Thorn House
Why it's listed
Built around 1857 at 87 East St. Charles in San Andreas, this Gothic-style house was constructed by Sheriff Ben Thorn, a lawman famous for his work during the Gold Rush. Bricks were hauled from Stockton, about 50 miles away, by ox teams, while parts of the lower section use native stone and adobe, with walls 30 inches thick at the base. Features include a steep roof, ornamental barge boards, a porch, second-floor verandas on three sides, nine full-length French doors and a spiral wooden staircase. It had the first plastered interior in Calaveras County. The house was abandoned around 1952, then restored between 1957 and 1967 to match its original appearance while adding modern wiring, plumbing and heating. Original furnishings include a Weber grand piano and French pier mirrors. The nomination describes it as the most imposing California Carpenter Gothic example in the county, with nearly three acres of gardens.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it the most imposing example of California "Carpenter" Gothic in Calaveras County. It was built by Sheriff Ben Thorn, known for his Gold Rush era law enforcement, including the capture of notorious bandits. It also had the first plastered interior in Calaveras County.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 72000222, listed February 23, 1972. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 87 E. St. Charles St., San Andreas |
|---|---|
| County | Calaveras County |
| Listed | February 23, 1972 |
| Reference number | 72000222 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific date c. 1857) |
| Architect / builder | Built by Sheriff Ben Thorn |
| Architectural style | California version of New England Gothic; California "Carpenter" Gothic |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Restored 1957-67 as near to original as possible after being abandoned about 1952; condition listed as excellent and used as a private residence and museum, with occasional tours and benefit events. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Coordinates | 38.19533, -120.67872 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 72000222.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14684134
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.