McNally Mansion in Altadena Is Postcard-Worthy History Worth Preserving

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The iconic, three-story Andrew McNally mansion in Altadena, CA, is now on the market for $3.79 million. A lucky buyer can live in the residence once known the world over as a recruiting tool for the Southern California lifestyle.

Born in 1838, McNally originally hailed from Northern Ireland and partnered with William Rand in the map business in Chicago in the 1860s, and became a multimillionaire with Rand-McNally.

Like many other wealthy folks of the era, McNally traveled to Southern California. He became enamored with the climate and the landscape, and had architect Frederick Roehrig build him a winter house near Pasadena.

Built in 1888, the home was the site of many gatherings for McNally’s family and friends, including the titans of industry. It also appeared on numerous postcards extolling the virtues of spending winter months in warm California.

Postcard featuring the McNally mansion

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It’s easy to imagine McNally and his high-society friends smoking fat cigars and sipping whiskey from cut-crystal glasses in the octagonal Turkish room, also known as the smoking room.The room today appears much like it did when McNally had it decorated with Middle Eastern wood paneling and fabrics of persimmon-colored silks, low sofas and carpets, wood fluting and carvings, and Arabic phrases stenciled on the walls.

The Turkish room

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The home has had only four owners since McNally commissioned it. The current owners, who’ve possessed it for over 65 years, saved it from the wrecking ball in the 1950s. It was about to become the casualty of a developer who likely planned to subdivide the property and build postwar housing. The family lovingly and painstakingly restored the home’s grandeur and beauty.

“It’s one of the most exciting properties I’ve ever represented,” says listing agent Matthew Berkley, who works exclusively with historically significant homes.

Original doors, woodwork, glass, radiators, and stenciling

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Living room with one of seven fireplaces

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In the 1880s, indoor bathrooms weren’t exactly commonplace, and modern bathrooms were added over the years. The 6,938-square-foot house has nine bedrooms, 4.5 baths, two staircases, and seven fireplaces.

Bedroom with original fireplace

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Dining room

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Parlor with restored leather upholstery and stenciling

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Set at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains, the property once included many acres and even had its own railroad spur. The house now sits on an acre lot, and the grounds include deodar cedars, citrus and olive trees, broad green lawns, and colorful flowers.

There’s also an aviary, which is currently being used as a greenhouse. Since the railroad stop is no more, an automobile will be required to traverse modern-day Altadena.

Aviary/greenhouse

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The property offers amazing views from the valley to Catalina Island. If anything, the nighttime views are even more spectacular, with city lights twinkling between the mountains and the coast.

At this point in the home’s history, the sellers are “more concerned with the stewardship of the house,” says Berkley. That means developers who want to raze the place and build modern mansions aren’t going to have a shot.

The likely buyers are “people who appreciate a historic landmark and are looking at a piece of U.S. history worth preserving,” he adds.

A postcard extolling the original virtures of the home

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