City of Oroville - C F Lott Home in Sank Park

C F Lott Home in Sank Park Open: Friday - Sunday - Monday
11:30a.m. to 3:30p.m.

Closed: Dec 15 - Jan 31

Admission: $2.00

Children Under 12 Free

Group Tour Discounts
(15 or more) - $1.50

For information and Group Reservations call (530) 538-2415

     The house, a Victorian gothic revival style cottage, was built by 49'er Charles Fayette Lott for his bride Susan. The story says they ate their first meal in their new home on Christmas Day in 1856 , and a packing case served as their table. The family lived in the home until 1962.

     The C.F. Lott Historic Home serves as a historic house museum and a cultural repository for decorative art objects typical of Oroville's pioneer families. The collection includes furniture, paintings, rugs, textiles, clothes, silver and glassware during the Lott family period 1949-1910.

The Family
CF Lott Home      Charles Fayette Lott joined a wagon train bound for California in 1849 with a law degree in his pocket. He began his law practice at Bidwell Bar when he discovered the need for lawyers was greater than for miners. Elected State Senator for Butte County in 1851, he moved to Oroville when the county seat was moved there in 1856.

     Charles Lott married Susan F. Hyer of Pennsylvania the same year. They had three children: Sarah Virginia (who died at the age of two), Charles Fayette Jr., and Cornelia.

     Interested in the agricultural development of the county, Lott became the first president of the Oroville Citrus Association. He was active in many fraternal organizations, and politics was always part of his life. Lott was elected Judge of the 2nd Judicial District in 1870. He continued his interest in mining and land development, and lived to his 94th year.

     Fayette Jr. never married and lived in the home until his death in 1927. Cornelia grew up in Oroville, attending Bird Street School and then the Irving Institute in San Francisco. Cornelia married Jesse Sank after her father and brother died. Jesse devoted himself to Cornelia's comfort and happiness after their marriage. Jesse Sank built many of the interesting garden features as tributes to his beloved wife. Cornelia died on August 15, 1953. Jesse willed the property to the City of Oroville in Cornelia's memory with the stipulation that the orange grove be maintained and that picnic tables be provided for public use.

Sank Park - An Old Fashioned Garden
CF Lott Home      The "Old-Fashioned" or "Geometric Style Gardens," first defined by A. J. Downing, was distinguished by regularity and symmetry. The Victorian's garden was designed to express the taste and affluence of a successful businessman. The house and garden combined to create a beautiful effect, which invited people outdoors to enjoy the grass, flowers, play croquet, and rest on rustic benches or in airy summer houses.

     Landscape architect Vernon M. Dean designed a Victorian garden in Sank Park. Cornelia's picnic tables are located in what is left of the family orange orchard. Also included are a rose garden, an herb garden, birck walks, fountains, a gazebo, and covered patio which provide space for a variety ofr community uses.

     The annual Victorian Tea is held on the first Sunday of February and is sponsored by the park docents. The Mistletoe Party at Christmas and Craft Faire/Flea Market in the Spring are annual events sponsored by the Friends of the Parks, whose many activities support the development of Oroville's museums and parks.

                   Click the pictures below for a larger image.


The CF Lott Home	The Gazebo	The Coach House

RESERVATION FEES

      Reservations can be made by calling 530.538.2415

Group Use
   - Excluding Weddings -

      Per person rate
      Kitchen rental
      Refundable Cleaning Deposit
      Fundraiser/Admission
      Friends of the Parks events
      Coach room (per person rate)

$1.50 plus deposit
$75.00 plus deposit
$125.00
$350.00 plus deposit
Free
$1.50

Wedding Only Gazebo with use of Coach Room -
   - No Use of Kichen or Patio -

      City Residents
      Non-City Resident
      Refundable Cleaning Deposit

$160.00 plus deposit
$190.00 plus deposit
$125.00

Wedding and Reception
   - Gazebo/Kitchen/Patio/Coach -

      City Residents
      Non-City Resident
      Refundable Cleaning Deposit

$400.00 plus deposit
$475.00 plus deposit
$125.00

Size & Area Information

      Lott park
      Lott Home
      Caretakers Quarters
      Coach House
      Gazebo
      Chair Shed
      Patio Cover

1.96 Acres
3,949 Square Feet
748 Square Feet
596 Square Feet
211 Square Feet
196 Square Feet
1,421 Square Feet

GUIDELINES & PROCEDURES

RESERVATIONS
      Reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis. They are effective upon full payment of the use fee and cleaning deposit. The refund of cleaning deposit is contingent upon the grounds the kitchen, patio, and gazebo being left clean, equipment put away, removal of decorations and other materials. After certification that all conditions have been met, a refund check will be mailed by the City Finance Department within 20 working days.

      In the event of cancellation, the renter will forfeit 50% of the "Use Fee" paid. The entire amount paid will be refunded for inclement weather only, no other exceptions. The "Cleaning Deposit" will be refunded upon any cancellation.

      Arrangements for rehearsals must be made in advance by contacting the Secretary for the Department of Parks and Trees. There is no charge for the rehearsal only. A rehearsal dinner, however, is considered a separate event and is, therefore, subject to additional "Use Fee" charges.

      The person making the reservation shall be responsible for working with the Park Technician, and the conduct of the guests at the activity.

FACILITIES AVAILABLE
      Areas NOT included within any rental agreement are the public picnic area in the southwest corner of the Park and the Lott Home itself. Please remember that Lott-Sank Park is a City-owned public park. During the hours between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Friday, Sunday & Monday, the Lott Home is open and available to the public for tours. Should you wish your guests to tour the home, group tour arrangements can be make at the group admissions rate by contacting the Parks office. These tours are only available during open hours.

      Rental Kitchen: Convenient for Caterers; newly remodeled with 2 electric cooktops and ovens; 3 refrigerator / freezers; 2 microwaves; 2 dishwashers; 2 warming ovens; 3 large coffee pots (2-30 cup and 1-60 cup); 2 double sinks.

      Renters must bring: brooms, ladders, scissors, tacks, tape, extension cords, hammers, food serving utensils, rags, wipe cloths, additional chairs or tables needed.

      Patio: Lighting, space heaters, and ceiling fans are installed under a covered patio area. (10) 6-foot tables, (6) round white patio tables, (79) metal folding chairs, (170) plastic chairs, and piano are available for use.

PARK RULES AND GUIDELINES
      Events or the setting up for events shall not start before 9:00 a.m.

      Amplified Music: Limited to a 4-hour period, and must terminate by 8:30 p.m. Monday thru Saturday and by 8:00 p.m. on Sunday. Renters must obtain an approved permit from the Parks Department.

      Alcohol Permit: Required if you wish to serve champagne, beer, wine, or hard liquor. There is a fee for both alcohol and amplification permits. This permit is obtained from the Parks Department.

      It is the renter's responsibility to obtain any additional chairs or tables needed, and for the set-up and take-down of all equipment.

THE LOTT FAMILY STORY

CF Lott Home       Welcome to the home of Judge Charles F. Lott, Sr. Judge Lott was a practicing attorney in Quincy, Illinois when -- like so many others -- he was bitten by the "gold fever" bug.

      He traveled to California over the old Lassen Trail with the Quincy Party and first settled in Long's Bar. He soon discovered that the hard, dirty work searching for gold was not for him and he retumed to the practice of law.

      In 1851 Judge Lott was elected Senator from Butte County, and was very instrumental in establishing law and order in this area.

      In 1855 Oroville was named the county seat. Believing that his future was here, he purchased this parcel of property for $200 and started building the Lott home in 1856. That same year he also went east and returned with a bride, Susan Heyer of Pennsylvania.

      They had three children; Sarah Virginia, known as Ginny, who died shortly before her third birthday. Mrs. Lott never recovered from the loss of the little girl. They later had a son, Charles Fayette Lott, Jr., who was known as Faye, and a daughter, Cornelia Deare.

      Faye was very retiring and rather slow. He remained a bachelor and lived his entire 57 years in the Lott Home. Cornelia, as a result of a fall her mother had while carrying her, was born with a facial tick and rather weak legs.

      The Judge was extremely protective of both children, as he felt that no one other than a fortune hunter would be interested in marrying either of them.

      During his travels, the Judge met a Miss Marie Crowe, a seamstress, and brought her home to sew for Mrs. Lott and Cornelia. She was a very strong-minded woman and soon took over the running of the household. She sent Cornelia away to a girls' school in San Francisco and seldom even permitted her to come home for holidays and vacations.

      When Comelia returned home she was reconciled to remaining a spinster. The Judge, who lived to the age of 94, died in 1918 and Faye took over the father/protector role vacated by his father.

      When Cornelia was 44, a mutual friend introduced her to a man who had come west after serving in the army. That man was Jess Sank, age 34, and they soon fell in love, in spite of the difference in their ages and the gossip that he was probably a fortune hunter.

      Faye, in his role of father/protector, did everything he could to keep them apart, but they managed to meet secretly for seven years. Faye died in April of 1927 and Cornelia and Jess were finally united in marriage in June of that same year.

      The Sanks spent 26 beautiful years together, entertaining, traveling to the high country and enjoying each other. Contrary to what the gossips may have thought, Jess worked very hard for Cornelia, handled her money wisely and opened an entire new life for her.

      Cornelia died quite suddenly in 1953, and Jess lived eight years longer. Prior to his death he fulfilled what he knew to be Cornelia's wishes and willed the Lott Home and surrouning gardens to the City of Oroville to be used as you see it today. Their cabin and property at Lotts Lake he willed to The Native Sons of the Golden West, and many pieces of their furniture to the Native Daughters for their Pioneer Museum.

      When you tour the home, the remaining original pieces will be pointed out to you, and you will see examples of things which Jess built especially for Cornelia.