The Fargo
House Project
I am Janessa Lynne Mason, a Creative Director living in Alameda, California. I’m in love with older homes, their history, the lore, and telling stories. I’ve always wanted to find an older home to celebrate and share with the world. The Fargo House appeared on the market near me, so I decided why not try and find someone to help me make the project come to life with this special house.
WHAT IS THE BIG IDEA?
I want to make a historic home the main character in its own ongoing story. Through photography, film, books, archival research, and thoughtful storytelling, I want to bring to life the richness inside and around this home. This is a residentially zoned property so there will be no tourists in and out of the home. Instead, its history will be shared beyond its walls through beautifully crafted content—allowing people to experience and appreciate the house without disrupting its residential character. Fictional characters may be created if permission from former residents or their descendants cannot be obtained.
WHAT AM I ASKING FOR?
Simply put, a risky investment. But I am a hard working dreamer that believes we could make history with this house, and I figure I lose nothing by trying. You will have enough money that this will feel like a fun side project to work with me on. This may be exclusively through financial backing the project, although you get to decide how involved you want to be.
WHAT WOULD PHASE ONE BE?
Aquire ownership (purchase the house) and professionally restore and curate the interior experience.
What is The Fargo Project?
1891 — The House Is Born
Queen Anne Victorian built by Alameda builder Thomas Ireland Pyne.
1892 — The Fargo Chapter
Earl & Mollie Fargo purchase the home. Earl, related to the Wells Fargo founding family, dies shortly afterward. Mollie remains for ~18 years.
1910–1912 — An Era Ends
Mollie dies. Her sister Susie Diamond later comes to settle the estate and is tragically killed by a train.
1912–1969 — The McCord/Ash Years
The McCord family purchases the home. It becomes a lively family house: a double wedding, art classes, children, renters, and even a backyard sawmill. During the WWII era, portions are converted into apartments.
1969–1971 — The House Goes Quiet
After Beatrice and Elbert Ash die, the family ultimately sells. The once-grand Victorian sits vacant and deteriorates.
1971–1990 — The Restoration
Jim & Marilyn Smallman buy the neglected house. Jim painstakingly restores it—and the experience helps turn him into an important Alameda preservationist.
1990–1999 — The Layard Years
Maxwell & Patricia Layard own the restored home for about nine years.
1999–2025 — Arthur & Gretchen Lipow
The Lipows make it home; Arthur's 10,000+ books fill its basement library. Gretchen also carries an extraordinary personal footnote: as a four-year-old, she attended Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera's 1940 remarriage in San Francisco.
2025–2026 — The Next Chapter
The Fargo House returns to the market—135 years after it was built, waiting for its next steward and its next story.
Now Let’s Create History.
What is the History of The Fargo House?
