It didn’t help that Sarah was a private person, opting to stay at home rather than rub elbows with the California elite. The only other person who lived in the house was her niece.
Who was this mysterious, wealthy widow? Why was she spending all of her time building a massive mansion in the middle of an economic depression? She had no children. The larger the house became, the more people talked. Changes were made on a whim, and sometimes entire wings were constructed only to be torn down again.Ĭonstruction went on constantly between 18. Over the next 36 years, Sarah transformed her California cottage into a massive, seven-story Queen Anne Revival. The land included a modest, eight-room house. He died of tuberculosis in 1881, leaving Sarah a 50% stake in the growing company.Īfter donating a large sum of money to a hospital in New Haven, the grieving widow took the rest of her money to San Jose, California, where she purchased 40 acres of land. Able to fire 15 shots in a row, the Model 73 was a killing machine, earning it the nickname “the gun that won the west.”īut William’s success was cut short. William found his business to be a welcome distraction.īetween 18, the company sold over 700,000 Winchester rifles.
Anne’s little body wasn’t processing nutrients, and she died six weeks later, having slowly starved to death. In June of that year, Sarah gave birth to their first child: A little girl named Anne.
The mansion and grounds are open to the public year round.Īdditional keywords.A Winchester Rifles old-time ad. Sarah had carpenters working on the house 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for as long as she lived. Sarah Winchester believed she was creating a place for those killed by Winchester rifles to rest. Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Jose. Winchester Mystery House (here, next to this marker) a different marker also named Winchester Mystery House (a few steps from this marker) Captain Harry Love (approx. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Marker is at or near this postal address: 525 S Winchester Blvd, San Jose CA 95128, United States of America. Plaque is located at the entrance to the visitorsĬenter. Marker can be reached from South Winchester Boulevard south of Olsen Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Marker is in San Jose, California, in Santa Clara County. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.
#Vintage winchester mystery house photos series#
In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture
The continual building and remodeling created a 160-room house covering an area of six acres.Įrected 1974 by State Department of Parks & Recreation, Winchester Mystery House Inc. Construction began in 1884 and continued without interruption until Mrs. It is in West Valley in San Jose in Santa Clara County California Built by Sarah Winchester, widow of rifle manufacturer William Winchester, this unique structure includes many outstanding elements of Victorian architecture and fine craftsmanship. This historical marker was erected in 1974 by State Department of Parks and Recreation, Winchester Mystery House Inc. The continual building and remodeling created a 160-room house covering an area of six acres. Built by Sarah Winchester, widow of rifle manufacturer William Winchester, this unique structure includes many outstanding elements of Victorian architecture and fine craftsmanship.
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