Photos

The Leland Stanford Mansion was built between 1856 and 1857 as a two-story home for merchant Shelton Fogus. The home was purchased by Central Pacific Railroad co-founder and President Leland Stanford in 1861, just before he became California’s eighth governor. Stanford added a separate governor’s office, and later expanded the home to four stories and 19,000 square feet to better meet the needs of his expanded family and enhanced stature. His son, in whose memory Stanford University would be founded, was born in the home in 1868. The Governors of CA use the mansion to host dignitaries and maintain an office in it. Behind it is a skyscraper, making the contrast interesting.