Wilson House
Why it's listed
Built in 1906 at 860 University in Palo Alto, this two-and-a-half-story wood-frame house is a Colonial Revival residence attributed to a Mr. Peck. Its upper floor is covered in narrow clapboard and the lower floor in wider clapboard, beneath a hipped roof with low hipped dormers. A one-story verandah wraps the front and sides, and its roof rests directly on slender columns without capitals, giving the canopy a floating look. The most admired feature is a rounded stair-well bay nearly two stories tall, filled with elaborate stained glass that includes a waterfall scene. The house sits in a large landscaped garden with a carriage house, a small garage and a shed at the rear. Sun porch additions from the 1930s were made, with little effect on the original fabric. The house was listed for its architectural quality, its scale and detailing, and its role as a model of the Colonial Revival style used across Palo Alto, especially in the Professorville area, between about 1895 and 1915.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is architecturally significant as an outstanding example of Colonial Revival design, notable for its large scale, its unusual floating porch roof and its two-story rounded stained-glass stair bay. It is described as a prototype of a style widely used in Palo Alto between about 1895 and 1915. It is also called a remnant of an early 20th century neighborhood.
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 80000862, listed January 2, 1980. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 860 University St., Palo Alto |
|---|---|
| County | Santa Clara County |
| Listed | January 2, 1980 |
| Reference number | 80000862 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1906 |
| Architect / builder | Mr. Peck |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as occupied private residence in excellent condition; the carriage house is now used as a garage. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 37.45286, -122.15459 (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 80000862.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q55757583
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.