The Muckenthaler family originally Muggenthaler family came from the Baden-Württemberg region of Germany. Martin Muckenthaler left Europe and originally settled in Kansas. One of Martin’s son’s, Albert, moved to Anaheim from Kansas in 1909 with his family.

In Anaheim the family continued farming. It was Martin Muckenthaler, one of Albert son’s, who later on moved to Fullerton and built the house. Walter (who died in 1958) studied architecture at the University of California at Berkeley. In 1918, he began working for Sante Fe Railroad and married Adella Kramer, the daughter of one of the large farming families in the area, and Great Granddaughter or Bernardo Yorba, the owner of one of the early Spanish land grants in the area.

In 1920, Walter and Adella, moved to Fullerton, where Walter worked for the city engineering department. They bought an 80 acre estate from the Carhart family in 1921 at about the same time, purchased 8½ acres on which to build their dream home.

Walter served the city of Fullerton in many ways including serving as city councilmen from 1936-1942. He was also on the board of many civic and agricultural organizations. Walter and Adella had one son, Harold. He and his mother donated their home and grounds to the city of Fullerton on March 29, 1965.

The house was donated with the stipulation that it be used as a cultural center.

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