Migliavacca House
Why it's listed
Built between 1890 and 1893 for Italian-born winemaker G. Migliavacca, this three-story Queen Anne house in Napa was designed by local architect W. H. Corlett. Its lower walls are redwood siding, while the upper stories are covered in imported Italian slate shingles. A corner turret with curved glass, porches on several levels, wagon wheel railings, circular porch openings and elaborate dentil work make it an unusual example of the style. Migliavacca built a winery beside the house that grew to produce over a million gallons a year and earned medals at expositions in Paris, Dublin and Chicago. After the county bought the lot in 1970 for a library, the house faced demolition and was moved twice, reaching its present site in 1975. The brick addition, wine cellar and original landscaping were lost. The house was recognized chiefly for its architectural quality and detail, and for being saved from demolition near its original site.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is one of the largest, most ornate homes in Napa and an unusual variation of Queen Anne style, with Italian slate shingling, circular porch openings and wagon wheel railings. It also reflects the career of Migliavacca, whose winery won international medals. It was moved to avoid demolition but retains architectural value.
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 78000724, listed March 30, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Division St., Napa |
|---|---|
| County | Napa County |
| Listed | March 30, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78000724 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1890-1893 |
| Architect / builder | W.H. CORLETT |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne Style |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as in excellent condition and unoccupied at the time of nomination, with restoration under way for conversion to office use. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Within district | Napa Abajo-Fuller Park Historic District |
| Coordinates | 38.29500, -122.28820 (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.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
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 78000724.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q133308263
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.