Historic Houses of Colfax

Peers-Gard House
Artist: George Mathis

Peers-Gard House

Old Truckee Road, Colfax, CA
Architect: Bernard Maybeck
Original Owner: Robert A. Peers, MD.
Current Owners: Dave & Stephanie Gard

Dr. Peers did pioneering work in the treatment of tuberculosis.  He established clinics here and received recognition for his work toward removing TB from the list of fatal diagnosis. He was appointed to the State Board of Health and served on the California Tuberculosis Commission.

He was instrumental in the incorporation of Colfax and served at its mayor for 23 years.

The house was built in 1921 by architect Bernard Maybeck and the Colfax Record described it at the time as “the most wonderful house built in Superior California”.

Current owners are Stephanie and Dave Gard. Dave is a former Colfax mayor and the owner of Winner Chevrolet.

Neff House

Neff House

55 West Grass Valley St., Colfax, CA

Original Owner: Jacob Hart Neff (1830-1909)

Current Owner: Cynthia Jacob

Jacob Neff was a 49er who came west in the Gold Rush and made a fortune in an Iowa Hill gold mine. After making his fortune, he served as California’s lieutenant governor. He was also President of the California Mining Association and a regent of the University of California.

This beautifully restored historic house – the restoration was done by Brian Garcia – was originally built in the 1850’s.

The Jacob family undertook two major restoration projects in Colfax, the Neff House and the Colfax Theatre. In 1989 they purchased the Colfax Theatre, undertaking a renovation which preserved the Art Deco theatre style of its 1939 heritage. In 2012 the theatre was sold to cinematographer Gary Tomsic who made additional upgrades to it.

Kuenzly House

Kuenzly House

102 Pleasant St. (& Depot), Colfax, CA

Original Owner: Judge Jacob Kuenzly

Current Owner: Franklin Phaner

Built in 1897 by Judge Jacob Kuenzly, the Colfax postmaster and a Justice of the Peace. Jacob Kuenzly was born in Switzerland, coming here at age 19 with his father to seek his fortune when gold was discovered. The house was inherited by his daughter and her husband, Henry Lobner, who owned the general merchandise store in Colfax and was vice-president of the Rising Sun Mine. It was known as the “Halfway House” as it was the stopping off point for many of the Kuenzly’s friends traveling through Colfax to Lake Tahoe and Reno on the train.

This historic Colfax house was the first house in the city to have electricity and sits at the foot of the “Big Hill” overlooking Colfax.

Graestone

Graestone House

Grass Valley Hwy. (Hwy. 174), Colfax, CA
Original Owners: T. Garvin Mitchell & Eileen Mitchell
Current Owner: George & Ruth Beckman

T. Garvin Mitchell owned the Colfax Fruit Exchange and became a partner in the Colfax Pharmacy. They built this beautiful country European-style home in the 1930’s using stones from the Rising Sun and Empire gold mines, hence the name Graestone. In the 1930’s Eileen was a founding member and first president of the Colfax Garden Club. She planted the grounds with flora and fauna purchased during trips to the San Francisco Arboretum. After being widowed, Eileen married widower Chester Gibbs, owner of the Colfax Telephone Co., and moved into his house on Marvin Ave. in Colfax.

Dr. Gibbs and his wife were deeply involved in community affairs and dedicated a $2 million trust fund to Colfax High School seniors for college scholarships.

Current owners George & Ruth Beckman are beautifully restoring the grounds and gardens. In 2015 it was part of the annual Colfax Garden Club tour of gardens.

Perkins House
Photo by Nancy Hagman / Special to the Colfax Record

Perkins House

3 E. Church St., Colfax, CA

Early Owners: Theodore & Eliza Perkins; Jeannie Perkins & Morris Lobner

Current: Jeff & Karen Williams

Built in 1877 by J.M and Christina Graham, the Perkins family moved into it in 1883. Theodore Perkins operated the Colfax General Store on Main St. (now known as the Colfax Market). Their daughter Jeannie married Morris Lobner. Morris served 46 years as the agent for the Central Pacific Railroad and Nevada Co. Narrow Gauge Railroad. He was involved in numerous real estate – including the development of Chicago Park – and farming enterprises and assisted Dr. Robert Peers in establishing his famous tuberculosis practice.

Morris for many years organized the annual Colfax Fourth of July events and traditionally read the Declaration of Independence on that day. He was on the Colfax Board of School Trustees and a fundraiser for the schools.

The house was bought by Jeff Williams, a contractor specializing in historic house renovations. His beautiful local work includes this house.

Rhinehart House

Rhinehart House

233 Culver St., Colfax, CA
1920’s era

Current owners: Cindy & Edward Vine

The historic Rhinehart garden was featured on the cover of “Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul” in the late 1990s. Vintage handbag designer Cindy Vine and husband Edward recently undertook a stylish renovation of both the house and garden.

1880 Hubley House
Artist: Steve Coverston

Hubley House

24820 Ben Taylor Rd., Colfax, CA
1880’s Farmhouse

The Hubley House history is found elsewhere on this website. Go HERE to view.

212 S. Main Street

212 S. Main Street

212 S. Main St., Colfax, CA

Current owner: Richard Fong

This downtown Colfax house has a colorful history. It was built elsewhere and moved to its current location on the corner of Main St. Owner Richard has heard two different versions from old-time locals about when this was built: 1860 and 1912.

107 Culver Street
Photo by DJ shekky

107 Culver Street

107 Culver St., Colfax, CA
1896 house

Currently owners: Dee Dee and Kirk Panelli.

The above house histories are excerpted in part from a series of articles written by Nancy Hagman and originally published in the Colfax Record.