Schorlig House
Why it's listed
Built in 1885, this two-story Italianate house at 1050 12th Street in Arcata was constructed for Louis E. Schorlig, a florist and businessman, by local carpenter Shepherd Hall. It once sat amid colorful flowerbeds and orchards that covered an entire city block. The house has a hip roof with mansard-style roofing over its square bays, grouped round-headed upper windows, bracketed window shelves, and a rear cottage section with a cutout balustrade. It is one of only two remaining two-story Italianates built in Arcata in the 1880s, and it keeps an open front yard that gives the home needed perspective. Schorlig, born in Leipzig in 1851, was known for his gardens, greenhouses, and produce business, and his family held the property until 1969. Recent renovation removed later asbestos siding and converted the interior into five apartments, while the exterior remains much as originally built. It was recognized for its architecture and for its link to a notable local citizen.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues local significance in architecture, as one of only two remaining two-story Italianate houses built in Arcata in the 1880s. It is also associated with Louis E. Schorlig, a well-known florist and businessman. Its open front yard helps preserve the setting of the home.
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 78000670, listed November 20, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1050 12th St., Arcata |
|---|---|
| County | Humboldt County |
| Listed | November 20, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78000670 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1885 |
| Architect / builder | Shepherd Hall |
| Architectural style | Italianate |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Recently renovated, with asbestos shingle siding removed; the interior is arranged into five apartment units and the exterior remains close to original. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.87225, -124.08844 (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 78000670.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q133266694
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.