Octagon House is a unassuming historical house built in 1861. According to Wikipedia, “Octagon houses were a unique house style briefly popular in the 1850s in the United States and Canada. They are characterised by an octagonal (eight-sided) plan, and often feature a flat roof and a veranda all round. Their unusual shape and appearance, quite different from the ornate pitched-roof houses typical of the period, can generally be traced to the influence of one man, amateur architect and lifestyle pundit Orson Squire Fowler. Although there are other octagonal houses worldwide, the term octagon house usually refers specifically to octagonal houses built in North America during this period, and up to the early 1900s.”
I can’t photograph the interior of the house, but I thought I will show you the exterior and the garden. It’s really beautiful. And historical because it’s San Francisco Landmark No. 17 on the National Register of Historical Places. The house was built a few years after the Gold Rush. According to The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America, “The house was a family residence until the late 1920s, when it was acquired by a utility company. Its purchase by the California Society in 1952, for one dollar, and subsequent restoration in 1953, saved this charming landmark for future generations. Octagonal in shape, the exterior remains essentially in its original condition, while the interior has been extensively modified for use as California Society headquarters and a hospitable setting for social occasions. The collection of American furnishings includes a Baltimore sideboard and a Salem secretary-desk, both dating from the Federal period, portraits, samplers, silver, pewter, and ceramics. The library emphasizes genealogy and the decorative arts. Of great interest is a remarkable collection of documents bearing signatures of 54 of the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence.”
Octagon House is a truly beautiful historical site to visit. Since it’s only open a few days a month with limited hours, you will want to check the NSCDA website or call before you go. Hope you enjoy my photos.