In 1984, Steve Jobs purchased the 17,250, 14-bedroom Spanish Colonial Revival Jackling House. Built in 1925 by copper mining mogul Daniel Jackling, many thought it historic, but Jobs never really liked the home.
As quoted in the NYT, Jobs said of Jackling: ”He was a very wealthy man. Unfortunately, he didn’t have very good taste.”
Jobs planned to demolish it and build something new on the land, so he didn’t maintain the home after 2000. Instead, he moved out some time in the early 90s, renting the home and then allowing the mansion to rot (the gross photos captured by photographer Jonathan Haeber can be seen here). And in 2004, Jobs was granted a demo permit.
But a group called Uphold Our Heritage stepped forward and challenged the move in court. They won, and the house has pretty much stood rotting ever since.
Somehow, in a phenomenon of local township politics mixing with state politics, the decision came up for review again. The board voted 6 to 1 in Jobs’ favor. So, assuming that no one devises a plan to block Jobs again, the debate will come to rest. [Fortune and AppleInsider via SiliconAlleyInsider] [Photo by Jonathan Haeber]
