The Keller Ranch has played a significant role in Clayton’s early history. Joel Clayton, the founder of Clayton, CA, had originally owned the property that later became known as the Keller Ranch. Until 1976 the Clayton’s home had stood on the western portion of the site near the Keller ranch house, and, at one time, was used as a bunkhouse for ranch hands. The Clayton house was moved to Main Street and renovated by the Clayton Historical Society and now is known as the Clayton Historical Society Museum.

The Keller House, and the Keller family, represent an important era in the history of California. Charles Henry “Harry” Keller, the owner of three large cattle ranches, and of “The Keller House”, was a member of one of the oldest pioneer families of this part of California. His grandfather, John Keller, crossed the plains with ox-teams in 1849. J. Henry Keller, Charles’ father, eventually located to Concord, CA, where he became a rancher and then a butcher. The Keller family came to Clayton in 1872. Charles H. Keller was born on the old Keller ranch above Clayton in 1874; he was educated in the Clayton public school and for a while followed his father’s occupation as a butcher. “Harry” married Elodia J. Liberty in 1898. Elodia’s father had moved his family to the old Joel Clayton ranch. In 1910 Harry and Elodia bought the property and developed what became known as the Keller Ranch. For many years Harry was known as one of the outstanding cattlemen in the western states. Descendants of the Keller family are still living in the area.

After the decline of the coal industry around 1905, agriculture (cattle and dairy ranching, hay and grain production, wheat and produce farming) became the economic mainstay of the area. A 1920 survey indicated that hay or grain represented about 20% of the total crops grown in the area, livestock grazing represented about 20% of the total economy, and that grapes and apricots, pears and prunes represented the remaining 60% of crops grown. The 1,300 acre working cattle ranch developed by Charles Henry Keller in the early 1900s was a significant presence in the Clayton area until 1972 when the property was sold to Pacific Coast Construction Company. Until that time, cattle drives, roundups and cattle branding were familiar and frequent events on the Keller property.

The Keller House, probably built in 1912 and named “Casa del Sierra” by Harry and Elodia Keller, is one of the few remaining ranch houses from Clayton’s historic ranching period. When built, it was a luxurious and magnificent single story wood framed building with a second story tower, surrounded by beautiful rolling lawns, flower-beds carefully tended by Elodia Keller, shrubbery, trees and a fishpond. “Casa del Sierra” is rare and unique, and the only example, of a Mission Style residence with Craftsmen elements in the larger Clayton area. Much of the original building is intact and hopefully will be preserved as a superb example of a lovely country home and the residence of an important ranching family.

The Keller House represents a significant and integral part of the important cattle ranching period in Clayton and California. On November 2, 2001, the State Historical Resources Commission determined the Keller House to be a significant historical resource and voted to list it on the California Register of Historical Resources. The Commission’s determination was based upon the description of the resource and statement of significance provided in the nomination by Thomas Saxby, AIA, at the request and on behalf of the City of Clayton, owner of the resource and applicant. Both the buildings and site were deemed to be important in the history of the 1910-1954 cattle ranching period, both locally and regionally. The Keller house was noted as a rare example in the Clayton area of Mission-Style architecture with Craftsman elements. Interestingly, the bridge leading to the house was noted for its engineering and cement construction, and for its aesthetic design.