The Leland Stanford Mansion Several Properties That Would Become Foundation Was Formed As Part of a Stanford University

Our Mission The mission of California State Parks is “ Leland Stanford to provide for the health, inspiration and mr. and Mrs. Leland education of the people of California by helping Stanford present Mansion to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and compliments and State Historic Park cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. request the pleasure of your company at their residence.”

— Invitation to the Stanford California State Parks supports equal access. party of February 6, 1872 Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact the park at (916) 324-0575. If you need this publication in an alternate format, contact [email protected].

CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service

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Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park 800 N Street Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 324-0575 www.parks.ca.gov/stanfordmansion

© 2005 California State Parks (Rev. 2016) T he Leland Stanford Mansion, Shelton C. Fogus built the home during Sacramento merchants — Leland went into a National Historic Landmark, upholds 1856-1857, then leased it for a short time business with a long-time friend, Captain a long-honored tradition of service to the to gold rush banker and entrepreneur Nicholas T. Smith. people of California. As the State’s official Darius Ogden (D.O.) Mills. In June During a three-year separation, reception center and a public museum, this 1861, Leland Stanford, the the Stanfords wrote to each other California state park welcomes leaders from new Republican candidate regularly. In June 1855, having around the world. for governor, bought Fogus’ received news of Jane’s father’s In the turbulent 1860s — the Civil War and furnished home — soon death, Stanford returned to its aftermath — this elegant brick building known as the Executive Albany to bring her home. was headquarters to three governors: Mansion — for $8,000. By autumn they were living Leland Stanford (1862-1863), Frederick F. in a modest house along STANFORd-LATHROP Low (1863-1867), and Henry H. Haight (1867- Sacramento’s bustling FAMILIES 1871). Prominent Sacramento merchant waterfront, and Stanford was Born in 1824 near Albany, the sole owner of the Stanford New York, Leland Stanford Brothers Store. was the fifth of eight children. Although he Portrait of Leland, Jane, and BuSINESS ANd POLITICS showed an early talent for Leland Stanford, Jr., 1880 Stanford’s help in organizing business, his parents guided Photo courtesy of the state’s new Republican Party Stanford University Archives his education toward a law career. assured California’s loyalty to the While apprenticed to a law firm, Stanford Union. His early gubernatorial campaigns met Jane Eliza Lathrop, the oldest had met with mixed success; nominated daughter of the Dyer Lathrop family, and to run in 1859, he was defeated. In 1860 he subsequently became a regular visitor to worked on Abraham Lincoln’s presidential their home. campaign, and when Lincoln was elected, Stanford set up a law practice in Stanford served briefly as one of Wisconsin, and two years later he his advisors. and Jane were married. The couple soon In June of 1861, Stanford’s reputation decided to move to California, but in for common sense and sound judgment June 1852, Leland had to leave Jane in brought him the Republican Party’s New York to care for her ailing father. In July nomination for governor. Prior to that he arrived alone in San Francisco. Following election, he had been named president a visit to his brothers — successful of the newly incorporated Central Pacific Restored elements of the mansion include carpets, Renaissance Revival furniture, gilded columns, gas globe lights, and original toys.

Photo of original toy courtesy of Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Center for Visual Arts at Stanford University, Stanford Family Collections

Railroad of California. Leland Stanford GOvERNORS LOw ANd HAIGHT challenges they faced and the decisions became one of “The Associates” (later known Unassuming, pro-Union Frederick F. Low, they made prove that governing as the “Big Four”) with Collis Huntington, his wife Mollie, and their five-year-old California was serious business in the Charles Crocker, and Mark Hopkins. daughter Flora became the gubernatorial nineteenth century. Stanford’s undeniable popularity won him mansion’s new tenants in 1863. During THE STANFORd MANSION the election on September 4, 1861. his term, Low defended Chinese Over the years, Mr. Fogus’ original Although suddenly thrust into the role immigration when it was an unpopular 4,000-square foot home eventually came to of California’s First Lady in the middle of stance. He also signed an 1864 act accepting encompass 19,000 square feet. In 1862 the the Civil War, Jane Stanford was more than the Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Big Stanfords added a governor’s office to the ready. When it came to social affairs, she Trees Grove from the federal government— home. In the fall of 1871, they began a major determined various rules of etiquette and the first time a government had set aside expansion of the two-story building. Much presided over formal receptions, dinners, lands for public enjoyment. of the work involved raising it and adding and celebrations. In December 1867, Stanford rented the a story below and a mansard-roofed story Stanford dealt with the critical issues executive office to Democratic Governor- above. On February 6, 1872, the Stanfords inherent in wartime. In an era when such elect Henry H. Haight. Haight did not reside celebrated the reopening of the house by actions were not incompatible with the office in the house, but used the office until he inviting 700 guests to a party described by of governor, Stanford promoted legislation could move into the nearly completed newspapers as “brilliantly dazzling.” that backed the Central Pacific Railroad. He State Capitol building. During his term, he cut the state’s debt in half and enacted laws supported the establishment of an eight- A SON’S LEGACy dealing with the security of San Francisco’s hour workday and the chartering of the On May 14, 1868, Jane Stanford gave birth harbor. In 1863 he declined to run for office University of California. to their only child, Leland Stanford, Jr. An again. Because four-year terms had only To this day, actions taken by these energetic, intelligent, and thoroughly adored recently become law, Stanford was the last three capable governors in the Stanford child, Leland Jr. was the light of his parents’ California governor to serve a two-year term. Mansion affect the lives of Californians. The lives. In 1884, while visiting Europe, the boy contracted typhoid fever. Despite the best Mercy, and later the Sisters of Social Service, care by Catholic nuns, he died in Florence, carefully adapted the building to their needs Italy, on March 13, 1884, at age 15. while keeping its essential features intact. Following the death of their son, the In 1957 the house became a State Historical Stanfords decided that if they could Landmark, and in 1978 the State of California not educate him, they would build an purchased the property for use as a state educational institution in his name. They park. In 1987 the Stanford Home for Children endowed the Leland Stanford, Jr. University; moved to a new facility. on November 14, 1885, the new board A MANSION TRANSFORMEd of trustees accepted ownership of In 1991 the Leland Stanford Mansion several properties that would become Foundation was formed as part of a Stanford University. groundbreaking public / private fundraising In June 1893 Stanford, by then a United partnership to help restore the home to its States Senator, died. It was fully expected appearance during the Stanford family’s that government claims on his estate residence. Historic photographs and would keep his widow from achieving their archaeological and historical analyses have The Stanford-Lathrop Memorial Home for educational vision. However, the widow and guided the restoration of the mansion’s Friendless Children, c. 1925 the university found ways to economize, and rich details, from crystal chandeliers and the danger passed. gleaming wood paneling to delicately The Stanfords had always been generous, painted brackets, gilded mirrors, and This park receives support from the especially in children’s causes. In 1900 Jane elaborate draperies. Leland Stanford Mansion Foundation, a Stanford gave her residence and furnishings Today the Stanford Mansion is again nonprofit, public-benefit corporation. to the Catholic Bishop of Sacramento to ready to receive guests and to provide be used as an orphanage. The Sisters of opportunities for visitors to learn about the home’s fascinating past and exciting future. TOuRS ANd ACCESSIBLE FEATuRES Mansion access is only by guided tour from 5 the visitor center. Call (916) 324-0575 for tour Stanford hours. Elevator access, a travel wheelchair, Mansion California State SHP Capitol Museum and assistive listening systems are available. Interior openings to the 2nd and 3rd floors are 29.5 inches wide. Videos offer Spanish 160 or English captions, and alternative format materials include a tactile model. Stanford Mansion, 1872 Photo courtesy of Stanford University Archives (color enhanced) N STREET (one way) Park Entrance

(one way) LELAND East STANFORD Plaza

8TH STREET MANSION

0 10 20 40 Feet

0 2.75 5.5 11 Meters West Plaza Visitor Center Brick Museum Stable Store

Alley (No Park Access)