“The Red House” was located in Sonora, CA. This mysterious house painted in a vibrant shade of red stands a majestic Victorian house.
Over the years, this iconic landmark has captured the imagination of locals and visitors alike, sparking curiosity about its rich history and the stories it holds within its walls.
Some records indicate that it was likely built around 1896, the identity of its original owner remains a subject of debate.
Some believe that S.S. Bradford had the architect Clarence Warwick Ayers design this house for his daughter Ada and her husband Frank Wilson Street. In contrast, others attribute its creation to different individuals.
The house has been called the Bradford-Morgan House. It has changed hands several times throughout its history. From the Streets to the Morgans and eventually the Rombaughs, each family left its mark on the house, shaping its story in unique ways.
Frank Wilson Street, Ada’s husband, was born in Illinois in 1854. His father is Marvin Street, a successful merchant with stores in Illinois, New York, and Arkansas.
Frank went through tough times early on. His dad passed when he was around 15, and even earlier, his big brother Harlow died during the Civil War when Frank was only 9. He promised his mom, Elizabeth, to take care of her.
They moved to California to be with relatives, where Frank became a successful lawyer, running a firm with his cousin Charles. He married Ada on May 24, 1881, and lived in that beautiful Sonora house. They had three sons together, but two of their sons passed away before their first birthday.
But their story didn’t stop there. Frank and his son Horace decided to move to the Oakland hills, starting their law firm, “Street and Street.” Frank lived till he was 80 and was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland.
After the Streets left, the Morgan family bought “The Red House” in Sonora.
Frank Albert Morgan, born on February 25, 1869, in Tuolumne County, brought a new chapter to the house.
Frank grew up to be a salesman for Sperry Flour, covering Tuolumne County. He married Ora Moss when she was just 21, and they had a son named Raymond.
They were pretty social, throwing big parties and hanging out with famous people like Tom Mix, a cowboy film star.
Sadly, Frank passed away in 1933, leaving Ora with their homes in Sonora and Berkeley. Ora was a great writer and kept journals about her life in Sonora. Their son Raymond also became a writer, making a radio show called “Chandu the Magician.”
Later, George and Valora Rombaugh owned the house, using part of it for their donut shop. Then, it became a bakery and ice cream parlor, bringing joy to lots of people in the 1960s.
After that, Virgil Gunter bought it, maybe even painting it red.
In the 1980s, it became an attorney’s office, and now it’s a dentist’s office for Dr. Ron Rankin.