The 1910 photograph is from the Historical American Buildings Survey. According to the survey, Architect Edward R. Swain designed this Richardson Romanesque building for William Frank Whittier, and it was built between 1894 and 1896. The 80 by 140 foot building has two stories, a basement, and an attic. The exterior walls are red Arizona sandstone and the roof is red tile. The interior is richly decorated.

It was occupied by the German Consulate just before World War II and later by the California Historical Society.

Students of the paranormal tell us that the Whittier Mansion is haunted. To learn more, please see National Landmark 76000524.