North Star House (Grass Valley, California)
Encyclopedia
North Star House is a house located roughly a mile south of Grass Valley
, Nevada County
, northern California
. The building served as the superintendent's house for the North Star Mine
. Commissioned by Superintendent Arthur De Wint Foote
and his wife, Mary Hallock Foote
("Molly"), an author and illustrator, it was designed in 1905 by the architect Julia Morgan
. This was her first significant, large-scale, residential project. The house is notable for its relationship to the literary career of Molly Foote and the master architect, Morgan.
. The Footes originally lived on the mine property for 10 years with their three children in a cottage. When Foote and his wife decided they needed a home to entertain the investors, dignitaries and celebrities that were coming to Gold Country
, they hired Morgan to design it; it was one of her first projects. It was built in 1905. While living in the house Mary Foote wrote her lifetime reminiscences which form her published memoirs, A Victorian Gentlewoman in the Far West. From the time of construction to 1968, the residence was occupied by the Foote family.
In 1968, the property was purchased and served as a private religious school for boarding students, continuing through the late 1970s. In the 1980s, it was used as a school for troubled youths. Also used as a hospitality center for the local gold mining industry, it is currently the home of the weekly Nevada County Growers Market. The North Star House was the setting for Wallace Stegner
’s Pulitzer Prize
winning novel, Angle of Repose
.
The house eventually became derelict. From the mid-1980s until April 2002, it was owned by Terra Alta Development. During this time, in the mid-1990s, Penelope Curtis founded the Julia Morgan Conservancy which included restoration hopes for the house. In local legend it was frequently referred to as the "Satan House" and it became a rite of passage for area youth to tour the home by night. By November 2002, Sandy Sanderson, an Oregon developer, obtained a binding contract on the property. The house was restored by the North Star Historic Conservancy after the Nevada County Land Trust hired Bruce Conklin to oversee the site's restoration in 2003. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
on February 1, 2011, months later, it is still undergoing restoration.
style. The style, dubbed the First Bay Tradition
, included natural materials and site-sensitive design such as local waste rock from the mine, hand-peeled logs and redwood shingles. Exemplifying Morgan's style, the house features exposed beams, strong horizontal lines, the use of shingles, and earth-toned colors.
The building is oriented west and u-shaped in plan. An entry courtyard is situated on the east side, while a sprawling stone terrace is on the west side. Framed in wood, the walls are of stone masonry at the first level, and redwood shingle sheathing at the second level. The low pitch gable roof features wide overhangs and eyebrow vents, the original wood shingle replaced in 2004 with fireproof composite shingles.The foundation is of quarry stone and cement, while the chimneys are of brick. There are several entry doors which access the living room, library, study, and dining room. Original features, such as doorknobs and light fixtures, are no longer on the property. On the second level, an open air sleeping porch is situated above the terrace.
A courtyard is situated between the building's two wings. A small garage, which was added at the northeast corner of the building ca. 1968, is being removed.
are evidenced in the surrounding heritage orchard.
Historically, the property included hydrangeas, magnolias, and crepe myrtle. There was a fern grove to the south and landscaping to the north included Japanese quince, peonies, cedar, and tulip trees.
Grass Valley, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Grass Valley had a population of 12,860. The population density was 2,711.3 people per square mile . The racial makeup of Grass Valley was 11,493 White, 46 African American, 208 Native American, 188 Asian, 9 Pacific Islander, 419 from other...
, Nevada County
Nevada County, California
Nevada County is a county located in the Sierra Nevada of California, in the Mother Lode country. As of 2010 its population was 98,764. The county seat is Nevada City.-History:Nevada County was created in 1851 from parts of Yuba County....
, northern California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The building served as the superintendent's house for the North Star Mine
North Star Mine
The North Star Mine was located on Lafayette Hill a short distance south of Grass Valley, California, USA. It was the second largest producer of gold during California’s Gold Rush. In 1898, the largest ever Pelton wheel for its time was built for the mine. The North Star Mine Company also owned...
. Commissioned by Superintendent Arthur De Wint Foote
Arthur De Wint Foote
Arthur De Wint Foote was a mining and civil engineer who built Foote's Crossing across the Middle Yuba River and Foote's Crossing Road , and designed the hydraulic wheel for the North Star Mine Powerhouse, now a California Historical Landmark.-Early years:Foote was born...
and his wife, Mary Hallock Foote
Mary Hallock Foote
Mary Hallock Foote was an American author and illustrator. She is best known for her illustrated short stories and novels portraying life in the mining communities of the turn-of-the-century American West.-Overview:...
("Molly"), an author and illustrator, it was designed in 1905 by the architect Julia Morgan
Julia Morgan
Julia Morgan was an American architect. The architect of over 700 buildings in California, she is best known for her work on Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California...
. This was her first significant, large-scale, residential project. The house is notable for its relationship to the literary career of Molly Foote and the master architect, Morgan.
Geography
The house is located at 12075 Old Auburn Road, near the Nevada County Fairgrounds. Situated on a 14 acres (5.7 ha) site, the property is on a hillside that overlooks foothills and a valley. To the south is Quail Valley Golf Club.History
The North Star Mine was the second largest producer of gold during California’s Gold RushCalifornia Gold Rush
The California Gold Rush began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California. The first to hear confirmed information of the gold rush were the people in Oregon, the Sandwich Islands , and Latin America, who were the first to start flocking to...
. The Footes originally lived on the mine property for 10 years with their three children in a cottage. When Foote and his wife decided they needed a home to entertain the investors, dignitaries and celebrities that were coming to Gold Country
Gold Country
Gold Country is a region in the central and northeastern part of California, United States. It is famed for the mineral deposits and gold mines that attracted waves of immigrants, known as the 49ers, during the 1849 California Gold Rush.-Geography:State Route 49 was built through the Gold Country,...
, they hired Morgan to design it; it was one of her first projects. It was built in 1905. While living in the house Mary Foote wrote her lifetime reminiscences which form her published memoirs, A Victorian Gentlewoman in the Far West. From the time of construction to 1968, the residence was occupied by the Foote family.
In 1968, the property was purchased and served as a private religious school for boarding students, continuing through the late 1970s. In the 1980s, it was used as a school for troubled youths. Also used as a hospitality center for the local gold mining industry, it is currently the home of the weekly Nevada County Growers Market. The North Star House was the setting for Wallace Stegner
Wallace Stegner
Wallace Earle Stegner was an American historian, novelist, short story writer, and environmentalist, often called "The Dean of Western Writers"...
’s Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
The Pulitzer Prize is a U.S. award for achievements in newspaper and online journalism, literature and musical composition. It was established by American publisher Joseph Pulitzer and is administered by Columbia University in New York City...
winning novel, Angle of Repose
Angle of repose
The angle of repose or, more precisely, the critical angle of repose, of a granular material is the steepest angle of descent or dip of the slope relative to the horizontal plane when material on the slope face is on the verge of sliding. This angle is in the range 0°–90°.When bulk granular...
.
The house eventually became derelict. From the mid-1980s until April 2002, it was owned by Terra Alta Development. During this time, in the mid-1990s, Penelope Curtis founded the Julia Morgan Conservancy which included restoration hopes for the house. In local legend it was frequently referred to as the "Satan House" and it became a rite of passage for area youth to tour the home by night. By November 2002, Sandy Sanderson, an Oregon developer, obtained a binding contract on the property. The house was restored by the North Star Historic Conservancy after the Nevada County Land Trust hired Bruce Conklin to oversee the site's restoration in 2003. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on February 1, 2011, months later, it is still undergoing restoration.
Architecture and fittings
The 18000 square feet (1,672.3 m²) mansion, with 22 rooms, cost US$23,000 to construct. The stone house was designed in an early example of the California Arts and CraftsArts and Crafts movement
Arts and Crafts was an international design philosophy that originated in England and flourished between 1860 and 1910 , continuing its influence until the 1930s...
style. The style, dubbed the First Bay Tradition
First Bay Tradition
First Bay Tradition was an architectural style from the period of the 1880s to early 1920s. Sometimes considered a regional interpretation of the Eastern Shingle Style, it came as a reaction to the classicism of Beaux-Arts architecture. Its characteristics included a link to nature, and use of...
, included natural materials and site-sensitive design such as local waste rock from the mine, hand-peeled logs and redwood shingles. Exemplifying Morgan's style, the house features exposed beams, strong horizontal lines, the use of shingles, and earth-toned colors.
The building is oriented west and u-shaped in plan. An entry courtyard is situated on the east side, while a sprawling stone terrace is on the west side. Framed in wood, the walls are of stone masonry at the first level, and redwood shingle sheathing at the second level. The low pitch gable roof features wide overhangs and eyebrow vents, the original wood shingle replaced in 2004 with fireproof composite shingles.The foundation is of quarry stone and cement, while the chimneys are of brick. There are several entry doors which access the living room, library, study, and dining room. Original features, such as doorknobs and light fixtures, are no longer on the property. On the second level, an open air sleeping porch is situated above the terrace.
A courtyard is situated between the building's two wings. A small garage, which was added at the northeast corner of the building ca. 1968, is being removed.
Grounds
The grounds feature a Great Lawn and other distinct areas for community events. There are giant ponderosa pines, sloping lawns, and plantings that date to the late 1800s. The hybridized fruit trees that resulted from Foote’s collaboration with Luther BurbankLuther Burbank
Luther Burbank was an American botanist, horticulturist and a pioneer in agricultural science.He developed more than 800 strains and varieties of plants over his 54-year career. Burbank's varied creations included fruits, flowers, grains, grasses, and vegetables...
are evidenced in the surrounding heritage orchard.
Historically, the property included hydrangeas, magnolias, and crepe myrtle. There was a fern grove to the south and landscaping to the north included Japanese quince, peonies, cedar, and tulip trees.