24-05-2025
Modern luxury meets vintage charm. See UC Davis founder's Sacramento home for sale
Prominent Sacramento judge and UC Davis founder Peter J. Shields bought a Craftsman-style home in the city in 1916 shortly after its construction.
The historic residence in the Poverty Ridge neighborhood now awaits its next caretaker. Often referred to as the Shields House, the judge's longtime home at 2009 23rd St. is on the market for nearly $1.8 million.
The four-bedroom, three-bathroom house unfolds across 3,250 square feet, and has been extensively modernized while preserving its original architectural character, according to listing agent Kim Pacini of Luxe Living.
'The house has been completely remodeled and restored, brought into the 21st Century with modern fixtures and modern amenities, (while) still maintaining the architectural integrity of the property,' she said.
Pacini compared the spaciousness of the Craftsman's architecture — notable for its large, open rooms, high ceilings and numerous windows — to the more 'compartmentalized' rooms typically found in Victorian-style homes, which were popular in the early 1900s.
'The Victorian style is all compartmentalized little rooms,' Pacini said. 'Before central heat and air, these rooms were little, all with little fireplaces (whereas) this is the craftsman style of big open rooms for grand entertaining ... It's very square which really allows for large rooms.'
The residence features two primary suites with spa-inspired bathrooms, according to the listing. The gourmet chef's kitchen is well-appointed with granite countertops, high-end stainless steel appliances and a warming drawer.
'The home's formal living and dining rooms exude timeless elegance, with soaring ceilings, wood floors, and beautiful fireplaces,' according to the official property listing.
The backyard offers a quiet retreat.
'It has a very nice sized backyard, and there's a plunge pool and a waterfall, and a hot tub and a sauna,' Pacini said.
While sitting in a peaceful, shady neighborhood, the house is close to all of the shopping, dining and culture in midtown, downtown and East Sacramento.
The property is part of Poverty Ridge's storied past. In 1914, a Sacramento Bee advertisement for the newly constructed residence (then 2007 23rd St.) boasted it was 'one of Sacramento's most beautiful homes.' The ad reads:
'The style of architecture of this home is suggestive of the Italian Renaissance. The artistic lines of design, the buff stucco walls, the many French glass doors, the cement terrace and veranda with brick steps and stucco buttresses, the lawn, flower beds and auto driveway — all complete — give it an exterior appearance decidedly elegant.'
A longtime Sacramento Superior Court judge, Shields was one of the founders of the University Farm, which became the campus of UC Davis. He's the namesake of the Shields Library there. Shields's wife, Carolee, was also longtime UC Davis benefactor. The Carolee Shields White Flower Garden and Gazebo is part of the UC Davis Arboretum.
Built around 1913, the Shields House has a twin structure next door that mirrors its architecture. Built by William Murcell, the two houses originally shared a common courtyard and a stand-alone garage.
'The Shields House has this combination of simplicity and classiness that really makes it stand out,' said Catherine Turrell of Preservation Sacramento told The Bee when the home was featured on the 40th annual Sacramento Historic Home Tour.
'This house has this elegance that's been lovingly preserved,' she said. 'We find this (Prairie) style is coming back. People love the streamlined look. With its open floor plan, it's the perfect style for Sacramento.'
The couple lived in the home for most of their lives.
The home last sold in 2018 for about $1.8 million.
