As today’s marks the fiftieth anniversary of the landing on the moon, I thought I would provide a bit of local trivia. On Apollo 11 was Buzz Aldrin. His family, Albert and Robert Ross were early settlers in Long Valley.
In 1884, Albert Ross constructed a 17-room mansion there at a cost of $14,000. This residence and well-known landmark was simply referred to as the White House. In the early 1890s, Ross moved to San Jose to benefit his children’s education and eventually sold the property in 1898. The ownership of the property would change several times. In 1922, the Galeppi family purchased what became known as the Constantia Ranch. The Galeppi’s, for various unknown reasons, did not reside in the famed White House. Fred Galeppi stated that during World War II, the house was still in good shape, and even had furniture. During the construction of Sierra Army Depot, in the early 1940s, Galeppi stated soldiers used the house for recreation, but over the years it slowly began to be vandalized. In the early 1960s, most recall 1963, the house burned down. The cause of the fire remains unknown, though various residents of the region have their own story.
On final piece of trivia about Buzz Aldrin, his mother’s maiden name was Moon.
I grew up in Herlong, and remember the mansion!
Sad it burned!!
I was a little kid when it burned down. We used to get permission from Mr. Galeppi to pick mint and watercress from the creek and as long as we got permission, we could go their. When it burned down, we were heartbroken.
I remember Constantia, I grew up in Herlong. A bunch of us girls went out there when it was in ruins and able to go inside and use to think what a beautiful place it must have been at one time and it’s good to know it was just that…….beautiful…
I lived at Constantia as a little girl from 1948 when my mom came to work for the Galeppi family until graduation from Herlong High School in 1962. There was a little girl’s grave site whose name was Rose. I rode these mountains often as I grew up. This house and its out buildings and the orchards were still standing. So sad that a fire had to destroy it all. At least the small church that Ross built was moved to Doyle & restored so that future generations can enjoy it. I would really like to hsve a copy of this picture of the White House mansion.
Hello I also enjoyed exploring around the White House in the 1960’s as a friend of Cindy Lund’s. I recall a very large fountain in the front yard. I would have loved to see this home in its prime.