McElroy Octagon House
historic place
The McElroy Octagon House, a historic place in San Francisco County, was built in 1861 by William and Harriet McElroy. This unique octagonal architectural style was inspired by Orson Squire Fowler's 1848 book, "The Octagon House: A Home For All." The design was believed to offer more interior light, better air circulation, and greater efficiency. Originally located on the east side of Gough Street, the house was a family home until the late 1800s. After a period of neglect under different ownership, the California chapter of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America purchased it in 1952. They undertook its restoration and moved the structure across Gough Street to its current address at 2645 Gough Street. The McElroy Octagon House was designated a San Francisco City Landmark on December 30, 1968. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 23, 1972. Today, it serves as a museum, showcasing 18th-century American decorative arts and acting as the California headquarters for the Colonial Dames. This site preserves a distinctive architectural form and a piece of San Francisco's past.