I remember my first Victorian mansion tour. It was of the Gaches mansion in La Conner, Washington (#19 on this list). I was a kid and was transfixed by the level of craftsmanship, size and history. I read every placard and spent time in every room available on the tour. Since then I’ve toured so many historical mansions and never tire. One popular style in America is Victorian which is the focus of this collection. It’s not my favorite style but I appreciate it. Enjoy this collection of 19 historic Victorian-style mansions built by some of the richest families in American history.
19. Gaches Mansion – La Conner, Washington
The Gaches Mansion, located in La Conner, Washington, is a beautifully preserved example of Queen Anne-style architecture, built in 1891 for prominent local merchant George Gaches. With its distinctive turret, asymmetrical façade, and ornate wood detailing, the mansion reflects the grandeur and craftsmanship of the late 19th century. Inside, the home features period furnishings, decorative woodwork, and intricate stained glass windows that evoke the elegance of the Victorian era. The mansion has since been converted into the Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum, showcasing regional craftsmanship and preserving the building’s historical legacy. Today, the Gaches Mansion stands as a cultural landmark, drawing visitors to appreciate both its architectural beauty and its role in the community’s artistic heritage.
Source: SkagitTalk.com
18. Perry Hannah House – Traverse City, Michigan
This is my favorite on the list. The Perry Hannah House, a grand Queen Anne-style mansion in Traverse City, Michigan, stands as a testament to the wealth and influence of Perry Hannah, a lumber baron and one of the city’s founders. Completed in 1893, the three-story home is adorned with intricate woodwork, stained glass windows, and a striking turret, showcasing the opulence of the time. It features 40 rooms, including an expansive ballroom and elaborate fireplaces, offering a glimpse into 19th-century luxury. Now a historic landmark, the house reflects Hannah’s pivotal role in developing Traverse City into a thriving community. Its preservation allows visitors to appreciate both the architectural grandeur and the rich history of the area.
17. Fairlawn Mansion – Superior, Wisconsin
Fairlawn Mansion, located in Superior, Wisconsin, is an exquisite example of Queen Anne architecture, built in 1891 for lumber and mining tycoon Martin Pattison. The 42-room, three-story mansion boasts a commanding presence with its elaborate gables, turrets, and intricate wood detailing, exemplifying the opulence of the Gilded Age. Inside, visitors find stunning stained glass windows, hand-carved woodwork, and original period furnishings that evoke the grandeur of the era. After serving as a family home, the mansion became a children’s home for over 40 years, adding a unique chapter to its history. Today, Fairlawn operates as a museum, offering guided tours that highlight its architectural beauty and the storied past of the Pattison family.
16. Cook-Rutledge Mansion – Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
The Cook-Rutledge Mansion in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, is a stunning Victorian-era home that showcases elegant Italianate architecture. Built in 1873 for Edward Rutledge, a prominent lumber baron, the mansion is known for its elaborate exterior, featuring arched windows, a grand veranda, and intricate detailing. Inside, the home is equally impressive with ornate woodwork, hand-painted ceilings, and beautifully preserved period furnishings, reflecting the wealth and style of the late 19th century. The mansion has since become a historic landmark, allowing visitors to explore its richly decorated rooms and learn about the influential Cook and Rutledge families. Its preservation offers a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of Wisconsin’s lumber magnates during the Gilded Age.
15. Glenmore Mansion – Jefferson City, Tennessee
Glenmore Mansion, located in Jefferson City, Tennessee, is a striking example of Second Empire architecture, built in 1868 for John Roper Branner, a local businessman and politician. The mansion’s distinctive mansard roof, tall windows, and intricate woodwork make it a standout in the region’s architectural history. Inside, Glenmore features elegantly furnished rooms with period decor, offering visitors a glimpse into the lavish lifestyle of the post-Civil War era. The home remained in the Branner family for generations and has since been preserved as a museum, showcasing its rich heritage and craftsmanship. Today, Glenmore Mansion is a cherished historic landmark, hosting tours and events that celebrate both its architectural beauty and regional significance.
14. The Heurich House – Washington, D.C.
Also known as the Brewmaster’s Castle, this Victorian mansion was completed in 1894 for Christian Heurich, a prominent brewer. The home is an exquisite example of Richardsonian Romanesque style, with its thick stone walls, rounded arches, and robust medieval-inspired turrets. Inside, the house is adorned with elaborate woodwork, stained glass windows, and original period furnishings. Its luxurious features include marble fireplaces, hand-carved wood paneling, and ceilings decorated with ornate plasterwork. The Heurich House is now a museum, showcasing Victorian opulence and the craftsmanship of the late 19th century.
13. Shelton McMurphey Johnson House – Eugene Oregon
12. The Pabst Mansion – Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Built in 1892 for Frederick Pabst, the founder of Pabst Brewing Company, this mansion is a stunning representation of Flemish Renaissance Revival architecture with strong Victorian influences. The exterior features red sandstone, grand gables, and towering chimneys. Inside, the 20,000-square-foot home boasts opulent interiors, with 14 fireplaces, intricate plasterwork, hand-carved wood details, and stained glass. The Pabst Mansion is a symbol of the wealth and status of the Gilded Age and has been preserved as a museum showcasing the lavish lifestyle of the period.
11. The Gable House – Woodland, California
10. The Armstrong Mansion – Salt Lake City, Utah
Constructed in 1893 for mining and real estate tycoon Francis Armstrong, this mansion is a quintessential example of Queen Anne Victorian architecture. The Armstrong Mansion features a distinctive turret, elaborate gingerbread detailing, and wraparound porches. Its 12,000-square-foot interior is filled with hand-carved wood, stained glass windows, and original Victorian furnishings. Today, the house serves as a bed-and-breakfast, offering guests a chance to experience Victorian luxury with modern comfort.
9. The Bishop’s Palace – Galveston, Texas
Completed in 1892, the Bishop’s Palace, also known as Gresham’s Castle, is a Gothic Revival Victorian mansion built for Colonel Walter Gresham, a lawyer and politician. The 19,000-square-foot house is renowned for its grand turret, steep gables, and intricate stonework. Inside, the mansion features a stunning staircase made of white oak, stained glass windows, and lavish Victorian décor. The house’s rich history and intricate architectural detailing make it one of the finest Victorian homes in the country. Today, it is preserved as a museum by the Galveston Historical Foundation.
8. Alfred McCune House – Salt Lake City, Utah
The Alfred McCune House, located in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a stunning example of Romanesque Revival architecture, completed in 1901 for wealthy businessman Alfred McCune. The mansion features a grand façade with red sandstone, intricate stone carvings, and elegant arched windows that exemplify the opulence of the era. Inside, the home is equally luxurious, with imported mahogany, stained glass, and hand-painted murals, reflecting McCune’s world travels and refined tastes. Over the years, the house has served various purposes, including as a music school and cultural center, showcasing its historical importance to the community. Today, it stands as a preserved landmark, offering guided tours that highlight its architectural splendor and storied past.
7. Patterson House on the Grounds of Ardenwood Historic Farm – Fremont, California
The Patterson House, located on the grounds of Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont, California, is a beautiful example of Victorian-era architecture, built in 1857 and later expanded in 1889. The house features classic Victorian details such as gabled roofs, intricate woodwork, and a wraparound porch, all nestled within the tranquil setting of the historic farm. Inside, the home showcases period furnishings, hand-carved wood accents, and detailed wallpaper, offering visitors a glimpse into 19th-century farm life and the wealth of the Patterson family. The mansion once served as the centerpiece of a working farm and has since been preserved as a museum, highlighting the region’s agricultural heritage. Today, the Patterson House is open for tours, inviting guests to explore its rich history and architectural charm amidst the scenic backdrop of Ardenwood Historic Farm.
6. The Victoria Mansion (Morse-Libby House) – Portland, Maine
Built between 1858 and 1860 for hotel magnate Ruggles Sylvester Morse, the Victoria Mansion is a spectacular example of Italianate Victorian architecture. Its grand, ornate interior features elaborate frescoes, mahogany woodwork, and intricate plaster details. With its four-story tower and broad eaves, the mansion stands out for its imposing yet elegant design. The 12,000-square-foot mansion is now a museum and is one of the most well-preserved Victorian homes in the country.
5. The Winchester Mystery House – San Jose, California
The Winchester Mystery House is one of the most famous Victorian mansions in the U.S. Built by Sarah Winchester, widow of the gun magnate, from 1886 to 1922, the house is known for its sprawling, maze-like structure with staircases that lead to nowhere, doors that open into walls, and windows overlooking other rooms. With 24,000 square feet, 160 rooms, and a wide array of architectural curiosities, the mansion reflects both the Victorian love for excess and Winchester’s belief that she needed to keep building to avoid restless spirits. It is now a museum and tourist attraction.
4. The Mark Twain House – Hartford, Connecticut
Built in 1874, the Mark Twain House is a masterpiece of Victorian Gothic architecture. Designed by Edward Tuckerman Potter for Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), the 11,500-square-foot home features high gables, turrets, and a distinctive red-brick façade. Inside, the home is just as lavish, with carved woodwork, Tiffany stained glass windows, and a grand conservatory. The house is now a museum and a National Historic Landmark, preserving the literary legacy of Twain.
3. The Painted Ladies – San Francisco, California
One of San Francisco’s famed “Painted Ladies,” this iconic Queen Anne Victorian home was built in the late 19th century. Known for its bright colors, steep rooflines, and ornate detailing, the Victorian Mansion is a symbol of the city’s architectural heritage. Its 4,000 square feet are filled with carved wood moldings, bay windows, and decorative trims, making it one of the most photographed homes in San Francisco. It is privately owned but remains a beloved feature of the city’s landscape.
2. The Carson Mansion – Eureka, California
The Carson mansion is famous worldwide for good reason. Take a look at that beauty. Built between 1884 and 1886, the Carson Mansion is widely considered the most ornate Victorian home in the U.S. Constructed by lumber baron William Carson, this Queen Anne-style home boasts an eclectic mix of Gothic, Italianate, and Eastlake influences, with its towering turrets, intricate woodwork, and asymmetrical design. The 18,000-square-foot mansion has become an architectural icon, although it is privately owned by the Ingomar Club and not open to the public.
1. Oak Bluffs – Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
Oak Bluffs, located on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, is renowned for its charming collection of 19th-century Victorian “gingerbread” cottages. These brightly colored homes, with their intricate woodwork, gabled roofs, and whimsical details, were originally built as part of a Methodist camp meeting community in the 1800s. The cottages are arranged in a picturesque circle around the historic Tabernacle, an open-air gathering space that remains a focal point of the town. Oak Bluffs is celebrated for its unique architecture, vibrant atmosphere, and coastal charm, drawing visitors with its blend of history and seaside beauty. Today, these cottages stand as a preserved example of Carpenter Gothic design, offering a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of Martha’s Vineyard.
