It’s not every day that a historic home is listed for sale, ready for a new family to move in and build new memories within the walls of a Victorian-style house built in 1894.
Boasting 4,492 square feet, 14 rooms (including seven bedrooms), four-and-a-half bathrooms, a two-car garage and another one-car garage, Antioch’s Belshaw Mansion at 705 E St. is not expected to stay on the market for long.
Dave Costello — a trustee of the estate whose parents, Tom and Bari Costello (both of whom have passed away), bought the home 27 years ago — said that while he did not grow up in the house it’s a place where his wife and children have spent many family holidays, events and open houses.
“This has been ‘Grandma and Grandpa’s house’ that my kids and wife remember, so we have many great memories as a family in this wonderful home,” said Costello. “It’s time for the next family to take over, carry on the tradition of the Belshaw Mansion and enjoy living in this amazing home.”
Built originally for California state Sen. Charles M. Belshaw on nearly a quarter-acre lot, Costello said the home has been featured in various magazines, newspapers and historical papers. He noted that it’s also featured in the book “Images of America — Antioch,” written by Charles Bohakel, Phyllis Hiebert, Elizabeth Rimbault and Carole Ann Davis, produced by the Antioch Historical Society and found at local gift shops and bookstores.
“The Belshaw Mansion was also featured at Antioch City Park in an exhibit built for the city’s main public green,” added Costello, who said his family is the home’s fourth owner (visit thebelshawmansion.com online for more information).
While the mansion’s history and stature give vibes of grandeur, Wendy Shearer, the Rick Fuller Team (rickfullerinc.com) real estate agency’s lead listing coach, said they’re looking for the right buyer.
“This is a very beloved home and an integral part of Antioch’s history,” said Shearer. “It will take someone who has a good understanding of the history and who has a strong appreciation for it. Also someone with a vision on the best way to use it moving forward.”
Costello said the property has a wide appeal to various buyers.
“A lover of vintage homes is certainly just one potential buyer, but there are many potential buyers,” he said. “It’s a great choice for a single family looking for spacious living in the Bay Area or someone looking to host two families or multigenerational families in the home. The previous homeowners actually had the home as a two-family and it has a footprint that can easily be reconfigured for that living arrangement once again.”
He said the new owners won’t buy just a mansion but history too.
“My parents were co-founders of the Rivertown Preservation Society formed to support the area,” said Costello. “My mom was past president of the Antioch Historical Society and Antioch Women’s Club.
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“She played an instrumental role in helping to bring then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to Antioch. She organized numerous events and raised an impressive amount of money for community initiatives such as scholarships for local high school students. She also owned two antique shops in downtown Antioch, and my grandparents owned one of the most historical homes in Antioch, commonly known as The Wills Home.”
That’s not all — the Belshaw Mansion has made its mark in downtown Antioch as well.
“The Belshaw Street runs off of A Street. There’s, of course, the Belshaw Elementary School and one of the buildings in downtown was the Belshaw building, which eventually became the Masonic Lodge, which is still up and running” said Costello. “Some of the Belshaw family members were prominent figures in the development of early Antioch, including the water district, wharf, railroads, mines and mercantile.”
Knowing and appreciating the rich history of the Belshaws and the mansion, Costello said his parents hosted public tours of the home, carrying on the tradition of its original owners, who hosted many elegant gatherings at this home for city residents, people from across the state and country and even foreign guests. Costello shared what he loves most about the mansion.
“The overall grandeur and charm of the home — the hardwood floors, high ceilings, old-world moldings and a great sense of history,” he said. “The house has quite an interesting background given its previous occupants, who were elected officials. It’s very spacious and roomy and a real gem for the next family looking to enjoy their California living.”
Reach Charleen Earley, a freelance writer and journalism professor at Foothill and Diablo Valley colleges, at charleenbearley@gmail.com or 925-383-3072.