Carson Mansion

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/