Captain Charles C. Boudrow House, Berkeley

The Captain Charles C. Boudrow House in Berkeley is an architectural gem and one of the city's most iconic Victorian-era homes. Constructed in 1889, when Berkeley’s population was about 12,000, the house reflects the city’s popularity as a retirement destination for sea captains. Designed in the Queen Anne-Eastlake style by prominent San Francisco architect Julius E. Krafft, this residence embodies the intricate craftsmanship of its time.

The house, built entirely of redwood, showcases a plethora of ornamental details. Its façade is adorned with multiple gables, bays, floral and geometric friezes, plaster reliefs, and scalloped shingles. A turret with a witch’s hat crown rises dramatically on the southeastern corner, adding to its stately presence. The entrance features a balustraded staircase leading to a gabled front porch supported by turned columns and trelliswork arches. A balconette with a sunburst motif crowns the central gable. Inside, the house boasts 12-foot ceilings, seven fireplaces, and spacious rooms that exemplify the grandeur of Victorian design.

Commissioned by Charles C. Boudrow (1830–1918), a San Francisco shipping magnate, the house reflects the maritime heritage of Berkeley's Sea Captain Corner, where his partner, Captain William E. Mighell, also lived. Owned by the Boudrow family until 1922, it later passed to the Wheeler family, remaining with them until 1970. After being converted into apartments, the house underwent a meticulous restoration in 1994 to reclaim its original elegance.

The Boudrow House, one of Berkeley’s first landmarked buildings, was mistakenly attributed to Joseph Hart Boudrow in 1976 but later confirmed as Charles C. Boudrow’s home. Recognized for its meticulous restoration, the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association awarded the current owners a Preservation Award. Today, it remains a symbol of Berkeley's maritime history and Victorian architectural splendor.