The Carson Mansion, built in 1884, is a renowned example of Victorian architecture. Commissioned by lumber tycoon William Carson during a timber industry slump, it provided work for 100 of his employees. The mansion’s design, a blend of Italianate, Eastlake, Stick, and Queen Anne styles, set a trend for ornate architecture in Eureka.
Constructed on a bluff overlooking Carson’s lumber mills and docks, the mansion became a city landmark. Its intricate design, featuring towers, turrets, columned porches, and multiple gables, showcases the versatility of wood as a building material. The mansion’s influence on Eureka’s architectural landscape is still evident today.
In addition to extensive use of redwood, Carson imported exotic woods and onyx from Central America, the Philippines, East India, and Mexico. The mansion’s lavish interiors feature stained glass, plasterwork, and carved ornaments in exotic woods.
The Carson Mansion remained in the Carson family until 1950 when it was sold to the Ingomar Club. The mansion is privately owned and maintained, and is not open to the public. The Ingomar Club’s primary mission is to preserve and maintain this architectural marvel. Visitors are welcome to admire the mansion and take photographs from the sidewalk.
http://www.ingomar.org/photos-mansion.html