As California’s oldest mansion, Harlow House represents an important piece of state and local history, as well as being a classic example of 19th century architecture. In an ever-changing world, a visit to Harlow House is a unique way to experience the “good old days” of California’s simple past.
Built in 1874, Harlow House is nearly 10 months older than San Francisco’s famed Perry Mansion, and more than 200 square feet larger. Harlow House is a classic representation of the Greek Revival Italianate style popular around the Civil War, as demonstrated through the bold moldings, slanted eaves, and arcade porch. The entire house has been lovingly preserved by descendants of the Harlow family for almost 150 years.
Calvin Jerome Harlow was born August 12, 1837, in Newton, Massachusetts, to Jerome and Mathilda Harlow. Calvin had two older sisters and one younger brother. Calvin’s parents owned a restaurant that was a popular meeting spot for the town’s elite. The family lived in a small apartment above the restaurant. Although Calvin came from a humble upbringing, he was inspired to move on to bigger and better things—and for that he would have to move West.
But first, Calvin married Eliza Mae Johnson, his second wife, in 1873. Eliza was born on January 16, 1855 in Wellesley, Massachusetts, to Edward and Leona Johnson, who both came from wealthy families and did not need to work. Calvin and Eliza’s first child, Cora, was born on June 21, 1873. Their second child, Homer, was born October 3, 1874. After Calvin headed out to California in the spring of 1874, Eliza raised the two children at her family home, while waiting for Calvin to establish their new residence on the West Coast.
Harlow House was originally built in what is now the Bunker Hill neighborhood of downtown Los Angeles. Throughout the early 19th century, most of the surrounding land was occupied by a Mexican family named Torres, who called it “Santa Ana.” Calvin had arrived in California a few months earlier with his traveling companion and business partner Captain James McKelvey, and they both recognized the potential value of the land. Unfortunately, Captain McKelvey died in 1874. Luckily though, that same year, the Torres family decided to move. Calvin took over the land and began building homes and selling lots to new settlers almost immediately, creating a bustling, vibrant community.
Later that year, Calvin started building what would become Harlow House. Determined to provide an impressive home for his family in their new state, he spared no expense during the construction process. He hired local artisans to hand-carve the decorative columns, eaves, and balustrades. He also imported many architectural elements from Europe and Asia. Although he never ended up traveling outside of the United States, he enjoyed sharing these exotic pieces with visitors to the home.
In 1876, he sent for Eliza, who traveled alongside her mother Leona, and the two children. The journey was difficult, but well worth the ordeal. Harlow House, and a new life in California, awaited them.
Calvin and Eliza had two more children in California: James, born 1879 and Phillippina, born 1881.
After helping to establish many more neighborhoods in Los Angeles, Calvin passed away in 1899. Eliza lived until 1926. Cora, the oldest daughter, married industrialist Henry Bleecker in 1890; they moved to Seattle, Washington, shortly afterwards, and had two children. Homer, the oldest son, married Minnie Waterman, a politician’s daughter, in 1898. James, the younger son, married Florence Quantrell in 1904. Phillippina, the youngest daughter, never married, and lived in the house until her death in 1963. She operated it as a rooming house, meaning that many different people had the opportunity to reside in Harlow House over the 20th century.
As the city changed, in 1972 the house was moved from its original Bunker Hill location to its current location near Pasadena. Another historic house, known as “The Castle,” which previously held the record for California’s oldest house, was moved alongside it. Unfortunately, in 1975, vagrants started a fire that damaged Harlow House and destroyed The Castle.
Today, Harlow House is a historic landmark and the Harlow descendants are proud to preserve its history. Visit us today!
For more information, including many of the original documents, please browse our digital archive!