Built on the legacy of the Big Bonanza silver rush: ‘an heirloom property with a storied history’

In 1859, the discovery of Nevada’s Comstock Lode, the largest deposit of high-grade silver ore ever found in North America, was made public. ‘The Comstock lifted California out of a disheartening depression,’ wrote the lawyer and Comstock miner Grant H. Smith. ‘It rejuvenated San Francisco, which in 1860 was but a ragged little town of 52 thousand people… nearly all of the profits from the Comstock were invested in San Francisco real estate and the erection of fine buildings.’

Among those to profit from the silver rush was James Clair Flood. Born in New York in 1826, Flood sailed for San Francisco in 1849 in search of wealth and prosperity. In the late 1850s, he established a stock brokerage with his business partner, William O’Brien, and began investing in mining stocks. The pair then partnered with mining experts John Mackay and James Fair to quarry the Comstock Lode. Their discovery in 1873 of a major silver deposit known as the Big Bonanza made them all enormously rich.

By the late 1870s, the ‘Bonanza Kings’, as the four became known, were among the wealthiest men in America. Flood lived an exceptionally lavish lifestyle and indulged his desire for luxury and splendour by building and furnishing two magnificent properties: a brownstone on San Francisco’s Nob Hill, which is now home to the Pacific Union Club; and Linden Towers, a splendid Second Empire-style summer house in the leafy suburb of Menlo Park (present-day Atherton) that was designed to rival the finest mansions of the Gilded Age.

Designed by the architect Augustus Laver and completed in 1878, the 45,000-square-foot property — dubbed ‘Flood’s Wedding Cake’ thanks to its multi-tiered white exterior adorned with intricate spirals and scrollwork — stood in 674 acres of beautiful parkland. ‘It was an extravagant confection of turrets, gingerbread and towers, including one that was 150 feet tall,’ writes Pamela Gullard in Under the Oaks: Two Hundred Years in Atherton. The grounds included a lake, a swimming pool, a race track, bronze fountains and extensive barns with stalls for his horses.

The interior was equally impressive. All of the 40-odd rooms were opulently decorated and furnished with treasures from Asia and Europe. These included glass mosaics, crystal chandeliers, antique carpets, marble fireplaces and hand-carved wooden furniture. Each of the bedrooms had its own colour scheme, which was reflected in the curtains, linen and upholstery.

After Flood’s death in 1889, the house passed through various family members before being sold and demolished in 1936. The estate was then subdivided into parcels which now make up Lindenwood, one of the most desirable and exclusive neighbourhoods in America. Set behind discreet gates, Lindenwood is known for its wide, tree-lined streets, timeless architecture and large lots, many of which are more than an acre in size, offering residents a great deal of peace and privacy.

‘My clients are drawn to the fact that Lindenwood is a true neighbourhood,’ says Charlene Cogan, a Christie’s International Real Estate agent in Atherton. ‘You always find people walking their dogs, riding bikes and greeting each other.’

Another draw is its proximity to Silicon Valley’s major tech hubs, including Meta and Google, as well as to venture capital firms on Sand Hill Road. ‘It’s also served by excellent schools and is not far from downtown Menlo Park, which has great shopping and dining options,’ adds Cogan.

At the heart of Lindenwood is 77 Flood Circle, a 20,794-square-foot property designed in 2007 by the architect David Buergler, which is now being offered for sale via Christie’s International Real Estate. Set in 2.5 acres of grounds — making it the largest parcel in Lindenwood — the property spans three floors and has five bedrooms and four bathrooms, as well as expansive living and entertaining spaces, including a cinema and billiards lounge, all of which reflect an uncompromising commitment to craftsmanship.

Notable design details include the richly hued walnut floors, intricately carved fluted columns, chinoiserie wallpaper by de Gournay, Farrow & Ball paint and custom-designed light fittings. ‘No expense was spared,’ says Cogan, who notes that the sumptuous interiors were overseen by the Atherton-based designer Mary Linn Coldiron. ‘Coldiron’s vision and Buergler’s masterful use of millwork and space have brought the property’s history to life.’

Cogan’s favourite room in the house is the south-facing kitchen. ‘It’s so sunny and inviting,’ she says. ‘The curved wall of windows is an architectural marvel, and it allows you to take in the spectacular garden designed by Susan Ogle.’

The extensive grounds include a parterre garden and a large meadow — a perfect place for children to play. ‘There is also a sculpture fountain by the American artist Albert Guibara and the oldest magnolia tree in Lindenwood, if not all of Atherton,’ says Cogan, adding that the proprietor’s arborist certifies it as more than 150 years old. ‘It’s wonderful to think that Flood once admired this tree, too.’

There is also a heated pool and pool house with a kitchenette and changing room, which are located in octagonal pavilions at either end of a shaded terrace. These have bell-shaped roofs topped with oversized copper finials. Tucked away in a grove of magnolia trees is a separate guest house with a shingle and mahogany exterior. Elsewhere, there is a climate-controlled collector’s garage and a commercial-quality generator, while the gardens are served by a private irrigation system.

‘This is an heirloom property with a storied history,’ says Cogan. ‘It will appeal to anyone with an eye for the finest quality and a love of traditional architecture.’

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