Meek Mansion
Encyclopedia
The Meek Mansion is a historic mansion
in unincorporated Cherryland
, just north of Hayward, California. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
and is a California Historical Landmark
. Located on nearly 10 acres, the Victorian
was built in 1869 by William Meek.
in 1846, carrying seeds and grafted trees, via the Oregon Trail
. He first settled in Willamette River Valley, Oregon before later moving in 1859 and permanently residing in Alameda County.
By the time his mansion was built, Meek owned everything from Mission Boulevard to Hesperian Boulevard, and from Lewelling Boulevard to slightly past Winton Avenue, totaling around 3000 acres (1,214.1 ha). The grounds were primarily filled with cherry, apricot, plum, and almond orchards. One source claims that the area became known as Cherryland because of the abundance of cherry trees planted by Meek. Meek became a prominent citizen during the remainder of his life, including being a trustee of Mills College
and a County Supervisor for Alameda County. After his death in 1880, at the age of 63, Meek left his estate to his sons and it remained in the Meek family until 1940.
The Milton Ream family owned the last 10 acres of the original 3000, and in 1964 the home was purchased for $270,000 by the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District
(HARD). In 1965, the home was opened to the public and was used for weddings, tours, workshops, and even plays recreating local history. The mansion became a California State Historic Landmark in 1972 and placed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks in 1973. However, the mansion was closed in 1982 due to wear and tear
because of overuse. In 1991, HARD began to work with The Hayward Area Historical Society to upgrade and reopen the home.
Between 1964 and 2004, HARD spent $1.9 million in restoring the mansion, its carriage house
, and grounds. After decades of review, in 2004 HARD agreed upon a deal to lease the mansion and its accompanying carriage house to the historical society for 25 years. HARD would continue to manage the accompanying acreage of park land surrounding the mansion and would continue to be consulted by the historical society with respect to planning and completing renovations. As of 2009, the Hayward Area Historical Society was reported to have spent about $600,000 in restorations, some of which involved upgrading the heating and plumbing systems. Completion of the restoration work will require an estimated $1 million to $1.5 million.
Once renovations are completed, the historical society plans on opening the mansion as a house museum where people may take paid tours focusing on the different historical eras the house has gone through.
on the third floor. The home also contains a basement below-ground which has an "unusual" bracing system consisting of thick, diagonally placed timber boards. Having a bracing system such as this was uncommon for many area buildings, but was a wise move due to the faults in the area. Other architectural assets it includes is "a mansard roof
, a bull's-eye window in the central tower and paired, arched windows". As of 2006, local historians were still unsure of who designed and built the home.
The edifice itself currently resides on 9.75 acres (3.9 ha) of land, which functions as a park with picnic areas, paths, and benches among other things.
Throughout the years, the home has over-gone several renovations. In 1910, bathrooms and running water were added to the home by Meeks' son who resided there. In the 1940s, the Ream family remodeled the kitchen, which is currently still intact in the home, as well as adding bedroom and ballroom space. Recent renovations include all new windows and a new roof to replace the last one that was put in place in 1985.
Mansion
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...
in unincorporated Cherryland
Cherryland, California
Cherryland is a census-designated place in Alameda County, California, United States.The unincorporated community is located between the cities of San Leandro to the north and Hayward to the south...
, just north of Hayward, California. It is listed on the 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...
and is a California Historical Landmark
California Historical Landmark
California Historical Landmarks are buildings, structures, sites, or places in the state of California that have been determined to have statewide historical significance by meeting at least one of the criteria listed below:...
. Located on nearly 10 acres, the Victorian
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...
was built in 1869 by William Meek.
History
William Meek came to the West CoastWest Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
in 1846, carrying seeds and grafted trees, via the Oregon Trail
Oregon Trail
The Oregon Trail is a historic east-west wagon route that connected the Missouri River to valleys in Oregon and locations in between.After 1840 steam-powered riverboats and steamboats traversing up and down the Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri rivers sped settlement and development in the flat...
. He first settled in Willamette River Valley, Oregon before later moving in 1859 and permanently residing in Alameda County.
By the time his mansion was built, Meek owned everything from Mission Boulevard to Hesperian Boulevard, and from Lewelling Boulevard to slightly past Winton Avenue, totaling around 3000 acres (1,214.1 ha). The grounds were primarily filled with cherry, apricot, plum, and almond orchards. One source claims that the area became known as Cherryland because of the abundance of cherry trees planted by Meek. Meek became a prominent citizen during the remainder of his life, including being a trustee of Mills College
Mills College
Mills College is an independent liberal arts women's college founded in 1852 that offers bachelor's degrees to women and graduate degrees and certificates to women and men. Located in Oakland, California, Mills was the first women's college west of the Rockies. The institution was initially founded...
and a County Supervisor for Alameda County. After his death in 1880, at the age of 63, Meek left his estate to his sons and it remained in the Meek family until 1940.
The Milton Ream family owned the last 10 acres of the original 3000, and in 1964 the home was purchased for $270,000 by the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District
Hayward Area Recreation and Park District
The Hayward Area Recreation and Park District is the park management agency for most of the parks in the city of Hayward, California and environs. It was created in 1944 and is an independent special district under California law. H.A.R.D. is the largest recreation district in California...
(HARD). In 1965, the home was opened to the public and was used for weddings, tours, workshops, and even plays recreating local history. The mansion became a California State Historic Landmark in 1972 and placed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks in 1973. However, the mansion was closed in 1982 due to wear and tear
Wear and tear
Wear and tear is damage that naturally and inevitably occurs as a result of normal wear or aging. It is used in a legal context for such areas as warranty contracts from manufacturers, which usually stipulate that damage due to wear and tear will not be covered.Wear and tear is a form of...
because of overuse. In 1991, HARD began to work with The Hayward Area Historical Society to upgrade and reopen the home.
Between 1964 and 2004, HARD spent $1.9 million in restoring the mansion, its carriage house
Carriage house
A carriage house, also called remise or coach house, is an outbuilding which was originally built to house horse-drawn carriages and the related tack.In Great Britain the farm building was called a Cart Shed...
, and grounds. After decades of review, in 2004 HARD agreed upon a deal to lease the mansion and its accompanying carriage house to the historical society for 25 years. HARD would continue to manage the accompanying acreage of park land surrounding the mansion and would continue to be consulted by the historical society with respect to planning and completing renovations. As of 2009, the Hayward Area Historical Society was reported to have spent about $600,000 in restorations, some of which involved upgrading the heating and plumbing systems. Completion of the restoration work will require an estimated $1 million to $1.5 million.
Once renovations are completed, the historical society plans on opening the mansion as a house museum where people may take paid tours focusing on the different historical eras the house has gone through.
Architecture
The 7902 square feet (734.1 m²) mansion contains somewhere between 23 and 27 rooms (sources vary) located on three above-ground levels, with a cupolaCupola
In architecture, a cupola is a small, most-often dome-like, structure on top of a building. Often used to provide a lookout or to admit light and air, it usually crowns a larger roof or dome....
on the third floor. The home also contains a basement below-ground which has an "unusual" bracing system consisting of thick, diagonally placed timber boards. Having a bracing system such as this was uncommon for many area buildings, but was a wise move due to the faults in the area. Other architectural assets it includes is "a mansard roof
Mansard roof
A mansard or mansard roof is a four-sided gambrel-style hip roof characterized by two slopes on each of its sides with the lower slope at a steeper angle than the upper that is punctured by dormer windows. The roof creates an additional floor of habitable space, such as a garret...
, a bull's-eye window in the central tower and paired, arched windows". As of 2006, local historians were still unsure of who designed and built the home.
The edifice itself currently resides on 9.75 acres (3.9 ha) of land, which functions as a park with picnic areas, paths, and benches among other things.
Throughout the years, the home has over-gone several renovations. In 1910, bathrooms and running water were added to the home by Meeks' son who resided there. In the 1940s, the Ream family remodeled the kitchen, which is currently still intact in the home, as well as adding bedroom and ballroom space. Recent renovations include all new windows and a new roof to replace the last one that was put in place in 1985.
External links
- About the Meek Estate - Hayward Area Historical Society
- California Office of Historic Preservation Listing