The Abner Phelp House, recognized as the oldest house in San Francisco, has been purchased for $2 million by local music veteran Jordan Kurland, according to SFGATE. Located at 1111 Oak Street, this historic residence is surrounded by a notable and controversial backstory. One of the most popular tales tells of a lovesick lawyer who allegedly transported the entire house from New Orleans, navigating around Cape Horn in South America. In contrast, other accounts suggest that it was built in California using coastal redwoods.

While the true origins of the Abner Phelp House remain shrouded in mystery, its future seems more definite. After sitting vacant for years, Kurland confirmed to SFGATE that he has officially acquired the property.

“I love that no one knows its history, but I find the Cape Horn story even more romantic,” Kurland shared.

As a partner at Noise Pop Industries and co-founder of the artist management firm Brilliant Corners, which represents notable talents like Death Cab for Cutie and Soccer Mommy, Kurland is already making plans. His team has embarked on renovations of the 3,500-square-foot building to transform it into office space, with hopes that Noise Pop can settle in by November.

According to a 1907 report from the “San Francisco Call,” the colonial-style home features a bright white balcony and porch overlooking a meticulously maintained lawn and garden. Originally occupied around 1850 by Colonel Abner Phelps, noted for his service in the Mexican-American War, the most widely shared origin story suggests that Phelps became a lawyer in San Francisco after the war and brought the house from Louisiana in an attempt to entice his young bride to move west.

However, a 1934 report disputes the house’s Louisiana roots, stating that a local builder constructed the residence using lumber sourced from Maine. Later studies conducted by UC Berkeley researchers in the 1970s concluded that the house was, in fact, made from California redwoods. Furthermore, an article from the “San Francisco Examiner” asserts that the house may have been built as early as 1846.

Regardless of these conflicting origins, whether constructed in 1850 or earlier, the house’s status as the oldest structure in San Francisco is firmly established. The Phelps residence has undergone multiple relocations, enhancing its legendary reputation.

In 1969, real estate agent David Finn bought the house and rotated it 180 degrees to its current site. Records indicate that the property last changed hands in 1997 for $525,000 and had recently been listed as a commercial office space for rent before re-entering the market.

“This is an incredible building,” Kurland remarked. “I feel like we are the guardians of San Francisco’s history.”