Phillipshurst-Riverwood
Also known as: Blake Hammond Manor
Why it's listed
Riverwood is a Tudor Manor style country house beside the San Lorenzo River near Ben Lomond. It grew in stages from Phillipshurst, a 1913 redwood bungalow built by Dr. William A. Phillips, a retired physician known as the Father of the San Lorenzo Valley. In 1923 Dr. William E. Musgrave and his wife bought the property and hired San Francisco architect Albert Farr to remodel and greatly expand it. The result is about 10,000 square feet with a Great Hall, a crenellated tower house, Tudor arches, Cotswold roofs and shingled walls. John McLaren, designer of Golden Gate Park, laid out the gardens on what was then 150 acres. From 1936 the estate served as a school and home under the name Blake Hammond Manor, until 1969. The house is considered the only known Farr work in Santa Cruz County and the area's most impressive example of the Bay Area tradition. Later owners restored it, and about 7.5 acres remain.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is significant for its English Period Revival styling and as an example of the work of San Francisco Bay Area architect Albert Farr. It is the only known Farr work in Santa Cruz County. It is also tied to Dr. William A. Phillips and Dr. William E. Musgrave, two prominent physicians.
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 83004369, listed August 4, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | CA 9, Ben Lomond |
|---|---|
| County | Santa Cruz County |
| Listed | August 4, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83004369 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Albert Farr |
| Architectural style | Eclectic American Tudor Manor House (English Period Revival), with Bay Area tradition shingle treatment |
| Areas of significance | Landscape Architecture, Health/Medicine, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as a private residence; described as in excellent condition, with the Riverwood sections restored to their original condition and design. |
| Acreage | 7.5 |
| Coordinates | 37.10047, -122.10047 (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 83004369.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.