OCTAGON HOUSE — 2645 Gough Street at Union
  
 

William C. McElroy built this octagonal house in 1861—one of five such houses built in San Francisco's early history. During its restoration in the 1950s, items were discovered in a tin box under the stairs including newspapers as well as a letter written by McElroy titled, “To Future Ages,”.

In 1951, when The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America in California acquired the Octagon House, it was located on the opposite side of Gough Street from its present location. After being vacant for many years and in a state of disrepair the Society’s offer to its owner to move and restore it was accepted.

Funds were raised and the property where it is currently located was donated to the Society by two members, the Misses Edith Winslow and Lucy Helen Allyne. The late Warren C. Perry, F.A.I.A., former Head of the Department of Architecture at the University of California directed its restoration. The cornerstone was laid on April 7, 1953.

In 1968 the Octagon House was designated an Historical Landmark by the City of San Francisco, and in 1972 it was placed in the National Register of Historic Places. In 1993 its garden received a special award from San Francisco Beautiful.

Collections
The collections on display at the Octagon House represent decorative arts of the Colonial and Federal periods. Included are examples of American furniture, portraits, samplers and looking glasses as well as English and American silver, American pewter, English and Chinese ceramics and Oriental rugs.

Also on view is a collection of documents pertaining to Colonial and Early American history including the signatures of 54 of the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Collections have been established through gifts, bequests and purchases. Portions of the collection were on loan to the de Young Memorial Museum prior to the Society’s acquisition of the Octagon House.

Visitor Information
The Octagon House is open to the public on the second Sunday and the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. It is closed all of January and on holidays.

Visiting Hours are from Noon to 3:00 p.m. with the last admission at 2:45 p.m.

A contribution toward maintenance of the Octagon House is appreciated.

Group Tours are by special arrangement only and cannot be admitted on regular open house afternoons. Inquiries should be addressed to:

Group Tour Director, Octagon House,
2645 Gough Street, San Francisco, CA 94123-4402
Telephone: (415) 441-7412
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Octagon House—Photo Courtesy Helene Sobol