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

Adelaide M. Ryerson House

1906

Photographed by Loren Wilson, April 12, 2014

1. Adelaide M. Ryerson House Marker

Inscription. This house, also called the Tin House because of its pressed metal siding has a symmetrical façade that is suggestive of a Colonial Revival influence. In the 1890’s a flour mill was located on this site but eventually closed because of continued erosion of the river bank. In 1906 the land upon which the house was built was purchased for “ten dollars gold coin of the United States”. For many years before World War Two, the house served as a bordello, one of many in town. The house, originally located just north of the present site was moved here in 1940 after the state rebuilt the levee. In 1979 the Downer Land Company purchased the building and renovated the structure.

Erected 2014 by Sam Brannan Chapter E Clampus Vitus Chapter #1004.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Buildings • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1906.

Location. 39° 12.94′ N, 122° 0.598′ W. Marker is in Colusa, California, in Colusa County. It is at the intersection of Main Street, on the right on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 646 Main Street, Colusa CA 95932, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sacramento Valley,

specifically in the Central Valley,

and on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and 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

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walking distance of this marker: Old Chinatown District--Circa 1890 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Will Semple Green House (about 600 feet away); Colusa County Courthouse (about 700 feet away); Carnegie Library (about 800 feet away); I.O.O.F. Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Judge H. M. Albery House (approx. 0.2 miles away); U. W. Brown House - Circa 1867 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Center Section of the Former Colusa Bridge (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Colusa.

Additional commentary.
1. My family owned and lived here
The front door used to be on the front of the house facing the street, there was a meat locker at the top of the stairs inside.. there were 2 smaller dwellings on the lot when we owned it, there were fruit and nut trees, we also had marina rights. This house and land is haunted!
I loved this place…

— Submitted June 26, 2025, by Denise M Alvarado of Grass Valley, California.

Photographed by Loren Wilson, April 12, 2014

2. Adelaide M. Ryerson House Marker

Adelaide M. Ryerson House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Loren Wilson, April 12, 2014

3. Adelaide M. Ryerson House

Dedication Ceremony at the Ryerson House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Loren Wilson, April 12, 2014

4. Dedication Ceremony at the Ryerson House

Credits. This page was last revised on June 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2014, by Loren Wilson of Sebastopol, California. This page has been viewed 1,211 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 13, 2014, by Loren Wilson of Sebastopol, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.