The Palmtag, Muzzio, Bowen mansion

Sitting atop 4 acres of a Northern California knoll, skirted by organic farm land, within audible distance of the Pacific crashing at its feet, sits a beautifully restored, old sister of a manse.

want it?

2.7 mill. will get you this beauty. As I found out when the real estate link was recently sent to me by a friend, claiming she'd do unscrupulous things to own this house {considering her bank account wouldn't support it} And who can blame her. I might even have to rally her on to follow through.

The house originally sat in the nearby town of Watsonville Califorinia just East of its present location.

Commissioned in 1872 by German immigrants, Christian and Fredricka Palmtag, the Italianate Victorian was designed by a local architect for the couple who owned a brewery.


Mr Palmtag died at age 49 leaving the home to Mrs Palmtag, who continued living in the house until her death in 1911. Angelina Muzzio, a widow, purchased the mansion in 1918. She supported her family by hosting elegant gatherings and banquets, serving wine even during Prohibition. She raised three daughters and lived in the house until her death in 1985.

As time went on and the house sat empty, the Muzzio family agreed to sell the property to the city of Watsonville as long as they'd give the house away to a chosen applicant. The house was awarded to the Bowen family in 1998~ who won it for $1.00 {yes, that's: four quarters}.

The Bowens, had it moved to its current location and set about to completely restore it.

The site where the property once stood, in Watsonville, CA is now an unnamed playground:

Much of the outside of the house remains similar to its original state, however major repairs were necessary as the house sustained damage in the big 1989 Loma Prieta quake.

The majority of the ornamentation on the inside of the house is modern and was implemented by the Bowen family who believed that the Palmtag's would have appointed such features, had they not run out of money for the project.

a 900 square foot carriage house was also added to the property.

the parlor:

the dining room:

the kitchen:

master bedroom:

the carriage house addition:


ready to buy it?

87 Sanderling Hill, La Selva Beach.

4 bedrooms, 2½ baths, 2,850 square feet, plus carriage house.

contact: Heather Fuller, Sothbey's international

831-594-3464

all photos property of Sothbey's