Wynyate
Why it's listed
Wynyate, a Welsh word for vineyard, is a three-story late Victorian house of redwood at 851 Lyndon Street in South Pasadena. Built in 1887 by Donald M. Graham, it is painted grey with white trim and shows a flamboyant, picturesque eclectic style. Fish scale shingles cover most of the upper stories, the veranda uses spindle work, and an octagonal lookout tower sits above a Juliette balcony. A carved crest dated 1887 appears under the eaves. The house is regarded as one of the first imposing Victorian homes in the city and perhaps its best surviving example, with wood craftsmanship well preserved inside and out. Graham became the first mayor of South Pasadena in 1888. His wife, Margaret Collier Graham, was a writer and first president of the Los Angeles Friday Morning Club, and the home was a center of cultural life, welcoming Mary Austin, John Muir and Charles F. Lummis. A lemon eucalyptus planted by Muir in 1889 still stands. The form noted a possible freeway extension as a threat.
Significance in brief: It is described as one of the first imposing Victorian houses in South Pasadena and perhaps the best surviving local example, noted for its excellent preservation inside and out. It was the home of Donald M. Graham, the city's first mayor, and writer Margaret Collier Graham, and hosted literary figures such as Mary Austin, John Muir and Charles F. Lummis. A lemon eucalyptus planted by John Muir in 1889 remains on the grounds.
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 73000407, listed April 24, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 851 Lyndon St., South Pasadena |
|---|---|
| County | Los Angeles County |
| Listed | April 24, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73000407 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 19th and 20th centuries; specific date 1887 |
| Architect / builder | Donald M. Graham (builder) |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian, flamboyant picturesque eclectic |
| Areas of significance | Landscape Architecture, Literature, Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Good condition, occupied as a private residence; altered in minor ways, with the porte-cochere gone and some decorative features being restored. The form states the house is threatened by possible freeway extension. |
| Acreage | 2 |
| Coordinates | 34.11084, -118.15869 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 73000407.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q38250943
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.