James Lick Mansion

Infobox_nrhp | name =James Lick Mill
nrhp_type =

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caption =
location= Santa Clara, California
lat_degrees = 37 | lat_minutes = 23 | lat_seconds = 58.91 | lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 121 | long_minutes = 56 | long_seconds = 34.87 | long_direction = W
area =
built =1858
architect=
architecture=
added = March 2 1982
governing_body = Private
refnum=82002272 cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2006-03-15|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service] The James Lick Mansion, in Santa Clara, California, is the estate of James Lick, who was the richest man in California at the time of his death in 1876. The estate is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The complex of buildings reflects the varied uses of the property over its history. The major historical constructions are a brick granary and millpond from the original mill built by James Lick around 1855, the large house built by Lick around 1858 and a late Victorian-era office building.

Lick built this Italianate mansion between 1858 and 1860 next to his flour mill. The mansion is constructed of native redwood featuring detailed woodwork and imported marble fireplaces in each of its 24 rooms. This property was once part of the Rancho Ulistac land grant, a square league reaching from the Alviso shoreline southward and encompassing all the land between the Guadalupe and Saratoga Creeks. His farm background helped him realize the potential of the site for agricultural production. Around the mansion and mill, Lick developed a highly successful orchard operation and pioneered the introduction of new fruits and horticultural techniques. Imported specimens include the large cork oaks on the property planted by Lick himself.

An 1882 fire destroyed the mill and in 1902 the Lick Mill complex was converted to the manufacture of alcohol. A series of owners, including Union Distilling, Western Grain and Sugar Products, Western Carbonic Gas, American Salt and Chemical, and Commercial Solvents and Chemical, manufactured a wide variety of products at this location.

The Lick Mansion and grounds are located at 4101 Lick Mill Blvd., Santa Clara, on the grounds of the Mansion Grove Apartment complex. The grounds are open to the public during daylight hours, and visits to the mansion can be arranged.

Footnotes

References

*cite web | url=http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/santaclara/lic.htm | title=James Lick Mill | work=California's Historic Silicon Valley | publisher=National Park Service | accessdate=2007-03-14

External links