Originally located on Zanker Road in Alviso, this Italianate farmhouse was built in 1868 and was the home of F. William Zanker, his wife and their eight children. A native of Germany, Zanker grew strawberries, asparagus and pears on the ranch.
The house was moved to History Park in 1987 and restoration was completed in 1988. The restoration revealed that the house lacked a flue, indicating an absence of heating and cooking stoves.
A two-room addition at the rear of the house, along with a 20th century bathroom on the first floor, was removed during the restoration. The redwood outhouse was on the original property in 1906.
The Zanker House is home to the African American Heritage House.