Carson Mansion, Victorian mansion in Old Town, Eureka, United States
The Carson Mansion is a four-story home with 18 rooms in Old Town, built from redwood and mahogany with several towers, columned porches and gables that give the structure its distinctive silhouette. The large windows and elaborate carved details show the level of craftsmanship applied to every part of the property.
William Carson hired San Francisco architects Newsom Brothers to design this grand home in 1884 when the lumber industry faced an economic downturn. The project provided work for many craftsmen and helped support the local economy during difficult times.
The mansion incorporates architectural elements from Italianate, Eastlake, Stick, and Queen Anne styles, representing the diverse American architectural expressions of the 1880s.
The property is home to the Ingomar Club, a private organization, and access is limited to exterior views only. Visitors can photograph the building from the public sidewalk and admire the facade from different angles around the block.
The construction required 97,000 feet (about 29,600 meters) of white mahogany imported from Central America, combined with local redwood and decorative onyx elements. The use of such costly imported materials reflects the wealth of the lumber barons on California's north coast in the late 19th century.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
