Carson Mansion
Encyclopedia
The Carson Mansion is a large Victorian
house located in Old Town
, Eureka
, California
. Regarded as one of the highest executions of American Queen Anne Style architecture
, the home is "considered the most grand Victorian home in America." It is one of the most written about and photographed Victorian houses in California, and perhaps, in the United States
. Originally the home of one of Northern California's first major lumber barons, it has housed the Ingomar Club
, a private members only club, since 1950. Though the front and south-side elevations can be easily viewed from the public street and sidewalk, the home and grounds are never open to the public.
in 1849. His first attempts at financial security in the minor gold rush in the Trinity Mountains region failed. During one of the winters between forays into mining, Carson hauled logs from the Freshwater slough to the Pioneer Mill on the shores of Humboldt Bay
. He claimed to be the first to fell a tree for commercial purposes on Humboldt Bay. By 1853 he was selling shiploads of Redwood lumber, bound for San Francisco. In 1863 Carson formed the Dolbeer and Carson Lumber Company, in partnership with John Dolbeer
, who would invent the Steam Donkey Engine
in 1881 and revolutionize logging technology, especially in hard to reach areas. In 1884, on the eve of construction of the great home, the successful operation was producing 15000000 board feet (35,396.1 m³) of lumber annually. The milling operations combined with additional investments as far away as Southern California and at least partial ownerships in schooners used to move the lumber to booming markets on the west coast and all over the globe, set the stage for the unlimited budget and access to resources the builders would have. Milling operations at the original Humboldt Bay site (located bay side and below the mansion) continued into the 1970s, but under different ownership for over twenty years after Carson's granddaughter divested herself of remaining family holdings (including the home) and left the area by 1950.
is a mix of every major style of Victorian Architecture, including but not limited to the following styles: Eastlake, Italianate, Queen Anne (primary), and Stick, depending on which expert one consults. One nationally known architectural historian described the home as "a baronial castle in Redwood..." and stated further that "The illusion of grandeur in the house is heightened by the play on scale, the use of fanciful detail and the handling of mass as separate volumes, topped by a lively roofscape." A nationally recognized architectural survey stated, "The home epitomizes the range of possibilities for eclectic design expression" in the use of Victorian architectural styles in a manner that is "peculiarily American." Unlike most other homes dating from the period, this property has always been meticulously maintained, therefore standing today in virtually the same condition as when it was built.
The Carson Mansion is included in the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) as Catalog number CA-1911. Completed in May 1964, this is the only official historical building listing of this State of California and nationally architecturally significant structure. Though it merits National Register of Historic Places
status, the Ingomar Club does not open the home and grounds to the public, nor has it applied for National Register Status.
(1879), which was completely restored and reopened by 2003, and a restored 15000 sq ft (1,393.5 m²) hotel
in San Dimas, California
are excellent remaining examples of their detail work as 19th century builder-architects. In Eureka, a nearby reconstruction of a Newsom & Newsom home that was lost in the 1906 Earthquake and Fire exists in the Carter House Inn
.
Victorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
house located in Old Town
Old Town Eureka
Old Town Eureka in Eureka, California, is listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places. This Historic district is a area containing 154 buildings mostly from the Victorian era...
, Eureka
Eureka, California
Eureka is the principal city and the county seat of Humboldt County, California, United States. Its population was 27,191 at the 2010 census, up from 26,128 at the 2000 census....
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Regarded as one of the highest executions of American Queen Anne Style architecture
Queen Anne Style architecture (United States)
In America, the Queen Anne style of architecture, furniture and decorative arts was popular in the United States from 1880 to 1910. In American usage "Queen Anne" is loosely used of a wide range of picturesque buildings with "free Renaissance" details rather than of a specific formulaic style in...
, the home is "considered the most grand Victorian home in America." It is one of the most written about and photographed Victorian houses in California, and perhaps, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Originally the home of one of Northern California's first major lumber barons, it has housed the Ingomar Club
Ingomar Club
The Ingomar Club is a private club in Eureka, California that owns and is based in the Carson Mansion, one of the most notable examples of Victorian architecture in the United States...
, a private members only club, since 1950. Though the front and south-side elevations can be easily viewed from the public street and sidewalk, the home and grounds are never open to the public.
William Carson
William Carson (July 15, 1825 – February 20, 1912), for whom the mansion was built, arrived in San Francisco from New Brunswick, CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in 1849. His first attempts at financial security in the minor gold rush in the Trinity Mountains region failed. During one of the winters between forays into mining, Carson hauled logs from the Freshwater slough to the Pioneer Mill on the shores of Humboldt Bay
Humboldt Bay
Humboldt Bay is a natural bay and a multi-basin, bar-built coastal lagoon located on the rugged North Coast of California, United States entirely within Humboldt County. The regional center and county seat of Eureka and the college town of Arcata adjoin the bay, which is the second largest enclosed...
. He claimed to be the first to fell a tree for commercial purposes on Humboldt Bay. By 1853 he was selling shiploads of Redwood lumber, bound for San Francisco. In 1863 Carson formed the Dolbeer and Carson Lumber Company, in partnership with John Dolbeer
John Dolbeer
John Dolbeer was a partner in the Dolbeer & Carson Lumber Co., one of the early major Humboldt County, California lumber operations in based in Eureka. While in that business, he invented the logging engine, more commonly known as the steam donkey or donkey engine...
, who would invent the Steam Donkey Engine
Steam donkey
Steam donkey, or donkey engine is the common nickname for a steam-powered winch, or logging engine widely used in past logging operations, though not limited to logging...
in 1881 and revolutionize logging technology, especially in hard to reach areas. In 1884, on the eve of construction of the great home, the successful operation was producing 15000000 board feet (35,396.1 m³) of lumber annually. The milling operations combined with additional investments as far away as Southern California and at least partial ownerships in schooners used to move the lumber to booming markets on the west coast and all over the globe, set the stage for the unlimited budget and access to resources the builders would have. Milling operations at the original Humboldt Bay site (located bay side and below the mansion) continued into the 1970s, but under different ownership for over twenty years after Carson's granddaughter divested herself of remaining family holdings (including the home) and left the area by 1950.
Architectural style
The mansionMansion
A mansion is a very large dwelling house. U.S. real estate brokers define a mansion as a dwelling of over . A traditional European mansion was defined as a house which contained a ballroom and tens of bedrooms...
is a mix of every major style of Victorian Architecture, including but not limited to the following styles: Eastlake, Italianate, Queen Anne (primary), and Stick, depending on which expert one consults. One nationally known architectural historian described the home as "a baronial castle in Redwood..." and stated further that "The illusion of grandeur in the house is heightened by the play on scale, the use of fanciful detail and the handling of mass as separate volumes, topped by a lively roofscape." A nationally recognized architectural survey stated, "The home epitomizes the range of possibilities for eclectic design expression" in the use of Victorian architectural styles in a manner that is "peculiarily American." Unlike most other homes dating from the period, this property has always been meticulously maintained, therefore standing today in virtually the same condition as when it was built.
The Carson Mansion is included in the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) as Catalog number CA-1911. Completed in May 1964, this is the only official historical building listing of this State of California and nationally architecturally significant structure. Though it merits National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
status, the Ingomar Club does not open the home and grounds to the public, nor has it applied for National Register Status.
Newsom Brothers, builder-architects
Samuel and Joseph Cather Newsom of San Francisco (and later Los Angeles), premier 19th century builder-architects (as they were called during the period), were placed under contract by Carson to create the house by 1883. They produced many styles and types of buildings from homes to churches to public buildings in their careers spanning many decades. Among their many accomplishments were the Oakland City Hall (1869) and the Alameda County Courthouse (1875). The Napa Valley Opera HouseNapa Valley Opera House
The Napa Valley Opera House is a theatre in Napa, California, USA. It opened on February 13, 1880 with a production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore. At the time, the town had a population of 5,000 people...
(1879), which was completely restored and reopened by 2003, and a restored 15000 sq ft (1,393.5 m²) hotel
San Dimas Hotel
The San Dimas Hotel, also known as Walker House, the Carruthers Home, and the San Dimas Mansion, is a historic structure in San Dimas, California, built by the San Jose Ranch Company in 1887. Originally built as a hotel, the structure had 33 rooms and 14 fireplaces...
in San Dimas, California
San Dimas, California
San Dimas is a city located in the San Gabriel Valley, in Los Angeles County, California. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 33,371. The city historically took its name from San Dismas Canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains above the northern section of present day San Dimas...
are excellent remaining examples of their detail work as 19th century builder-architects. In Eureka, a nearby reconstruction of a Newsom & Newsom home that was lost in the 1906 Earthquake and Fire exists in the Carter House Inn
Carter House Inn
The Carter House Inn is a hotel in Old Town Eureka, California. It is known both for housing Restaurant 301 and for being a replica of a Queen Anne style building by Newsom & Newsom.-Restaurant 301:...
.
Popular culture
The design of the house is prevalent in website design, video animations, posters, paintings, book covers and includes renditions in amusement parks, including the clock tower on the train station at Disneyland. The home also serves as a model for haunted house art work and design.External links
- Ingomar Club - official website of the private club that owns the Carson Mansion; includes history and extensive interior photos