The Carson Mansion (eurkaheritage.org) in Eureka, California, was built between 1884 and 1885. Mr. William Carson, a wealthy lumberman, commissioned acclaimed San Francisco architects Samuel and Joseph Newsom to design his home. The result was a three-story, 18-room Victorian mansion with a tower, redwood, carvings, ornate details, stained glass, Central American primavera and onyx from the Philippines. In 1950 the home was sold by descendants of Mr. Carson to the Ingomar Club. Public tours are not allowed, and the home is used solely by the club.
The Queen Anne Victorian Mansion (queenannevictorianmansion.com) in Portland, Oregon, was built in 1884 by David Cole as a wedding gift to his bride Laura Boone. The home still holds true to its romantic past as it is a popular location for weddings and event rentals. The mansion is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places to ensure its exterior and the interior, which includes a Povey stained glass collection, antique furniture, vintage clothing and photos, will be protected for many years to come.
The Park Avenue Guest House (galena.com), located in Galena, Illinois, was built as a private home in 1893. Now the Park Avenue Guest House stands as a fully restored bed and breakfast. Featuring a wraparound porch, perennial gardens, a gazebo, antique Victorian furniture and ornate woodwork that is authentic to the time the house was built, modern-day conveniences are also installed. Though not true to the original home, guests can appreciate the addition of central air and cable television.
The Angel of the Sea (angelofthesea.com) mansion in Cape May, New Jersey, was built in the 1850s by William Weightman, a Philadelphia chemist, who had the house built as a summer home. Originally located more inland, in 1881 Mr. Weightman decided he preferred the home to be closer to the ocean. Proving to be too large to move intact, the house was cut into two pieces and moved in sections. The two sections now remain as two separate pieces that make up Angel of the Sea. After starting as a private residence, the home has since been a college, restaurant and is now a bed and breakfast. Featuring 27 guestrooms, porches and balconies, the architecture and interiors still give the feeling of a grand Victorian mansion, while cable and Internet access ensure modern-day conveniences.
The Ball-Eddleman-McFarland House (historicfortworth.org) of Fort Worth, Texas, was built in 1899. Sarah Ball commissioned English architect Howard Messna to build the mansion that is now owned by Historic Fort Worth, Inc. Public tours are available for guests to get an up-close look at the copper turrets, pink marble porch, parquet floors that are original to the home, and its mahogany interiors with coffered ceilings. Portions of the home, the terrace and the grounds can be rented for events.
Ashton Villa (galvestonhistory.org), was built between 1859 and1861 in Galveston, Texas, by James Moreau Brown,a successful hardware businessman. Located on Broadway Street,where the most affluent families lived at the time, the home features a symmetrical exterior of brick and wrought iron. Now on the National Register of Historic Places and listed as a Texas Historic Landmark, the home was severely damaged on September 13, 2008, when Hurricane Ike struck the Galveston coast. Now fully restored to its original glory, portions of the home as well as the ballroom can be rented for events.
