Santa Clara in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The James Lick Mansion

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado

1. The James Lick Mansion Marker

Inscription. James Lick was born in Pennsylvania in 1796. Lick came to San Francisco in 1848 after a successful career as a piano builder in South America. Shrewd real estate investments at the time of the Gold Rush made Lick the richest man in California by 1873.

Lick built this Italianate mansion between 1858 and 1860 next to his spectacular flour mill. Contructed of native redwood, it boasted marvelous woodwork and imported marble fire places in each of its twenty-four rooms.

Around the mansion and mill, Lick developed a highly successful orchard operation and pioneered the introduction of new fruits and horticultural techniques. Imported specimens included five cork oaks on the property planted by Lick himself.

When he died in 1876, James Lick left an estate of over three million dollars for various public projects. Nearly one third of the estate was used to build Lick Observatory on nearby Mount Hamilton in 1888.

Erected 1988 by City of Santa Clara Historical and Landmarks Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Horticulture & Forestry • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 37° 23.986′ N, 121° 56.601′

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W. Marker is in Santa Clara, California, in Santa Clara County. Marker is on Mansion Park Drive east of Lick Mill Boulevard, on the right when traveling east. The plaque is mounted (at an awkward angle) to a boulder on the north side of the mansion. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 554 Mansion Park Drive, Santa Clara CA 95054, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lick Mill and Granary (within shouting distance of this marker); James Lick Mill (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Agnews Development Center (approx. 0.7 miles away); Clocktower Building (approx. 0.7 miles away); Administration Building (approx. ¾ mile away); Auditorium (approx. 0.8 miles away); Agnews Today: The Legacy (approx. 0.8 miles away); Early History of Agnews (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Clara.

More about this marker. The marker and mansion are located inside the gated Mansion Grove Apartments complex. Check in at the leasing office to gain entry.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. James Lick Mill Historic Site, Lick Mill and Granary

Also see . . . James Lick Mill. National Park Service

"Shrewd real estate investments at the time of the gold rush made Lick the richest man in California
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, April 5, 2023

2. The James Lick Mansion Marker
by 1873. When he died in 1876, James Lick left an estate of over three million dollars for various public projects, a major part of which went to establish Lick Observatory on Mount Hamilton where he is buried."