A Victorian Village

   Here is our new "home" in Ferndale California: the Shaw House Inn. Isn't it lovely? An eight bedroom B&B that was built as a family home by Mr. Shaw in 1854 to lure his bride from the delights of San Francisco. It still maintains most of the original architectural details, fireplaces and ceilings. It even has some of the old wallpaper still left. It's really a treat to be an innkeeper here!

However, the Shaw House is only one of many beautifully restored Victorian buildings in Ferndale. In fact this Victorian Village has the largest collection of these "painted ladies" anywhere in the west.

These fanciful homes are called "butterfat palaces" because the primary industry was dairy. Many wealthy farmers had to build a showy house in
town for their families.

 

 

      Downtown Ferndale is a true Victorian Village  complete with charming shops, restaurants and inns all housed in colorful, fanciful, whimsical buildings from the late 1800's. It's worth a stop if you are ever in Northern California

   This is probably the grandest Victorian in the town: the Gingerbread Mansion. I wonder how it got it's name??  I wonder if they need an Interim Innkeeper??