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   Grandma’s Attic was inspired by one of the oldest and grandest mansions in San Francisco, a city with more than its share of old, grand mansions. Although I’ve taken liberal artistic license in the interpretation one can still feel the energy of the original in this reproduction. Below is a current photo.

The Bourne Mansion was built by William Bourne, (1857-1936) said to be the richest man in San Francisco and perhaps one of the richest in the world at the time. It is located at the highest point in Pacific Heights, at 2550 Webster Street, which is the most exclusive area of San Francisco

Contrary to widespread belief, the Bourne Mansion is not a haunted house. William Bourne, built his Mansion in 1896. He made his money in the aftermath of the California Gold Rush. Bourne was on his way to England to study when he heard that his father had died. He turned back and took over his father's business. He never made it to England. Instead, he built up what eventually became Pacific Gas and Electric ("PG&E") and he owned the Spring Valley Water Company which provided the water to San Francisco.

The Bourne Mansion was one of several grandiose projects of Mr. Bourne. It was designed by Willis Polk, then one of the west’s most famous architects. It has had a most interesting and varied history but has always played an important part in the social history of the city.An episode of the popular TV series "Streets of San Francisco" was filmed inside the Bourne Mansion. A porn movie entitled "The Vixen" by Swedish Erotica was also filmed there.

The only person living inside the 27-room Bourn Mansion today is Arden Van Upp, along with her white Chinchilla Persian cats, said to number in the dozens. She's lived there for at least 25 years, a small-town girl from Vallejo who came to San Francisco and reinvented herself as a wealthy landlord and society eccentric. With its enormous second-floor ballroom, and two-story stained-glass windows, the Bourn Mansion was an ideal place for throwing wild parties in the '70s. Great meals, fine wines, good drugs, the promise of sex in the air. Celebrities showed up: the Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, Sly Stone, the Pointer Sisters. Porn films were shot there.

But that's all over now. The four-story Bourn Mansion stands in extreme disrepair. An estimated $2 million of work is needed to meet earthquake safety codes, more than the building is worth. The roof leaks and the wallpaper peels. Recent visitors say everything stinks of cat urine. The back yard is knee-deep in weeds, and garbage is heaped in a compost pile. Raccoons poke around in the filth. The party's over.

Arden Van Upp no longer answers the phone. She peeks out a window to see who's knocking on the door, but never answers. It could be process servers after her for more building code violations, or because tenants at her rental properties have filed more lawsuits. One Christmas Eve, it was her own family, accompanied by police and fire trucks. They were searching for Van Upp's 89-year-old mother, whom Van Upp had spirited away and hidden from her siblings. In a city that encourages people to live without regard for the rules, occasionally the walls of self-invention crumble and fall inward. In the case of Arden Van Upp, the high-society patina has grown tarnished. Former friends avoid her. Many have sued her. Her family refuses to speak to her, except through attorneys. The full story can be read on a most interesting Websie at http://www.ishipress.com/fortress.htm .