Octagon House, with a view of the Golden Gate from its cupola, was built only a few years after the Gold Rush. The house was a family residence until the late 1920s, when it was acquired by a utility company. Its purchase by the California Society in 1952, for one dollar, and subsequent restoration in 1953, saved this charming landmark for future generations. Octagonal in shape, the exterior remains essentially in its original condition, while the interior has been extensively modified for use as California Society headquarters and a hospitable setting for social occasions.