Benjamin and Hilarita Lyford House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lyford House
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 Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | 376 Greenwood Beach Road Tiburon, California |
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| Built | 1876 |
| Architectural style | Second Empire |
| NRHP reference No. | 00001268 |
| Added to NRHP | November 10, 2000 |
The Lyford House is a beautiful old Victorian home in Tiburon, California. It was built way back in 1876. Today, this special house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's an important part of history!
Discover the Lyford House: A Historic Home
A Glimpse into the Past: Early Inhabitants
Long before the Lyford House was built, people lived in this area. These were Native American hunter-gatherer groups. They found food and shelter from nature. You can still see signs of them nearby on Ring Mountain. There, you might find old rock art and grinding stones on big boulders. These show how people lived many years ago.
The Lyford House Story: From Doctor's Home to Sanctuary
The Lyford House sits near Richardson Bay in Tiburon. It was once the home of Benjamin Lyford (1841–1906). He was a doctor who served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. After the war, he moved to San Francisco to practice medicine.
Benjamin Lyford married Hilarita Reed (1839–1908). Her father, John Reed, was an immigrant from Ireland. He was given a very large piece of land called Rancho Corte Madera del Presidio. This name means "the place where wood is cut for the Presidio." This land now includes areas like Tiburon, Belvedere, and much of southern Marin County.
The Lyford House was first built on Strawberry Point. It was part of Dr. Lyford's Eagle Dairy Ranch. But in December 1957, the house was in danger of being torn down! So, it was moved by a special barge across the water. It found a new home on eleven acres of land. This land belonged to Rose Verrall, who later gave it to the National Audubon Society. Now, the house and land are part of the Richardson Bay Audubon Center and Sanctuary. This is a place that protects nature and wildlife.
The Benjamin Lyford House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. This means it's recognized as a very important historical site. In December 2002, a tree fell and damaged the house's roof. It was closed for a year for repairs. The house reopened in 2004, looking good as new!
