Carson Mansion
TOP SPOT: Budget Friendly
Location: 143 M Street, Eureka, CA
Price Range: $
Pros: Gorgeous example of Queen Anne Architecture
Cons: Closed to the public
Located in the oceanfront city of Eureka (a town that has seen better
days), the Carson Mansion is one of the country's best examples of
American Queen Anne Architecture. The 18-room, 3-story mansion, which overlooks Arcata Bay and the
foggy Pacific ocean, was built in 1884 by
redwood logging baron William Carson, who said: “…if I build it
poorly, they would say that I was a damned miser; if I build it
expensively, they will say I'm a show off; guess I'll just build it to
suit myself.”
This elaborate home, which some say inspired Norman Bates "Psycho" house (and numerous haunted house designs throughout the world), is adorned in green and cream paint, with hundreds of cupolas, pillars, turrets and gables. It was designed by the esteemed 19th-century architects Samuel and Joseph Newsom, who were most noted for their work on the Napa Valley Opera House, Oakland City Hall and Alameda County Courthouse. Just across the street you'll find The Pink Lady Victorian, which William Carson and wife Sarah had built by the Newsoms as a wedding present for their son, John. The nearby Carter House Inn is a Newsom & Newsom replica built in 1982. Today, the Carson Mansion is maintained by the private Ingomar Club, who has poured millions into maintaining this exquisite piece of Eureka history. Sadly, it is not open for tours, but you can view it from the street or enjoy their online photo gallery. For more information about the Ingomar Club, call (707) 443-5665 or visit them online at http://www.ingomar.org/
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This elaborate home, which some say inspired Norman Bates "Psycho" house (and numerous haunted house designs throughout the world), is adorned in green and cream paint, with hundreds of cupolas, pillars, turrets and gables. It was designed by the esteemed 19th-century architects Samuel and Joseph Newsom, who were most noted for their work on the Napa Valley Opera House, Oakland City Hall and Alameda County Courthouse. Just across the street you'll find The Pink Lady Victorian, which William Carson and wife Sarah had built by the Newsoms as a wedding present for their son, John. The nearby Carter House Inn is a Newsom & Newsom replica built in 1982. Today, the Carson Mansion is maintained by the private Ingomar Club, who has poured millions into maintaining this exquisite piece of Eureka history. Sadly, it is not open for tours, but you can view it from the street or enjoy their online photo gallery. For more information about the Ingomar Club, call (707) 443-5665 or visit them online at http://www.ingomar.org/
— Story and photos by Veronica Hill
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| The Pink Lady, located across the street from Carson Mansion, was built by esteemed 19th-century architects, the Newsom Brothers of San Francisco. |
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