Octagon House

What to know

The Octagon House, also known as the Colonial Dames Octagon House, is a historic landmark located at 2645 Gough Street in San Francisco's Cow Hollow neighborhood. Built in 1861 by William C. McElroy, who was a miller and early resident of the city, the structure is one of only two surviving octagon houses in San Francisco that hold city-designated landmark status. This architectural treasure serves as a decorative arts museum focusing on the Colonial and Federal periods. Since its dedication as a museum on April 7, 1953, it has housed a collection of eighteenth-century furniture, manuscripts, and mementos. It continues to function as the California headquarters for the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America. The building's survival was not guaranteed. In 1952, an electricity company that owned the property sought to demolish the house to repurpose the land. The California Society of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America saved the structure by moving it across the street and renovating it into the museum seen today. Recognized for its historical significance, the house was designated San Francisco City Landmark #17 on December 30, 1968. It further gained prestige when it was listed as a San Francisco Designated Landmark on February 3, 1969, and subsequently added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 23, 1972.

Visitor tips

• Plan your visit for the second or fourth Sunday of the month between 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM.
• Arrive early as the house is small and can only accommodate about 20 guests at one time.
• Note that the museum is closed during January and on all legal holidays.
• Admission is free, but donations to the society are appreciated.

Nearby context

Located at the corner of Gough and Union Streets, the Octagon House sits in the heart of the Cow Hollow neighborhood. Visitors can pair a trip to this quiet museum with a visit to the nearby Left Door bar.