THE VICTORIAN HILL HOUSE
1874-2009
Victorian Hill House
This gracious gabled Queen Anne style home, located in the woods at the top of the hill in Old Town Auburn, California, was built in 1874. It is owned by Norm and Sue Hill who, from 1988 to 1992, ran it as The Victorian Hill Bed and Breakfast. Although no longer available for overnight accommodations, today it is called The Victorian Hill Gardens, and is available as an Event Center for weddings, receptions, reunions, art shows, parties, business meetings, seminars, or any other special event.
Today Mike and Patty O’Brien manage the home and grounds, and oversee all events. They are available to assist couples and groups with their event needs on the quaint grounds. The property can host any special event for 10-80 people. Your event can be memorable as your guests stroll the colorful, quaint grounds, flower gardens, pond area, gazebos, decks, and conversation nooks. The house has a rich history which is outlined below.
Patty and Mike invite you to call and set up a time to visit, and discuss your wedding, reception, reunion, party or any other event you have in mind.
HISTORY
Victorian Hill House circa 1879 (upper left)
The Victorian Hill House is located on the hill overlooking Old Town Auburn. The hill was originally called “Snowden Hill”. It was the site of the first Methodist church gathering in Wood’s Dry Diggins in Auburn. The first white woman to take permanent residence here, Mrs. Harriet Crandall, arrived in 1850, following the gold rush. She organized the first worship service on the hill led by Dr. Grove Deal in 1851. There is a cairn monument with a brass plaque in front of the house in her honor, commemorating this first event at what is now the garden in front of the house.
Edmund Christopher Snowden is believed to have built the Victorian House at 195 Park Street in 1874. He was born in England in 1838, came to the U.S., lived in various states, fought in the Civil War, and moved to Iowa and Kansas, prior to arriving in Auburn. Edmund Snowden was the town pharmacist, and was involved in real estate. He married a Mrs. Jackson in 1871 and following her death, married Bertha E. Meyer. They had one daughter, Frances Victoria. Although records cannot verify he built the house, newspaper articles and photos prove his early residency. He also owned the building just down the hill that originally housed the Empire Hotel, Opera House, Civic Center and Armory, (now known as Bootleggers Restaurant) as well as his pharmacy (now known as Mary Belles) and the property on up the hill to the site of the courthouse. In 1905 there was a major fire in the town. He suffered major losses, which fortunately did not include his Victorian Home.
Sue and Norman Hill bought the 5 acres including the fully furnished Victorian House and the accompanying Carriage house in 1988 from the estate of Maurine Cook. They moved up from Fair Oaks in January 1989 to open the house as the Victorian Hill Bed and Breakfast. Sue operated the Inn for five years, living in the adjacent Carriage House. They moved into the Victorian house when they closed the Inn. Maurine Cook did a major renovation on the home in the 1970’s. At times, prior to her ownership the house stood vacant (except for vagrants). The Hill’s son-in-law, Gordon Gallant renovated the kitchen and replaced the back porch and patio with a great room and deck in 1998. Maurine commissioned the stained glass for the entry doors and had the porch screened.
The most recent previous owners were:
1941 Geraldine Saunders
1946 S.E. Patrick
1948 Toule and Teresa Harris (Matthews)
1950 John Kennedy
1953 E. O. Buntrock
1957 G. & P. Pasquett
1960 Joe and Irene Sesnon
1972 Maurine W. Cook
1988 Norman and Sue Hill
