Henry Rengstorff An Earth Mover
Rengstorff, one of the best known early residents of Mountain View, received his patent in 1885 at the age of 56. The excavator is described in the following manner“ My invention is designed and used for hoisting and removing the earth from the bed of dry creeks. It is applicable to the work of forming ditches and drains or excavating of any sort not requiring great depth below the surface.” The device was a simple and inexpensive solution that could be assembled by low skilled labor.
Like our previous inventor, Rengstorff arrived in California in 1850 when he was 21— drawn by the Gold Rush. He was born in Bremen Germany. Arriving with just $ 4 in his pocket, he worked on the Jack Robinson, a bay steamer sailing between San Francisco and Alviso and then as a farm laborer in Santa Clara Valley.
By 1853 he had saved enough to purchase 290 acres in the Evergreen Valley area of San Jose. Over the next twenty years Rengstorff purchased more than 2,000 acres located on six farms that produced grain, hay, lumber, cattle and fruit.
Rengstorff married Christine Hassler, also a native of Germany, in 1857. The couple had seven children, the youngest died at the age of five, the others reached adulthood. In 1859 he established a ship landing on a slough close to the bay-he called it Rengstorff Landing. Heavily laden scows carrying hay and other crops would sail from the landing to San Francisco. Their beautiful house was located on Stierlin Road. Built in the Italianate style, it was completed in 1867. The house was eventually moved to Shoreline Park in 1995 and restored to its present condition.
Rengstorff believed in public education and deeded land to establish a grammar school for a payment of $ 1. The school was located near his house and was named after John Whisman, an early settler of MV. He was also an innovator. The family was among the first in the area to have indoor plumbing and electricity. His patent for an excavator was no doubt inspired by the need to move water around to irrigate crops on his properties.
The family was active in the community. Henry belonged to an amateur dramatic club. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church, the Republican Party and among the founders of the Whisman School District.
Rengstorff died in 1906 at the age of 77. He was one of the wealthiest and most respected citizens in the community. His funeral was well attended. Prominent local men served as pall bearers. Rengstorff Park and Rengstorff Avenue are named after him.
Which makes one wonder— did Rengstorff and Edward Hawthorn know each other? Did they become acquainted when they both arrived in San Francisco in 1850? Why did Edward settle twice in Mountain View? Did Rengstorff help finance Edward’ s patent? We’ ll never know the answers to these and other questions regarding the two men.
The Mountain View History Center, located on the second floor of the Library, houses information about Mountain View’ s past. The collection contains books, maps, photographs, directories, newspapers, school yearbooks, and other materials pertaining to the heritage of Mountain View.
https:// library. mountainview. gov / learn / mountain-view-history / historycenter-collection.
Selected artifacts that reflect both the changing and enduring nature of the area are on display. About 60-75 % of the items in the History Center collection are the property of the Mountain View Historical Association. A visit to the History Center is a great way to learn more about our community.
The History Center open Tuesday afternoons 1:00 – 5:00 pm or by appointment.
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