The Hudson House, built around 1850, was on the property when the Beringer brothers bought the land in 1875. Originally the house stood in the same location the Rhine House does now. But Frederick, having determined that was the ideal spot for his 17-room mansion, had the Hudson House lifted onto logs and pulled by horses 200 feet north, where it remains today.
The house was built by David Hudson, who was known for his involvement in the Bear Flag Revolt of 1846 in Sonoma, an event that was instrumental in California winning independence from Mexico.