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John Alexander Paxton made his fortune as California fortunes were made
in the late 19th Century: banking, mining, lumber, property.
In 1879, he created the Madrona Knoll Rancho by purchasing 240 acres west of Healdsburg for $10,500.00 and building
a seventeen-room Victorian mansion for an additional $12,000.00.
Mr. Paxton spent the weekends on his rancho but commuted every Monday, by train or on horseback, to San Francisco
to tend his enterprises. He set a pattern, once again popular with San Franciscans who made their fortunes as
California fortunes were made in the late 20th Century: banking, technology, media, property.
Since 1981, Madrona Manor and its dependencies have been open to the public as
a country inn and restaurant. Tales are told that the main house is haunted by benevolent spirits.
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