If you look closely at the exhibits inside the Marin History Museum, you’ll find an unusual piece of San Rafael history: a white polar bear hood ornament.

The ornament belonged to a custom-made 1934 Packard Twelve owned by Louise Arner Boyd. To the media of the 1920s and 30s, Boyd was a quintessential "Society Heiress." She lived a life of immense privilege at Maple Lawn, her sprawling San Rafael estate (now the Elks Lodge), where she was famous for throwing lavish parties for Marin and San Francisco elites.

But behind the society pages was a woman with a rugged, adventurous spirit who routinely defied expectations. Imagine a Gatsby-era party, but then the hostess departs on Arctic explorations for months at a time!

That’s why she chose the unique hood ornament. Louise Arner Boyd was certainly one-of-a-kind. Be sure to visit the Marin History Museum for the full details, I don’t want to spoil the whole story.

Just one more fact for the history fanatics: we must bring in World War II, right? Boyd’s maps of the Arctic coastlines and depths were critical to the Allied strategy in the North Atlantic. These maps were used to navigate perilous supply lines to the Eastern Front through Nazi-patrolled waters, and her knowledge of the region's deep fjords proved vital for supporting the Norwegian resistance.

p.s. There’s a book The Winter Fortress: The Epic Mission to Sabotage Hitler's Atomic Bomb that involves the Norwegian resistance and reads like a real life spy thriller.

The Marin Buzz parties in Sausalito feature many boats moving past the deck and waving. Yesterday there was a small plane that buzzed by too! Pilot Byron Hernandez snapped these pictures on a previous flight, looking north from the Golden Gate bridge towards Marin.

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Please note that this property isn’t associated with the banner sponsor above or Marin Buzz in any way. It is just a unique home you might be interested in seeing, for entertainment purposes only!

155 De Burgh Drive, San Anselmo

This home isn’t just one octagon. You get four connected octagon living spaces. Check out this unique layout:

The largest octagon has a distinctive spiral staircase up to the living room and kitchen. There’s a large skylight and 180 degrees of windows, plus a wraparound deck.

Just behind the home, up the hill a bit, is a Jacuzzi deck with a view as well:

Pretty unique, what do you think?

Check it out:

Zillow link

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Thanks for reading. We will be back with the regular events and activities email Wednesday morning!

— Allison + Brian