I grew up in the town of Eureka, California which is noted for things like redwoods and earthquakes, but also for its Victorian architecture. Notable Victorian buildings in Eureka include the Pink Lady, which is now a bed and breakfast, and the Carson Mansion, which is a private club.
The Pink Lady
The Carson Mansion
A few miles south of Eureka is the Victorian village of Ferndale, a delightful small town with many artisan shops. One of the most prominent Ferndale landmarks is the Gingerbread House Inn with its beautiful topiary garden.
Gingerbread House Inn
Even further south, there are many beautiful Victorian homes in San Francisco and the surrounding area. For example, the famous colored houses of Pacific Heights.
One of the most famous Victorian Houses is the Winchester House near San Jose, California. Built by rifle heiress, Sarah Winchester, she believed that ill luck would befall her if she ever stopped building on the house. There are many secret rooms, stairways that lead nowhere, and other unique architectural features in the house as a result. It is now open to the public for tours.
Winchester House
This is just a small sample of California’s unique Victorian architectural heritage. These beautiful gems have withstood the ravages of time and are an inspiration to artists and writers alike. Although the House of Light and Shadows takes place in England, I was inspired by the Victorian architecture of my home state in imagining what Rookswood might look like.
