Jennifer Fischer goes on the road and discovers the Dunsmuir House and Gardens, an exceptional manor in the Oakland Hills.
The 16,000 square foot Neo-Classical style mansion sits on 50 luscious acres and has more than 30 rooms, including and entire floor dedicated to servant's quarters. The 19th-century home is an architectural marvel, but the story behind the mansion's owners is even more fascinating. It's a tale of love, scandal, and tragedy.

In 1878, San Francisco businessman Alexander Dunsmuir fell in love with a social acquaintance named Josephine Wallace, who was a married women. Alexander and Josephine's affair resulted in the divorce of Josephine Wallace and her husband. Alexander's mother refused him to marry a divorcee and if he did, Alexander would loose his inheritance from the Dunsmuir family fortune. Twenty years later Alexander married Josephine and built her this spectacular mansion. Tragedy occurred 40 days later on their honeymoon, as Alexander died of alcohol meningitis. He never lived in the house he built for his bride.

The home was then sold in 1906 to I.W. Hellman Jr. of Wells Fargo Nevada National Bank. The Hellman family spent every summer at the estate until Mrs. Hellman's death in 1959. Now the Dunsmuir House & Gardens is an educational, historical, and cultural site open to the public.

Dunsmuir House & Gardens, Inc.
2960 Peralta Oaks Court
Oakland, CA 94605
(510) 615-5555