1408 Mission Avenue
Downtown San Rafael
415.485.3328
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Clinton Day
Falkirk is the only remaining example of Clinton Day's Queen Anne Residence
Clinton Day was the grandson of Yale College President Jeremiah Day and the son of Sherman Day who helped
found the College of California, predecessor to the University of California. Clinton was an architectural
graduate of UC Berkeley, and in the 1880s became a prolific designer of Queen Anne style Victorian residences.
He established his reputation designing these large family homes and they were considered the best
in the style. A variety of materials created exterior texture and a large open floor plan defined the interior.
Falkirk's public rooms are situated around an impressive central hall. The great fireplace with its
magnificently carved mantelpiece is at the center and the house extends outwardly from this
symbolic heart of family life. The unusual shape of the foyer establishes the floor plan: all the
rooms have unexpected angles and graceful curves. The staircase circles the fireplace chimney as it
ascends to the second floor. The tall, intricate art glass windows, carved oak mantle, bronze hardware
and natural wood wainscot paneling all contribute to the rich interior. The cross-beamed ceilings
of the foyer, parlor and dining room are finished in native redwood, and the walls are paneled in
Sierra pine, burled ash and redwood. Each room has its own fireplace. The mirrored beams of the opposing
alcoves in the parlor create a pleasing symmetry and the stunning vaulted ceiling produces exceptional
acoustics in this music room built to entertain guests. The most formal of the rooms the dining room,
is built entirely of locally milled redwood. The wall covering is the original Belgian linen ca 1888.
The library has a wonderfully complex shape and a parquet floor of geometric design. Two of the three
bedrooms on the second floor have beautiful parquet floors as well. Falkirk's fine craftsmanship is
displayed in an abundance of charming detail. In addition to Falkirk Day designed Queen
Anne Victorian homes for many important families whose names are recognizable today, among them Crockett,
Tatum and Pease. Unfortunately, all these residences have vanished. There are only two remaining: Falkirk and
the less significant Atherton house on California Street in San Francisco. According to architectural historian
William Kostura, "To see an example of Clinton Day's Queen Anne style in its full glory one must visit Falkirk!"
Day went on to design commercial buildings in downtown San Francisco. He designed the City of
Paris department store that was demolished in 1980. Six of his remaining buildings include Gumps
on Post Street, the Williams Building on Third, and the Lathrop Building facing Union Square.
The banking temple for the Union Trust Company at 744 Market Street at Grant is considered his masterpiece.
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