E.K. Wood House, 1906
Robson-Harrington House, 2010
We know the dignified and imposing wood-frame mansion at 237 Crescent Road as the Robson-Harrington House. However, neither the Robsons nor the Harringtons were the first owners or builders of the San Anselmo landmark.
The house was built by Edwin Kleber Wood and his wife, Marian Thayer Wood. Wood founded the E.K. Wood Lumber Company, a prosperous company incorporated in California in 1895.
The house was completed in 1906 and is shown here shortly afterwards. It was set on 2.68 acres on the slope of a hill with views of Mt. Tamalpais and Bald Hill in one direction and of Red Hill in the other. The house is distinguished by its large size and straightforward design. The rusticated stone base and columns, the “belt” defining the border between the two floors, the hip roof and dormers on multiple sides, and the balustraded second floor porch extending out over the porte cochere provide interesting architectural details. Interior details, moldings, inlaid floors, rich wood paneling of curly redwood, oak, walnut, and birdseye maple, befit an owner prominent in the lumber industry.
One of the E. K. Wood Lumber Company’s schooners has outlived the company’s fame. The C. A. Thayer, named for Wood’s partner and brother-in-law Clarence A. Thayer, is preserved at the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park.
In 1923, the Wood heirs sold the Crescent Road estate to Kernan and Geraldine Robson for $18,500.
The Robsons planted extensive orchards and a vineyard. They also added all the curving brick walls which surround the estate, using bricks salvaged from old houses acquired in the course of Mr. Robson’s business. Stonemasons adorned the grounds with archways, fountains, and elaborate wall niches. The ceramic tiles and architectural terracotta pieces are from well-known California manufacturers, including Gladding, McBean & Co., California Clay Products, Malibu Potteries and California Art Tile.
The Robsons expanded the original house. They enclosed the second floor front porch, expanded the dining room and added a terrace room, sunroom, sleeping porch, study, and outside shower on the second floor.
The house and property were bequeathed by the Robsons to the San Francisco Theological Seminary or to the City of San Anselmo, if the Seminary declined the bequest. The Seminary did decline the property, and in May 1968, San Anselmo formally accepted it. Kernan Robson honored his parents in designating that his bequest to San Anselmo be called Robson-Harrington Park. It is a Town treasure.