San Rafael in Marin County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Gate House

November 25, 2021

1. The Gate House Marker

Inscription. The Gate House, the Boyd's guest house, was completed in 1880 by Ira B. Cook, the great grandfather of Miss Louise A. Boyd. With the adjoining park, it was donated to the City of San Rafael in 1905 and has been Marin County Historical Society's Museum since 1959.
This plaque commemorates the fiftieth year of the Marin County Historical Society.

Erected 1985 by Native Sons of the Golden West.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.

Location. 37° 58.521′ N, 122° 31.754′ W. Marker is in San Rafael, California, in Marin County. It is at the intersection of B Street and Mission Avenue, on the left when traveling north on B Street. The Gate House is located in Boyd Memorial park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1125 B Street, San Rafael CA 94901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area,

in the North Coast,

and specifically on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: James M. Donahue Ferry Bell (a few steps from this marker); Mission San Rafael Arcangel (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Marin (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named Mission San Rafael Arcangel

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(about 600 feet away); Falkirk Community Cultural Center (about 800 feet away); The Belrose Theater (approx. 0.2 miles away); How San Rafael Got Its Library (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bradford House (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Rafael.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, April 26, 2013

2. The Gate House Marker

The marker is located at the entrance to Boyd Memorial Park.

The Entrance Gate to Boyd Memorial Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, April 26, 2013

3. The Entrance Gate to Boyd Memorial Park

The Gate House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 2, 2022

4. The Gate House

The Gate House and Marin County Historical Society Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, April 26, 2013

5. The Gate House and Marin County Historical Society Museum

Photographed by Syd Whittle, April 26, 2013

6. The Gate House

Information Displayed at the Marin County Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, April 26, 2013

7. Information Displayed at the Marin County Museum

Louise Boyd was born into one of the wealthiest families in Marin, and at age thirty-three, became heiress to a sizable fortune. She used her money to fund her eight Arctic expeditions and maintain her elegant lifestyle at Maple Lawn. Her inheritance came from her father, a mining magnate, John F. Boyd, and from her mother, Louise Arner, whose inheritance was from her great-uncles, Seth and Daniel Cook. The source of all this wealth was gold.
Click on photo for details.

Maple Lawn Mansion image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 2, 2022

8. Maple Lawn Mansion

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 2, 2022

9. Maple Lawn Mansion

Boyd Memorial Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 2, 2022

10. Boyd Memorial Park

This park is the gift of Louise Arner Boyd and John F. Boyd to the People of San Rafael in memory of their sons Seth Cook Boyd and John Franklin Boyd Jr

Dedicated April 29, 1905

Boyd Memorial Park marker/drinking fountain image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 2, 2022

11. Boyd Memorial Park marker/drinking fountain

Northwest entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, May 2, 2022

12. Northwest entrance

Credits. This page was last revised on July 1, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2013, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,058 times since then and 43 times this year. Last updated on May 3, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. Photos: 1. submitted on November 26, 2021. 2, 3. submitted on April 29, 2013, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 4. submitted on June 28, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 5, 6, 7. submitted on April 29, 2013, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 8, 9, 10. submitted on May 3, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 11, 12. submitted on June 28, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.