Feusier Octagon House

What to know

The Feusier Octagon House, located at 1067 Green Street, stands as a rare survivor of mid-19th-century architectural experimentation. Built around 1857 or 1858, the residence was constructed following the specific octagon-house specifications of Orson S. Fowler. Its exterior walls were crafted from a durable mixture of lime cement, gravel, and clay, allowing it to endure for over a century and a half in the Russian Hill neighborhood. Originally designed as a two-story home, the structure evolved under the ownership of the Feusier family, who held the property from the 1870s through the 1950s. During their tenure, they expanded the house by adding a third story featuring a Mansard roof and an octagonal cupola. This distinctive silhouette makes it one of only two surviving octagon-plan houses in San Francisco, alongside the Colonial Dames Octagon on Gough Street. The house is most famous for its resilience during the city's greatest catastrophe. It escaped the 1906 earthquake and survived the subsequent fires, a feat attributed to determined residents who refused an order to evacuate their home. This defiance preserved one of the oldest houses on Russian Hill, which is often visible in early photographs of the hill's summit before it was densely surrounded by other buildings. Recognized for its architectural significance, the property was designated as San Francisco City Landmark #36 on November 2, 1970. It was further honored on March 24, 1974, when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Today, it remains a contributing part of the Russian Hill Paris Block Historic District, serving as a private residence that showcases the eclectic building styles of the early settlement era.

Visitor tips

• View the house from the sidewalk as it is a private residence and not open to the public.
• Look for the official landmark plaque produced for the property.
• Visit during daylight hours to appreciate the detail of the Mansard roof and octagonal cupola.

Nearby context

The house is a key contributing element of the Russian Hill Paris Block Architectural District. It is situated on Green Street between Jones and Leavenworth Streets, placing it in one of the most historic and steeply sloped residential areas of the city, near other iconic spots like The Buena Vista.