Statement of Significance (as of designation - May 28, 1987):
Built in 1857, this Renaissance Revival, two story, square house was the residence of the two Civil War Governors of California. Pro-Union Leland Stanford (1824-1893) was the first Republican to be elected Governor of the State; his successor, Frederick F. Low (1828-1894), was elected under the banner of the Union Party, a coalition of Republicans and Northern Democrats. Their leadership from 1862 to 1870 insured the State remained loyal to the Union. Stanford also served as President of the Central Pacific Railroad, which constructed the western portion of the transcontinental rail system.

The Leland and Jane Stanford House is the only surviving structure associated with Leland Stanford's career. The house is owned by California State Parks but has not been used or occupied for several years. Winter storms in 1997-98 caused damage and added to the overall deterioration. Currently State Parks is working with a private non-profit organization to develop plans for adaptive reuse of the mansion as a museum, meeting and reception site. The plans are being developed in conjunction with representatives from the preservation community to ensure the integrity of the building.