Shaw House, Gothic Revival house in Ferndale, California.

Shaw House is a Carpenter Gothic Victorian house at 703 Main Street, built in 1854 by Seth Shaw. Its design was drawn from the Vallejo Estate in Sonoma, not Hawthorne's House of the Seven Gables. The two-story wooden building has a marble fireplace chosen by Isabella Shaw from Gump's in San Francisco. It now operates as the Shaw House Inn.

Seth Shaw built this residence in 1854, and it initially served as Ferndale's first courthouse and post office as the town was developing. The building later underwent changes in purpose before eventually becoming an inn for visitors.

The wooden carvings throughout the interior display craftsmanship typical of mid-1800s California builders. The way rooms connect and flow reflects how prosperous families lived and entertained during that era.

The property sits directly on Main Street in the heart of town, making it easy to find and offering walking distance to shops and dining. Since it operates as an inn, guests should plan ahead and confirm availability before visiting.

The marble fireplace inside was hand-selected by Isabella Shaw from Gump's department store in San Francisco during the 1800s. This detail connects the small town to the larger cultural centers of that era.