Historic Altadena Mansion Boasts Victorian Aviary

ALTADENA, CA — This 1888 mansion built for famed mapmaker Andrew McNally was once the ultimate example of all the promise of Southern California, and every ounce of its original charm remains.

According to Realtor.com, it offers all "the promise of a high-spirited life's adventure, like a chance to step into C.S. Lewis's Narnia."

Early paintings of the 22-room mansion show a sunny, citrus paradise, and the sprawling grounds still boast the Victorian aviary, the wrap-around wood porch and a 999-square-foot carriage house.

Listed at $2,900,000, this historic home features Douglas Fir wood paneling, 24 working gas lamps, chandeliers, and wall sconces famous 'Turkish Room' with stunning, ornate murals and carvings you just have to see for yourself.

• Address: 654 E Mariposa St, Altadena, California
• Price: $2,900,000
• Square Feet: 6938
• Bedrooms: 9
• Bathrooms: 4 Full and 1 Half Baths
• Built: 1888
• Features: Frederick Roehrig, Architect. Built in 1888 for the great mapmaker Andrew McNally, its most important feature is intangible: the promise of a high-spirited life's adventure, like a chance to step into C.S. Lewis's Narnia. The elegance of this 22-room mansion is in the grand 12-foot-tall spaces; the clear heart vertical Douglas Fir wood paneling; a sunny, meandering butler's pantry; large, gracious bedrooms; the 24 working gas lamps, chandeliers, and wall sconces; and the massive windows allowing sunlight and cooling breezes from the mountains to flow through the house. A deep, old-fashioned wood porch wrapping the house provides play space in the rain and shade from the sun; a Victorian aviary and the world-famous 'Turkish Room' complete the property's unique character. Several rooms would be perfect as offices, including the round turret's top floor that presides over Altadena and Pasadena below. At least three sequences of rooms, including the former servants' wing, might lend themselves to private suites or even a separate apartment, including the potential conversion of the huge attic of the six-vehicle, 999-square-foot carriage house as guest quarters or the perfect musician's studio. Imagination, creativity, and livability are alive and awake here.

This listing originally appeared on realtor.com. For more information and photos, click here.