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Historical Redwood City Information circa 1857 – John Offerman House

For people thinking about buying a home in Redwood City John Offerman’s House shows the history of Redwood City housing. John Offerman was a pioneer who settled in Redwood City and used his skill as a “bean counter” to help Redwood City grow into a larger community. Today John Offerman’s house is still in use as an antique business. It’s in the Main Street Historical District and an asset to Redwood City history.

Historical Redwood City Information circa 1857 – John Offerman House. John Offerman’s home is a two-story house with features hinting at the Greek Revival residential style.  Having curved banisters on the porch add to the charm of the attractive veranda on three sides of this home.

Originally, Historical Redwood City Information circa 1857 – John Offerman House built 1857 and made with board-and-batten exterior. If this is true then it would stand to assume the front part of this house is not original.

The horizontally lapped redwood siding and the veranda with its delicate split pilasters may date from the late 1860’s or early 1870’s.  This would seem logical as it would conform to the other homes built within this time frame on Stambaugh Street.  There were alterations made  in 1889 in the form of two rooms added on and again in 1900 with a sun-room addition.  Fortunately, these alternations were in the same style and scale as the original home.

Historical Redwood City Information circa 1857 – John Offerman House, John Offerman was a California Pioneer, he was San Mateo County Treasurer for 8 years and a prosperous business person until his death in 1902.  The home remained in the same family for nearly 90 years.  The John Offerman House is one of the 3 remaining structures of Main Street dating from the lumber-boom years.

The home is now owned by the Woodhams family. Historical Redwood City Information circa 1857 – John Offerman House purchased by Cliff and Gladys Woodhams who both have since passed.  Cliff was one of the original principles of San Mateo County Title, now called First American Title and Gladys was an advocate of historical preservation in Redwood City including the Port of Redwood City.  They resided in their family compound in Palo Alto.