The famous children’s poet Shel Silverstein was born and raised in Chicago and owned several homes on the East Coast, but it turns out he spent quite a bit of time in Northern California as well. In fact, he notably owned a houseboat in Sausalito, and that very same houseboat is currently on the market. Once a World War II balloon barge, this unique residence has been extensively renovated to reflect its one-of-a-kind character. So, if you’ve got $783,000 lying around somewhere, you can make Shel Silverstein’s houseboat all yours.
Boasting iconic children's works such as "The Giving Tree" and "A Light in the Attic," the poet Shel Silverstein was known for his eccentric writings. It turns out he lived eccentrically, as well, and even owned a Sausalito houseboat that is currently for sale.
Silverstein lived in Sausalito on this very houseboat from 1967 to around 1975. He also owned several houses on the East Coast in Greenwich Village, Martha's Vineyard, and Key West. In fact, it was here that Silverstein would meet Susan Taylor Hastings, who was the mother of his first child.
The famous poet vacated the houseboat decades ago before passing away in Key West in 1999, but a little piece of him lives on in this fascinating residence. It's certainly gone through a lot of changes over the years—last hitting the market in 2017—but it's definitely looking as quirky as ever.
Silverstein's houseboat is on the market once again, this time with a price tag of $783,000. It features two bedrooms, one bathroom, and 1,200-square-feet of space. It's been renovated with an updated kitchen, bathroom, and paint job, but it still retains a rustic, old-fashioned character.
In fact, you'd be surprised by the amount of history in this place. Not only was it home to the world-famous children's poet, but the houseboat itself was once a World War II balloon barge. Balloon barges were Navy vessels that were designed to defend ground targets against enemy aircraft.
Once dubbed "Evil Eye" by Silverstein's friend and Sausalito artist Chris Roberts, this houseboat definitely isn't lacking character. If you're on the market for a home with plenty of stories, this may just be the place for you!
Did you realize that the famous Shel Silverstein lived in Sausalito for many years? It turns out plenty of famous figures once called NorCal home. Check out our list of 20 Famous People From Northern California for more!
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