The Belden House, designed by architect Walter J. Mathews, is a notable example of the Queen Anne style which became popular in San Francisco in the 1890s.

Queen Anne houses are characterized by asymmetrical composition and a variety of wall textures and colors. Gable roofs and turrets, elaborate details and tall decorative chimneys add to the exuberant appearance. The Belden House displays nearly all of these typical exterior features.

In a city known for its Victorian-era residential structures, its exterior is distinctive because it reflects little influence of other decorative styles such as Eastlake or Colonial Revival. It is solidly Queen Anne.

The architectural integrity is complemented by its scale and location. The three-story structure is situated in the center of the Gough street block facing Lafayette Square in Pacific Heights. As a visually prominent residence form an earlier era, the Belden House adds a slice of life that once existed in fashionable Pacific Heights.

The residence was built in 1889 by Charles A. Belden, the treasurer of W. W. Montague & Company, importers of stoves and metals.

Excerpted from the NRHP Nomination Form.