William H. Corlett
THE MAN WHO SHAPED HISTORIC NAPA
1543 Main Street • Napa, California
The Palm House
The Palm House was designed by William H. Corlett, one of the preeminent architects of historic Napa. Over half a century, Corlett designed many of the city’s distinguished residences, commercial buildings and civic landmarks. The City of Napa stated Corlett made an “indelible imprint on Napa.” Numerous Corlett-designed buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
J.L. Brown House (The Palm House) • 1891 • 1543 Main Street
The Corlett Portfolio
The gallery below includes some of William H. Corlett works documented by the Pacific Coast Architecture Database.
Other Notable Buildings Designed by William H. Corlett
United States Government, Postal Service (USPS) Post Office
1933 • Napa, California
Corlett work documented by PCAD
Captain N.H. Wulff House
1885 • 549 Brown Street
National Register of Historic Places
Saint Helena Public Library – Carnegie Library
1907–1908 • Saint Helena, California
Corlett work documented by PCAD
THE MAN BEHIND THE PALM HOUSE
Born in 1856 on the Isle of Man, Corlett grew up in a family of craftsmen. His father, William Patrick Corlett, was a skilled house joiner who brought his knowledge of woodworking and construction to Napa in 1874.
In the early 1880s, the Corlett family established the Enterprise Planing Mill, producing the doors, window sashes, mouldings and architectural details that helped build Napa. By 1904, it was the largest lumber yard in Napa County, serving Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties.
This gave William H. Corlett a rare advantage: he understood not only how buildings should look, but how they were actually built.
By 1888, Corlett was working as an architect and held a Class A contractor’s license. His portfolio would go on to include some of Napa’s most recognizable historic buildings—from the Wulff House and Manasse Mansion to the Migliavacca House, Alexandria Hotel and Hall of Records.
His influence extended beyond architecture. Corlett served three terms on the Napa City Council and 11 years on the school board, becoming deeply woven into the community he helped shape.
Built in 1891, the Palm House is part of that legacy—a reflection of a man who was architect, builder, craftsman, businessman and citizen all at once.