McDonald Mansion, Santa Rosa
historic place
The McDonald Mansion, also known as Mableton, is a historic residence located in Santa Rosa, California. Constructed in 1876, this impressive home exemplifies the Victorian Stick/Eastlake architectural style. Colonel Mark McDonald, a prominent San Francisco financier and developer, built it as a summer retreat for his family. The mansion served as the cornerstone of the McDonald Addition, a subdivision he developed. In 1959, the mansion gained wider recognition when its exterior was featured in Walt Disney's film 'Pollyanna'. The structure notably survived the devastating 1906 earthquake. However, a significant fire in 1977 destroyed a large portion of the house during a restoration project. The then-owner, Dr. Jack Leissring, undertook the effort to rebuild it. A comprehensive five-year renovation further restored its historic character, beginning in 2006. The McDonald Mansion was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 1, 1974. It stands today as a significant example of Victorian architecture and a landmark in Sonoma County.