Dollar, Robert, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1891 at the corner of J Street and Forbes Avenue in San Rafael, this wood-frame Queen Anne house was the first home of shipping magnate Robert Dollar in Marin County. The Newsom Brothers of San Francisco designed it, and J. E. Bundy built it. It has a high hip roof, a two-story gabled bay, a pedimented entrance porch, sunburst details, and redwood siding and trim milled in western Marin County. Stained glass windows and other original details were restored during a renovation finished in 1988. Dollar and his brother John bought the lot in 1889 and built two side-by-side houses. Dollar lived here until 1907, when he moved to Falkirk. During these years he bought his first schooner and began the shipping business that became American President Lines. The house is valued both for its architecture, one of two known Newsom Brothers designs in San Rafael, and for its link to Dollar's early career.
Significance in brief: The house is primarily significant for its architecture as a classic Queen Anne design by the Newsom Brothers, who were among the most productive designers in 19th-century California. It is also tied to Robert Dollar, founder of the shipping line that became American President Lines, who built it as his first and only self-built home in Marin County. Dollar launched his maritime career and his diplomacy with Japan and China while living there.
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 91000920, listed July 23, 1991. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 115 J St., San Rafael |
|---|---|
| County | Marin County |
| Listed | July 23, 1991 |
| Reference number | 91000920 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1891-1907 |
| Architect / builder | Newsom Brothers, Architect; Bundy, J. E., Builder |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Transportation, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Used as a single-family dwelling; a complete renovation completed in 1988 restored the house to its original Victorian appearance. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Coordinates | 37.97983, -122.54142 (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 91000920.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q133295627
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.