The Chiechi House was originally built on lots #1 and #3, Block 6 of the Sainsevain Villa, property owned by Pierre and Paula Sainsevain. In 1876, the Sainsevains sold these lots to John and Jane Campbell. The Chiechi House was built by the Campbells in 1876.

The members of the Chiechi family were prominent orchardists in the Santa Clara Valley. The home and property were both sold and mortgaged several times before they were purchased in 1911 by Michael Chiechi, whose family lived at the 820 Northrup Avenue address for sixty years before their home was donated to History San José  in 1973.