Archaeology of the Stanford Mansion

In 1998, California State Parks and the Stanford Mansion Foundation, along with the Governor’s office and state legislature, developed the plan to blend funding and resources to design and carry out a complete rehabilitation of the Mansion and grounds.  While providing for careful preservation, the plan envisioned a dual role for the landmark property:  Heritage Interpretation for the visiting public and its use by Governor Schwarzenegger and the Legislative Leadership for official state functions.

The stately brick and plaster Renaissance Revival home at the corner of 8th and 'N' Streets in Sacramento has special historical and architectural significance for California.  In its early years, it served as the executive office of three governors:  Leland Stanford, Frederick Low and Henry Haight.  It was also the site of California’s first presidential visit by Rutherford B. Hayes and General William T. Sherman. It is the oldest house in Sacramento open to the public.

Built about 1856 as a two-story structure for prominent businessman Shelton Fogus, it was sold in 1861 to Leland Stanford, President of the Central Pacific Railroad Corporation, who became California’s eighth governor in January of 1862.  Soon thereafter, Stanford added new landscaping and a wing to the east side of the building to become his governor’s office.  One exuberant writer characterized the property as “the most perfect specimen of a house in all of California.”

After serving a two-year term as governor, Stanford returned to private life and traveled frequently on railroad business.  The State then rented Stanford’s furnished home for the next governor, Frederick Low.  Henry Haight, who succeeded Low as governor, rented Stanford’s office until a new governor’s office was opened in the Capitol in 1869.  Meanwhile, the Stanfords moved back into the home in late 1867, and Jane Lathrop Stanford gave birth to Leland Junior the following spring.  Stanford University was later founded in memory of the boy, who died of typhoid in his teens.

1871-1872 Expansion
By early 1872 the Stanfords had remodeled and greatly enlarged the home.  The fashionable four-story structure they created better suited their extended family and growing public stature.  The next year the Central Pacific Railroad offices moved to San Francisco and the Stanford family soon followed, though they still used their Sacramento home on occasion.