its European and New England roots in the exterior and interior design.
During the Civil War the barn was headquarters for the Mokelumne Light Dragoons. (Their armoires now serve as closets in the rooms.) Dr. Locke donated land for the establishment of three churches and the community school. He also donated property for a railroad depot site as well as financing purchase of railroad cars to establish Lockeford as a major stop on the San Joaquin and Sierra Nevada Railroad. His efforts to establish Locke’s Ford as the head of navigation on the Mokelumne River were unsuccessful and further depleted family funds.
Upon the death of his widow, the remaining properties were apportioned to the Locke children. Theresa Locke (wife of state assemblyman and farmer James Thorp) and her sister Hannah inherited the Locke Homestead on Elliott Road. Theresa’s son, noted aeronautical engineer and aircraft designer John W. Thorp, purchased Hannah’s portion of the property to assure a home for his then widowed mother.
In 1975, John and Kathryn Thorp returned to his boyhood home and began rehabilitation of the severely deteriorated property, concentrating on the 1882 portion, the barn and the gardens.
In 1992, at the invitation of John’s widow, Richard and Lani Eklund with their daughter Kerri moved from Virginia to continue the rehabilitation, restoration and renovation of the entire property. As John Thorp was Richard’s mentor, the Eklunds have a personal tie to preserving and maintaining this property. In fact, Richard has created displays of John Thorp’s accomplishments and has renewed aircraft enthusiasts interest in John’s designs.
The Eklunds have followed Secretary of the Interior’s Guidelines for restoring, rehabilitating, and renovating Locke House. They have revived the ambiance in which the pioneer Lockes lived, incorporating items of historic significance and restored Locke antiques in the decor. Sharing Kay Thorp’s passion for gardening, the Eklunds are preserving the heirloom plants and century old trees, and extending the lovely gardens she created.
As outlined at: www.theinnatlockehouse.com/about.html
|
