Professorville

Professorville is a historic district in downtown Palo Alto with many residential buildings featuring brown-shingled exteriors, gambrel roofs, and Colonial Revival elements. The tree-lined streets create a cohesive neighborhood from the early period of Stanford's development.

The area was founded in the late 1880s when Stanford professors decided to build homes on land outside university control. This development created an independent residential community separate from direct university administration.

The homes display diverse architectural styles including Queen Anne, Dutch Colonial, and American Craftsman designs that show what early Stanford faculty members preferred to build.

The district lies between Addison Avenue, Kingsley Avenue, Ramona Street, and Waverley Street, all within walking distance of Stanford University campus. This makes it easy for visitors to explore the area on foot.

Fernando Sanford, Stanford's first physics professor, lived in a 14-room frame house at 450 Kingsley Avenue with a distinctive Queen Anne tower. This residence shows the ambitious architectural style that early residents brought to the neighborhood.