Dina, an interior & retail designer and Richard, a real estate developer and general contractor often found themselves in Napa Valley on Sundays as an easy escape from city life. Driving through the many towns in Napa and Sonoma Valleys and admiring both quaint cottages and grand estates were the makings of an absolutely perfect afternoon for the couple.
“Discovering the Francis House was like uncovering a hidden treasure”. Uninhabited for the past 50 years, it is a picture of time standing still. “There was no doubt we wanted to take on this project even before we knew exactly what we could do with it.”
It is the very first stone building the Dwyers are restoring and also the most prominent property they have acquired. This website will chronicle the many challenges and painstaking work that is required to bring back to life the only stone building in Napa County that is authentic in the Second Empire architecture.
It began as a family home for prominent local merchant James H Francis (1886) and converted to the Calistoga Hospital (1919). One hundred and thirty years later, a structure that survived many natural calamities and has been “disconnected” from the grid for 50 years will be back, this time as a bed and breakfast property in 2018.
Cant wait to be one of the first visitors of Francis House after the restoration. I am sure Dina and Richard will fix it up to high specs and beauty. Congratulations!
I am fascinated with houses that has history and withstand the test of time. This is very interesting and I cant wait to see it restoration. Congratulations!
I fell in love with this property many years ago. It’s become an obsession of sorts. Each time I visit Calistoga I have to go by and say hello. I was so worried one day I would drive up and it would have been demolished. I even wrote a letter to the McMenamins in Oregon to ask if the would restore her. When my daughter told me it had been purchased and was being restored I was over joyed. Took a ride up to check it out. There was nothing left of this beautiful building but four lower walls, very sad. It’s very nice to hear that it has been purchased by someone who loves her as much as I. She will be a beauty once again. Thank you and congratulations.
Hi Lydia Rose. Thanks for writing. Yes it was sad to tear the annex down. Hopefully, when we are done, you will agree that we did a good job and you will pass it again, like you used to do, and remember that everything in life needs loving care to remain beautiful. I will be in touch again in the future. Keep watching and following the progress. Thank you for your interest.