William R. Thorsen House (Berkeley, California)

 house, fraternity, NRHP - National Register of Historic Places, American Craftsman (architecture)

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The William R. Thorsen House, often referred to as the Thorsen House, was built in 1909 by William Randolph and Caroline Canfield Thorsen. Designed by Henry and Charles Greene, of the renowned Pasadena firm of Greene & Greene. The House is considered as the last of four ultimate bungalows and is the only one located in Northern California.

William Thorsen was a lumber baron from Michigan who retired to California and purchased a lot in Berkeley. His wife, Caroline, is the sister of Nellie Canfield Blacker of the Robert R. Blacker House. She was inspired by the Greene brothers' work and also wanted a wooden house like her sister's as she was the wife and daughter of men in the lumber business.

The house is currently owned by the Sigma Phi Society, which is raising funds for an extensive $10 million restoration and seismic upgrade.

National Register of Historic Places # 78000646

www.thorsenhouse.org/