The John J. Snyder House is significant for its architecture. Although not a large house by urban standards, during its construction in 1895, the local newspaper referred to it as a "mansion" and one of the "finest residences in the mountains."

It is one of the largest and finest Queen Anne houses in Calaveras County and has many architectural elements, (i.e., patterned shingle courses, spindles, brackets, carved panels, and a pebble-dash section filled with cement, stones, and glass) which are unusual to the area. In addition, it was built for John Snyder, District Attorney of Calaveras County from 1893-1899, and a member of two pioneer families of Murphys.

The architect of the house is unknown at this time, but the house was painted by Roberts and McAdams, two local housepainters, so it is assumed that it was built by a local builder, possibly with plans from a pattern book. It remained in the Snyder family until the mid-1970s at which time it was virtually unchanged.

Excerpted from the NRHP nomination.

In December 2012, when we updated this web page, the John J. Snyder house was a bed and breakfast inn.