Perched on Top of a Volcano - Page 2

Howser is best known as the effervescent host of the PBS series 'California's Gold,' which from 1994 to 2012 profiled those 'only in California' things like the Volcano House. It was on a trip through the Mojave for the show that he first saw the house, which he bought in 2003 from Baily.

Howser was enjoyed by many viewers, lampooned by several comedians, and celebrated by 'The Simpsons,' whose creator, Matt Groening, was such a fan that the show had a similar character named Howell Huser. He died of prostate cancer in 2013, a few months after abruptly retiring.

He listed the home for sale for $750,000 in 2010, but ultimately donated it and another home along with his papers to Chapman University, in Orange, which plans to create a public archive. Then, on September 4, the home was listed by Chapman with HOM Sotheby's International for $650,000.

The two-bedroom, two-bath home covers 2,206 square feet sitting on a 60-acre parcel, with a 750-square-foot, two-story caretaker's house that Wallace used as a workshop to design drafting equipment and aircraft parts.

Sandahl said numerous aspects of the property are drawing attention from interested parties, adding, "Most potential buyers mention the architectural elements, the views, and the amount of land, combined with the connection to Huell Howser."

"We're in a multiple-offer situation," he said, explaining that the university is weighing initial offers this week. Regarding the Howser connection, Sandahl conceded, "While that's certainly been noted, the architectural fans are the ones who are really making the offers."

For more information about the Volcano House listing, click here.