Alford–Nielson House

The Alford–Nielson Home, is the only example of Second Empire French Victorian Architecture in Ferndale, Humboldt County, California.[2]

Alford–Nielson House
This historic home was thrown to the ground in the 1992 Cape Mendocino Earthquakes.
Alford–Nielson House is located in California
Alford–Nielson House
Alford–Nielson House is located in the United States
Alford–Nielson House
Location1299 Main Street, Ferndale, California
Coordinates40°34′45″N 124°15′38″W
Built1875–1899
Built byJames E. Brown
Architectural styleSecond Empire French Style
NRHP reference No.86000100[1]
Added to NRHP23 January 1986

History

In 1874, James E. Brown built what is now the back part of this house at a different location, 421 Main Street, in the current Main Street historical district.[3]

William B. Alford (1851–1921), a local pharmacist after whom the house is named, arrived in Humboldt County at age 21 in 1872 and moved to Ferndale in 1875 where he jointly owned a drugstore with his brother Frank A. Alford, M.D. immediately adjoining the former location of this house in the Main Street commercial district.[3]

Dr. Alford married Mary Richmond in San Jose, California in 1877; the Second Empire French Style front building was added in the same year.[4]

In June 1893, the property was purchased by furniture dealer H.J. Mueller (1864–1900) who moved the house with the Alford family in residence to 1299 Main Street.[3] Six months later, the Alfords moved out and the Mueller family moved in.[3] The Muellers built an addition to the house in February 1896. The house and furnishings were purchased by Ed Mowry in August, 1903 and the Muellers moved to Livermore, California.[4]

The next owner, Maurice Nielson, lived there fifty-five years to 1977. He was one of the developers of modern creamery operations in Humboldt County.[5] Neilson was followed by a couple who started and finished a seven-year restoration then sold the house to Tom and Maura Eastman who filed for the home to be added to the National Register of Historic Places.[5] It was accepted at 112 years of age on 23 January 1986.[1]

The home sustained significant damage and fell off its footing in the 1992 Cape Mendocino earthquakes,[2] but was restored.[3]

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References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  2. Ferndale Museum (2004). Bess Carol; Beryl Newman; Ann Roberts (eds.). Images of America: Ferndale. Charleston, South Caroline: Arcadia Publishing. p. 67. 0-7385-2890-0.
  3. Genzoli, Marilyn (1994). The Victorian Homes of Ferndale: A Pictorial Guide and History. Ferndale, CA: The Ferndale Museum. p. 2.
  4. Edeline, Denis (May 31, 1996). "Ferndale Notes: August 1893-December 31, 1931" (PDF). Transcriptions from the Ferndale Enterprise and the Book of Deeds at the Humboldt County Court House. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 26, 2011. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
  5. Van Kirk, Susie, Alford–Nielson Home, NRIS application, December 23, 1985
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