Story House

Francis and Charlotte Story built their Queen Anne Victorian home at 502 North Story Place in 1883. Its matching carriage house can be found a few doors down Story Place. Francis Quarles Story was among Alhambra’s first leaders and played a huge part in the success of California’s fledgling citrus industry. Charlotte Story was key in establishing Alhambra’s first library. 

Francis Q. Story was a Boston wool merchant, whose ill health and financial losses from a massive fire in 1872 brought him west from Massachusetts -- to San Francisco in 1876. He spent his winters traveling through Southern California to find where he would settle with his wife, Charlotte Devereaux – and in 1883 he chose Alhambra. He established a fine residence here and became active in the development of this city. He was instrumental in building the SGV Rapid Transit Railway in 1877 – later selling it to Southern Pacific. He studied the cultivation of citrus, planted orange groves, and is credited with founding the national advertising campaign that made the Sunkist Orange famous. Active in many educational and conservation endeavors, Francis Q. Story was a director and president of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, the lead investor in the First National Bank of Los Angeles and a tireless booster of commercial and industrial enterprises in both California and Arizona. 

Story House was originally situated on the 30 acres Story owned in Alhambra. Story loved Alhambra, was involved in local enterprise and community activities, and in 1928 he donated a portion of his land to the City of Alhambra – creating Story Park.  Story House was gifted to the Alhambra Historical Society in 2024. Story House is important to the history of our community. Alhambra Historical Society is committed to preserve and celebrate this home and the legacy of Francis Q. and Charlotte Story.