HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-11-09 Historic Resources Board Agenda PacketCITY OF
PALO
ALTO
HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD
Regular Meeting
Thursday, November 09, 2023
Council Chambers & Hybrid
8:30 AM
Boardmember Mike Makinen Remote Call -In Location: 851 University Avenue, Palo Alto, CA
94301
Pursuant to AB 361 Palo Alto City Council meetings will be held as "hybrid" meetings with the
option to attend by teleconference/video conference or in person. To maximize public safety
while still maintaining transparency and public access, members of the public can choose to
participate from home or attend in person. Information on how the public may observe and
participate in the meeting is located at the end of the agenda. Masks are strongly encouraged if
attending in person. The meeting will be broadcast on Cable TV Channel 26, live on
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/cityofpaloalto, and streamed to M id pen Media
Center https://midpenmedia.org. Commissioner names, biographies, and archived agendas are
available at https://bitly.com/paloaltoHRB.
VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION CLICK HERE TO JOIN (https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/96800197512)
Meeting ID: 968 0019 7512 Phone: 1(669)900-6833
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public comments will be accepted both in person and via Zoom for up to three minutes or an
amount of time determined by the Chair. All requests to speak will be taken until 5 minutes
after the staff's presentation. Written public comments can be submitted in advance to
hrb@cityofpaloalto.org and will be provided to the Board and available for inspection on the
City's website. Please clearly indicate which agenda item you are referencing in your subject
line.
Spokespersons that are representing a group of five or more people who are identified as
present at the meeting at the time of the spokesperson's presentation will be allowed up to
fifteen (15) minutes at the discretion of the Chair, provided that the non -speaking members
agree not to speak individually. The Chair may limit Public Comments to thirty (30) minutes for
all combined speakers. The Chair may reduce the allowed time to speak on Study Sessions and
Actions Items to two (2) minutes or less to accommodate a larger number of speakers.
PowerPoints, videos, or other media to be presented during public comment are accepted only
by email to hrb@cityofpaloalto.org at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Once received,
the Clerk will have them shared at public comment for the specified item. To uphold strong
cybersecurity management practices, USB's or other physical electronic storage devices are not
accepted.
1 Regular Meeting November 09, 2023
CALL TO ORDER/ ROLL CALL
PUBLIC COMMENT
Members of the public may speak to any item NOT on the agenda. Three (3) minutes per speaker.
AGENDA CHANGES, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS
The Chair or Commission majority may modify the agenda order to improve meeting management.
CITY OFFICIAL REPORTS
1. Historic Resources Board Schedule of Meetings and Assignments
ACTION ITEMS
Public Comment is Permitted. Applicants/Appellant Teams: Ten (10) minutes, plus ten (10) minutes rebuttal. All others: Three
(3) minutes per speaker.
2. Recommendations on Nominations of Eligible Historic Resources to the City's Historic
Resources Inventory Resulting From the 2023 Historic Reconnaissance Survey
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Public Comment is Permitted. Three (3) minutes per speaker.
3. Approval of Historic Resources Board Draft Minutes of August 24, 2023
4. Approval of Historic Resources Board Draft Minutes of September 14, 2023
5. Approval of Historic Resources Board Draft Minutes of October 12, 2023
BOARD MEMBER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS OR FUTURE MEETINGS AND
AGENDAS
Members of the public may not speak to the item(s).
ADJOURNMENT
2 Regular Meeting November 09, 2023
PUBLIC COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Members of the Public may provide public comments to teleconference meetings via email,
teleconference, or by phone.
1. Written public comments may be submitted by email to hrb@cityofpaloalto.org.
2. Spoken public comments using a computer will be accepted through the
teleconference meeting. To address the Board, click on the link below to access a Zoom -
based meeting. Please read the following instructions carefully.
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activate and unmute speakers in turn. Speakers will be notified shortly before they
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o When called, please limit your remarks to the time limit allotted. A timer will be
shown on the computer to help keep track of your comments.
3. Spoken public comments using a smart phone will be accepted through the
teleconference meeting. To address the Board, download the Zoom application onto your
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Please follow the instructions above.
4. Spoken public comments using a phone use the telephone number listed below. When
you wish to speak on an agenda item hit *9 on your phone so we know that you wish to
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You will be advised how long you have to speak. When called please limit your remarks to
the agenda item and time limit allotted.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN Meeting ID: 968 0019 7512 Phone:1-669-900-6833
Americans with Disability Act (ADA) It is the policy of the City of Palo Alto to offer its public
programs, services and meetings in a manner that is readily accessible to all. Persons with
disabilities who require materials in an appropriate alternative format or who require auxiliary
aids to access City meetings, programs, or services may contact the City's ADA Coordinator at
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accommodations must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, program, or
service.
3 Regular Meeting November 09, 2023
Item 1
Staff Report
CITY OF
PALO
ALTO
Historic Resources Board
Staff Report
From: Planning and Development Services Director
Lead Department: Planning and Development Services
Meeting Date: November 9, 2023
Report #: 2310-2146
TITLE
Historic Resources Board Schedule of Meetings and Assignments
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Historic Resources Board (HRB) review and comment as appropriate.
BACKGROUND
Attached is the HRB meeting schedule and attendance record for the calendar year. This is
provided for informational purposes. If individual Boardmembers anticipate being absent from
a future meeting, it is requested that it be brought to staff's attention when considering this
item.
No action is required by the HRB for this item.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: 2023-2024 HRB Meeting Schedule & Assignments
AUTHOR/TITLE:
Amy French, Chief Planning Official
Item No. 1. Page 1 of 1
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CITY OF
PALO
ALTO
Item 1
Attachment A - 2023-
2024 HRB Meeting
Schedule & Assignments}
Historic Resources Board
2023-2024 Meeting Schedule & Assignments
2023-2024 Meeting Schedule
Meeting Dates
Time it
Location StatusM Planned Absences
1/12/2023
1/26/2023
2/09/2023
2/23/2023
3/09/2023
3/23/2023
4/13/2023
4/25/2023
'1/27/2023
5/11/2023
5/25/2023
6/08/2023
6/22/2023
7/13/2023
7/27/2023
7/28/2023
8/10/2023
8/24/2023
9/14/2023
9/28/2023
10/12/2023
10/24/2023
10/26/2023
11/09/2023
11/23/2023
12/14/2023
12/28/2023
1/11/2024
1/25/2024
8:30 AM
8:30 AM
8:30 AM
8:30 AM
8:30 AM
8:30 AM
8:30 AM
6:00 PM
8:30 AM
8:30 AM
8:30 AM
8:30 AM
8:30 AM
8:30 AM
8:30 AM
5:30 PM
8:30 AM
8:30 AM
8:30 AM
8:30 AM
8:30 AM
6:00 PM
8:30 AM
8:30 AM
8:30 AM
8:30 AM
8:30 AM
8:30 AM
8:30 AM
2023 Subcommittee Assignments
January
July
February
August
Hybrid
Hylarid
Hybrid
Hybrid
Hybrid
Hybrid
Hybrid
Hybrid
Hybrid
Hybrid
Hybrid
Hybrid
Hybrid
Hybrid
Hybrid
Hybrid
Hybrid
Hybrid
Hybrid
Hybrid
Hybrid
Hybrid
Hybrid
Hybrid
Hybrid
Hybrid
Hybrid
Hybrid
Hybrid
Regular
Cancelled
Regular
Cancelled
Regular
Cancelled
Regular
Community Meeting
Cancelled
Regular
Regular
Regular
Regular
Cancelled
Cancelled
Retreat
Regular
Regular
Regular
Cancelled
Regular
Community Meeting
Regular
Regular
Cancelled
Regular
Cancelled
Regular
Regular
Heinrich
Willis, Makinen
Makinen
Eaglcston Cicslcwicz
Makinen
Canceled
Heinrich, Rohman
Pease, Wimmer
Rohman
Thanksgiving
Christmas,
March April May June
September October November December
Packet Pg. 5
C Item 2
Staff Report
CITY OF
PALO
ALTO
Historic Resources Board
Staff Report
From: Planning and Development Services Director
Lead Department: Planning and Development Services
Meeting Date: November 9, 2023
Report #: 2310-2170
TITLE
Recommendations on Nominations of Eligible Historic Resources to the City's Historic Resources
Inventory Resulting From the 2023 Historic Reconnaissance Survey
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Historic Resources Board (HRB) review the nomination forms in advance
of the hearing to consider the recommended local inventory categories.
Attachment A reflects the consultant's recommendations for nominations of properties
previously found eligible for the National Register in the prior survey to the Palo Alto Historic
Resources Inventory. Attachment B contains a recommended nomination memo and
evaluation for a property more recently found eligible for the California Register and local
inventory, which the owner requested be nominated to the local inventory.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Historic Reconnaissance Survey project information is found on the City's webpage1. The
contents of Attachment A are provided on the webpage, split into three documents to enable
viewers faster web upload times. City staff sent notice cards on October 26, 2023 to owners of
properties that are to be considered on November 9, 2023. The week of October 30th, staff sent
additional notice cards to ensure accuracy of information, and a letter to help clarify the
process (Attachment C).
Proposed Approach to Nomination Hearings
The proposed nomination groupings for the November 9, 2023 HRB Hearing will allow the HRB
to consider 15 recommendations based on designation criteria, rather than 68 individual
1 link to survey webpage; https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/Planning-Development-Services/Historic-
Preservation/2023-Reconnaissance-Survey
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Item No. 2. Page 1 of 8
C Item 2
Staff Report
property recommendations. The proposed hearing procedure consists of a summary of each
nomination group to be reviewed, questions from HRB, call for public comment, additional
comments and then a motion from HRB on all properties in a group. If any property requires
individual attention, or the property owner opposes designation, that individual property can
be pulled from the group and placed as an individual item at the end of the hearing, or
remanded to the January HRB meeting agenda when all such properties could be discussed
individually with the owners.
Modeled after State Historic Resources Commission (SHRC) Procedure
The SHRC hears and votes on properties to be listed to the National Register and California
Register. The SHRC reviews groups of properties together within a hearing structure that
includes staff presentations, questions from the SHRC, call for public comment, and a final
deliberation and single vote on the properties presented as a group. As the SHRC will have
reviewed the nomination forms ahead of the hearing, individual properties are not typically
discussed in depth; this aids in the SHRC's ability to recommend multiple properties for
designation within one hearing. However, if a particular property faces owner opposition or has
some other need that requires individual attention, it is removed from the group and placed as
an individual item at the end of the hearing agenda for additional discussion.
November 9, 2023 Nominations
There are 68 properties from the 1997-2001 historic survey that the City's qualified historic
preservation consultant has grouped into the 'Events and Architecture' properties, proposed
for the HRB's nomination consideration on November 9, 2023. Among the 68 are two City -
owned, non-residential properties, and six privately -owned non -single family residential
properties. For the two city -owned properties, staff met with the department staff members
who have oversight regarding these properties (Real Estate, Utilities, and Community Services),
and there were no stated objections to the City's proceeding with nominations.
Another property (243-245 Webster) that had been listed as 'potentially eligible' was recently
found eligible for the California Register of Historical Resources for Architecture through the
preparation of historic resource evaluations. The owner requested to be nominated to the city's
inventory at the first opportunity.
December 14, 2023 Nominations
The December 14, 2023 HRB hearing is targeted for nomination consideration of 38 properties
having an association with Events or for their Architecture. Among the 38 properties are three
City -owned properties associated with events.
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Item No. 2. Page 2 of 8
C Item 2
Staff Report
January 11, 2024 Nominations
The January 11, 2024 HRB hearing is targeted for nomination consideration of 28 properties
having an association with persons, plus eight properties found eligible for the California
Register of Historical Resources through preparation of historic resource evaluations, plus four
properties undergoing construction currently.
Suggested Meeting Order
Staff and the City's consultant considered strategies for managing the review of this first large
group of properties, and landed on the proposed suggestions:
• Begin with the 243-245 Webster property nomination
• Proceed to nominations of the two City -owned properties
• Move on to the private properties nominations in batches per Attachment A. The
addresses for which staff receives an owner's objection to listing before or during the
hearing will be removed from the batch under the HRB's consideration during the
November 9 hearing for later consideration, as noted previously.
243-245 Webster Street Nomination to Local Inventor
• This R-2 zoned property built in 1904 was 'potentially eligible' during the 1998-2000
survey. The owner proactively requested an evaluation; the City's consultant found the
property eligible for the California Register of Historical Resources under criterion 2
(Eastern Shingle style) and eligible for the City's local inventory as a Category 2 resource.
The nomination form and DPR form are attached (Attachment B) for the HRB's
consideration to nominate the property to the local inventory.
City Owned Properties Nominations to Local Inventory
The City of Palo Alto supports the proposed categories and listing on the inventory. Staff met
with the City of Palo Alto's Real Estate, Utilities and Community Services staff to review the
significance of the two properties.
• Cistern and Pump House (at the intersection of Palo Alto Avenue and Hale Street), with
a period of significance of 1924, is recommended for Category 2 listing on the City's
Historic Inventory. The property is significant as only one of two remaining early Palo
Alto decorated utility structures and as an important part of the Palo Alto municipal
water system that was developed from well sources beginning in 1887. The Cistern and
Pump House also represents an important Northern California building typology that
emerged from the City Beautiful Movement. It was designed to express pride in civic
and public infrastructure.
• 201 Alma Street is the water tower site, with a period of significance 1910-1962,
recommended for Category 1 listing on the City's Historic Inventory, This is one of the
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Item No. 2. Page 3 of 8
Item 2
Staff Report
few properties with significance as an "Exceptional Building" of pre-eminent national or
state importance. It is a meritorious work of important local builder Maurice Couchot, a
distinctive example of a decorated municipal building that embodies the design
principles of the City Beautiful movement. It is an early example of reinforced concrete
construction and is significant for its design by important local builder Maurice Couchot.
It also is associated with early municipal water retention planning in Palo Alto.
66 Private Properties Eligible for Nomination to Local Inventory
Staff recommends the HRB vote on each batch, grouped by Criteria for Designation, in support
of the consultant's recommendations set forth in Attachment A, which is briefly:
Properties grouped by Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 2 (25 properties)
• Criteria 2 and 5 (10 properties)
• Criteria 2 and 6 (5 properties)
• Criteria 2, 5, and 6 (5 properties)
• Criteria 2 and 3 (5 properties)
• Criterion 3 (4 properties)
• Criteria 1 and 2 (2 properties)
• Criteria 1, 2, and 5 (2 properties)
• Criteria 1 and 6 (2 properties)
• Criteria 4 and 6 (2 properties)
• Criteria 2 and 4 (1 property)
• Criteria 1, 5, and 6 (1 property)
• Criteria 3 and 5 (1 property)
• Criteria 1, 2, and 4 (1 property)
The privately owned 66 properties are listed below and on the following page in alphabetical
order; an asterisk indicates non-residential properties.
A streets (mixed use)
2230 Amherst Street
695 Arastradero Road* (Alta Mesa)
B streets (mixed use)
162 Bryant Street
541 Bryant Street* (Commercial building)
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Item No. 2. Page 4 of 8
C Item 2
Staff Report
635 Bryant Street* (Commercial building)
904 Bryant Street
518 Byron Street
C streets (13 properties all residential)
1590 California Avenue
471 Channing Avenue
669 Channing Avenue
751 Channing Avenue
538 Churchill Avenue
570 Coleridge Avenue
643 College Avenue
2115 Cornell Street
2127 Cornell Street
252 Cowper Street
1620 Cowper Street
2150 Cowper Street
75 Crescent Drive
E streets (five properties all residential)
212 Emerson Street
731 Emerson Street (residence in downtown commercial zone)
1464 Emerson Street
482 Everett Avenue
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Item No. 2. Page 5 of 8
C Item 2
Staff Report
F streets (all residential)
446 Forest Avenue
555 Forest Avenue
1011 Fulton Street
H streets (mixed use)
132 Hamilton Avenue* (commercial building)
855 Hamilton Avenue
951 Hamilton Avenue
975 Hamilton Avenue
317 High Street (residence in commercial downtown)
323 High Street"
334 High Street"
342 High Street"
260 Homer Avenue* (French Laundry)
469 Homer Avenue
680 Homer Avenue
K streets (all residential)
360 Kellogg Avenue
437 Kipling Street (residence in commercial downtown)
815 Kipling Street
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Item No. 2. Page 6 of 8
C Item 2
Staff Report
817 Kipling Street
825 Kipling Street
832 Kipling Street
L - U streets (mixed)
630 Lincoln Avenue
411 Lytton Avenue (residence in commercial downtown)
1990 Newell Road
426 Palo Alto Avenue
1757 Park Boulevard
211 Quarry Road* (Stanford's Hoover Pavilion/original hospital)
245 Ramona Street
1056 University Avenue
W streets (14 properties, all residential)
313 Waverley Street
326 Waverley Street
333 Waverley Street
385 Waverley Street
720 Waverley Street
845 Waverley Street
947 Waverley Street
959 Waverley Street
1545 Waverley Street
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Item No. 2. Page 7 of 8
Item 2
Staff Report
251 Webster Street
719 Webster Street
530 Webster Street (apartment building in commercial downtown)
1235 Webster Street
1345 Webster Street
Alternative Approach
An alternative approach, if the number of properties seems overwhelming to recommend
during one HRB meeting, is for the HRB to consider moving some of the properties to a future
hearing. One example is to postpone review of the six non-residential properties shown above
with asterisks. A January 25, 2024 regular meeting could accommodate properties that are non-
residential; exterior changes to non-residential properties are subject to the discretionary
architectural review process. These properties could potentially share the January meeting with
any owners who submit in writing their objections to having their property nominated with a
category for listing on the Palo Alto historic inventory.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Nomination memos and DPR forms for recommendation
Attachment B: 243-245 Webster Nomination form and DPR form
Attachment C: Recent letter to property owners
AUTHOR/TITLE: Amy French, Chief Planning Official
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Item No. 2. Page 8 of 8
PAGE &TURNBULL
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY NOMINATION PROPOSAL
HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD HEARING ON NOVEMBER 9, 2023
&T
The below groupings of properties are arranged with City -owned properties to be reviewed first,
followed by smaller groupings based on the Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria under which the
properties are being nominated. If a particular property has owner opposition, or some other need
that requires individual attention, it will be removed from the group and placed as an individual item
at the end of the hearing agenda, or on the January 2024 HRB hearing agenda, for discussion and
individual action.
A summary of the proposed order of each property group and the number of properties proposed
for designation under each criteria is as follows:
• City -owned properties: 2
• Properties grouped by Criteria for Designation:
o Criterion 2 (25 properties)
o Criteria 2 and 5 (10 properties)
o Criteria 2 and 6 (5 properties)
o Criteria 2, 5, and 6 (5 properties)
o Criteria 2 and 3 (5 properties)
o Criterion 3 (4 properties)
o Criteria 1 and 2 (2 properties)
o Criteria 1, 2, and 5 (2 properties)
o Criteria 1 and 6 (2 properties)
o Criteria 4 and 6 (2 properties)
o Criteria 2 and 4 (1 property)
o Criteria 1, 5, and 6 (1 property)
o Criteria 3 and 5 (1 property)
o Criteria 1, 2, and 4 (1 property)
The following tables (following city -owned properties) are organized based on how many properties
are within each group. Properties within each table are arranged by proposed Historic Inventory
Category, and then alphabetically by address.
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
Packet Pg. 14
Historic Inventory Designation - November 9, 2023 - Proposed Schedule
Page 2 of 9
City -Owned Properties
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Address
Criteria
Category
201 Alma Street
1, 4, 5
1
Cistern and Pump House
1, 2
2
• Criterion 1 (The structure or site is identified with the lives of historic people or with important events
in the city, state, or nation)
• Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of life
important to the city, state or nation)
• Criterion 4 (The structure or site is connected with a business or use which was once common, but is
now rare)
• Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important)
Properties proposed for designation under Palo Alto Criterion 2
• Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of life
important to the city, state or nation)
Address
Criteria
Category
518 Byron Street
2
2
471 Channing Avenue
2
2
751 Channing Avenue
2
2
643 College Avenue
2
2
252 Cowper Street
2
2
1464 Emerson Street
2
2
482 Everett Avenue
2
2
446 Forest Avenue
2
2
1011 Fulton Street
2
2
975 Hamilton Avenue
2
2
317 High Street
2
2
323 High Street
2
2
342 High Street
2
2
832 Kipling Street
2
2
426 Palo Alto Avenue
2
2
245 Ramona Street
2
2
313 Waverley Street
2
2
326 Waverley Street
2
2
333 Waverley Street
2
2
947 Waverley Street
2
2
1545 Waverley Street
2
2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
N
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Historic Inventory Designation - November 9, 2023 - Proposed Schedule
Page 3 of 9
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
251 Webster Street
2
2
1235 Webster Street
2
2
1345 Webster Street
2
2
669 Channing Avenue
2
3
Properties proposed for designation under Palo Alto Criteria 2 and 5
• Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of life
important to the city, state or nation)
• Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important)
Address
Criteria
Category
570 Coleridge Avenue
2, 5
2
1620 Cowper Street
2 ,5
2
2150 Cowper Street
2, 5
2
75 Crescent Drive
2, 5
2
731 Emerson Street
2, 5
2
855 Hamilton Avenue
2, 5
2
469 Homer Avenue
2, 5
2
411 Lytton Avenue
2, 5
2
1056 University Avenue
2, 5
2
385 Waverley Street
2, 5
2
Properties proposed for designation under Palo Alto Criteria 2 and 6
• Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of life
important to the city, state or nation)
• Criterion 6 (The structure or site contains elements demonstrating outstanding attention to
architectural design, detail, materials or craftsmanship)
Address
Criteria
Category
162 Bryant Street
2, 6
2
1590 California Avenue
2, 6
2
825 Kipling Street
2, 6
2
1757 Park Boulevard
2, 6
2
530 Webster Street
2, 6
2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
N
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Historic Inventory Designation - November 9, 2023 - Proposed Schedule
Page 4 of 9
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Properties proposed for designation under Palo Alto Criteria 2, 5, and 6
• Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of life
important to the city, state or nation)
• Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important)
• Criterion 6 (The structure or site contains elements demonstrating outstanding attention to
architectural design, detail, materials or craftsmanship)
Address
Criteria
Category
541 Bryant Street
2, 5, 6
2
951 Hamilton Avenue
2, 5, 6
2
680 Homer Avenue
2, 5, 6
2
360 Kellogg Avenue
2, 5, 6
2
959 Waverley Street
2, 5, 6
2
Properties proposed for designation under Palo Alto Criteria 2 and 3
• Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of life
important to the city, state or nation)
• Criterion 3 (The structure or site is an example of a type of building which was once common, but is
now rare)
Address
Criteria
Category
904 Bryant Street
2, 3
2
630 Lincoln Avenue
2, 3
2
2115-2121 Cornell Street
2, 3
3
2127-2133 Cornell Street
2, 3
3
719 Webster Street
2, 3
3
Properties proposed for designation under Palo Alto Criterion 3
• Criterion 3 (The structure or site is an example of a type of building which was once common, but is
now rare)
Address
Criteria
Category
635 Bryant Street
3
2
815 Kipling Street
3
3
817 Kipling Street
3
3
845 Waverley Street
3
4
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
N
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Historic Inventory Designation - November 9, 2023 - Proposed Schedule
Page 5 of 9
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Properties proposed for designation under Palo Alto Criteria 1 and 2
• Criterion 1 (The structure or site is identified with the lives of historic people or with important events
in the city, state, or nation)
• Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of life
important to the city, state or nation)
Address
Criteria
Category
2230 Amherst Street
1, 2
2
538 Churchill Avenue
1, 2
2
Properties proposed for designation under Palo Alto Criteria 1, 2, and 5
• Criterion 1 (The structure or site is identified with the lives of historic people or with important events
in the city, state, or nation)
• Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of life
important to the city, state or nation)
• Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important)
Address
Criteria
Category
1990 Newell Road
1, 2, 5
1
211 Quarry Road
1, 2, 5
1
Properties proposed for designation under Palo Alto Criteria 1 and 6
• Criterion 1 (The structure or site is identified with the lives of historic people or with important events
in the city, state, or nation)
• Criterion 6 (The structure or site contains elements demonstrating outstanding attention to
architectural design, detail, materials or craftsmanship)
Address
Criteria
Category
695 Arastradero Road (Alta Vista Cemetery)
1, 6
2
720 Waverley Street
1, 6
2
Properties proposed for designation under Palo Alto Criteria 4 and 6
• Criterion 4 (The structure or site is connected with a business or use which was once common, but is
now rare)
• Criterion 6 (The structure or site contains elements demonstrating outstanding attention to
architectural design, detail, materials or craftsmanship)
Address
Criteria
Category
132 Hamilton Avenue
4, 6
2
260 Homer Avenue
4, 6
2
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Properties proposed for designation under Palo Alto Criteria 2 and 4
• Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of life
important to the city, state or nation)
• Criterion 4 (The structure or site is connected with a business or use which was once common, but is
now rare)
Address
Criteria
Category
212 Emerson Street
2, 4
2
Properties proposed for designation under Palo Alto Criteria 1, 5, and 6
• Criterion 1 (The structure or site is identified with the lives of historic people or with important events
in the city, state, or nation)
• Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important)
• Criterion 6 (The structure or site contains elements demonstrating outstanding attention to
architectural design, detail, materials or craftsmanship)
Address
Criteria
Category
555 Forest Avenue
1, 5, 6
2
Properties proposed for designation under Palo Alto Criteria 3 and 5
• Criterion 3 (The structure or site is an example of a type of building which was once common, but is
now rare)
• Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important)
Address
Criteria
Category
334 High Street
3, 5
2
Properties proposed for designation under Palo Alto Criteria 1, 2, and 4
• Criterion 1 (The structure or site is identified with the lives of historic people or with important events
in the city, state, or nation)
• Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of life
important to the city, state or nation)
• Criterion 4 (The structure or site is connected with a business or use which was once common, but is
now rare)
Address
Criteria
Category
437 Kipling Street
1, 2, 4
2
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BACKGROUND MATERIAL
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In March 2022, Palo Alto's City Council directed City Planning Division staff to work with the City's
Historic Resources Board (HRB) to review the list of properties that were previously deemed eligible
for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (National Register) in the 1997-2001 Palo Alto
Historical Survey Update. The goals of the 2023 Historic Resource Reconnaissance Survey were to:
(1) update the known list of historic properties to reflect their current status of eligibility as historic
resources, taking into account that changes have likely occurred to the built environment in the last
22 years, and (2) prepare proposals to designate those properties that remain eligible historic
resources to the Palo Alto Historic Inventory.) The above -listed properties, were previously
determined eligible for the National Register under Criteria A and C, expressing an association with
both significant events and development trends in Palo Alto, and for their architecture. These sixty-
eight (68) properties were surveyed by Page & Turnbull and found to retain their historic integrity
and significance associated with the National Register, and are proposed for designation to the Palo
Alto Historic Inventory.2
Properties Identified in the 1997-2001 Survey Update
Properties identified as "Eligible for the National Register" during the 1997-2001 Survey Update were
found significant at the local level for one or more of the National Register's Criteria of Significance:
Criterion A (Events): Association with events that have made a significant contribution to the
broad patterns of our history
Criterion B (Persons): Association with the lives of significant persons in our past
Criterion C (Architecture): Embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period or method
of construction, or represent the work of a master, or possess high artistic values
or represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack
individual distinction
Criterion D (Information Potential): Have yielded or may be likely to yield information
important in history or prehistory
For each historic resource, Page & Turnbull identified the appropriate Criteria of Significance for the
Palo Alto Historic Inventory that most closely corresponds to the previously determined National
Register Criteria of Significance. The Criteria of Significance for the Palo Alto Historic Inventory are
1 Any individual or group may propose designating a historic structure, site, or district to the Inventory according to the
procedure found in the Historic Preservation Ordinance (Municipal Code Section 16.49.040). Properties nominated for
designation are recommended by the Historic Resources Board and decided upon by the City Council.
https://www.cityofpaloa Ito.org/Departments/Plan ning-Development-Services/H istoric-Preservation/H istoric-Registers
2 Page & Turnbull, 2023 Historic Resource Reconnaissance Survey, August 9, 2023. Information regarding the survey effort and
evaluation of integrity is included in this Survey Report.
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listed below and the corresponding National Register (NR) Criteria theme (either Events, Persons, or
Architecture) are listed in brackets:
Criterion 1: The structure or site is identified with the lives of historic people [Persons] or with
important events in the city, state or nation [Events];
Criterion 2: The structure or site is particularly representative of an architectural style
[Architecture] or way of life important to the city, state or nation [Events];
Criterion 3: The structure or site is an example of a type of building which was once common,
but is now rare [Architecture];
Criterion 4: The structure or site is connected with a business or use which was once common,
but is now rare [Events];
Criterion 5: The architect or building was important [Architecture];
Criterion 6: The structure or site contains elements demonstrating outstanding attention to
architectural design, detail, materials or craftsmanship [Architecture].3
An assessment of significance was completed to determine under which Category of Significance the
resource would be eligible. Thresholds for each category were developed by Page & Turnbull, in
consultation with City Staff and with input from the Historic Resources Board. The definition of each
Category is listed below and the threshold used for the 2023 Reconnaissance survey is listed
immediately following each definition.
Category 1: An "Exceptional Building" of pre-eminent national or state importance. These
buildings are meritorious works of the best architects, outstanding examples of a specific
architectural style, or illustrate stylistic development of architecture in the United States.
These buildings have had either no exterior modifications or such minor ones that the
overall appearance of the building is in its original character.
Threshold for Category 1 Properties in 2023 Reconnaissance Survey: Properties that were
designed or constructed by prominent architects and builders previously identified as
significant or are excellent examples of a style.
Category 2: A "Major Building" of regional importance. These buildings are meritorious
works of the best architects, outstanding examples of an architectural style, or illustrate
stylistic development of architecture in the state or region. A major building may have some
exterior modifications, but the original character is retained.
3 Palo Alto Municipal Code, Chapter 16.49 Historic Preservation. Subsection 020: Definitions.
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Threshold for Category 2 Properties in 2023 Reconnaissance Survey: Properties that are good
examples of a style or a rare building type. Associations with individuals who were found to
have made significant professional or personal accomplishments that demonstrate and
enrich the history of Palo Alto are also represented under Category 2.
Category 3 or 4: A "Contributing Building" which is a good local example of an architectural
style and relates to the character of a neighborhood grouping in scale, materials, proportion
or other factors. A contributing building may have had extensive or permanent changes
made to the original design, such as inappropriate additions, extensive removal of
architectural details, or wooden facades resurfaced in asbestos or stucco.
Threshold for Category 3 Pro bes in 2023 Reconnaissance Survey: Properties that are good
examples of early development patterns, or are common or typical buildings that retain their
historic integrity to a high degree. These buildings are not particularly rare but have very
good to excellent historic integrity.
Threshold for Category 4 Properties in 2023 Reconnaissance Survey: Properties to be listed as
Category 4, are similar in level of significance to Category 3, but have been altered to a
higher degree and may have good to poor historic integrity.
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CITY -OWNED PROPERTY NOMINATIONS
City -Owned Properties proposed for designation:
• Criterion 1 (The structure or site is identified with the lives of historic people or with important
events in the city, state, or nation)
• Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of life
important to the city, state or nation)
• Criterion 4 (The structure or site is connected with a business or use which was once common,
but is now rare)
• Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important)
Address
Criteria
Category
201 Alma Street
1, 4, 5
1
Cistern and Pump House
1, 2
2
Page &Turnbull 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNI
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PAGE &TURNBULL
201 ALMA STREET
APN: 120-25-060
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
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Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1910-1962
Summary of Significance: 201 Alma Street was deemed eligible under Criterion A as a
representative of Palo Alto's municipal water system and early water retention planning. It was
deemed eligible under Criterion C as an early example of reinforced concrete construction and as a
distinctive example of a decorated municipal building that embodies the design principles of the City
Beautiful movement. Under Criterion C, it is also significant as the work of important local builder
Maurice Couchot. The period of significance represents the period beginning with the building's
construction in 1910 and ending in 1962 when Palo Alto discontinued the use of local well water
supply.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: None.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
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RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 1 (The structure or site is identified with the lives of historic people or with
important events in the city, state, or nation)
• Criterion 4 (The structure or site is connected with a business or use which was once
common, but is now rare)
• Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important)
Statement of Significance: 201 Alma Street is significant as a distinctive example of a decorated
municipal building that embodies the design principles of the City Beautiful movement. It is an early
example of reinforced concrete construction and is significant for its design by important local
builder Maurice Couchot. It also is associated with early municipal water retention planning in Palo
Alto.
Period of Significance: 1910-1962
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 1*
*Note, this is one of the few properties with significance as an "Exceptional Building" of pre-eminent
national or state importance. It is a meritorious work of important local builder Maurice Couchot.
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State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
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NRHP Status Code. 3S
Other listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 7 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 201 Alma St
P1. Other Identifier: 201 Alma St
P2. Location: 0 Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA
c. Address 201 Alma St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _• mE/ mN
*e. Other Locationai Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 25 060
Date 1991 T • R '/4 of %4 of Sec . B.M.
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The structure at the east corner of Alma Street and Hawthorne Avenue is an elevated water tank designed to store water and
to put pressure on the water mains in the northeast part of the city. It originally provided an "abundant water supply at good
pressure to a quarter of the town where it is most needed." The general location was chosen "as being the highest ground and
the furthest removed from the main plant" (Palo Alto Times 9 June 1910). It was built as part of a growing water system that
included the main water plant in the current Rinconada Park ared and a network of water mains. At the time it was built, this
structure was the only element in the system that was designed with a non -utilitarian appearance. It was ornamented in the
spirit of the City Beautiful Movement with specific references to Renaissance design. Like pump houses, electrical substations,
and other features of the new public infrastructure that was expanding at that time in Northern California, this water tank was
treated as an ornamental object, to beautify its surroundings, as an object of pride, and to market its commodity and ameliorate
its otherwise negative visual effects. Comparable water towers were built in Fresno (1894) and Fairfield (ca. 1920).
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP11 Engineering Structure
*P4. Resources Present: 0 Building ® Structure ❑ Object ❑ Site 0 District ❑ Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
201 Alma St: view northeast:
09/13/99: by B. Vahev: roll BRV-77,
neg #2
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
❑ Prehistoric ❑ Both
1910: Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
City of Palo Alto
201 Alma St Palo Alto CA 94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco. CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
May 12, 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore. 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE ® Location Map ❑ Sketch Map Continuation Sheet is Building, StructurA and OhIArt Record
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record ❑ Milli
❑ Artifact Record ❑ Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
DPR 523A (1/9511 ALMA201.F1
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*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRllTrinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 2 of 7 Resource Identifier: 201 Alma St
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date May 12, 2000 ix Continuation in Update
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Description (continued)
This elevated tank was built in two phases: the elevated tank structure in 1910 and a one-story pump house addition about
1914. The main tower is 79 feet high and has an inside diameter of 30 feet. The walls are two feet three inches thick at the
base, tapering to six inches at the top. The structure is reinforced concrete with "twisted steel" reinforcing bars — probably
those cold twisted square reinforcing bars patented by Ernest Ransome in 1885. The water tank, with a capacity of 155,000
gallons, is located at the top of the tower. It is supported by a reinforced concrete dome inside the tower that is 44 feet above
ground level at the center. The tank is 29 feet high and is capped by another dome the roof of the tower. This leaves a large
open area at the bottom of the tower. The tower was decorated with classical elements in the proportions of a column. The
base is rusticated with bands that circle the structure. The shaft is smooth. Original drawings show a cornice and railing at
the top, labeled "not included." These details were not built, presumably because they would have cost extra, and the tower
design was terminated in a simple flat molding. Although not decorative, this molding serves the purpose of terminating the
design and maintaining the classical proportions. The original design showed a rectangular doorway at the base that interrupted
the rustication. This doorway was not built or has been covered up by the pump house addition. Inside the pump house, a
Luitweiler Deep Well Pumping Engine was installed in 1912-1913, and moved a few feet from the bottom of the tower to the
new pump house extension in 1913-1914. This engine pumped 300 gallons of water per minute into the tank from a well 273 -
feet deep. The grounds around the tank have been maintained as a public park from the beginning. In 1914-15, power lines
were placed in an underground conduit so that overhead wires would not mar the appearance of the tower grounds.
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DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HR1 #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
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*NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 201 Alma St
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Engineering Structure
*B5. Architectural Style: Renaissance Revival
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1910: Built (Palo Alto Times)
*B7. Moved? ® No a Yes o Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: Couchot & Thurston (civil engineers) b. Builder: Richard Keatinge & Sons
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Development of Palo Alto's municipal water system; C: Early reinforced concrete construction
municipal water tower. City Beautiful Movement in Palo Alto, and work of engineer Maurice Couchot Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1910-1962 Property Type municipal utility Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
Histo ry
Site: A reinforced concrete tower is situated on a 75 -by -115 -foot lot at the corner of Alma Street and Hawthorne Avenue. In
1907, Timothy Hopkins had given the city a 1.5 mile strip of land flanking San Francisquito Creek for park use. According to
the Palo Alto Times, on 8 April 1910, work was begun on a tower next to the creek — about a block northwest of the present
site. Work was stopped at the original site three days after it began by the contractor after an interview with Mr. Hopkins. Mr.
Hopkins claimed that when he deeded the creek land to the city he had specified that it was to be used for park purposes only
and that the water tower was not in accordance with the agreement. According to the Palo Alto Times, on 14 April 1910,
Hopkins would prohibit the city from sinking a well on that site and was trying to dissuade the city from doing so in that part
of town. He owned a water plant on the other side of the creek and was concerned about competition for the same
underground water. He also wanted to sell water to the city. On 19 April 1910, the board of public works recommended to
the City Council the purchase of a lot at the east corner of Alma Street and Hawthorne Avenue as an alternative site for the
water tower that would not be controlled by Hopkins. This recommendation was adopted. The corner of Alma Street and
Hawthorne Avenue was purchased, and the city built its water tower there.
Structure: A drawing, dated 5 March 1910, for the "150,000 gallon Reinforced Concrete Tower for the City of Palo Alto,
California" was designed by Couchot & Thurston, civil engineers.
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: May 12. 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
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State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRIITrinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 4 of 7 Resource Identifier: 201 Alma St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date May 12, 2000 0 Continuation 0 Update
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History (continued)
According to his obituary which appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle on 30 June 1933, Maurice Couchot was born in France
about 1871, was educated as an engineer in Paris, and came to California as a young man. Among his most prominent projects
were the Bank of Italy building at Powell and Market streets in San Francisco, the Senator Hotel in Sacramento, the Arcade
Building in Los Angeles, "the mills elevators, and warehouses of the Sperry Flour Company at Ogden, Tacoma, Spokane, and
Vallejo," and the Palace of Fine Arts and the French building at the Panama -Pacific International Exposition of 1915. Couchot
was a pioneer in the use of reinforced concrete construction.
The city's First Annual Report, July 1, 1909 to June 30, 1910, reported (p. 23) that the money for this tank was derived from
a recent bond issue. The board of public works accepted these plans on 11 February 1910 when they were submitted by the
city engineer, W.F. Byxbee. Construction was begun by the contracting firm of Richard Keatinge & Sons on 5 April 1910 but
ordered stopped on 8 April 1910. Several months later, work was recommenced at the present site and stopped again. The
contractor was unable to obtain lumber for form work due to a San Francisco lockout and strike. The building was completed
by December 1910.
The same article reported "The property owners who at first regretted to see a water tower erected in their vicinity are becoming
reconciled to the event when it becomes evident that the structure will be a very artistic one when finished. It readily lends
itself to picturesque adornment with ivy vines and this plan will be carried out."
Use: According to the San Francisco Chronicle, on 4 August 1918, "Municipal ownership of public utilities, began in Palo Alto
in 1897 with the establishment of a city water system, has been extended gradually until at present this municipality of 8,000
inhabitants owns and successfully operates the following enterprises:
Electric light and power plant and distributing system
Water pumping plant and distributing system
Gas distributing system
Garbage destructor, collection done by contract
Corporation yard
Hotel for itinerant laborers
Jitney bus station
Swimming pool
Public library in a building donated by Carnegie"
The city's Second Annual Report, 1910-1911 (p. 21) recorded a list of the uses made of the city's water and the amounts each
required in that year. These uses included: commercial water lines, street sprinkling, fire fighting, flushing sewers, settling
ditches, power and water plants, county road sprinkling, street work, broken mains, testing the new water tank, and parks.
A staff report dated 8 May 1974 and submitted by Warren L. Deverel, Assistant City Manager, summarized the later history
of the city's employment of the water tower. "Prior to 1962, the City's water supply came from its wells, and the City presently
owns and maintains 10 wells on standby status. In 1962, the City converted to water from the San Francisco Water System,
and the wells were placed on a standby status to provide for emergencies, periods of extremely heavy usage, and for fire
backup. The total capacity of the City's wells is 5,750 gallons per minute. Of this, only 4 percent is provided by the tower
well, and the storage capacity is considered to be of marginal use in the event of shortage or emergency need." Due to the
diminished significance of the facility, Mr. Deverel wrote, "It is proposed to abandon the tower well and tank as a water system
operating facility. This proposal is based on the minimal impact of the facility in terms of flow and storage capability. The
property should then by declared surplus, and we will take the necessary steps to do that. It is then our intent to advertise the
property for sale and development. It is suggested that the advertisements indicate that proposals will be considered on the
basis of treatment and use of the site, as well as the economic return to the City. It is also proposed to indicate that the City
will consider either lease or outright sale of the property." The city did not, however, abandon the tower well until 1988. It is
still (2000) owned by the city.
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State of California --- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
HRliTrinomial
Page 5 of 7 Resource Identifier: 201 Alma St
Recorded by Michael Corbett Date May 12, 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
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Evaluation
This water tower appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The period of
significance is from 1910, when it was built, to 1962, when it was placed on reserve status.
Under criterion A, this tower represents not only the development of the city of Palo Alto's municipal water system, but it is.
associated with the city itself which was incorporated in part to solve its water problems.
Under criterion C, this building is an early example of reinforced concrete construction, it is a distinctive example of a municipal
water tower with architectural embellishment, it is a rare manifestation of the City Beautiful Movement in Palo Alto, and it is
the work of the important engineer Maurice Couchot.
Further research on Palo Alto's park system and development of a historic context could result in the evaluation of this park as
eligible under criterion A as part of the development of parks in Palo Alto.
References
Architect and Engineer. "Maurice C. Couchot." July 1953, p. 54.
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Couchot & Thurston, Civil Engineers. Reinforced Concrete Tower for the City of Palo Alto, section and elevation drawing
submitted by Richard Keatinge & Sons. 5 March 1910.
Gebhard, David and Robert Winters. A Guide to Architecture in Los Angeles & Southern California. Santa Barbara and Salt Lake
City: Peregrine Smith, Inc., 1977.
Kemp, Tom. "Palo Alto's Opportunity." Palo Alto Times. 1 May 1896.
Palo Alto. First Annual Report. 1909-10. p. 23.
Palo Alto. Second Annual Report. 1910-11. p. 21.
Palo Alto. Fourth Annual Report. 1912-13. pp. 24-25.
Palo Alto. Fifth Annual Report. 1913-14. pp. 23, 27-28.
Palo Alto. Sixth Annual Report. 1914-15. p. 27.
Palo Alto. Seventh Annual Report. 1915-16.
Palo Alto. Eighth Annual Report. 1916-17.
Palo Alto. Staff Report. Submitted by Warren L. Deverel, Assistant City Manager, 8 May 1974.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1906-1924.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Historical Association. Parks of Palo Alto. Palo Alto: 1996.
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State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 6 of 7 Resource Identifier: 201 Alma St
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date May 12, 2000 s) Continuation c Update
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References (continued)
Palo Alto Live Oak. Century Edition. "City Water, Light and Sewers." 1 January 1900.
Palo Alto Times. "Tower Matter is Still in Abeyance." 14 April 1910 p. 1.
Palo Alto Times. "Water Tower Work May be Delayed." 9 June 1910.
Palo Alto Times. "News of 25 Years Ago." 12 February 1910.
Palo Alto Times. "News of 25 Years Ago." 5 April 1910.
Palo Alto Times. "News of 25 Years Ago." 8 April 1910.
Palo Alto Times. "News of 25 Years Ago." 19 April 1910.
Palo Alto Times. "News of 25 Years Ago." 1 October 1910.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
San Francisco Chronicle. "Death Takes Couchot, Noted Bay Engineer." 30 June 1933.
San Francisco Examiner. "Palo Alto's Utilities Are Success." 4 August 1918.
Solano County. Central Solano County Cultural Heritage Commission. Our Lasting Heritage. Fairfield, 1977.
"Tower Well Site." Historic Resources Inventory Form, n.d.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Winslow, Ward and the Palo Alto Historical Association. Palo Alto: A Centennial History. Palo Alto: Palo Alto Historical
Association, 1993.
Packet Pg. 31
DPR 523L (1 /95) ALMA201.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary #
HRI#
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL f
Trinomial
Page 7 of 7 *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 201 Alma St
"Map Name: Palo Alto Planning Deot. GIS *Scale: 1":80"
TM Cllr •r
Palo Alto
DPP 523J (1/95)
201-203 Alma Street
120-25-060
This*yarrow,* ♦e t grtphk repreeentallen cried bed araie* PM** The Cleo/Mb _ l
*Date of Map: 1999
My Pilo Atis OIS
produl et Ohs
This mop Is • 0
Packet Pg. 32
/17 anon
PAGE &TURNBULL
CISTERN AND PUMP HOUSE
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
APN: N/A (Location to the northwest of the intersection of Palo Alto Avenue and Hale Street)
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criterion A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1924
Summary of Significance: Under Criterion A, the Cistern and Pump House was deemed eligible as
an important part of the Palo Alto municipal water system that was developed from wells beginning
in 1887. Under Criterion C, the Pump House is significant as one of only two examples in Palo Alto of
an important Northern California building type in the early 20th century: the decorated utility
structure that reflects the City Beautiful movement and a sense of civic pride.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: None.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 1 (The structure or site is identified with the lives of historic people or with
important events in the city, state, or nation.)
• Criterion 2 (The structure is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of life
important to the city, state, or nation.)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
Packet Pg. 33
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Statement of Significance: The subject building is significant as only one of two remaining early Palo
Alto decorated utility structures and as an important part of the Palo Alto municipal water system
that was developed from well sources beginning in 1887. The Cistern and Pump House also
represents an important Northern California building typology that emerged from the City Beautiful
Movement. It was designed to express pride in civic and public infrastructure.
Period of Significance: 1924
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 34
I'(Y/II I IVU Itl Y1J-JVCJI JY
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
s
NRHP Status Code SS
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) Cistern and Pump House Hale and Palo Alto
P1. Other Identifier: Cistern and Pump House at Hale and Palo Alto streets
P2. Location: 0 Not for Publication ta Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T ; R •_Y+ of _Y4 of Sec ; B.M.
c. Address Cistern/Pump House Hale and Palo Alto City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _; mEl mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN None
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The Hale Street site of the city's water system includes two structures, a cistern and a pump house. The cistern is a circular
reinforced concrete structure with a capacity of 300,000 gallons. It is covered by a roof and ventilated in the center by a hip
roofed monitor. At the southern edge of the cistern, there is a gable -roofed shed that appears to be of more recent construction.
Several yards to the east of the cistern is a reinforced concrete pump house. This is a rectangular structure with stucco walls
and a flat roof. The pump house is on axis with Hale Street and is designed to be seen by the public. The principal facade is
a traditional composition from classical and Renaissance sources, with a large central arched entryway flanked by a single
window on each side. The composition is provided with balance and completion at the top by means of three square openings
and a red -tiled roof coping. Each of these elements is ornamented. The arched entry is filled by a paneled door. The flanking
windows are screened by decorative iron grilles. The square openings at the top are fitted with glazed terra cotta grilles.
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP11 Engineering Structure
*P4. Resources Present: ❑ Building s Structure 0 Object ❑ Site ❑ District 0 Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
Cistern/Hale Palo Alto Ave: view east;
09/13/99: by B. Vahev: roll BRV-77,
nea #15
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
0 Prehistoric 0 Both
1924: Live Oak
*P7. Owner and Address:
City of Palo Alto
250 Hamilton Ave Palo Alto CA
94031
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
Mav 12. 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE ® Location Map ❑ Sketch Map ® Continuation Sheet 0 Buildin•. Structure and Oh'e t Record
o Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record 0 Milli Packet Pg. 35 d
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record 0 Other lust)
DPR 523A 11/95)/ CISTERN.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL J
Page 2 of 5
*NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) Cistern and Pump House Hale and Palo Alto
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Engineering Structure
"B5. Architectural Style: Mediterranean
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1924: Built (Live Oak)
*B7. Moved? ® No ❑ Yes ❑ Unknown Date: Original Location:
*88. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: City of Palo Alto
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Municipal water supply: C: Decorated utility structure Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1924-1962 Property Type Municipal Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: This property is located on the southeast bank of San Francisquito Creek at the end of Hale Street.
Structure: The Live Oak reported, on 2 October 1924, that the City of Palo Alto was building a pump house at Palo Alto Avenue
and Hale Street at a cost of $700.
Use: The Palo Alto Times published, on 25 June 1935, an article, "Palo Alto Water Consumption Outgrows Underground Supply"
in which it quoted the city engineer, J.F. Byxbee, who summarized the history of the supply of water to Palo Alto: "Palo Alto
has depended entirely upon wells for its water supply since the town was first laid out in 1889. Prior to 1898 it was common
practice for residents to construct hand dug wells or to bore shallow 'stovepipe' casting wells, 6 in. to 8 in. in diameter, and
pump water from them either by hand or by windmill. At that time the natural ground water was very close to the surface so
no drilling was encountered in procuring a supply at low cost."
"In 1887 the Palo Alto Municipal Water Works was constructed involving an initial outlay of some $40,000 for mains and a
steam pumping plant, which later was located at the present power and water plant site on Newell Road between Hopkins
Avenue and Embarcadero Road. Additional wells and pumping plants, now of the deep -well, electrically -driven turbine -type,
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Rernarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: May 12, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 36
DPR 523B (1195) CISTERN.F1 'Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 3 of 5 Resource Identifier: Cistern and Pump House Hale and Palo Alto
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date May 12, 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
History (continued)
have been constructed in various parts of the city from time to time, since the original pumping station." The Palo Alto Times
listed eight of these local wells in the article "Mains could serve city of 7Q000" published on 17 October 1952: the Tower Well,
located at Hawthorne and Alma; the Hale Well at Palo Alto and Hale; one in the 1100 block of Middlefield; one on Hopkins
between Cedar and Pine; one in the 1600 block of Bryant; one at the corner of Alma and Oregon; and one on Park next to Fire
Station no. 2. Mr. Byxbee gave his analysis of the water situation: "The production cost and fixed charges on production capital
for procuring water from wells of the Palo Alto type and with the present depth and volume of ground water, are relatively quite
low and make the supply from such sources attractive from the standpoint of cost. It appears, however, that the city is
outgrowing this source of water supply; also that the quality of the ground water, while not detrimental to health, is complained
of generally on account of its hardness and high mineral content."
"Since 1925 studies have been made by the board of other sources of water supply for Palo Alto, but no permanent satisfactory
or adequate source of water has been found except the San Francisco-Hetch Hetchy water which is now available to this city."
The Palo Alto Times reported, on 26 January 1948, in the article "P.A. has enough water" that "Ten years ago last December
the city made a contract with the San Francisco Water Department for the delivery of water, using the spur pipe line from the
Atherton substation of the Hetch Hetchy system, in which Palo Alto has a 60 percent interest." The same article reported
further: "Meanwhile, the nine Palo Alto wells are inactive, but at least some of them will be placed in operation later on." In
1952, the Palo Alto Times, on 17 October 1952, referred to the well at Palo Alto and Hale as one of the eight local wells that
were then serving as the city's secondary source of water.
Since 1962, the city has relied on a mix of Hetch Hetchy and coast range water with its old system of wells serving only for
backup purposes. Four wells are still part of the system: Hale, Rinconada, Peers, and Meadows (Winslow, p. 219-220).
Evaluation
Although additional research is necessary to understand how the pump house at Hale and Palo Alto streets functions within the
system, and a complete survey of water system facilities is necessary to fully understand the context of this site, this property
appears to meet the criteria of the NRHP. It appears significant under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The
period of significance is from 1924, when it was built, to 1962 when it went on standby status.
Under criterion A, this property represents the municipal water system developed by Palo Alto from wells beginning in 1887.
Under criterion C, the pump house is one of only two examples in Palo Alto of an important building type in Northern California
in the early 20th century — the decorated utility structure. The other example is the Tower Wall at Alma and Hawthorne
streets. The best known examples are electrical substations, but the decorated utility structures were built for water systems
and other utilities as well. These structures were an aspect of the City Beautiful Movement, reflecting pride in modern
technology and an effort to beautify utilitarian facilities for the benefit of the whole city.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Live Oak. "City of Palo Alto Pump House." 2 October 1924.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. "Palo Alto Water Consumption Outgrows Underground Supply." 25 June 1935.
Palo Alto Times. "P.A. has enough water." 26 January 1948.
Packet Pg. 37
DPR 523L (1/95) CISTERN.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRUTrinonrial
CONTINUATION SHEET
i 1
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 4 of 5 Resource Identifier: Cistern and Pump House Hale and Palo Alto
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date May 12. 2000 e Continuation ❑ Update
References (continued)
Palo Alto Times. "Mains could serve city of 70,000 — but it takes work to keep 'em full." 17 October 1952.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15.• How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Winslow, Ward and the Palo Alto Historical Association. Palo Alto: A Centennial History. Palo Alto: Palo Alto Historical
Association, 1993.
Packet Pg. 38
DPR 523L (1/95) CISTERN.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary #
HRt#
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL J
Page _ 5 of
`Map Name: Palo Alto Plannina Dept. GIS 'Scale: 1':80'
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) Cistgrn/Hale Palo Alto Ave
'Date of Map: 1999
n. Cis, .f
Palo Alto
Cistern Hale/Palo Alto Ave
,N. IT r product oa t
cny d Palo MD GIS
an
DPR 523J (1/95)
TAb cu m*ii $ a graphic P.Pin.Mat ,1 Oily of baal available swot** . The GIP/ d Pak. Alb — .+.�-a....sa..s
Packet Pg. 39
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
CRITERION 2 NOMINATIONS
Properties proposed for designation under Palo Alto Criterion 2:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of life
important to the city, state or nation)
Address
Criteria
Category
518 Byron Street
2
2
471 Channing Avenue
2
2
751 Channing Avenue
2
2
643 College Avenue
2
2
252 Cowper Street
2
2
1464 Emerson Street
2
2
482 Everett Avenue
2
2
446 Forest Avenue
2
2
1011 Fulton Street
2
2
975 Hamilton Avenue
2
2
317 High Street
2
2
323 High Street
2
2
342 High Street
2
2
832 Kipling Street
2
2
426 Palo Alto Avenue
2
2
245 Ramona Street
2
2
313 Waverley Street
2
2
326 Waverley Street
2
2
333 Waverley Street
2
2
947 Waverley Street
2
2
1545 Waverley Street
2
2
251 Webster Street
2
2
1235 Webster Street
2
2
1345 Webster Street
2
2
669 Channing Avenue
2
3
Page &Turnbull 1 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNI
Packet Pg. 40
PAGE &TURNBULL
518 BYRON STREET
APN: 120-03-055
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1906-1918
Summary of Significance: 518 Byron Street was found eligible under Criterion A as a representative
of the development of early Palo Alto by middle class families. Under Criterion C, it was found
eligible as the work of carpenters or builders influenced by traditional building practices and
published building plans.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance is revised to 1902, the year of
the building's construction. The significance of the property under Criterion A, for being
representative of early Palo Alto development, has been omitted as many extant properties express
this development context and this significance may be better expressed through the survey and
potential identification of a historic district.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation: Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly
representative of an architectural style or way of life important to the city, state or nation)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓ I .Y+
Packet Pg. 41
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Statement of Significance: 518 Byron Street is significant as a well-preserved example of the square
cottage typology that was common in early Palo Alto.
Period of Significance: 1902
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
N.
Packet Pg. 42
IV H L L Y I J-JUL-, 1
Item 2
State of California -- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary # Attachment A 2023-11-
HRI # 09_HRB Nomination
Trinomial Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 38
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder} 518 Bvron St
P1. Other Identifier: 518 Bvron St
P2. Location: o Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d, Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto. CA Date 1991 T _; R 14 of 1/4 of Sec : B.M.
c. Address 518 Bvron St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and or linear resources) Zone mE. mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 03 055
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The following description addresses the building in terms of its structure, plan, and appearance. The structure and plan are
described using three sources of information (1949 Assessment Record prepared by the Tax Assessor, Sanborn maps, and
current survey information — photographs, Field Notes form, and site visits from 1998 and 1999). The description of the
structure and plan is presented for two phases in the building's history. The building is presented as it was built, or as it was
at the earliest time warranted by the information available. Second the building is presented as it has changed, up to the present
(1999).
This is a one-story, stud -frame house on a concrete perimeter foundation. The walls are clad in V -groove siding nailed directly
on the studs without sheathing. The house is covered by a hip roof except for a gable roof over a projecting wing — all with
overhanging eaves and paneled soffits. Fenestration includes double -hung windows and a paneled front door.
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family orooerty
*P4. Resources Present: a Building 0 Structure 0 Object 0 Site 0 District 0 Element of District ❑ Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
518 Byron St: yw southwest:
09/16/99: by B. Vahev; roll BRV-81.
neg #21
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
ca. 1902-1904; Sanborn map
*P7. Owner and Address:
Faith Brice!
2080 Yale St Palo Alto CA 94396
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street. Suite 600
San Francisco. CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
January 11. 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradlev for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE ® Location Map ❑ Sketch Map ® Continuation Sheet IN Building, Structure and Object Record
a Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record 0 Mil Packet Pg. 43 ord
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record ❑ Other (List)
DPR 523A (1±95). BYRo518.F1
• Required information.
Item 2
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary # Attachment A 2023-11-
HRI/Trinomlal 09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 2 of.. .. Resource Identifier: 518 Byron St
Recorded by Michael Corbett
*Date January 11. 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
Description (continued)
In plan, the house is square in its center with projecting wings at opposite corners of the front and rear. In the angle between
the central square and the front projecting wing, there is a half porch covered by the main roof of the house. There is also a
projecting bay window on the northwest side of the house. According to the Tax Assessor's card prepared about 1949, the
interior included a living room, dining room, three bedrooms, a kitchen, two bathrooms, and an office. The house is almost
identical in size and shape to 3905 Park Boulevard. In 1952, an extension was built to the rear projecting wing with a bedroom
and a bathroom. The full, unfinished basement was in place by 1949 and may have been original to the house. Plans on file
at the Building Department show that seismic work was done in 1991.
The appearance of the house mixes forms and images usually associated with 19th -century houses on the one hand and 20th -
century bungalows on the other hand. The basic shape of the house as it appears from the street, a one-story square box with
a hip roof and a projecting wing with an angled bay window at the front, was common in the 1890s. Such houses were often
decorated with ornament from the Queen Anne style, which was popular at the time, and have often been called Queen Anne
cottages in style guides of the 1960s -1990s. Unlike this house, however, cottages of the 1890s had a higher pitched roof.
The central front door recalls earlier houses with a central corridor and rooms on either side, which reinforces the association
with 19th -century traditions.
Houses with plans like this were published in newspapers, magazines, and plan books. They were widely available and were
commonly used with and without modifications as sources of ideas for homeowners and as plans for carpenters, builders, and
architects. Wilson's Bungalow Book of 1908 illustrated several house plans like many other published plans that might have
served as a starting point for the design of this house. These include a six -room house with three bedrooms, a projecting front
wing with a living room, a central corridor, and a bathroom in a projecting side bay (p. 25); a house with a central door but no
corridor and a dining room in a projecting side bay ip. 40-41); and a three -bedroom house with a bedroom in the projecting front
wing ip. 119).
Along with the shape of the house, some of its finishes and decorative details are associated with houses of the 1890s. These
features include the V -groove siding, the shingled gable, the contrasting texture of these two surfaces, and the decorative
features of the porch including turned posts and balusters, and jigsawn brackets. At the same time, the low pitch of the roof,
the paneled soffits, and the proportions of the windows are all characteristics of post -1900 bungalows.
Packet Pg. 44
DPR 523L (1195) BYROS18.F1 "Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL J
Page 3 of fi *NRHP Status Code 35
•Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 518 Byron 5t
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: 84. Present Use: Single family or9Derty
•B5. Architectural Style: Bungalow
•BB. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
ca. 1902-1904: Built (Sanborn maps)
•87. Moved? a No u Yes u Unknown Date: Original Location:
*BB. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder; unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Pattern of development; C: Characteristic building tvoe in ore -World War I Palo Alto
Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1906-1918 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: Byron Street already divided Block 42 of Palo Alto's original grid at the time of the 1894 Plat of the Town of Palo Alto.
The same map outlines parcels of about 25 by 125 feet. The prevalent pattern of development of Block 42 proved to be
bungalows on two such parcels. This was the case with 518 Byron: nos. 16 and 17 of block 42.
Building History: The county records indicate that 518 Byron was built in 1905 but it already appears on the Sanborn map of
June 1904. It does not appear on the Sanborn map dated August 1901. The builder has not been identified.
History of Use: The Palo Alto City Directory of 1 December 1904 is the first to list this address. The first residents were G.A.
Brown, an engineer, and his wife, "Mrs. G.A. Brown." They remained at the address until 1907. Thereafter, the occupants
tended to change about every two years. These included a dealer in feed and fuel, a driver, a laborer, a carpenter, a clerk, and
a bookkeeper. The 1950 directory lists Wesley Kechum, a physician at the address but also notes that his residence is in
Mountain View. The county tax record notes the 1952 addition of a bedroom and bath at the rear of the building. The structure
seems to have served a commercial or mixed use ever since, because of its proximity to University Avenue. The most recent
photographs show three mailboxes.
See continuation sheet
811. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: January 11, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 45
DPR 523B (1/95) BYR0518.F1 'Required Information
Item 2
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary # Attachment A 2023-11-
HRIITrinomlai 09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page_ of_ Resource Identifier: 518 Byron St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date January 11, 2000 ta Continuation 0 Update
Evaluation
This house at 518 Byron appears to possess significance under criterion C of the NRHP as an example of a characteristic building
type in pre -World War 1 Palo Alto. It represents the work of carpenters or builders influenced by traditional practices and
published building plans. In plan and shape it recalls a common small house type of the 1890s. At the same time, in style and
decoration it is a bungalow. This house is almost identical in form and size to 3905 Park Boulevard but its finishes are different.
Houses like this illustrate the variety that was possible in standard formulas.
The house also appears to possess significance under criterion A — it represents the establishment of the original part of Palo
Alto in its first two decades by middle class families — the first owner was an engineer,
It appears to be eligible to the NRHP at the local level of significance for the period 1906 when it was built, to about 1918,
which was the end of the time when houses like this were built.
The property possesses a high degree of integrity with the exterior of the house and garage unaltered. Changes to its interior
diminish its integrity. However, the essential features of the house that convey its significance are intact on its exterior.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
MetroScan.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1903-1953.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1904.
Sanborn Map Company, Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949.
United States Department of the interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Wilson, Henry L. The Bungalow Book: A Short Sketch of the Evolution of the Bungalow from its Primitive Crudeness to its
Present State of Artistic Beauty and Cozy Convenience. Illustrated with Drawings of Exteriors, Floor Plans, Interiors and Cozy
Corners of Bungalows Which Have Been Built from Original Designs. 4th edition. Los Angeles: Henry L. Wilson, 1908.
Packet Pg. 46
DPR 523L (1/95) BYR0518.F1 *Required Information
204-87 1
1204-88 1
1203-89 1
12 90 1
120-3-91 1.
1204-92 1
120,3-5 1
120-3-94 1
120-3-95 1
1204-96 1 .,
120397 1
120.398 1
120-3-99 120-
1203-100 1.•
120-3-101 1 '
1204-102 1
120-3.104 120-.
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CitydfPilo Ala the
.d
State of California -- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Trinomial
Item 2
Pd nary Attachment A 2023-11-
HRI# 09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL J
Page of mot_ `Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 518 Byron St
*Map Name: Pato Alto Mannino Deot GIS "Scale: 1":$0' "Date of Map: 1999
518 Byron Street
120-03-055
PAGE &TURNBULL
471 CHANNING AVENUE
APN: 120-17-090
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criterion A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1902-1958
Summary of Significance: 471 Channing Avenue was deemed eligible under Criterion A as a
representative of early single-family development in Palo Alto and the patterns of construction by
original owner/builders. It was deemed eligible under Criterion C as an example of the Foursquare, a
common early building type.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1902, the
year of the building's construction. The significance of the property under Criterion A, as a
representative of early single-family development and patterns of construction by original
owner/builders, has been omitted, as many extant properties express this development context and
this significance may be better expressed through the survey and potential identification of a
historic district. The style has been updated from Queen Anne and Craftsman Bungalow to Colonial
Revival style Foursquare.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓
Packet Pg. 48
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation: Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly
representative of an architectural style or way of life important to the city, state or nation);
Statement of Significance: 471 Channing Avenue is significant as an excellent example of the
Colonial Revival Foursquare house typology in Palo Alto.
Period of Significance: 1902
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
NI
Packet Pg. 49
Ill ILL Y IJ- JOG-JI
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Page 1 of 5
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
k. Package -FULL .2
NRHP Status Code 35
Other Listings
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Review Code Reviewer Date
*Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 471 Channina Ave
P1. Other Identifier: 471 Channina Ave
P2. Location: ❑ Not for Publication a Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T ; R Y of 1/4 of Sec , B.M.
c. Address 471 Channina Ave City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _• mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 17 090
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The following description addresses the building in terms of its structure, plan, and appearance. The structure and plan are
described using three sources of information (1949 Assessment Record prepared by the Tax Assessor, Sanborn maps, and
current survey information — photographs, Field Notes form, and site visits from 1998 and 1999). The description of the
structure and plan is presented for two phases in the building's history. The building is presented as it was built, or as it was
at the earliest time warranted by the information available. Second the building is presented as it has changed, up to the present
(1999).
This house at 471 Channing Avenue is a two-story, balloon- or platform -frame structure with a half basement. It is covered
by a hip roof. The frame is clad on the exterior in 3 -lap siding. Fenestration consists of double -hung windows. Inside, floors
in the basement are earth and on the upper floors are pine. In 1949, heat was provided by a gas -fired hot air system. The
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: a Building ❑ Structure 0 Object ❑ Site ❑ District ❑ Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
471 Channina Ave; view northwest;
10/05/99; by B. Vahev; roll BRV-87,
neq #22A
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: a Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
ca. 1902; Sanborn maps
*P7. Owner and Address:
Abert Zdenek
471 Channing Ave Palo Alto CA
94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett. Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
December 29. 1999
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey UpdateJCorbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE a Location Map 0 Sketch Map IN Continuation Sleet in Building, Structure and Obje. t Record
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record 0 Milli •d
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
Packet Pg. 50
DPR 523A (1/95)/ CHAN471.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRIITrinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 2 of 5 Resource Identifier: 471 Channing Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date December 29. 1999 ® Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Description (continued)
original foundation of brick walls was replaced with a concrete foundation when the house was moved about 1980. The original
brick chimney was removed, also probably when the house was moved.
In plan, this house was built as a two-story, rectangular structure with a projecting, gabled wing at the front, a two-story, bay
window on the southwest side, and a full porch across the front. Between 1904 and 1924, a two-story extension was built
across the rear. Inside, in 1949, the Tax Assessor recorded rooms as follows: on the ground floor were a living room, dining
room, den, two bedrooms, a bath, a kitchen, and a service porch. On the second floor, there were five bedrooms, a bath, and
two sleeping porch rooms. The interior arrangement of these rooms is unknown.
In appearance, this house is a variation of a common local type — a large, hip -roofed box with a projecting, gabled wing and
a porch. The form of this house recalls Queen Anne style houses of the 1890s, as do the contrasting textures of wall materials.
Other details are associated with Craftsman Bungalows of the early 20th century, including the low roof, overhanging eaves
and exposed rafters, and wide porch with square columns. Although the builder, Robert Rankin, was said to have studied
architecture in Europe, this house is a variation of a standard type found in pattern books and built by American carpenters and
contractors.
Packet Pg. 51
DPR 523L (1/95) CHAN471.F1 *Required Information.
State of California -- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRI#
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page of
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 471 Channing Ave
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Queen Anne and Craftsman Bungalow
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
ca. 1902: Built
ca. 1979: Interior remodel, addition of new carport and deck
ca. 1980: Moved on lot
*B7. Moved? ❑ No @ Yes 0 Unknown Date: ca. 1980 Original Location: same lot (471 Channing)
*88. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Pattern of development; C: House type Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1902-1958 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The house at 471 Channing is located in what was originally Block No. 26 which was already bisected by Kipling in the
first P/at of the City of Palo Alto. At least until the city map of 1949 and the Sanborn map of the same year, the lot was larger
than it is at present (1999). In 1979, a permit application was filed for a new foundation on a new site a few feet to the
southwest on the original lot. In 1982, the northeast edge of the lot was merged with the adjacent parcel.
History of Construction and Alteration: A Palo Alto Times article dated 16 April 1942 says that Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dalziel
Rankin built a residence at 471 Channing Avenue in about 1895. The issuance of a building permit was noted in the same
newspaper on 30 December 1896. The Sanborn map of 1901 shows, however, only a small, one-story dwelling at the rear
of the lot. It is not until the Sanborn map of 1904 that the two-story building now identified as 471 Channing makes its first
appearance in that record. The Rankins appear to have lived in a small house at the rear until the big house was finished about
1902. The 1924 Sanborn marks a two-story, open addition to the rear of the house and the alteration or replacement of the
single -story dwelling of 1896/97 by a one -and -a -half story garage. The record of building permits identifies a busy history of,
for the most part, interior alterations. In 1979, a permit was issued to remodel the interior and to add a new carport and deck.
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: December 29, 1999
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 52
DPR 523E 11/95) CHAN471.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
HRllirinomial
Page 4 of 5 Resource Identifier: 471 Channing Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date December 29, 1999 ® Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
In 1980 permits were issued to frame a wall to extend a hallway and thereby to create a second exit and to renovate the hot
water system. In 1991, a new bathroom was fit in by subtracting floor space from an existing bedroom.
History of Use: The builders of the house, Robert and Lizzie Rankin were its first residents and remained until 1902. According
to the U.S. Census of 1900, the Rankins were both immigrants from Scotland. According to the Palo Alto Times of 16 April
1942, they returned to Scotland to live six or seven years before returning to live on a Los Altos ranch. Rankin was a carpenter
who built houses for himself and his family in Piedmont and Palo Alto (471 Channing). According to the Palo Alto Times in
1942, "As a young man he interrupted what appeared to be a promising career as an architect and sculptor — he had studied
both subjects on the Continent to come to California . . . While here he caught the construction fever." The property has always
served as a single family dwelling. Its occupants have often been professional, e.g., an attorney, an accountant, a dentist, at
least one of whom maintained his office in a part of the house. Stanley Forbes and his family lived here from 1904 to 1906
and later for many years lived at 1 151 University Avenue. Forbes was Pacific Coast Manager for the Mutual Life Insurance
Company of New York. According to his obituary, "At the time of the Panama Pacific International Exposition he held the
general world's championship as a flycaster." From 1958 to 1968, the house was owned and occupied by Creighton L. Lane,
a decorated World War I soldier and a long-time Palo Alto dentist who also had an office in this house.
Evaluation
This house at 471 Channing appears significant under criteria A and C of the NRHP at the local level of significance for the
period 1902 to 1958 when it was partly used as a dentist's office.
Under criterion A, the house represents the first period of development of Palo Alto with single family houses, and it represents
an important pattern of house building by carpenters and other construction craftsmen for themselves.
Under criterion C, this is a variation of a common early Palo Alto house type, a big box with a projecting wing and a full porch.
Because the house was moved on its parcel, it must meet criteria consideration B for moved properties. Under criteria
consideration B, it cannot be eligible under criterion A because it is not the property "most importantly associated" with its
pattern of significance. It is still eligible under criterion C because it retains the features that convey its significance and
otherwise retains a high degree of integrity.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1896-1953.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 30 December 1896, 29 July 1940, 16 April 1942, 31 March 1944, 23 February 1956.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1901.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1904.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1951, 1957, 1962.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 53
DPR 523L (1195) CHAN471.F1 *Required Information
Item 2
State of California — The Resources. Agency Primary # Attachment A 2023-11-
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION 09_HRB Nomination
LOCATION MAP w .Trinomlal. ..:............... . ..._.. Package -FULL
Page of _5_ *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 471 Channino Ave
*Map Name: Palo Alto Plannino Dent. GIS *Scale: 1":80' *Date of Map: 1999
s
117-25
12047-9
12047-22
120-1726
20.17-30
120-17-10
120.17-11
120-17-12
12041-17
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5-30 120-41-20
ate, 120-41-21
11. 120-41-22
2341-5 12041-23
vs"1 120-41-6 120-41-24
120-41.7
1S 120-41-8
14 120-41-9
120-41-10
12041-11
120-41-12
t
120-17-21
120-17-20
120-17-28
120-17-29
120-17-19
120-17-13
12017-17
120-17-18
DPR 523.1(1/95)
Th6 document Is a prplic raprossroatbn only of best available semws. Ths C!y d Palo Ana assumes no rospomeiley foe wry aelero.
120-17-89
120-17-45
120-1749
120-1748
120-17-46
120-17-47
471 Channing Ave
120-17-090
120-17-51
120-17-52
121
121
121
121
121
121
121
121
121
121
Mornsplso
product of this
cly oi Palo Alto G18
*Required Information
Packet Pg. 54
PAGE &TURNBULL
751 CHANNING AVENUE
APN: 003-32-060
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criterion A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1906-1977
Summary of Significance: 751 Channing Avenue is significant under Criterion A as a representative
of early single-family development in Palo Alto, and under Criterion C as an early and common
twentieth-century building type, a two-story square suburban house in the image of a farmhouse.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance is revised to 1906, the year of
the building's construction. The significance of the property under Criterion A, for being
representative of early single-family development in Palo Alto, has been omitted as many extant
properties express this development context and this significance may be better expressed through
the survey and potential identification of a historic district.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation: Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly
representative of an architectural style or way of life important to the city, state or nation);
Statement of Significance: 751 Channing Avenue is significant as an early and well-built American
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
Packet Pg. 55
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Foursquare style building in Palo Alto, with notable Colonial Revival and Prairie influences. The
building appears to retain a high level of integrity.
Period of Significance: 1906
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 56
Y/l I I IV U I t l Y l J-.lV C J l JY
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer_ Date
Page 1 of 6 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 751 Channinq Ave
P1. Other Identifier: 751 Channinq Ave
P2. Location: ❑ Not for Publication s Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T _; R _; _ 4 of _A of Sec ; B.M.
c. Address 751 Channinq Ave City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large andtor linear resources) Zone _; rnE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 003 32 060
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The following description addresses the building in terms of its structure, plan, and appearance. The structure and plan are
described using three sources of information (1949 Assessment Record prepared by the Tax Assessor, Sanborn maps, and
current survey information — photographs, Field Notes form, and site visits from 1998 and 1999). The description of the
structure and plan is presented for two phases in the building's history. The building is presented as it was built, or as it was
at the earliest time warranted by the information available. Secorid the building is presented as it has changed, up to the present
(1999).
The house at 751 Channing is located on a mid -block parcel on the southwest side of Channing between Guinda and Middlefield.
It was built in the original part of Palo Alto on a typical suburban lot of the period.
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Simile family property
*P4. Resources Present: s Building ❑ Structure 0 Object 0 Site 0 District ❑ Element of District ❑ Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
751 Channinq Ave: view northwest:
09/16/99: by B. Vahev; roll BRV-81,
neg #19
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: a Historic
0 Prehistoric 0 Both
1906: Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
Alan & Donna Bendotoff
751 Channinq Ave Palo Alto CA
94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
January 11, 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore. 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE z Location Map 0 Sketch Map s Continuation Sheet Ca Building. Structure and Object Record
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record ❑ Linear Feature Record 0 Millir Packet Pg. 57 rd
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record ❑ Other (List)
DPR 523A (1/95)/ CHAN751.F1
*Required information.
State of California -- The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
GUN 1 INIJATION SHEET
Page 2 of 6 Resource Identifier: 751 Channing Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*Date January 11, 2000 ® Continuation ❑ Update
Description (continued)
This is a generally rectangular, two-story house with a full porch across the ground floor on the front and a projecting bay
window on the southwest side. The 1949 Tax Assessor's card listed the following rooms: on the ground floor were a living
room, dining room, bedroom, kitchen, half bath, and service porch; on the second floor were two bedrooms and a bath. The
presence of only two bedrooms upstairs in such a large house makes each bedroom very large. Such a configuration would have
accommodated the Scofield's who built the house and had only one child. In a fashion that is not common today, it might have
accommodated renters like the 6 -member Millis household in 1910 in the following way: husband and wife in one upstairs
bedroom, three children in dormitory fashion in the second upstairs bedroom, and the boarder in the downstairs bedroom.
Although the arrangement of interior rooms is unknown, the off -center front door enters a wide, short corner entry hall
containing the stairs. There are four major rooms on the ground floor and there is no central corridor. For all of the 19th
century, square (or nearly square) houses in the United States usually had four rooms, one in each corner, two on either side
of a central corridor. This house does not have a central corridor and is an early example of a 20th -century type common from
about 1900 to the 1930s with a less formal plan, more like a bungalow. A 1923 midwestern pattern book (VanTine) with 117
house plans included many that had a similar appearance to this house and that provide variations of similar plans associated
with these houses. This pattern book includes a mix of newly stylish buildings and standard types that had not changed much
in twenty years. The description used in this pattern book applies to 751 Channing as well — in appearance this was a
"farmhouse." In a very modest way, this house possesses attributes of the Colonial Revival and Prairie styles. It is square and
symmetrical, it has a porch with columns, and its eaves project broadly with paneled soffits. However, it would be inaccurate
to refer to this house as belonging to these styles. Rather, its character is that of a common 19th century farmhouse, defined
by its boxy shape, hip roof, full porch, and simplicity of decoration. Although no pattern book reference has been discovered
from the period of construction, the plan and appearance of this house almost certainly come from a pattern book, newspaper
or magazine, or the standard plans of a local builder.
This is a two-story stud -frame structure with a basement, built on a foundation of concrete walls. It is covered by a hip roof
and has a full, hip roofed porch across the front. The frame is clad in two- or three -lap siding nailed directly to the studs,
without sheathing. Floors are a mix of hardwood and pine, and the interior walls are plastered. The living room has sliding
doors. There is a central brick chimney, but as late as 1949, no other heating system.
Packet Pg. 58
DPR 523L (1195} CHAN751.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 3 of 6 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 751 Charming Ave
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family nronerty
*B5. Architectural Style: Prairie/Colonial Revival
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1906: Built (Palo Alto Times)
1979: Interior remodeling
*B7. Moved? ® No 0 Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Original development of Palo Alto; C: House type Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1906-1977 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The house at 751 Channing is located in what was Block No. 73 in the first Plat of the City of Palo Alto. The current
boundaries of the 50 feet by 145 feet lot remain the same as those on the oldest maps of the city.
History of Construction and Alteration: The Palo Alto Times of 5 January 1906 printed a building permit notice for a house at
this location, owned by F.C. Scofield. The newspaper notice does not identify a builder or an architect. According to the city
directories, F.C. Scofield and his family did not live at the address until 1917 and then for only about two years. The Scofields
returned to the place in 1921 and remained until the 1950s. The 1949 Sanborn map shows no change from the earliest record
of 751 Channing, to that of 1924. A permit was issued in 1979 for significant interior remodeling at an estimated cost of
$19,000.00.
History of Use: According to the Palo Alto City Directory, 751 Channing has always served as a single family dwelling. During
its first fifteen years, the house was let by F.C. Scofield who had had it built in 1906. After 1921, he lived there with his wife,
Martha, and daughter, Mary, until the time of his death in about 1935. Martha and Mary Scofield continued to live at the
address together until 1954 when only Mary is listed. Mary appears to have sold the house in 1977. F.C. Scofield was a high
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: January 11. 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 59
DPR 5238 (1/95) CHAN751.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRIfTsinonlal
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 4 of 6 Resource identifier: 751 Channinp Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date January 11, 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
school teacher. His daughter Mary was a librarian at Stanford for 40 years who left a collection of 10,000 children's books to
Stanford when she died in 1995. The Stanford Daily described the collection as "one of the best in children's literature in the
western United States."
Among several renters, Harry A. Millis lived here with his family from 1908 to 1911. According to the 1910 census, the
household included Millis, his wife, three children, and a boarder named Robert C. Duffus, age 22. His obituary stated that Millis
"was a member of Palo Alto's first city council . . . As chairman of the ways and means committee of the city council, he did
important organizational work under the new charter, according to City Historian Guy C. Miller. He served on the council from
1909 until his resignation in 1912." Millis lived in Palo Alto and taught at Stanford from 1902 to 1912 when he left to become
head of the economics department at the University of Kansas. Later he was head of the economics department at the
University of Chicago. He was appointed to several positions by President Franklin D. Roosevelt including the National Labor
Relations Board which he served as chairman from 1940 to 1946. Millis' son John, who lived in this house as a child was
president of the University of Vermont in the 1940s. Robert Duffus, who was a 22 -year -old student boarding in the Millis'
household in 1910, was described in his 1972 obituary in the Palo Alto Times as the author of 33 books. He was a journalist
who wrote for the San Francisco Bulletin and served on the editorial board of the New York Times from 1937 to 1962. Among
his books was, according to the Palo Alto Times, "Innocents at Cedro, an account of the year he and his brother lived with
Thorsten Veblen while attending Stanford." Duffus lived in Palo Alto for a total of 20 years. An exhaustive history of this house
would include a review of Innocents at Cedro, and any other autobiographical writings by Duffus, for references to life here.
Evaluation
This house, at 751 Channing, appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The period
of significance is 1906 to 1977 when the daughter of the builder of the house appears to have sold it.
Under criterion A, it represents the original development of the city of Palo Alto as a city of single family houses. Under criterion
C, it is an early example of an important and common 20th -century building type — a two-story square suburban house in an
image of a farmhouse. Alterations to the interior in 1979 do not affect the integrity of the house in relation to its areas of
significance.
The house may also be significant under criterion B, as the residence of Harry Millis who Guy Miller described as an influential
member of the first City Council in Palo Alto. A finding of significance would depend on additional information about the history
of the city government at that time. The house would not be significant under criterion B in relation to Millis' later prominence
in education and government. Nor would it be significant in relation to two other residents who later became prominent — John
Millis and Robert Duffus.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA, August 1997.
Nelson, Albert, editor. Who's Who in America 1932-1933, volume 17. Chicago: A.N. Marquis Company, 1932, pp. 739, 1628.
Palo Alto. Building Record for 751 Channing: remodel kitchen and family room, add bath, remodel upstairs bedroom. 1979.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1902-1958.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 5 January 1906, 19 March 1935, 26 June 1948, 29 November 1972.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Packet Pg. 60
DPR 523L (1/95) CHAN751.F1 *Required Information
Item 2
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary # Attachment A 2023-11-
HRI/Trinomial 09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 5 of 6 Resource Identifier: 751 Charming Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett
*Date January 11, 2000 ® Continuation ❑ Update
References (continued)
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949.
The Stanford Daily. 4 October 1995.
United States Census. 1910.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 61
DPR 523L (1195) CHAN751.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The ResourCOS Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCA 1 IQN MAP
Primary #
FIR it
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page of 6 *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 751 Channina Ave
*Map Name: PaloAlto Planning Dept. GIS *Scale: 1"00'
ra. MUM'
Pa lo Al to
DPrR 523J (1/95)
*Date of Map: 1999
751 Channing Ave
003-32-060
This map Is a ,��1
ClyofPatoAho018 /����
v ea
This documr* b a Vi * c r.WeeINafbn only of bead available eowoaa. The City d Rib Abe amens M araparobilly for any error!.
*PaqiirecikiformotIon
Packet Pg. 62
PAGE &TURNBULL
643 COLLEGE AVENUE
APN: 137-01-102
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1916-1955
Summary of Significance: 643 College Avenue was found eligible under Criterion A as a symbol of
the time period before automobiles replaced horse and wagon transportation. Under Criterion C,
the subject property was deemed eligible as one of the most complete extant representations of
Mayfield's agricultural, pre -automobile past. While there have been alterations to the porch and the
barn, the property was found to retain its essential character and historic integrity.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: Front steps and windows likely replaced.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: None.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation: Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly
representative of an architectural style or way of life important to the city, state or nation.)
Statement of Significance: 643 College Avenue, including both the main residence and rear barn, is
significant as one of the most complete extant representations of Mayfield's agricultural, pre -
automobile past. While there have been alterations to the barn, along with the porch and windows
on the house, the subject building still appears to maintain a high level of integrity.
Period of Significance: 1916-1955
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
Packet Pg. 63
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial
NRHP Status Code
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 4 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 643-645 College Ave
P1. Other Identifier: 643-645 College Ave
P2. Location: ❑ Not for Publication si Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA
c. Address 643-645 College Ave
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _; mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 137 01 102
Date 1991 T • R _• _Y4 of _Y4 of Sec . 13.M.
City Palo Alto Zip 94306
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
This property, at 643-645 College Avenue, includes a small bungalow facing the street and a barn behind the house in the south
corner of the lot. The house is a typical square cottage in appearance characterized by a hip roof that originally covered a
projecting wing and half porch at the front. In 1956, the porch was enclosed except for a central entrance vestibule. This is
a wood -frame structure clad in three -lap siding. It is minimally embellished, with paneled soffits, and moldings around the
windows.
Behind the house is a tall, 2% -story structure that was built as a barn but was shown as a garage on the earliest available
Sanborn map in 1925. It is a wood -frame structure clad in horizontal siding. On the ground level, there are large rolling doors,
and upstairs there is an opening for a hay loft whose lifting apparatus appears to be still functional. In plan, this consists of
a high gabled section with an extension along the northwest side under a shed roof at a different pitch. Through changes in
siding and doors, there appear to have been some alterations.
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Sinale family orooertv
*P4. Resources Present: ® Building ❑ Structure ❑ Object ❑ Site 0 District ❑ Element of District ❑ Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #1
643-645 College Ave: view southeast;
09/21/99: by B. Vahev: roll BRV-86,
nea #23
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
0 Prehistoric 0 Both
ca. 1916: Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
Charles & Alice Robertson
1250 Aviation Ave #250F San Jose
CA 95110
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbel Dames & Moore
221 Main Street. Suite 600
San Francisco. CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
February 23, 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE ® Location Map ❑ Sketch Map a Continuation ShAAt a Ruilding, Struntiire and Obi t Record
❑ Archaeological Record ❑ District Record 0 Linear Feature Record 0 Milli Packet Pg. 64 td
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
DPR 523A (1195)/ COLL643.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #,
HRi#
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09HRB Nomination
Package -FULL J
Page 2 of 4 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or 1# (Assigned by recorder) 643-645 College Ave
B1. Historic Name:
62. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Bungalow
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
ca. 1916: Built (Palo Alto Times)
*B7. Moved? ® No o Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8, Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Horse and wagon transportation. C: Mavfield's agriculture Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1916-1955 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The house and barn at 643 College Avenue are situated on a .19 -acre, L-shaped lot that has a 50 -foot frontage on College
and a 25 -foot frontage on Yale. This property was formed by a combination of parcels 6, 7, and 11 of Block 44 of the College
Terrace subdivision.
Structure: According to an obituary which appeared in the Palo Alto Times on 10 April 1956, Steve Anderson built the house
at 643 College about 1916 and lived there until his death forty years later.
Use: The Palo Alto City Directory first listed the single family residence at 643 College (from 1919 until 1925 numbered 229
Palo Alto) in the edition of 1918-1919. From that year until his death in 1956, it was the home of Steve Anderson who was
born in Sweden about 1870. He came to the Palo Alto area about 1896 and first worked as a rancher on leased Stanford land.
About 1912, he moved to Mayfield and established a building materials business which was located at 601 Park in Mayfield
at least by the 1927 City Directory and at least until the publication on 1 April 1946 of a "Classified Directory of Contractors
and Builders in the Palo Alto Area." He was a member of Mayfield's Board of Trustees from 1920 until it became part of the
City of Palo Alto in 1925. He was also for many years a member of Mayfield's volunteer fire department. The City Directory
fisted Mr. Anderson as a contractor from 1918 until 1925 and from 1918 until 1923 listed a son, Santa (Santis), living with
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: February 23. 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 65
DPR 5238 11/95) COLL643.F1 *Required Information
State of Califomia — The Resources Agency Primary #,
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 3 of 4 Resource Identifier: 643-645 Collecae Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date February 23, 2000 ® Continuation o Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
him. Santa worked as a clerk and then as a driver in his father's business, Steven Anderson and Son. Steve Anderson was
listed without a wife from 1918 until 1926, but in 1927, Hannah Anderson was listed with him. According to his obituary, she
died in 1955.
Evaluation
This property at 643 College appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The period
of significance is 1916 to 1955, during the period of time the Anderson family resided at this house.
Under criterion A, the barn recalls the time before automobiles had completely replaced horse and wagon transportation.
Under criterion C, the house and barn at 643-645 College Avenue in College Terrace together constitute the most complete
survivor of Mayfield's agricultural, pre -automobile past.
Although there have been some changes to the barn and the porch on the house has been largely filled in, these buildings retain
integrity because the essential character of the buildings remains intact.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
"Classified Directory of Contractors and Building Supply Dealers in the Palo Alto Area." prepared by the Palo Alto Chamber of
Commerce. 1946.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1918-1950.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. (obituary Steve Anderson) 10 April 1956.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1908.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1925.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1957, 1958.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 66
DPR 523L (1/95) COLL643.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary #
HRI#
Trinomial
Page of -�
*Map Name: Palo Alto Planning Dept. GIS *Scale: 1-:100' *Date of Map: 1999
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 643-645 Colima Ave
DPR 523J (1/95)
Ms doc.owl b a graphic raprnMatbn only of best ovafabl) oouraaa. Th. City of Palo Alb =SUMP no responsibiby for wry error,
137.138
137-1-08
137-1-142
137-1-99
643-645 College Ave
137-01-102
Att
41,
137-34.1
137-34-2
137-34.3
137-34-4
137-34-5
137-1.108
137-1-109
137-35-1
13736
137-1.113
137-1-110
137-1-1
137.148
Immo 0
acf Plaeb Alt 1e
City �o � GIS
a
109
*Required InfarnaIIon
Packet Pg. 67
PAGE &TURNBULL
252 COWPER STREET
APN: 120-14-024
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1906-1967
Summary of Significance: 252 Cowper Street was deemed eligible under Criterion A as an early
example of a single-family house built in the original street grid of Palo Alto. It is also an important
representative of houses built from pattern books by the original owner for personal use. Under
Criterion C, it was deemed eligible as an example of early housing patterns that demonstrated a
shift from more extravagant houses to smaller single-family homes at the turn of the century.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1906, the
year of the building's construction. The significance of the property under Criterion A, as a residence
built within the original street grid of Palo Alto by the original owner/builders for their own use, has
been omitted as many extant properties express this development context and this significance may
be better expressed through the survey and potential identification of a historic district.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓ I .Y+
Packet Pg. 68
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation: Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly
representative of an architectural style or way of life important to the city, state or nation);
Statement of Significance: 252 Cowper Street is significant as a residence likely built from a pattern
book in the Eastern Shingle Cottage style.
Period of Significance: 1906
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
NI
Packet Pg. 69
1 ILL YI J'JOG- J I
Item 2
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary # . Attachment A 2023 -11 -
DEPARTMENT
1D�EsPA�RTrMEN�T 0FPARKS ANDAND RECREATION HRI '# . 09_HRB Nomination
PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code:
3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 250 Cowper St
P1. Other Identifier: 250 Cowper St
P2. Location: ❑ Not for Publication a Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto. CA Date 1991 T _; R _• _'Y4 of Y4 of Sec : B.M.
c. Address 250 Cowper St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 14 024
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The following description addresses the building in terms of its structure, plan, and appearance. The structure and plan are
described using three sources of information (1949 Assessment Record prepared by the Tax Assessor, Sanborn maps, and
current survey information — photographs, Field Notes form, and site visits from 1998 and 1999). The description of the
structure and plan is presented for two phases in the building's history. The building is presented as it was built, or as it was
at the earliest time warranted by the information available. Second the building is presented as it has changed, up to the present
(1999).
This house at 250 Cowper is on a mid -block site. It is located on the southwest side of Cowper between Hawthorne and
Everett. Measuring 391/2 by 62Ya feet, this is an unusual configuration but is about the same size as a typical city lot of its time.
The house may have been part of a larger corner lot when it was built.
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: is Building ❑ Structure ❑ Object 0 Site ❑ District ❑ Element of District
❑ Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
250 Cowper St; view southwest:
09/13/99: by B. Vahev: roll BRV-77,
nen #23
"P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: a Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
1906:
*P7. Owner and Address:
Christopher & Julie Tacklind
250 Cowper St Palo Alto CA 94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett. Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco. CA 94105
"P9. Date Recorded:
January 11, 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: ❑ NONE a Location Map 0 Sketch Map a Continuation Sheet ® Building. Structure and Object Record
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record o Linear Feature Record 0 Millir Packet Pg. 70
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
DPR 523A 11/95)/ COWP250.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 2 of 5 Resource Identifier: 250 Cowper St
Recorded by Michael Corbett
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*Date January 11. 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
Description (continued)
This house is a one and one half story building, generally rectangular in plan. On the ground floor, there are recessed porches
at the front and rear corners on the northwest side, and there is an angled bay window on the other half of the front facade.
The steeply pitched gable roof of the second story overhangs the bay window and porch at the front. A long shed dormer
projects out of the roof on the northwest side, and there is a similar shed dormer on the south side. In 1949, there were a living
room, dining room, bath, kitchen, service porch, and sleeping porch on the ground floor; there were three bedrooms and a bath
on the second floor; and there was a bedroom and bath in the basement. The interior plan is not known.
This is a stud frame structure built on a concrete wall foundation. The frame is clad in shingles, probably nailed on sheathing.
The gabled roof and shed dormer are flared at the eaves. The interior has pine floors on the main floors, and plaster walls. In
1949, there was a gas floor furnace. Fenestration consists primarily of double -hung windows and paneled doors.
In appearance, this is similar to many pattern book houses in early 20th century bungalow books and magazines, including
Hodgson's Practical Bungalows and Cottages. The shingled wall surfaces, sheltering character created by the overhanging
second story and recessed porch, and the minimal use of historical references are all associated with Craftsman bungalows.
At the same time, the steep pitch of the roof is also associated with the Queen Anne Style of the 1890s and the shape of the
ground floor — a rectangle with a projecting front wing at one side — is associated with a widespread type of the 1890s.
Packet Pg. 71
DPR 523L 11195) COWP250.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 3 of 5
i
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 250 Cowper St
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Queen Anne and Craftsman Bungalow
*B6. Construction History: {Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1906: Built
after 1967: Converted to duplex
*B7. Moved? ® No 0 Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Pattern of development in Palo Alto: C: Pattern book house Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1906-1927 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The residence at 250 Cowper occupies a 39% by 62 Y2 foot lot in what was numbered Block 32 in the original plan of
Palo Alto. The earliest maps show the house sharing a lot with its neighbor, 264 Cowper, and though the Sanborn maps
continue to indicate single ownership of the two houses, a property line between them appears on every official Map of the City
of Palo Alto from that of 1 January 1921.
Structure: The Palo Alto Times published on 4 January 1905, a building permit notice for a residence at 250 Cowper. On 4
May 1991, the Peninsula Times Tribune printed a profile of the daughter of the original owner, Braman Clark, in which she says
her father, a carpenter, built the house for his own residence and that the family moved in when it was completed. The footprint
on the 1924 Sanborn map and that on the 1949 update are identical, and there is no evidence of any significant alteration in
the assessor's records. The garage was built under a permit dated 1951.
Use: The Palo Alto City Directory lists Braman and Rosa Clark as occupants of 250 Cowper from 1906 until 1911. The U.S.
Census of 1910 says that Mr. Clark was a carpenter working out of his house and that he was its owner with a mortgage. The
City Directory of 1915-16 says that he had moved his family to 331 Poe and had opened a workshop at 536 High. His
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: January 1 1, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 72
DPR 5238 (1/95) COWP250.F1 *Required Information
State of California -- The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinamial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 4 of a Resource Identifier: 250 Cowper St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date January 11. 2000 0 Continuation 0 Update
History (continued)
occupation at that time was cabinetmaker, a maker of fine furniture, for clients that included the Stern family, according to his
daughter in a 1991 interview. The same edition of the City Directory lists a teacher named W.H. Ellison and his wife as the
occupants of the house at 250 Cowper. There is a period of an almost annual change of occupants at the address, one of
whom, T.S. Kelly, is listed in the U.S. Census of 1920 as a machinist and a renter. From 1927 until 1938, Jeremiah R. and
Anna L. Locke, are listed at the address and identified as owners. They were followed by a cab driver and a carpenter. The
house was built as a single family residence by a working man for his own family. Sometimes rented and sometimes owned by
its occupants, it served as working class housing throughout the period of our inquiry. At sometime after 1967, the house
became a duplex.
Evaluation
This house at 250 Cowper appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance for the period
1906 to 1967. Under criterion A, this house represents an important pattern of development in early Palo Alto — built by a
local carpenter, probably from a pattern book, for his own family. This was built in the original plat of the city.
Under criterion C, this is an example of a pattern book house that illustrates the change from imagery associated with more
formal houses in the 1890s to less formal bungalows in the early 20th century.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Hodgson, Fred T. Practical Bungalows and Cottages for Town and Country: Perspective Views and Floor Plans of One Hundred
Twenty -Five Low and Medium Priced Houses and Bungalows. Chicago: Frederick J. Drake & Company, 1906.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1906-1950.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 4 January 1905, 25 August 1920.
Peninsula Times Tribune. 4 May 1991.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
U.S. Census. 1910, 1920.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record 1949, 1952, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 73
DPR 523L 11/95) COWP250.F1
*Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #,,
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
LOCATION MAP Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page of *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 25Q Cowper St
'Map Name: Palo Alto Panning Dent. GIS *Scale. 1":80'
*Date of Map: 1999
DPR 523.1p/95)
TAb docrnra is a graphic rapneeeetetbn only of best available same& The Cly d Pab Alb mines no $Irponsibely for say 411'011.
•Required infO1r Lion
Packet Pg. 74
PAGE &TURNBULL
1464 EMERSON STREET
APN: 124-16-033
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1936-1950
Summary of Significance: 1464 Emerson Street was deemed eligible under Criterion A as a cottage
court housing type that represents the development of alternative housing forms during the Great
Depression. Under Criterion C, it was deemed eligible as a notable example of the cottage court.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: Shutters and a barn -style cupola removed from center; no other alterations
identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1936, the
year of the building's construction.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
�t-c_r r_c r trttt� n
1111111111
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly representative of an architectural style or way
of life important to the city, state, or nation)
Statement of Significance: 1464 Emerson Street is significant as an example of a well -designed
cottage court housing type that represents the development of alternative housing forms during the
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
Packet Pg. 75
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL
Great Depression. The facade has been altered once, including the removal of original shutters.
However, the building otherwise retains its overall character and massing to a sufficient degree.
Period of Significance: 1936
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
N.
Packet Pg. 76
I V U L L Y I J-JUL-, 1
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #�
PRIMARY RECORD
Trinomial
NRHP Status Code
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
3S
Other listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 4 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 1436-1464 Emerson St
P1. Other Identifier: 1436-1464 Emerson St
P2. Location: ❑ Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto. CA Date 1991 T _• R _• _'/4 of _%4 of Sec B.M.
c. Address 1436-1464 Emerson St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _; mE/ mN
*e. Other Location& Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 124 16 033
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The property at 1436 to 1464 Emerson Street is a bungalow court or cottage court with four detached residential units, each
with its own detached garage. The group is laid out and designed in a manner that preserves the privacy of the individual units
and at the same time maintains the scale and character of the neighborhood, which was composed of predominantly middle-
class, single family houses. The rectangular shaped property is arranged with two residential units at the front and two at the
rear with the four garages in between. All four residential units are generally L-shaped in plan, with the front two units mirror
images of each other and the back two units mirror images of each other in a smaller and slightly different design. The long
leg of the "L" in each unit is oriented northeast -southwest. The front two units are linked by a roof that covers a driveway into
the center of the property.
Each of the units is a one-story, wood -frame structure with stucco walls and gable roofs. The front units have two bedrooms,
the rear units have one bedroom. All have hardwood floors. The houses are embellished with a few decorative details, including
shutters, entrance porticoes, and the tower over the driveway, that recall American colonial homes like Mount Vernon.
*P3b Resource Attributes: /List attributes and codes) HP3 Multiple family property
*P4. Resources Present: ® Building 0 Structure 0 Object ❑ Site 0 District 0 Element of District ❑ Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #1
1436-1464 Emerson St• view
southwest; 12/03/98: by B. Vahev:
roll BRV-31, nep #5
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
1936; Daily Pacific Builder
*P7. Owner and Address:
Wallace K & Judith E Gibson
216 Valparaiso Ave Atherton CA
94027
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco. CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
April 5, 2000
0P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore. 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE ra Location Map ❑ Sketch Map ® Continuation S
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record 0 Milli
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record ❑ Other (List)
ieet ® Budding. Structure and 0bfe..,t Record
rd
Packet Pg. 77
DPR 523A (1/95)/ EMER1436.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 2 of 4
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL
*NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder} 1436-1464 Emerson St
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Multiple family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Colonial Revival
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1936: Built (Daily Pacific Builder)
*B7. Moved? ® No ❑ Yes ❑ Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: Leslie I. Nichols b. Builder: R.C. Knight
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Development of Depression housing. C: Cottage court Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1936-1950 Property Type Residential
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
Applicable Criteria A and C
History
Site: The four cottages at 1436, 1446, 1452 and 1464 Emerson are situated on a parcel located in what was numbered Block
12 on the Map of South Palo Alto dated 22 December 1924. On the City Maps of 1921, 1924 and 1929, the parcel has an
irregular northern boundary which was straightened by the City Map of 1949 by means of a grant to 1492 Emerson.
Structure: The Daily Pacific Builder reported on 9 November 1936 that the architect Leslie I. Nichols and the builder R.C. Knight
had designed and built for H.M. Creech four, one-story residences at 1436-1464 Emerson. Two of these were built at a cost
of $4,900 each and two at a cost of $4,150 each. The Palo Alto City Directory listed the architect Leslie I. Nichols and his wife
Mary living at 1436 Emerson in the edition of 1937. That edition did not list the other three addresses. By the edition of 1938,
all four were occupied, and the Nichols remained for one more year at 1436. The Assessor's records do not indicate any
alteration. The Palo Alto Times reported on 4 February 1954 that a smoldering fire at 1436 Emerson had killed by suffocation
the elderly Merry sisters who lived there, but the fire seems to have done little damage to the building.
Use: Unlike many bungalow courts, which catered to students, working class, or young married people, 1436-1464 Emerson
was generally occupied by well established middle class or professional people. In addition to the architect Leslie Nichols,
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: April 5. 2000
(This space reserved for official continents)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 78
DPR 523B (1195) EMER1436.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRIITrinomial ..... . .... .. .
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 3 of 4 Resource Identifier: 1436-1464 Emerson St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date April 5. 2000 ® Continuation El Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
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History (continued)
residents included a lawyer, a geologist, owner of a pharmacy, a musician, a retired U.S. Defense Department official, a retired
Navy officer, and elderly sisters whose father had been a wealthy shipping executive and ambassador to Costa Rica and
Nicaragua.
Evaluation
This property, at 1436-1464 Emerson, appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance.
The period of significance is 1936, when it was built, to about 1950 when garden apartments superceded bungalow courts in
Palo Alto.
Under criterion A, this cottage court represents the development of alternative forms of housing during the Depression for
various segments of the market, in this case middle class and professional people.
Under criterion C, this is a fine example of a cottage court of its time and was recognized in American Home magazine as
exemplary.
References
American Home. "Cottage Court." November 1940.
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Map of South Palo Alto. 1924.
Map of the City of Palo Alto. 1921, 1924, 1929, 1949.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1937-1953,
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times, 6 November 1936, 8 March 1950, 4 February 1955, 18 February 1954, 8 December 1970, 4 September
1986, 11 September 1990.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 79
DPR 523L {1/95) EMER1436.F1 'Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary
HRI#
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 4 of 4 `Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 1436-1464 Emerson St
*Map Name: Palo Alto Planning Dent. GIS *Scale: 1 ":80' 'Date of Map: 1999
TI. City .r
Palo Alto
only of beb avalabb amass. The City of Pab Alb aaawnaa no !uponahblly for arty mom.
Thb document b a graphic.
1436-1464 Emerson St
124-16-033
Mb mop Is
of It*
City diPobAA1loCitB
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*Recjred !ntarno1 on
Packet Pg. 80
PAGE &TURNBULL
482 EVERETT AVENUE
APN: 120-14-057
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1903-1955
Summary of Significance: 482 Everett Avenue was deemed eligible under Criterion A as an early
example of a single-family house built in the original grid of Palo Alto. Under Criterion C, it was
deemed eligible as a well-built variation of the typical square cottage type with a projecting wing and
half -porch.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1903, the
year of the building's construction. The significance of the property under Criterion A, for being
constructed within the original street grid of Palo Alto, has been omitted as many extant properties
express this development context and this significance may be better expressed through the survey
and potential identification of a historic district.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation: Criterion 2 (The structure or site is
particularly representative of an architectural style or way of life important to the city, state or
nation)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
Packet Pg. 81
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL
Statement of Significance: 482 Everett Avenue is significant as a well-preserved example of the
square cottage typology that was common in early Palo Alto.
Period of Significance: 1903
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 82
N., —,— I— YIJ-JUL-J IJ�1
State of California — The Resources. Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 482 Everett Ave
P1. Other Identifier: 482 Everett Ave
P2. Location: n Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto CA Date 1991 T _; R _• _%4 of _'A of Sec . B.M.
c. Address 482 Everett Ave City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone mEl mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 14 027
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
This house at 482 Everett Avenue is a one-story, balloon -frame structure clad in V -groove siding. In plan, it is a common
variation of an important early Palo Alto building type — a square cottage with a projecting wing that terminates in an angled
bay window and a half porch across the front. The main part of the house is covered by a high hip roof with a flat apex where
a hatch or skylight has been installed, perhaps in 1984 when a building permit was issued to finish the attic for storage space.
The projecting wing is covered by a gable roof, and the porch is covered by a hip roof. Inside, there is a living room, dining
room, two bedrooms, a bath, and a kitchen. A service porch that was present at the rear in 1949, appears to have been
removed when an attached garage was built in 1984. Although the arrangement of the interior is unknown, the number of
rooms and the placement of the front door at the center suggests a central hall with rooms on either side.
The house is associated in its form and decoration with a common California house type of the 1890s, often called a Queen
Anne cottage. The form and plan have roots in older traditional houses, although this house may have been built from a pattern
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Simile family property
*P4. Resources Present: z Building ❑ Structure ❑ Object o Site ❑ District ❑ Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
482 Everett Ave; view southeast;
09/13/99; by B. Vahev; roll BRV-77,
nep #21
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
❑ Prehistoric ❑ Both
ca. 1903: Sanborn Map/City Directory
*P7. Owner and Address:
Stephen H Diaz
482 Everett Ave Palo Alto CA 94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett. Dames & Moore
221 Main Street. Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
March 24. 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 20001
*Attachments: 0 NONE ® Location Map 0 Sketch Map ® Continuation Sheet o Buildin•. Structure and Oh -e t Record
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record ❑ Linear Feature Record 0 Milli Packet Pg. 83
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
DPR 523A 11/95)/ EVER482.F1 *Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 2 of 5 Resource Identifier: 482 Everett Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date March 24. 2000 ® Continuation in Update
Item 2
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Description (continued)
book. The decoration on this house is not elaborate or extensive — there may originally have been more or different
embellishments on the porch. Decorative features include a paneled door, jigsawn brackets in the bay window, and turned
columns and balusters on the porch.
Packet Pg. 84
DPR 523L (1/95) EVER482.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 3 of 5
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL
*NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 482 Everett Ave
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Queen Anne cottage
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
ca. 1903: Built
*B7. Moved? No 0 Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Residential development in Palo Alto. C: Square cottage Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1903-1955 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The house at 482 Everett Avenue is situated on a 50 -by -100 -foot lot at the southeast corner of Everett and Cowper streets
in Block 31 of the 1889 University Park subdivision. The property is comprised of parcels 52 and 53 of the original subdivision
of the block and had its present dimensions at least by the Sanborn map of 1904.
Structure: The Assessor's records give both 1896 and 1905 as the year of the construction of the house at 482 Everett. The
Santa Clara County MetroScan says it was built in 1900. The house certainly had been built by the time it appeared on the
Sanborn map of 1904 and perhaps just built because it does not seem to have been listed in the Palo Alto City Directory prior
to the edition of 1904.
Use: The Palo Alto City Directory listed the single family residence at 482 Everett in 1904 as the home of a carpenter named
L.H. Baker and his wife. In 1910, the directory listed E,J. Burns at the address. Though there was a new occupant by 1911,
Edward Joseph Burns was again listed from 1948 to 1955 as the occupant of the house and was identified in the City Directory
and on Assessor's documents prepared about 1949 as its owner. E.J. Burns would have been an adult in 1910, but he may
have been a young adult then, in which case it is possible that he is the same man who owned the property in 1948. The other
likely possibility is that it was a son and heir who moved into the house about 1947. In any case, the house seems to have been
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: March 24. 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 85
DPR 523B (1195) EVER482.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 4 of 5 Resource Identifier: 482 Everett Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date March 24, 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
bought some time prior to 1910 and owned by him or his heirs throughout our period of inquiry. According to an obituary notice
which appeared in the Palo Alto Times, on 28 October 1940, Miss Gertrude A. Burns lived at the address from 1908 until 1921.
She had operated a small notions shop at 317 University prior to moving to Everett Avenue, but when she moved into this
house, she moved her shop into a building at 301 University. In 1921, she gave up the business and moved to San Francisco.
From 1923 to 1942, the house was occupied by short-term renters and listed vacant in five different editions. From 1942 to
1946, it was the home of a widow, Mrs. Pearl Chamberlain, and Myrtle Chamberlain, who worked as a waitress.
Evaluation
This house, at 482 Everett Avenue, appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The
period of significance is from about 1903, when it was built, to 1955, as long as E.J. Burns owned it.
Under criterion A, this house represents the type of residential development that characterized the original city of Palo Alto.
Under criterion C, it is an example of a common variation of an important early Palo Alto building type — the square cottage
with a projecting wing and half porch.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1904-1957.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. (obituary Gertrude Burns) 28 October 1940.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1904.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1908.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1959, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 86
DPR 523L (1/95) EVER482.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Page of
Primary #
HRI#
Trinomial
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder{
*Map Name: Palo Alto Planniina Dent. GIS *Scale: 1":80'
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
482 Everett Ave
*Date of Map: 1999
Packet Pg. 87
PAGE &TURNBULL
446 FOREST AVENUE
APN: 120-16-043
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1895-1931
Summary of Significance: 446 Forest Avenue was found eligible under Criterion A as one of the
oldest surviving houses in the original grid of the city and represents the period of its initial
development. Under Criterion C, it was found eligible as a sophisticated and rare example of the
Queen Anne/Shingle Style in Palo Alto.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1895, the
year of the building's construction. The significance of the property under Criterion A, for being
constructed within the original street grid of Palo Alto, has been omitted as many extant properties
express this development context and this significance may be better expressed through the survey
and potential identification of a historic district.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation: Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly
representative of an architectural style or way of life important to the city, state, or nation)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
Packet Pg. 88
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Statement of Significance: The subject building is significant as a rare and early example of a
shingled Queen Anne style residence in Palo Alto. It retains a high level of integrity.
Period of Significance: 1895
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 89
IVU LL YIJ-JVL-J1
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 446 Forest Ave
P1. Other Identifier: 446 Forest Ave
P2. Location: ❑ Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary,)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T _; R , 14 of 14 of Sec ; B.M.
c. Address 446 Forest Ave City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone �; mEl mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 16 043
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements, Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The following description addresses the building in terms of its structure, plan, and appearance. The structure and plan are
described using three sources of information (1949 Assessment Record prepared by the Tax Assessor, Sanborn maps, and
current survey information — photographs, Field Notes form, and site visits from 1998 and 1999). The description of the
structure and plan is presented for two phases in the building's history. The building is presented as it was built, or as it was
at the earliest time warranted by the information available. Secorid the building is presented as it has changed, up to the present
(
1999).
The building at 446 Forest is located on a mid -block lot on the southeast side of Forest between Cowper and Waverley. It
occupies a lot that measures 50 by 200 feet, a large suburban lot for its time. Different small sheds have been shown at the
back of the lot on the Sanborn maps of 1901 and 1904, and on the Tax Assessor's card of 1949. The building is built so close
to the side boundaries of its parcel that there has barely been room for a driveway to the rear.
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: ® Building 0 Structure ❑ Object ❑ Site ❑ District ❑ Element of District ❑ Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
446 Forest Ave; view southeast;
09/13199; by B. Vahev; roll BRV-76,
neo #21
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
ca. 1895; City Directory
*P7. Owner and Address:
Steve & Karen Devich
25263 La Loma Dr Los Altos Hills CA
94022
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett. Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco. CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
January 11. 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update {Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: ❑ NONE ® Location Map 0 Sketch Map ® Continuation Sheet ® Ruilding. Structure and clhjRr't Record
❑ Archaeological Record ❑ District Record 0 Linear Feature Record ❑ Millir Packet Pg. 90 d
0 Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record o Other (List)
DPR 523A (1/95)/ F0RE446.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #,
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRIITrinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 2 of 5 Resource Identifier: 446 Forest Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett
*Date January 11. 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
Description (continued)
The plan of the house has not changed on Sanborn maps since it was first shown in 1901. Its footprint is generally in an L -plan
with numerous irregularities. The legs of the L are arranged to frame an open area at the rear on the south side of the building,
maximizing exposure to sunlight. According to Tax Assessor's information from 1949, there were six units at that time. On
the ground floor there were three bedrooms, three baths, three kitchens, a service porch, and a living room and dining room.
A hand notation joined the living room and dining room which were probably different areas of one space divided by an arch,
columns, or other architectural device. On the second floor were three bedrooms, two baths, three kitchens, and a service
porch. No information is available about the arrangement of the interior.
As built, this was a one story stud -frame structure on a concrete wall foundation. The studs are clad in a mix of three -lap siding
and shingles. The house is covered by a complex roof consisting of hipped, gabled, and gambrelled sections. The attic enclosed
by this roof must originally have been unfinished but was large enough that it provided for future expansion of living space.
Between 1924 and 1949, probably in 1931 when the building became a six -unit apartment, this became a one and one-half
story building (as shown on the 1949 Sanborn map).
Interior finishes included pine floors and "wallboard" in 1949. The presence of wallboard which might mean any of a variety
of manufactured boards from gypsum, asbestos, cardboard, and other materials, probably indicates a replacement of original
wall surfaces throughout the house. Standard builder's handbooks as late as 1912, long after this house was built in 1895,
make no mention of wallboard. Wallboard was commonly included in such books throughout the 1920s. In 1949, the Tax
Assessor recorded one floor furnace and one fireplace and chimney. Fenestration consists of a mix of double hung and
casement windows.
In appearance, this is what would have been called a Queen Anne style house when it was built. Queen Anne was a term that
embraced a variety of images. Today (1999) in California, Queen Anne is usually associated with designs like the Downing
House at 706 Cowper Street with its round corner bay, repeated gable forms, and profusion of ornament, and the house at 446
Forest is closer to what since 1955 has been called the Shingle Style, more common on the east coast. Because this house
includes a mix of wall coverings, it is not entirely shingled, and not quite in the Shingle Style. However, its large shingled
gables, one of which is in the form of a gambrel roof and the predominance of the roof forms in establishing the character of
the design are associated with the Shingle Style. Although built on a mid -block lot, this house appears to have been designed
as if it had two public fronts. The street facade and the southwest side are both strong, balanced compositions that suggest
the contribution of an experienced architect. In addition to the style and composition, this house is enriched by numerous
details, including decorative mullions in the upper sash of some windows, thin porch columns, contrasting textures in wall
surfaces, variations in eave treatments, and gradations in wall planes.
Packet Pg. 91
DPR 523L (1195) F0RE446.F1 'Required Information
State of California -- The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRi #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 3 of 5
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 446 Forest Ave
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Queen Anne - Shingle
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
ca. 1895: Built
*B7. Moved? ® No 0 Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Initial development in Palo Alto. C: Queen Anne - shingle style Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1895-1931 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.}
History
Site: The multi -unit residence at 446 Forest is located on a 50 by 200 foot lot in Block no. 27 of the 1894 Plat of the Town
of Palo Alto. The boundaries of the property are currently exactly as they were at the time the Sanborn map was prepared in
1901.
Structure: The multi -unit dwelling at 446 Forest first appeared in the 1895 Palo Alto City Directory at which time it was already
operating as a duplex. The Assessor's records estimate the construction date to be between 1893 and 1903 but the dwelling
appears in much its present footprint on the 1901 Sanborn map. The Assessor's records have no evidence of alteration, but
granted the drastic differences in the numbers of family names listed by the City Directory at the address at different periods
of its history, significant interior alterations would seem inevitable.
Use: When 446 Forest first appeared in the 1895 Palo Alto City Directory it appears to have been a duplex occupied by an
attorney and a Stanford professor with his maid. The attorney, E,L. Campbell is identified as working in San Francisco beginning
in 1896. From 1899 until 1931, the house operated alternately as a duplex and a single family residence. After 1932, six to
nine names were listed, and the building was converted to a six -unit apartment. When one resident, Mrs. Minnesota Moss, died
at the age of 98 in 1957, her obituary stated that she had lived in the "family home" at 446 Forest for over 50 years, ending
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: January 11, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 92
DPR 5238 (1/95) FORE446.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRllTrinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 4 of 5 Resource Identifier: 446 Forest Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date January 11. 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History {continued)
in 1954 when she moved to a nursing home. If this is true, it is not confirmed in the city directories. Mrs. Moss and her
husband, John Henry, a real estate man, were first listed there in 1929, along with their son Harold, an engineer, and his wife
Elizabeth Scofield Moss. Elizabeth was first listed in the house with her parents from 1904 to 1907. For most of the years
between the residency of the Scofields and the Moss's, the family of G.H. Eiskamp lived there (1914-1925). Among the many
short-term residents — both renters and lodgers — Miss Carrie L. Lewis, who was there from 1908 to 1919, operated a dancing
school where Herbert Hoover took dancing lessons in the 1890s. Louise Mahan, a resident in the 1930s -1940s, was a well
known librarian at the Palo Alto Public Library.
Evaluation
This building, at 446 Forest, appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance for the period
1895-1931.
Under criterion A, this building, built in 1895 is among the oldest surviving houses in the original grid of the city and represents
the period of its initial development. Under criterion C, this is a rare example of the Queen Anne -Shingle Style in Palo Alto in
a sophisticated design.
Although the interior appears much altered, the exterior is little altered and retains a high degree of integrity.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1895-1953.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto 77MeS. 26 March 1923, 20 January 1930, 28 December 1933, 23 July 1934, 11 February 1944, 1 May 1944, 23
August 1944, 18 August 1948.
Plat of the Town of Palo Alto. 1894,
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1901.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1904.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949 and later.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 93
DPR 523L (1/95) F0RE446.F1 *Required Information
DPW 523J (1/95)
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary #
HRI# W.
Trtnomiai. _ . . . ....
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 5 of 5 *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 446 Forest Ave
*Map Name: Palo Alto Planning Dept. GIS *Scale: 1":80" *Date of Map: 1999
120-16-14
120-16-15
120-1618
120-16-17
20.66-3
20-66.4
20-685
20-686
20.66-7
20.686
20.66&
10
11
7066-12
2086.13
2086.14
2088.15
20-6616
20-86-17
61640
120-1641
120-16-13
120-18-78
120-16-79
120-16-80
120-16-81
120-16-57
120-16-55
120-16.47
120-1642
120-18-83
12016-84
12016.85
120-16-86
120-16-87
120-16-88
120-16-89
120-16-90
120-16-91
120-16-92
120-16-93
12016-49
1
446 Forest Ave
120-16-043
no o ►a
ca►a Pao Alto ols
ICI
Thb &iceman' b. ■ graphic repnaaryabor only of hest available Kama The Cay of Palo Ado assumes no reaponfbiliy for any anpre.
*Required Information
Packet Pg. 94
PAGE &TURNBULL
1011 FULTON STREET
APN: 003-33-036
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1910-1935
Summary of Significance: 1011 Fulton Street was found significant under Criterion A for its
association with important patterns of development including the development of Palo Alto's early
street grid, reliance on rail commute to San Francisco by business executives, and occupancy by
Stanford University employees. Under Criterion C, it was found significant as a good example of a
Craftsman bungalow.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1910, the
year of the building's construction. The significance of the property under Criterion A as a residence
built in Palo Alto's original street grid, as a representative of the reliance on rail commute to San
Francisco by business executives, and for its occupancy by Stanford University employees, has been
omitted as many extant properties express this development context and this significance may be
better expressed through the survey and potential identification of a historic district.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
Packet Pg. 95
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation: Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly
representative of an architectural style or way of life important to the city, state, or nation)
Statement of Significance: The subject building is significant as a notable example of a Craftsman
style bungalow with less common use of shingle siding and a prominent gable dormer.
Period of Significance: 1910
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 96
I'(Y/II I IVU Itl Y1J-JVCJI JY
Item 2
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary # Attachment A 2023-11-
HRI # 09_HRB Nomination
Trinomial ` Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 4 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 1011 Fulton St
P1. Other Identifier: 1011 Fulton St
P2. Location: ❑ Not for Publication a Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T _; R _; _Y of _Y4 of Sec . B.M.
c. Address 1011 Fulton St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _ mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 003 33 036
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
This is a 11/2 -story Craftsman Bungalow. It is generally square in plan with a steep gabled roof that covers a half porch at the
front. There is a large gabled dormer at the front and a shed dormer at the rear. This is a wood -frame structure clad in shingles.
It is a Craftsman Bungalow by virtue of its form, its shingled walls, and its overall simplicity of decoration.
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: a Building ❑ Structure 0 Object 0 Site ❑ District 0 Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
1011 Fulton St: view northeast:
09/14/99; by B. Vahev; roll BRV-80,
neg #20
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
ca. 1910: City Directory
"P7, Owner and Address:
Thomas F & Betty C Gallagher
1920 Barracks Rd Charlottesville VA
22903
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett. Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
February 23, 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE a Location Map 0 Sketch Map a Continuation Sheet
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record 0 Milli
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record ❑ Other (List)
r
a Building, Structure and Object Record
Packet Pg. 97
DPR 523A (1195)1 FULT1011.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #,
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 2 of 4
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 1011 Fulton St
B1.. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Sinele family property
*65. Architectural Style: Craftsman Bungalow
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
ca. 1910: Built (City Directory)
*B7. Moved? ia No ❑ Yes ❑ Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: pattern of development in Palo Alto, C: Craftsman Bungalow Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1910-1935 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The house at 1011 Fulton is situated on a 50 -by -112Y2 -foot lot. Fulton itself was the result of a re -subdivision of Block
B8 of the original plan of University Park.
Structure: The Santa Clara MetroScan dates the construction of the house at 1011 Fulton to 1912, but it had already been listed
in the Palo Alto City Directory of 1910. The Assessor's documents bear a note dated 1949 of an unspecified alteration valued
at $1,100.
Use: When the single family dwelling at 1011 Fulton was listed in the Palo Alto City Directory in 1910, it was the home of
Joseph A. Taff and his wife Mary Leverett Taff. The directory identified Mr. Taff as a miner. According to Who's Who in
America 1910-1911, he was a geologist and author. After working for the U.S. Geological Survey from 1894 to 1909, he had
recently gone to work for the Southern Pacific Railroad when he lived in the house on Fulton. He was a commuter with his
offices in the Flood Building in San Francisco. According to an obituary published in the Palo Alto Times on 9 March 1944, he
was later chief geologist for the Associated Oil Company and a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists
and was "one of the nation's pioneer oil geologists" whose work "as a young man in Oklahoma still stands as authoritative."
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: February 23, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 98
DPR 5238 (1/95) FULT1011.F1 •Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION NM/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 3 of 4 Resource Identifier: 1011 Fulton St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date February 23, 2000 co Continuation ❑ Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
From 1919 until 1933, Mrs. Margaret Murray, the widow of Joseph Murray, shared the house with her four adult daughters,
Margaret, Katherine, Grace and Jennie. Both Margaret and Katherine held various secretarial positions at Stanford University.
Both were identified as stenographers in the City Directory in 1919, but by 1927, Katherine was a psychology department
secretary, and Margaret was secretary to the comptroller. Margaret died of a heart attack at the wheel of a car she was driving
to Yosemite. The surviving Murray women were listed only one more year at the house on Fulton, and in 1936, the house was
vacant.
From 1940 to 1948, the house was again home to a widowed mother, Mrs. Edith L. Stimson and three adult children:
Marymary, a public school teacher, Elizabeth, a clerk for the public schools, and Maynard, a draftsman. According to the City
Directory both Marymary and Maynard Stimson had married by 1946 and brought their spouses home to Fulton Street.
Evaluation
This house, at 1011 Fulton, appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The period
of significance runs from 1910, when it was built, to 1935, when the Murrays moved out.
Under criterion A, the house represents several important patterns in Palo Alto's development: the development of residential
buildings in the initial grid of the city; the development of houses for business executives and professionals who commuted to
San Francisco by train (Joseph Taff); and the occupancy of houses by Stanford employees (Murrays).
Under criterion C, this house is an example of a Craftsman Bungalow that is characteristic of its time.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1910-1950.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 6 June 1933, 9 March, 1944, 12 August 1944, 26 June 1954.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1950, 1961, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Who's Who in America. 1910-1911.
Packet Pg. 99
DPR 523L (1/95) FULT1011.F1 •Required Information
State of California — The Resources. Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Page 4 of
*Map Name: Palo Alto PIrnina Dept. GIS *Scale: 1":80'
Primary #
HRl#
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*Resource Name or # {Assigned by recorder} 1011 FLlIton St
*Date of Map: 1999
L*1R 523J (1/95)
ThY daeumart b ■ grapNe representation my of but andante iowces. The Gy omit Alb assumes no teapots/ban for airy enoro.
1011 Fulton St
003-33-036
'TM etOta
Ply or°f 0dPolo Me GIS
SST j
*Required Intorrnallon
Packet Pg. 100
PAGE &TURNBULL
975 HAMILTON AVENUE
APN: 003-04-019
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1909-1942
Summary of Significance: 975 Hamilton Avenue was found eligible under Criterion A as a unique
property constructed to serve as an income -producing rental property for a widow who occupied a
rear cottage. It was also found eligible under Criterion C as an example of an early and notable
Prairie style residence with stucco cladding.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1909, the
year of the building's construction. The significance of the property under Criterion A, as a unique
property constructed to serve as an income -producing rental property for a widow who occupied a
rear cottage, has also been omitted as this significance may be better expressed through the survey
and potential identification of a historic district.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation: Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly
representative of an architectural style or way of life important to the city, state, or nation)
Statement of Significance: 975 Hamilton Avenue is significant as an early and rare example of a
stucco clad Prairie -style residence.
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓ I .Y+
Packet Pg. 101
State of California — The Resources. Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
ItRI #,
Trinomial.
NRHP Status Code
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 6 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 975 Hamilton Ave
P1. Other Identifier: 975 Hamilton Ave
P2. Location: 0 Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T _• R _; A of Y4 of Sec ; B.M.
e. Address 975 Hamilton Ave City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _ mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 003 04 019
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The following description addresses the building in terms of its structure, plan, and appearance. The structure and plan are
described using three sources of information (1949 Assessment Record prepared by the Tax Assessor, Sanborn maps, and
current survey information — photographs, Field Notes form, and site visits from 1998 and 1999). The description of the
structure and plan is presented for two phases in the building's history. The building is presented as it was built, or as it was
at the earliest time warranted by the information available. Second the building is presented as it has changed, up to the present
(1999).
The house at 975 Hamilton is a large, two-story structure with a hip roof. It has a three-quarters basement, and its attic space
is unfinished. It is a balloon or platform frame structure on a concrete wall foundation. It is enclosed on the exterior with
stucco. Fenestration consists of double -hung and casement windows, including leaded glass sidelights and transoms on the
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: Is Building 0 Structure ❑ Object 0 Site 0 District ❑ Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
975 Hamilton Ave; view northwest;
09/14/99; by B. Vahev; roll BRV-79,
neq #30
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: s Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
1909; Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
John & Joan Urouhart
975 Hamilton Ave Palo Alto CA
94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco. CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
December 29, 1999
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE ® Location Map 0 Sketch Map ® Continuation SnPPt ® Ruilriing Structure and Object Record
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record 0 Milli Packet Pg. 102
❑ Artifact Record ❑ Photograph Record ❑ Other (List)
DPR 523A (1/95)/ HAMI975.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
HRI)Trinomial
Page 2 of 6 Resource Identifier: 975 Hamilton Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date December 29, 1999 123 Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Description (continued)
ground floor. Inside, there are cement floors in the basement, hardwood floors on the ground floor, and pine floors on the
second floor. In 1949, the Assessment Record lists a gas -fired hot air heating system and one fireplace. The presence of air
conditioning, noted in heavier ink on the Assessment Record, was probably added in 1964 or 1967.
In plan, this is a generally rectangular, two-story house with projections on three sides. At the rear in the west corner is a one-
story block that cuts into the main rectangular volume of the house and projects into the back yard. On the northeast side
facing Hale Street, there is a projecting bay at the rear and a projecting porch closer to the front. On the main facade at the
center is a projecting entrance porch with a hip roof approached by a wide brick walkway and steps.
In 1949, the Assessment Record identified the following rooms: on the ground floor were a living room, dining room, den,
bedroom, bath, kitchen, and service porch; upstairs were three bedrooms, two baths, and a sleeping porch. The arrangement
of these rooms is not known.
In appearance, this house mixes forms that were locally common with materials and stylistic references that were somewhat
new to Palo Alto. In form, it is a hip -roofed box with a symmetrical facade, like many others of the time in Palo Alto. Other
houses like this were usually clad in lap or beveled siding and decorated in the Colonial Revival style. At this time, some new
houses in Palo Alto were clad in stucco as a more fire-resistant material than wood, following the experience of the fire in San
Francisco that followed the earthquake of 1906. A few others were clad in stucco as a more modern material. The common
form of this house was clad in stucco as part of its treatment in the Prairie Style. This house is not a sophisticated example
of the Prairie Style, but it would have stood out when it was completed as a very modern house. Features of the style, in
addition to its stucco walls, are its horizontality achieved by its roof and porch roof, its relatively low hip roof, its broad eaves
with paneled soffits, and its wide, three-part windows with decorative glass transoms.
Packet Pg. 103
DPR 523L (1195) HAMI975,F1 'Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 3 of 6
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*NRHP Status Code 35
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 975 Hamilton Ave
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Prairie
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1909: Built (Palo Alto Times)
1912: Garage built
1963: Swimming pool, building for pool heater and garage added
*B7. Moved? IS No ❑ Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Pattern of development; C: Stuccoed house and Prairie style house Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1909-1942 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The 100 -by -120 -foot lot at 975 Hamilton is located in Block 67 of the Original Map of the University Park of 1889. On
each Map of the City of Palo Alto from that of ca. 1917 to that of 1949, the lot is 100 by 200 feet; a 100 -by -80 -foot portion
of which was sold off to form the lot at 576 Hale. 576 Hale appears in the Palo Alto City Directory of 1916-1917 and on the
Sanborn map of 1924 as a dependent dwelling on the property of 975 Hamilton. The occupant of 576 Hale is not identified
by the City Directory as an owner of that property until the edition of 1944. It would have been about 1943 that the subdivision
took place.
Structure: The Palo Alto Times printed on 31 December 1909 in a column entitled "Record of Improvements" a notice that
Emma Wolverton had built in that year a 56,000 residence in Block 67. The same newspaper reported on 13 January 1912
that a building permit had been issued for a new garage at the address. A small house behind the main house on the same
property, at 576 Hale Street, was occupied by Mrs. Wolverton by 1915. The footprint of this house on the 1924 Sanborn map
is similar to that of numerous small square cottages with projecting wings built in Palo Alto in the 1890s -1900s. The footprints
on the 1924 Sanborn map of the cottage reappear unaltered on the Sanborn map of 1949 (except for the addition of a little
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
813. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: December 29, 1999
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
DPR 5238 (1/95) HAMI975.F1
Packet Pg. 104
*Required Information
Item 2
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary # Attachment A 2023 11
HRIITrinomial
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL J
Page 4 of 6 Resource Identifier: 975 Hamilton Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date December 29 1999 0 Continuation ❑ Update
History (continued)
garage between them). According to the Assessor's records the only significant alterations have been the addition of a
swimming pool, a 10 -by -10 -foot housing for its heater, and a new garage in 1963.
Use: An obituary printed in the Palo Alto Times on 21 March 1946 said that Mrs. Emma Wolverton (widow of Byron) had moved
to Palo Alto from Winona, Minnesota. She was not survived by any children or grandchildren. She bought a large lot on a
corner in a fashionable neighborhood with a small existing cottage on the side street, and built a large modern house facing the
main street. For many, if not most of the years she resided in Palo Alto (1909 to 1942), Mrs. Wolverton occupied the small
cottage and rented the large house with its four bedrooms to families. In the Census records, she resided in the main house
(975 Hamilton) in 1910, and in 1920 she was in the small cottage (576 Hale) while Isidore Cohen, his wife, and one son were
in the main house. Although nothing more is known about Mrs. Wolverton or her husband, some speculations can be made on
the basis of her hometown of Winona, Minnesota and the circumstances of her move to Palo Alto. According to The American
Guide (p. 592) "The city claims to be the wealthiest of its size in the U.S." In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, fortunes
were made in lumber, grain, flour, limestone, and brick making. It appears that Mr. Wolverton made enough money in the
prosperous city of Winona for his widow to build a large and expensive house in a fashionable neighborhood in Palo Alto. In
choosing a design for her house, Mrs. Wolverton relied on what she knew in Winona rather than dominant fashions in Palo Alto.
Unlike Palo Alto at that time, Winona was a showcase of major examples of stylish architecture for public, commercial, and
residential purposes. Two of the major architectural firms whose work is associated with that of Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd
Wright — Purcell Feick and Elmslie and George W. Maher — would soon design major buildings in Winona when Mrs. Wolverton
moved to Palo Alto. Presumably by this time there were already many Prairie Style houses based on the work of Frank Lloyd
Wright in Winona, as there were in most prosperous midwestern cities, especially in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa.
For Mrs. Wolverton, choosing this design appears to have been choosing a familiar image for her home. In 1946 another widow,
Elizabeth Cairns, was listed as the owning occupant of the house.
Evacuation
This house, at 975 Hamilton, appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance for the period
1909 when it was built, to 1942, when Mrs. Wolverton left.
Under criterion A, the house represents in a different way than was usual, the construction of property by a widow for income
— in this case, the owner did not take in boarders but lived in a rear cottage while renting out the main house,
Under criterion C, the house is an early example in Palo Alto of a stucco clad house and an early example of the Prairie Style.
Referen ces
Alsberg, Henry G., editor. The American Guide: A Source Book and Complete Travel Guide for the United States. New York:
Hastings House, 1949.
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Gebhard, David and Tom Martinson. A Guide to the Architecture of Minnesota. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press,
1977.
Map of the City of Palo Alto. ca. 1917, 1921, 1924, 1929, 1949.
Original Map of the University Park. 1889.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1910-1948.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Packet Pg. 105
DPR 523L (1/95) HAMI975.F1 *Required Information
State of California The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
HRIITrinomial
Page 5 of 6 Resource Identifier: 975 Hamilton Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date December 29, 1999 ® Continuation ❑ Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023 11
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL }-
References (continued)
Palo Alto Times. 31 December 1909, 3 January 1912, 21 March 1946.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1964, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 106
DPR 523L (1/95) HAM1975.F1 'Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary #
HRI#
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Trinomial Package -FULL
Page 6 of 6 *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 975 Hamilton Ave
*Map Name: Palo Alto Planning Dent. GIS *Scale: 1 ":80' _ *Date of Map: 1999
Packet Pg. 107
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
PAGE &TURNBULL
317 HIGH STREET
APN: 120-25-104
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
&T
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1908-1950
Summary of Significance: 317 High Street was deemed eligible under Criterion A as an early
example of a single-family house built in the original grid of Palo Alto and as a rental house for
working class families. Under Criterion C, it was deemed eligible as a notable variation of the typical
square cottage type.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1908, the
year of the building's construction. The significance of the property under Criterion A, for being
constructed within the original street grid of Palo Alto and for its use as rental housing, has been
omitted, as many extant properties express this development context and this significance may be
better expressed through the survey and potential identification of a historic district.
d41
j1'";;I 1114 1fii41''i0 V,,Cii Slii "II 1 1!1.1 IMII'11
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation: Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly
representative of an architectural style or way of life important to the city, state or nation)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓
Packet Pg. 108
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Statement of Significance: 317 High Street is significant as a well-preserved example of the square
cottage typology that was common in early Palo Alto.
Period of Significance: 1908
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 109
I —,— I— YIJ-JUL-J IJAY
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 35
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 317 High St
P1. Other Identifier: 317 High St
P2. Location: 0 Not for Publication Unrestricted •a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T • R _; _!< of _%4 of Sec . B.M.
c. Address 317 High St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone ; mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 25 104
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The following description addresses the building in terms of its structure, plan, and appearance. The structure and plan are
described using three sources of information (1949 Assessment Record prepared by the Tax Assessor, Sanborn maps, and
current survey information — photographs, Field Notes form, and site visits from 1998 and 1999). The description of the
structure and plan is presented for two phases in the building's history. The building is presented as it was built, or as it was
at the earliest time warranted by the information available. Second the building is presented as it has changed, up to the present
(1999).
The house at 317 High Street was built on a large mid -block lot that was developed with three houses of similar size. By 1924,
this house was on its own lot measuring 30 by 112Y2 feet. This is a mid -block lot on the northeast side of High Street between
Everett and Lytton avenues. In 1924, there was a garage at the rear in the north corner of the lot.
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: a Building ❑ Structure 0 Object 0 Site 0 District 0 Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
317 High St; view northeast;
09/20/99: by B. Vahev: roll BRV-84,.
nag #7
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: a Historic
❑ Prehistoric ❑ Both
ca. 1901-1902; Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
John Vlahos
323 High St Palo Alto CA 94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett. Dames & Moore
221 Main Street. Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
December 16, 1999
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE a Location Map 0 Sketch Map a Continuation Sheet ® Budding, Structure and Object Record
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record 0 Milli ► rd
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
Packet Pg. 110
DPR 523A (1/951! HIGH317.F1
*Required information.
Item 2
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRUTrinomlal
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 2 of 5 Resource Identifier: 317 High St
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date December 16, 1999 ® Continuation 0 Update
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Description (continued)
This is a one-story dwelling on a foundation of concrete walls. It is a stud -frame structure whose siding is applied directly to
the studs without sheathing. The house is generally square with a forward projecting wing and a half porch across the front.
The house and porch are covered by a hip roof with overhanging eaves and paneled soffits and with a hip roofed dormer with
similar proportions and features. The projecting wing has a gable roof. A stucco clad chimney indicates a rebuilt chimney —
perhaps after the earthquake of 1989. The main walls are clad in an unusual exterior siding — horizontal V -groove siding with
an intermediate groove in each board creating a more finely textured surface than ordinary V -groove or rustic siding and a
differently textured surface than 2 -lap or 3 -lap siding. The gable and dormer walls are clad in shingles. The porch is supported
on square posts. Windows are original and are mostly double hung. The central window on the face of the projecting wing
consists of a large plate glass window below a transom with a decorative pattern of mullions. The front door is a paneled door
with an upper panel of glass.
Inside, the walls are plastered, and there are pine floors. There are four main rooms — a living room, dining room and two
bedrooms. In 1949, the Tax Assessors card also listed one bathroom, a kitchen, and a service porch. The arrangement of the
rooms is not known, but the central front door may lead to a central corridor with rooms on either side. A projecting bay on
the southeast side of the house probably reflects the location of the dining room. In addition, there is a full basement and an
attic, both of which are unfinished.
The appearance of the house mixes forms and images usually associated with 19th -century houses on the one hand and 20th -
century bungalows on the other hand. The basic shape of the house as it appears from the street — a one-story square box
with a hip roof and a projecting wing with an angled bay window at the front — was common in the 1890s (for more
information on this type of house, see the context on Square Cottages in the final survey report). Such houses were often
decorated with ornament from the Queen Anne style, which was popular at the time, and have often been called Queen Anne
cottages in style guides of the 1960s -1990s. Unlike this house, however, cottages of the 1890s were usually clad in different
siding (including rustic or V -groove siding) and had a higher pitched roof. The central front door recalls earlier houses with a
central corridor and rooms on either side, which reinforces the association with 19th -century traditions.
Houses with plans like this were published in newspapers, magazines, and plan books. They were widely available and were
commonly used with and without modifications as sources of ideas for homeowners and as plans for carpenters, builders, and
architects. Wilson's Bungalow Book of 1908 illustrated several house plans like many other published plans that might have
served as a starting point for the design of this house. These include a six -room house with three bedrooms, a projecting front
wing with a living room, a central corridor, and a bathroom in a projecting side bay (p. 25); a house with a central door but no
corridor and a dining room in a projecting side bay (p. 40-41); and a three -bedroom house with a bedroom in the projecting front
wing (p. 119).
The finishes and decorative details of the house at 317 High are associated both with the 1890s and with styles fashionable
in California at the time this house was built in 1901-1902. The contrasting textures of the siding on the main walls and the
shingles on the gable and dormer and the gable end with a projecting wall at the top are characteristic of the Queen Anne style.
At the same time, the narrow banded siding, the decorative transom, the classical references in the porch posts, and the paneled
soffits with a dentil course are characteristics of the Colonial Revival style of the 1900s. The two types of siding and the low
pitch of the roof are all common features of bungalows.
Packet Pg. 111
DPR 523L (1/95) HIGH317.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 3 of 5 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 317 High St
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style:
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
ca. 1901-1902: Built (Palo Alto Times)
1919: Addition
*B7. Moved? ® No ❑ Yes ❑ Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: G.W. Mosher
*810. Significance: Theme A: Development in original city arid: C: Square cottage type house Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1904-1948 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The Plat of the Town of Palo Alto of 1894 shows that Block 3 had not yet been divided by High Street, subdivided, or built
on. The property numbered 317 High appears on the Map of the City of Palo Alto (ca. 1916) with its current boundaries. It
had, however, appeared on the Sanborn map of 1904 as part of a larger property comprised of 317, 323 and 329 High.
Structure: The construction of a new residence for Arthur Wade at "315 High" was mentioned in the Palo Alto Times on 16
August 1901 and again on 3 January 1902. The builder was identified as G.W. Mosher and the cost as $1,800. Mr. and Mrs.
Arthur Wade were listed in the Palo Alto City Directory in 1904 at 317 High (there was never, prior to the Sanborn map of
1949, any house that could have been numbered 315 High so the newspaper notice must refer to 317 High). The Palo Alto
Times published a building permit notice on 2 January 1919 for a $100 addition to the residence at this address. The only
alteration evident in a comparison of the 1904 and 1924 Sanborn maps is the addition of a garage in the latter. The Assessor's
records make no mention of alterations or additions.
Use: Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Wade seem to have built the single family dwelling at 317 High for their own residence, but the Palo
Alto City Directory only listed them living there in 1904. The house tended from the beginning to be listed with a new occupant
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*812. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: December 16, 1999
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 112
DPR 523E (1195) HIGH317.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
HRI/Trinomial
Page 4 of 5 Resource Identifier: 317 High St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date December 16, 1999 ® Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
with almost every new edition and was twice listed vacant (1921-22 and 1946). This pattern indicates that the house has been
almost always a rental property which is supported by the fact that none of the occupants through 1948 were ever identified
in the City Directory as an owner of the house.
Evaluation
This house appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance for the period 1904 to 1948.
Under criterion A, this is an early example of a single family house built in the original grid of Palo Alto. It has generally been
rental property for working class owners.
Under criterion C, this is a typical variation of the square cottage type — with a hip roof and a gabled projecting wing and half
porch. In addition, this house represents the work of an important early Palo Alto builder, G.W. Mosher.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Plat of the Town of Palo Alto.
Map of the City of Palo Alto. ca. 1916.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1904-1948.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 16 August 1901, 3 January 1902, 2 January 1919.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1904.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 113
DPR 523L (1/95) HIGH317.F1 *Required Information
State of California The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary #
HRI# . .
Trinomial
Page 15_ of *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder)
*Map Name: Palo Alto Planning Dent. GIS *Scale: 1":8O'
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
y Package -FULL
317 High St
*Date of Map: 1999
n. cul .f
Pa to Alto
Thls docum.Yl ;swap* rapreulallon my or beet avalable sources. The Cly d Pab Alb assumes no rswa.8e1ey for my cams
317 High St
120-25-104
woauuwms CI
Myer PawAlba on
0•
ace
DFR 523J (1/95)
*Required Information
Packet Pg. 114
PAGE &TURNBULL
323 HIGH STREET
APN: 120-25-103
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1904-1948
Summary of Significance: 323 High Street was found significant under Criterion A as an early
example of a single-family house built within the original street grid of Palo Alto, and, under
Criterion C, as a well-built variation of the typical square cottage type.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: Fence at property line replaced; no additional alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance is revised to be 1904, the year
of the building's construction. The significance of the property under Criterion A, for being
constructed within the original street grid of Palo Alto, has been omitted, as many extant properties
express this development context and this significance may be better expressed through the survey
and potential identification of a historic district.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation: Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly
representative of an architectural style or way of life important to the city, state, or nation)
Statement of Significance: 323 High Street is significant as an excellent variation of the typical
square cottage type with Queen Anne and Colonial Revival style detailing.
Period of Significance: 1904
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓
Packet Pg. 115
State of California — The Resources. Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings,
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 323 High St
P1. Other Identifier: 323 High St
P2. Location: 0 Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto. CA Date 1991 T _; R ; _.'/ of _Y4 of Sec B.M.
c. Address 323 High St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 25 103
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The following description addresses the building in terms of its structure, plan, and appearance. The structure and plan are
described using three sources of information (1949 Assessment Record prepared by the Tax Assessor, Sanborn maps, and
current survey information — photographs, Field Notes form, and site visits from 1998 and 1999). The description of the
structure and plan is presented for two phases in the building's history. The building is presented as it was built, or as it was
at the earliest time warranted by the information available. Second the building is presented as it has changed, up to the present
(1999).
The house at 323 High Street is located on a mid -block lot on the northeast side of High Street between Everett and Lytton
avenues. It is located on a lot that now measures 37'/2 by 112Y2 feet. After 1904 and before 1924, a small wood garage was
built behind this house next to a similar structure behind the house next door at 329 High, when all were on one lot.
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: s Building ❑ Structure ❑ Object o Site 0 District 0 Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
323 High St view northeast;
09/20/99; by B. Vahev; roll BRV-84.
neci #9
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
0 Prehistoric 0 Both
1904; Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
John Vlahos
323 High St Palo Alto CA 94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street. Suite 600
San Francisco. CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
December 16. 1999
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE IN Location Map 0 Sketch Map ® Continuation Sieit
a Building, Structiirp and ()hip t Record
❑ Archaeological Record o District Record ❑ Linear Feature Record 0 Milli.
❑ Artifact Record ❑ Photograph Record ❑ Other (List)
DPR 523A 11195)/ HIGH323.F1
Packet Pg. 116
d
*Required information.
State of California -- The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 2 of 5 Resource Identifier: 323 Hiah St
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date December 16. 1999 0 Continuation ❑ Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Description (continued)
kn plan, this is a example of a common Palo Alto house type of the period — a square cottage with a projecting wing and a half
porch (for more information on this house type see the context in the final survey report). As built, this was more irregular in
plan than many examples of this house type. The 1904 Sanborn map shows projecting wings at the front and rear and a
shallow L-shaped front porch. The 1924 Sanborn shows a half porch added to the rear. According to the Tax Assessor, in
1949, this was a one-story house with a full basement and no habitable attic space. There were a living room, dining room,
three bedrooms, a bath, and a kitchen. The front porch was enclosed at an unknown date.
This is a stud -frame structure originally built on brick foundation walls. The stud frame is clad on the exterior in V -groove siding,
with an additional decorative groove in the middle of each board. Interior finishes include pine floors in the basement, hardwood
floors in the main part of the house, and pine walls. In 1949, there was no heating system. Fenestration includes a mix of
double hung and casement windows and paneled doors.
In appearance, this is a variation of the square cottage type. Its major features are a hip roof, projecting wing with a gable roof,
and half porch under the main roof of the house. In fact, the half porch has been partially enclosed, but because the area
between porch posts on the front and sides is glazed, the original area of the porch has an open appearance and has a similar
character. The imagery of the building is derived primarily from the Queen Anne cottages of the 1890s, including the shingled
gable and contrasting wall textures. Secondary stylistic references are to the Colonial Revival including features such as porch
columns with a frieze under the eaves and paneled soffits.
Packet Pg. 117
DPR 523L (1/95) HIGH323.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 3 of 5 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 323 High St
B1 . Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: 84. Present Use: Single family propertv
*B5. Architectural Style: Queen Anne and Colonial Revival
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1904: Built (Palo Alto Times)
ca. 1904-1924: Detached garage and back porch added
*B7. Moved? a No ❑ Yes ❑ Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Pattern of development: C: Square cottage house tvpe Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1904-1948 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The Sanborn map of 1904 shows the house at 323 High sharing a 125 by 112Y2 foot lot in Block 3 with two other
dwellings. The Map of the City of Palo Alto of 1921 shows those three dwellings on three separate properties. The portion
that 323 High was left by this subdivision was a lot 37Ya by 112% feet, and it has remained unchanged ever since.
Structure: The Palo Alto Times reported on 12 March 1900 that a cottage was to be built for F.B. Wise on High Street in Block
3. The same newspaper reported on 1 January 1904 that a residence was built for F.B. Wise at a cost of $2,500 at 323 High.
Wise was a real estate speculator. He was never listed in the City Directory which first listed this address in 1904. The
Sanborn maps show that a detached garage and a back porch were added at some time between the preparation of the map
of 1904 and that of 1924. The Assessor's records have no evidence of alteration.
Use: According to the record in the Palo Alto City Directory the house at 323 High has always been a single family dwelling the
occupants of which tended to working class occupations such as store clerk, cabinet maker, meat cutter, and mechanic. F.
and Sigrid Bergren (Burgren) who lived at the address through the 1920s were identified as the owners but typically the
residents were not.
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: December 16, 1999
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 118
•
DPR 5236 (1 i95} HIGH323.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 4 of 5 Resource Identifier: 323 High St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date December 16. 1999 n Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Evaluation
This house appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance for the period 1904 to 1948
Under criterion A, this is an early example of a single family house built in the original grid of Palo Alto. It was built as income
property on a large lot with two others (317 and 329). It has generally been rental property for working class owners.
Under criterion C, this is a typical variation of the square cottage type — with a hip roof and a gabled projecting wing and half
porch. The principal modification of the house is the enclosure of part of the porch. Because of the way this has been handled,
leaving an open appearance, this does not result in a loss of integrity.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Map of the City of Palo Alto. 1921.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1904-1953,
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 1 January 1904, 31 July 1922, 2 September 1925, 14 April 1954.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1904.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record 1949, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 119
DPR 523L (1/95) HIGH323.F1 *Required Information
Item 2
State of California -- The Resources Agency Primary # Attachment A 2023 -11 -
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# 09_HRB Nomination
LOCATION MAP . Trinomial Package -FULL
Page . of _§.__ *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder} 323 Hioh St
*Map Name: Palo Alto Plannino Deot. GIS *Scale: 1":80' *Date of Map: 1999
The thy of
Palo Alto
323 High St
120-25-103
Ibis mop C)
pedal of lhe
Miro/ Nib/dip ow
a
Urif b.13J [ I rib)
This document is ■ papilla representation any of but evaiabl..ouroes. The City cif Pab kW assumes no responsbilly tor we error.
*Required Information
Packet Pg. 120
PAGE &TURNBULL
342 HIGH STREET
APN: 120-25-108
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1901-1925
Summary of Significance: 342 High Street was found eligible under Criterion A as an early example
of a single-family residence built in the original grid of Palo Alto, and under Criterion C as a well-built
variation of the typical Square Cottage type with a projecting half porch.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to be 1901,
the year of the building's construction. The significance of the property under Criterion A, for being
constructed within the original street grid of Palo Alto, has also been omitted as many extant
properties express this development context and this significance may be better expressed through
the survey and potential identification of a historic district.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation: Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly
representative of an architectural style or way of life important to the city, state, or nation)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓
Packet Pg. 121
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Statement of Significance: 342 High Street is significant as a well-preserved an example of the
square cottage typology that was common in early Palo Alto.
Period of Significance: 1901
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 122
N., —,— I— YIJ-JUL-J IJ�1
State of California — The Resources Agency ii Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION:__ HRI #
PRIMARY RECORD
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 342-344 High St
P1. Other Identifier: 342-344 High St
P2. Location: 0 Not for Publication a Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T _• R _ _Y4 of _'/4 of Sec . B.M.
c. Address 342-344 High St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _ mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 25 108
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The house at 342 High Street is located on the southwest side of High Street between Everett and Lytton avenues. The parcel
measures 112'/: by 50 feet, typical for a suburban lot of its time. The 1901 Sanborn map shows a very small wood shed behind
the house at the west corner of the lot. By the time of the 1904 Sanborn map, two additional structures were built behind the
house — a wood building in the south corner whose street facing side was open, perhaps for wagons, and a building in two
parts between the house and the west corner. This building consisted of two rectangular parts, a larger one at the rear with
a tile chimney and a smaller one adjacent to it with two sides open. These structures were present at the time when the owner
and occupant, Mr. Umphreys, operated a candy factory. The tile chimney suggests that all or part of the candy making part
of his business may have been here. The wagon sheds were used to make deliveries of raw materials and finished goods. The
1924 Sanborn shows several changes to the property. All of the earlier outbuildings were removed and new structures were
built. In the south corner was an automobile garage. In the west part of the lot, there was a one-story wood dwelling.
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: ® Building ❑ Structure d Object 0 Site 0 District 0 Element of District ❑ Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
342-344 High St; view southwest;
09/20/99; by B. Vahev; roll BRV-84,
nea #12
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: a Historic
❑ Prehistoric ❑ Both
1901: Sanborn Mao
*P7. Owner and Address:
Carlyle Wilson
3 Victoria Vale Monterey CA 93940
*PB. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street. Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
February 23, 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Uodate (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE a Location Map 0 Sketch Map a Continuation Sheet a Buildin,, Structure and Object Record
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record 0 Milli Packet Pg. 123 rd
0 Artifact Record ❑ Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
DPR 523A (1/951i HIGH342.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION. SHEET.
Page 2 of 5 Resource Identifier: 342-344 High St
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date February 23. 2000 ® Continuation ❑ Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Description (continued)
The main house is a one-story stud -frame structure on a concrete wall foundation, covered by a hip roof. The stud frame is clad
in three -lap siding on the exterior. Interior finishes are unknown. Fenestration consists of double hung windows and paneled
doors.
In plan and appearance, this house is a typical variation of a common early Palo Alto house type — a square cottage with a
projecting gabled wing and a hip roof that covers the house and a half porch at the front. The house mixes forms and imagery
typically associated with different periods and styles. The square cottage form with a gabled projecting wing was most common
in the 1890s and associated with the Queen Anne style. The finishes and details are associated with the Colonial Revival style
most common after 1900, including the hip roof and proportional dormers, the fine texture of the three -lap siding, the paneled
soffits, the columned porch and paneled frieze under the eaves, and the general absence of decorative detail. The gabled wing
recalls the stylishness of asymmetry in the Queen Anne style which is in tension with the symmetry asserted by the hip roof
and central, proportional dormers.
Lacking a Tax Assessor's record, less is known about the interior of this house than most. With its common form and central
door, it looks like a traditional plan house with a central corridor and rooms on either side, probably with two original bedrooms.
The pre -1924 rear addition was probably a bedroom. The current (1999) MetroScan printout identifies six main rooms including
three bedrooms and a dining room. In addition, there are two bathrooms.
The house at the rear on the same parcel, listed 344 High Street, is a one-story, stud -frame structure on a concrete wall
foundation covered by a gable roof. The floors and interior walls are pine. In 1949, the Tax Assessor recorded one living room,
one breakfast room, two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen. There was no heating system at that time.
Packet Pg. 124
DPR 523L (1/95) HIGH342.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page of 5 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 342-344 High St
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Queen Anne and Colonial Revival
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
ca. 1901: Built (Sanborn Map)
1919: Addition of room to rear
*B7. Moved? ® No ❑ Yes ❑ Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Pattern of development in Palo Alto, C: square cottage Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1901-1925 Property Type residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The Plat of the Town of Palo Alto ca. 1894 shows Block 3 not yet subdivided into parcels and with no building on it. The
Sanborn map of 1901 shows the lot at 342-344 High Street with its present borders.
Structure: The house now numbered 342 High Street first appeared on the Sanborn map dated 1901 which means that it must
have been built before that date and after the preparation of the edition of 1897. The Palo Alto Times reported on 2 November
1900 that Mr. and Mrs. Umphreys have moved into their new cottage in Block 3. The house was first listed in the Palo Alto
City Directory of 1903. The Palo Alto Times reported, on 2 January 1919, the addition of a room to the rear of the house which
first appeared on the Sanborn map of 1924. The Assessor's records make no mention of later alterations or additions.
The Palo Alto Times reported on 7 April 1923, and again on 1 May 1923 that a new residence was being built by the contractor
W.P. Goodenough behind 342 High Street. The structure first appeared on the Sanborn maps in 1924 and was numbered at
that time 344 High Street. There is no indication on the Sanborn map of 1949 or in the Assessor's records of alteration of this
structure. (A rumor recorded without a source in the PAHA file that this was the first home in Palo Alto to have electricity seems
unlikely but has not been researched.)
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: February 23, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 125
DPR 5238 (1 /95) HIGH342.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 4 of 5 Resource Identifier: 342-344 High St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date February 23, 2000 ® Continuation ❑ Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
Use: According to the record in the Palo Alto City Directory, both 342 and 344 have always served as single family residences.
Eva Umphreys was identified as the owner on the tax card prepared in 1949. As she and her husband, Albert N. Umphreys were
the first residents listed at the address in the City Directory of 1903, it seems certain that they were the owners of the two
houses in question throughout our period of inquiry and certain that they commissioned, in 1.923, the construction of 344 High
as a rental property. Mr. Umphreys started a candy factory and store in Palo Alto in 1899 and later had a creamery.
Subsequently, he worked as a bookkeeper and insurance agent while active in the local Masonic Lodge. At the time he lived
in this house, Umphreys served on a committee that wrote the charter required for the new council -commission form of
government authorized by the voters in 1909. Then from 1909 to 1914, he served on the first City Council. About 1925,
the couple moved to 301 Bryant. The City Directory of 1948 listed Mrs. Umphreys still at that address and the owner of the
house there. At the time of his death, Umphreys owned the Umphrey's Building at 257 University Avenue. Among the many
tenants in the house at 342 High Street was John A. Harvie, according to his 1957 obituary, "who worked as a machinist with
Dr. Lee de Forest and Cyril Elwell in the early days of radio development." He later worked with the Federal Telegraph Company
in New Jersey and on the cyclotron at the University of California in Berkeley.
Evaluation
This house at 342 High appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance for the period 1901
to 1925.
Under criterion A, it is an early example of a single family house built in the original grid of Palo Alto.
Under criterion C, it is a typical variation of a common Palo Alto house type — a square cottage with a projecting gabled wing
and a half porch.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1903-1953.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 2 November 1900, 7 April 1923, 1 May 1923, 21 October 1943.
Plat of the Town of Palo Alto. ca. 1894.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1901.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1904.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 126
DPR 523L (1/95) HIGH342.F1 `Required Information
State of California -- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION I'AAP .. Trinomial
Page . of _ . •Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 342-344 High St
*Map Name: Palo Alto Planning Dept. GIS *Scale: 1":80'
Primary #
HRI#
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*Date of Map: 1999
The Clry of
Palo Alto
This document is a graphic nprssarsstbn only of best avalaals sources. The City al Pleb AM assumes no raeporsitMlly for rry non.
342-344 High St
120-25-108
120.68-10
120-6841
120-6842
120.68.18
ti+ fsA
T1iit now f pproduct of Iho ' — 0
riPalo Alto GIB
o sc
DPR 523J (1/95)
*Required Information
Packet Pg. 127
PAGE &TURNBULL
832 KIPLING STREET
APN: 120-17-025
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1893-1849
Summary of Significance: 832 Kipling Street was deemed eligible under Criterion A as an early
example of a single-family residence built within the original street grid of Palo Alto. Under Criterion
C, the building was deemed eligible as a well-built example of the Queen Anne style.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: Windows appear to have been replaced.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1893, the
year of the building's construction. The significance of the property under Criterion A, for being
constructed within the original street grid of Palo Alto, has also been omitted as many extant
properties express this development context and this significance may be better expressed through
the survey and potential identification of a historic district.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation: Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly
representative of an architectural style or way of life important to the city, state or nation);
Statement of Significance: The subject building is significant as a distinctive and stately example of
the Queen Anne style.
Period of Significance: 1893
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓ I .Y+
Packet Pg. 128
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRI #
PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 4 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 832 Kipling St
P1. Other Identifier: 832 Kipling St
P2. Location: 0 Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T _; R ; '/+ of _1/4 of Sec . B.M.
c. Address 832 Kipling St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 17 025
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The house at 832 Kipling Street is a balloon- or platform -frame structure clad in rustic siding with fishscale shingles in the
gables. It is a two-story structure with a hip roof over the main house and prominent gables facing the street. The footprint
of the house has not changed since it was built. It is a variation of a common early Palo Alto house type with a two-story
square cottage with a bay window, projecting wings to the southeast (side) and southwest (rear), and an L-shaped porch that
wraps around the front and the southeast side. It is a Queen Anne style house, characterized by its irregular plan and silhouette,
its mix of wall materials with different textures, and its front facing gables. It is likely that decorative detail from the porch and
under the main gable has been removed.
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: u Building 0 Structure 0 Object ❑ Site 0 District ❑ Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
832 Kipling St; view southwest;
09/16/99: by B. Vahev: roll BRV-82,
neg #35
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
o Prehistoric ❑ Both
1893; Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
William & Sarah Cane
832 Kipling St Palo Alto CA 94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street. Suite 600
San Francisco. CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
May 12, 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: ❑ NONE ® Location Map ❑ Sketch Map ® Continuation S
o Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record ❑ Milli
❑ Artifact Record ❑ Photograph Record ❑ Other (List)
-mat ® Ruilrlmg, Striir•.tura and Ohja t Record
d
Packet Pg. 129
DPR 523A (1/95)! KIPL832.P1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09HRB Nomination
Package -FULL J
Page 2 of 4
*NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 832 Kipling St
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Queen Anne
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1893: Built (Palo Alto Times)
1953: Create apartment and add bathroom
*B7. Moved? ® No 0 Yes ❑ Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: Mr. Darlington
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Development of Palo Alto; C: Queen Anne Style Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1893-1949 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The house at 832 Kipling Street is situated on a 50 -by -112Y2 -foot lot comprised of lots 14 and 15 of Block 26 of the
original plan for University Park. Kipling was cut through to bisect Block 26 when the block was subdivided by Meeker and
Stone. Caroline E. Kemp, who had the present house built, bought the property directly from the subdividers.
Structure: The Palo Alto Times reported, on 23 June 1893, that Mrs. Kemp, a resident of Placerville, had contracted Mr.
Darlington, a contractor and builder in Placerville, to build a two-story house of nine rooms. The same notice also said that Mrs.
Kemp and her family would occupy the house when it was finished and that her son would be entering Stanford "next
September." The Palo Alto Times mentioned the address again, on 21 July 1953, and reported that Z. Shaw was owner and
builder of a $ 1,000 apartment alteration. The Assessor's records show that these alterations were to add a bathroom and create
a new apartment.
Use: According to the record in the Palo Alto City Directory, Mrs. Caroline E. Kemp resided at Mrs. Summerfields's on Forest
Avenue in 1895 and on Lytton Avenue in 1896 and 1897. She and her son were not settled in the house at 832 Kipling Street
(then Marguerite Street), which she had commissioned in 1893 until 1898. According to an obituary (Palo Alto Times 3 January
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: May 12, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 130
DPR 523B (1195) KIPL832.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRIfirinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 3 of 4 Resource Identifier: 832 Kir)line St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date May 12, 2000 ® Continuation o Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
1912), Mrs. Kemp lived in the house until 1911. Mrs. Kemp's son was William W. Kemp. In 1896, while still a student at
Stanford, he was a candidate for Town Clerk and the subject of a newspaper article: "Mr. Kemp is in favor of municipal
ownership of water works and sewers and believes in a progressive policy for Palo Alto." Later he was superintendent of schools
for Alameda County, president of San Jose State Teachers College (1920-1923), and dean of the University of California School
of Education. From 1906 until 1911, at least two family names were listed at the address, but after 1912 and until about 1940,
it seems to have served strictly as a single family dwelling. Maude S. Tronslin, widow of Benjamin Tronslin, lived here with her
two sons, Cyril and Norwood Tronslin, from 1920 until 1929. During those years Mrs. Tronslin worked as a secretary to David
Starr Jordan, Stanford University's first president. She was not identified in the City Directory as the owner of her residence
and neither were William and Mamie Mitchell who lived there after her until 1936. In 1938, the house was listed vacant and
from 1940 until 1946, it was a duplex. From 1948 until 1953, there were three units, and in 1954 and after, there were four
units.
Evaluation
This house, at 832 Kipling Street, appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The
period of significance is from 1893, when it was designed, to its conversion for apartments prior to 1949.
Under criterion A, this house represents the early development of Palo Alto's initial grid.
Under criterion C, this house is a distinctive example of a Queen Anne style house. Its alterations are irrelevant to its
significance.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1895-1954.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 23 June 1893, 15 March 1895, 3 April 1896, 3 January 1912, 16 May 1946, 21 July 1953, 16 August
1978.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1901.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1904.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto, New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1954, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation,
Packet Pg. 131
DPR 523L (1/95) KIPL832.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary #
HRW.
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 4_ of 4 *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 832 Kiolina St
"Map Name: Palo Alto Planning Dent. GIS *Scale: 1%80'
"Date of Map: 1999
7-2
120-17-35
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120-1646
120-16-87
120-16-88
120-16-89
120-16-90
120-16-91
120-16-92
120-16-93
120-17-3
120-17-6
120-17-5
120-17-4
to
120-17-34
A
to
120-1743
120-17-24
120-17.32
ileneedlitelleierne-
120-17-31
120.1726
/2017.
120-17-30
120-17-29
832 Kipling St
120-17-025
120-17-14
120-17-17
120-17.43
120-1:
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This document Is a graphic reccesentation only of bast reelable aeurass. Thr Cty d Pab AND roans no ora l *y tor any errors.
*Required information
Packet Pg. 132
PAGE &TURNBULL
426 PALO ALTO AVENUE
APN: 120-09-059
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1903-1946
Summary of Significance: 426 Palo Alto Avenue was deemed eligible under Criterion A as an early
example of a single-family house built in the original street grid of Palo Alto, and under Criterion C as
a well-built variation on a Craftsman style bungalow with a hipped root which is an unusual
variation of the style.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: Some alterations to the front porch; no other alterations visible.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to be 1901,
the year of the building's construction. The significance of the property under Criterion A, for being
constructed within the original street grid of Palo Alto, has also been omitted as many extant
properties express this development context and this significance may be better expressed through
the survey and potential identification of a historic district.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation: Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly
representative of an architectural style or way of life important to the city, state, or nation)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓ I .Y+
Packet Pg. 133
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Statement of Significance: The subject building is significant as an excellent variation of a
Craftsman -style bungalow with a hipped roof form, which is a less common variation of the style.
Period of Significance: 1903
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 134
I'(,/l—,— — YIJ- JUL-J,JAY
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL j
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 426 Palo Alto Ave
P1. Other Identifier: 426 Palo Alto Ave
P2. Location: 0 Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto. CA Date 1991 T _; R _ % of 'A of Sec B.M.
c. Address 426 Palo Alto Ave City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _ mE/ mN
'e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 09 059
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, a)terations, size, setting, and boundaries)
This house, at 426 Palo Alto Avenue, is a one-story rectangular building with a full basement and livable attic space. There is
a porch at the center of the front of the house, recessed under the main roof. On either side of the porch are sun rooms or
sleeping porches with bands of large windows. It is a wood -frame structure clad in three -lap siding and covered by a hip roof.
A hip dormer faces the front and shed -roofed dormers face the sides. This is a Craftsman bungalow in style with square
columns framing the porch areas across the front of the house.'
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: ® Building 0 Structure ❑ Object ❑ Site 0 District o Element of District ❑ Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
426 Palo Alto Ave; view east;
09113/99; by B. Vahev: roll BRV-77,
nea #7
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: z Historic
o Prehistoric 0 Both
1903: City Directory
*P7. Owner and Address:
Philip Schultz
426 Palo Alto Ave Palo Alto CA
94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
May 10, 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE z Location Map 0 Sketch Map ® Continuation Sheet ® Building, Structure and Object Record
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record 0 Milli Packet Pg. 135
o Artifact Record ❑ Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
DPR 523A (1/951/ PAL0426.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Primary #
Page 2 of 5
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 426 Palo Alto Ave
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Craftsman Bungalow
*86. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1903: Built (City Directory)
1954: Deck addition
*B7. Moved? N No El Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Development of Palo Alto: C: Craftsman Bungalow Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1903-1946 Property
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
History
Site: The Plat of the Town of Palo Alto of 1894 shows Block 33 yet to be divided by Ruthven, yet to be subdivided into lots
and still without any structures. The Map of the City of Palo Alto (ca. 1916) showed the parcel at 426 Palo Alto Avenue with
much the same boundaries it has today. The only discrepancy is an 8.60 -by -108.68 -foot strip along the border with 422 Palo
Alto Avenue, Either the 1916 map was incorrect or it was granted by the owners of 426 Palo Alto to those of 422 sometime
between 1916 and 1921, because the parcel appeared on the City Map of that year as it does today.
Structure: The Palo Alto Times reported, on 11 July 1902, that W.W. Camron of San Francisco had bought a "villa lot" on Palo
Alto Avenue in Block 33 and intended to have "a fine residence built" there immediately. The same newspaper published on
December 30, 1904 a "Complete Record of the Improvements Made in Palo Alto During the Year Nineteen Hundred Four" that
listed Mr. Camron's 54,000 two-story residence on Palo Alto Avenue. The Palo Alto City Directory had listed the Camrons at
this address in the January 1904 edition, so construction may have been completed in late 1903 rather than in 1904. The
Assessor's records note only one alteration — an 8 -by -8 -foot deck built at the rear in 1954.
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: Mav 10. 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 136
DPR 523B (1195) PAL0426.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
HRIITrinomial
Page 3 of 5 Resource Identifier: 426 Palo Alto Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date May 10, 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
Use: According to the Palo Alto City Directory, W.W. Camron was in the real estate business and lived in the house he had built
at 426 Palo Alto Avenue until he died in 1912. "Camron came across the plains to California at the age of six years" (Palo Alto
Times 18 March 1912). Later he was elected twice to the state legislature and three times to the Oakland City Council. While
he lived in Oakland, he built a grand house on the shores of Lake Merritt that was later sold to Leland Stanford's brother, Josiah.
The house is now a museum known as the Camron-Stanford house. By 1915, a new family was resident; the next year there
was another; and the year after that the house was listed vacant. The City Directory of 1923 first listed Charles D. and Sarah
Treat at this address. Charles, who had retired, died in the house in 1926. Mrs. Treat died in it in 1946. Charles Treat had
a versatile career that included army service in the Civil War, helping to find homes for freed slaves in affiliation with Hull House
in Chicago, builder of the industrial and transportation infrastructure of Trinidad, Colorado, construction of over 1,500 miles of
railroads in North America, and construction of a railroad across Nicaragua as part of an effort to build a canal. He was "the
first president of the Telautograph Company, and lived in Paris, London, Geneva, and Leipzig from 1892 to 1902." He had
previously lived in Guadalajara. According to the Palo Alto Times, of 30 January 1947, the house and its furnishings were left
by Mrs. Treat to her daughter Katherine Treat who quickly sold it to an accountant named Albert S. Johnson and his wife
Margaret. The Johnsons were listed by the City Directory as owning occupants of the house from 1946 to 1950.
Evaluation
This house at 425 Palo Alto appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The period
of significance runs from 1903, when it was built, to 1946 when Mrs. Treat died.
Under criterion A, this house represents the early development of the original grid of Palo Alto. It also represents Palo Alto's
attractiveness as a retirement town in its first two owners.
Under criterion C, this house is a distinctive example of a Craftsman Bungalow.
Although the first two owners, W.W. Camron and Charles P. Treat were interesting people who made substantial contributions
in various ways during their lifetimes, it is not clear that their presence here meets the standards for significance under
criterion B.
References
Bagwell, Beth. Oakland: The Story of a City. Oakland: Oakland Heritage Alliance, 1982.
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Map of the City of Palo Alto. ca. 1916, 1921.
Oakland. Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board. Landmarks & Preservation Districts, vol. 1. Oakland: 1979.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1904-1953.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update, Property File.
Palo Alto Historical Association. "Veteran R.R. Builder is Taken by Death at Palo Alto Home, Charles Payson Treat Passes Away
at Age of 79; Was Promoter of Nicaraguan Canal and Other Notable Enterprises." Palo Alto Times, [19261.
Palo Alto Times. 11 July 1902, 30 December 1904, 18 March 1912, 26 February 1926, 26 February 1946.
Plat of the Town of Palo Alto. 1894.
Packet Pg. 137
DPR 523L (1/95) PAL0426.F1 'Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRIlTrinomial
TIVUA COO
N 1 TION
SHEET
Page 4 of 5 Resource Identifier: 426 Palo Alto Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date May 10, 2000 to Continuation ❑ Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL
References (continued)
San Jose Mercury Herald. 28 January 1926,
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1955, 1962, 1965, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Who's Who in America. 1924-1925.
Packet Pg. 138
DPR 523L (1/95) PAL0426.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary #
HRI#
Trinomial
Page of
*Map Name: Palo Alto Mannino Dent. GIS *Scale: 1":80'
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 426 Palo Alto Ave
*Date of Map: 1999
The Cly .f
Pa to Alto
Thle document b. e wept* rspr e.,d.ton only of beet sealable eoureb. The Csy ol Palo AItH slwrf s no resporn611sy for say wnals.
426 Palo Alto Ave
120-09-059
-c(e
I PaleAloGIS CD
a ea
DPR 523J (1/95)
*Required Information
Packet Pg. 139
PAGE &TURNBULL
245 RAMONA STREET
APN: 120-25-012
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criterion A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1908-1944
Summary of Significance: 245 Ramona Street was deemed eligible under Criterion A as a
representative of boarding houses developed by widows, along with the development of private
lodging for Stanford University students and the development of multi -unit housing in proximity to
the new University Avenue streetcar line. Under Criterion C, it was found eligible as an example of a
large boarding house.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: Base of porch piers have been resurfaced with stone or tile; windows and
porch piers replaced.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1908, the
year of the building's construction. The building's style has also been updated from Colonial
Revival/Medieval Castle to Craftsman Foursquare.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of
life important to the city, state, or nation)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓
Packet Pg. 140
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
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09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Statement of Significance: 245 Ramona Street is significant as a unique architectural variation on
the Foursquare housing type with Craftsman stylistic influences and large projecting boxed corners
at the upper floor. While it was likely built from a pattern book, this form with projecting upper
corners is less common than more typical forms with a simple box shape.
Period of Significance: 1908
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 141
JUL J I J�1
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
NRHP Status Code
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL 1
3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 245 Ramona St
P1. Other Identifier: 245 Ramona St
P2. Location: ❑ Not for Publication Ea Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T • R %, of N of Sec ; B.M.
c. Address 245 Ramona St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone • mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 25 012
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The following description addresses the building in terms of its structure, plan, and appearance. The structure and plan are
described using three sources of information (1949 Assessment Record prepared by the Tax Assessor, Sanborn maps, and
current survey information — photographs, Field Notes form, and site visits from 1998 and 1999). The description of the
structure and plan is presented for two phases in the building's history. The building is presented as it was built, or as it was
at the earliest time warranted by the information available. Second the building is presented as it has changed, up to the present
(1999).
This building at 245 Ramona Street is a two-story, balloon or platform frame structure with a hip roof. In 1949, it still sat on
its original brick foundations. It is clad on the exterior in three -lap siding. Fenestration consists of double -hung windows and
paneled doors. Inside, floors are "cement" in the basement and pine on the upper stories. In 1949, there was one gas floor
furnace.
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP3 Multiple family property
*P4. Resources Present: a Building 0 Structure ❑ Object ❑ Site ❑ District ❑ Element of District ❑ Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #1
245 Ramona St; view east; 09120/99;
by B. Vahev; roll BRV-84, neo #4
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
o Prehistoric 0 Both
1908; Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
Jane Martin
245 Ramona St Palo Alto CA 94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett. Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
December 27, 1999
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000(
*Attachments: 0 NONE ® Location Map 0 Sketch Map ta Continuation Sheet ® Building, Structure and Object Record
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record 0 Milli Packet Pg. 142
❑ Artifact Record ❑ Photograph Record ❑ Other lust)
DPR 523A (1/95)/ RAM0245.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 2 of 5 Resource Identifier: 245 Ramona St
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date December 27, 1999 0 Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL
Description (continued)
In plan, this house is a large rectangular box with projections on three sides. At the front, there are projecting square bays at
each corner on the second floor. Between these at the ground level is a projecting one-story entrance porch with a hip roof.
On the northwest side, both ends of the wall project forward. On the southeast side, there is a bay window near the rear and
a hip -roofed porch similar to the front porch closer to the front.
This house is a two-story building with a one -quarter basement and, although the attic appears high enough and is lit by
dormers, there is no finished attic space. In 1949, the Tax Assessor recorded on the ground floor a living room, dining room,
bedroom, bath, and kitchen. Upstairs were five bedrooms, a bath, and kitchen. The interior arrangement of these rooms is not
known.
The character of this house is established primarily by its form — a large box with a hip roof and generally symmetrical
arrangement of projecting bays and porches. This form is embellished by features drawn from a variety of sources. The
symmetry of the facade, the hip roof with proportional dormers, the paneled soffits, and the columned porch are characteristic
of similar houses of the time in the Colonial Revival style. The square corner bays visually supported by a series of jigsawn
brackets suggest defensive features of Medieval fortifications. These disparate features are organized in a harmonious
composition that can not be labeled by standard stylistic terminology.
This house may have been altered by moving the main entrance from the front to the side porch. Further investigation would
be necessary to know if this has happened or if the current arrangement is simply an unusual original plan.
Packet Pg. 143
DPR 523L (1195h RAM0245.F1 *Required Information
Item 2
State of California --- The Resources Agency Primary # Attachment A 2023 -11 -
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # 09 HRB Nomination
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD \. Package -FULL
Page 3 of 5 *NRHP Status Cade 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 245 Ramona St
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Multiple family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Colonial Revival/Medieval Castle
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1908: Built (Palo Alto Times)
*B7. Moved? ® No ❑ Yes ❑ Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Pattern of development; C: Boarding house Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1908-1944 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: Ramona bisects Block no. 15. The half of Block no. 15 on which 245 Ramona is located is bisected by an alley (Lane 15
East) at the rear of the property. The Sanborn maps of 1924 and 1949 show 245 Ramona sharing a larger property with an
apartment building at 235 Ramona. The city maps, however, always separate the two structures with a property line. The
parcel today measures 45 by 106 feet. The 1924 Sanborn map shows a large garage behind the main building in the east corner
of the property.
Building History: The Palo Alto Times of 24 December 1908 noted that Mrs. Ada F. Noble was building a two-story, frame house
at 245 Ramona Street at an estimated cost of $2,500.00. This notice does not identify an architect or builder. The City
Directory of 1910 lists Mrs. Noble and some of her adult children as the first occupants of the house. One of those children,
Howard M, Noble, is identified as a carpenter. It is possible that he played some part in the construction of what would be his
mother's and his own residence. In the early 1970s, a permit was applied for "general repair and clean up" at a cost of
$1,000.00. This included demolition of the garage, removal of an interior partition, and "remove 1 alt exit stairs." This minor
amount of work appears to have eliminated a separate housing unit. The work was completed in 1975. The 1998 MetroScan
printout classifies this as a one -unit residence for fraternity, sorority, or boarding house occupancy. -
See continuation sheet
B1 1. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: December 27, 1999
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 144
DPR 5231311.95) RAM0245.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 4 of 5 Resource Identifier: 245 Ramona St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date December 27, 1999 Continuation ❑ Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
J
History (continued)
History of Use: 245 Ramona is first listed in the City Directory of 1910 as the residence of Mrs. Ada Noble who, according to
the Palo Alto Times of 24 December 1908, had had the house built. This was a large building designed as a rooming and
boarding house. Following a common pattern, it appears to have been built both as a residence and a source of income for a
widow. The City Directory of 1912-13 lists "Ada F. Noble (widow Francis) - Furnished rms - 245 Ramona." The Y.M.C.A.
Directory of Rooming and Boarding Houses of 1913-1914 listed four rooms available in Mrs. Noble's house at 245 Ramona.
In addition to non -family members, several of Mrs. Noble's grown children lived with her at various times, including her son
Howard M. Noble, a carpenter, in the year the house was first occupied; her son, Chester F. Noble, a Palo Alto police officer
and Chief of Police (1911 to 1924), from 1910 to 1915 — he was listed as a boarder in 1912-1913; and her son Milford Noble,
a plumber and later supervisor at the Palo Alto Water Department, and his wife. Mrs. Noble remained at the address through
the City Directory of 1944. The City Directory of 1948 lists "Mrs. Velma Rehorst - Furnished Rooms" at the address. Standard
sources provide conflicting information about the operation, whether it was a rooming and boarding house with one main
entrance and one kitchen, or whether it was subdivided into separate units, each with its own entrance and its own kitchen.
The directories sometimes list residents at separate addresses (241, 243, 245, and 247 Ramona) and the 1924 Sanborn map
labels the building "4F," indicating four flats — four separate apartment units. The 1949 Sanborn map labels the building "D,"
at one address (245 Ramona) indicating a single unit dwelling. The 1949 Tax Assessor's information recorded two kitchens
for "2F," meaning two families or two flats (each floor a separate unit).
Evaluation
This building at 245 Ramona appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance for the period
1908 to 1944, the last year Ada Noble was in residence.
Under criterion A, it represents a pattern of development of boarding houses by widows, the provision of private housing for
Stanford students, and the development of multi -unit housing in proximity to the new streetcar line on University Avenue.
Under criterion C, it is an example of a large boarding or lodging house. Its integrity may be affected in a minor way by moving
the entry to the side, but if it has happened, it has been handled carefully, and does not affect the character of the building in
an important way.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1907-1948.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 24 December 1908, 18 December 1939, 3 May 1947, 28 November 1978,
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 145
DPR 523L (1/95) RAM0245.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary #
HRI#
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page_ 5 of 5 *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 245 Ramona St
"Map Name: Palo Alto Planning Dept. GIS *Scale: 1":80'
*Date of Map: 1999
DPR 523J (1/95)
This docamel is a graphic r prruttlion only of beat available 1161.1,003. TM Gy d Pab Alb autumn no raspuebilry for any errors.
;Required Information
Packet Pg. 146
PAGE &TURNBULL
313 WAVERLEY STREET
APN: 120-14-083
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criterion A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1902
Summary of Significance: 313 Waverly Street was deemed eligible under Criterion A as a
representative of early development patterns in Palo Alto, and specifically for its role in the
development of early affordable rental housing options. It was also deemed eligible under Criterion
C as a distinctive house with notably diminutive characteristics.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1902, the
year of the building's construction, and the style has been updated from Colonial Revival to Dutch
Colonial Revival.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation: Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly
representative of an architectural style or way of life important to the city, state, or nation)
Statement of Significance: 313 Waverly Street is significant as an early example of the Dutch
Colonial style in Palo Alto that was likely built from a pattern book.
Period of Significance: 1902
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓
Packet Pg. 147
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRI '#
PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial.
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP.Status Code $$
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer__ Date
Page 1 of 6 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 313 Waverlev St
P1. Other Identifier: 313 Waverlev St
P2. Location: 0 Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto. CA Date 1991 T _; R _; _Y of _'la of Sec ; B.M.
c. Address 313 Waverlev St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g„ parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 14 083
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The following description addresses the building at 313 Waverley in terms of its structure, plan, and appearance. The structure
and plan are described using three sources of information (1949 Assessment Record prepared by the Tax Assessor, Sanborn
maps, and current survey information — photographs, Field Notes form, and site visits from 1998 and 1999). The description
of the structure and plan is presented for two phases in the building's history. The building is presented as it was built or as
it was at the earliest time warranted by the information availabre. Second, the building is presented as it has changed, up to
the present (1999).
This is a small, 11/2 -story structure with a 10 -by -12 -foot basement and an upper floor enclosed by a gambrel roof. It is a bailoon-
frame structure on a concrete wall foundation. The frame is enclosed by V -groove siding, provided with a finer texture by means
of a horizontal decorative groove along the center of each board. The gables are clad in fishscale shingles. Fenestration consists
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Sinole family property
*P4. Resources Present: ® Building ❑ Structure ❑ Object ❑ Site ❑ District ❑ Element of District ❑ Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
313 Waverlev St; view northeast;
09/20/99; by B. Vahev; roll BRV-83,
ne9 #30
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
0 Prehistoric 0 Both
1902; Metroscan
*P7. Owner and Address:
Marie A Pitman
1455 Webster St Palo Alto CA 94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco CA 94105
*P9, Date Recorded:
February 23, 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey U_odate (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE ® Location Map o Sketch Map ® Continuation Sheet ® Building, Structure and Objet Record
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record ❑ Linear Feature Record ❑ Milli Fd
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
Packet Pg. 148
DPR 523A (1/951/ WAVE313.F1
'Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
HRIITrinomial
Page 2 of B Resource Identifier: 313 Waverlev St
Recorded by Michael Corbett
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*Date February 23. 2000 ® Continuation ❑ Update
Description (continued)
of double -hung windows and a paneled door with multipane glass. Inside, there are hardwood floors in one room on the ground
floor and pine floors elsewhere. In 1949, the Tax Assessor identified a gas -fired floor furnace and no fireplace.
In plan, this house is in an L -shape with a main rectangular wing with one end facing the street and a transverse wing at the
rear projecting slightly to the northwest. In addition, there are one-story porches projecting at the front and rear. In 1949, the
Tax Assessor identified rooms as follows: downstairs were a living room, dining room, and kitchen; and upstairs were two
bedrooms and a bath. This is a very small house. It appears to have a shotgun plan with one room behind another and no
corridors.
In appearance, this house is distinctive by virtue of its small size and its form including its gambrel roof. One-story, shotgun
plan houses in California are usually associated with poor immigrants, more often black than white, from the southern United
States. As a two-story shotgun plan structure, this is very unusual. Gambrel roofs are usually associated with farm buildings
and the Colonial Revival style. Here it seems more to convey a sense of specialness about this house — as if it were not for
poor people but a playhouse for children.
Packet Pg. 149
DPR 523L (1!95) WAVE313.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 3 of 6 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder} 313 Waverley St
B1. Historic Name:
62. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Colonial Revival
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1902: Built (MetroScan}
1974: Bathroom remodel
*B7. Moved? ® No 0 Yes ❑ Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Pattern of development in Palo Alto; C: Design Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1902-1932 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The house at 313 Waverley is located in Block 31 of the original plan of University Park made in 1889. As shown on the
1904 Sanborn map, it was built at the rear of a 50 -by -100 -foot lot at the east corner of Waverley Street and Everett Avenue.
The main house on the property, at 404 Everett Avenue, was a one-story dwelling with a footprint like a typical square cottage
of the 1890s — a square house with a half porch (L -plan) and a projecting wing terminating in an angled bay window. The rear
house at 313 Waverley (this house) was smaller and faced the side street. On the 1924 Sanborn map, the same two structures
were on the lot, but the main house was altered and enlarged. The main house had been converted to a duplex with addresses
at 311 Waverley and 404 Everett. By the time of the 1949 Sanborn map, 313 Waverley was on a separate, small parcel
measuring 30 by 73 feet.
Structure: The Santa Clara County MetroScan dates the house at 313 Waverley to 1902. As it does not appear on the Sanborn
map of 1901 but does on that of 1904 and as it is first listed in the Palo Alto City Directory dated January 1904, the Metro Scan
date seems to be reasonable. The most significant alteration noted in the Assessor's records was the remodeling of the existing
bathroom that included the removal of a wall in 1974.
See continuation sheet
611. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: February 23. 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
DPR 523B (1/95) WAVE313.F1
Packet Pg. 150
•Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
HRIITrinomial
Page 4 of 6 Resource Identifier: 313 Waverley St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date February 23, 2000 a Continuation u Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
Use: The Sanborn map of 1904 and that of 1924 both show a five room dwelling at 313 Waverley as a secondary structure
at the rear of the property at 404 Everett. This indicates that it was built to be a rental property. The earliest tenants were
H.W. Wheeler, an insurance agent, listed with Mrs. John May in the January 1904 City Directory, followed by Dr. John May,
an optician, and his wife in the December 1904 City Directory. The Palo Alto City Directory listed Henry and Corabelle Schmidt
as residents from 1918-1923. According to an obituary that appeared in the Palo Alto Times, on 2 January 1945, Mr. Schmidt
had started the Novelty Movie Theater in Palo Alto in 1910. He then built the Marquee Theater in 1914. When the new
Marquee Theater opened "in a modern building," the Palo Alto Times wrote, "The theater is the culmination of the dreams of
Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt for a model house. They now look forward to making a lifetime's contribution to the instruction and
amusement of Palo Alto with the best motion pictures to be had exhibited under the best conditions possible. The community
has reason to congratulate itself upon the addition of this fine new theater to other semi-public institutions of the town. The
proprietors have made sacrifices in order to keep the shows at the old Novelty up to a clean high standard, and they announce
that the same policy will continue at the new Marquee. This means that the general moral and social standards of the
community will be definitely upheld by the proprietors of this house." These theaters represent the early history of movie
theaters in Palo Alto and in their absence, this house is a link to that era. The movies spread rapidly as a form of popular
entertainment in the first decade of the 20th century. Nikolaus Pevsner states that by 1916, there were 25,000 "cinemas" in
the United States. Most of the earliest examples were in remodeled storefronts where movies were often presented with other
entertainments, as in nickelodeons and vaudeville theaters. As the movie business changed rapidly, so did movie theaters. The
Novelty Theater was operated in a remodeled storefront. The Marquee Theater may have been in a separate building. In 1919,
when they were living at 313 Waverley, the Schmidts sold the Marquee Theater to the Fox chain, This early period of the
motion picture theater business was volatile, and many independent theaters were taken over by big chains. Perhaps the
Schmid'ts standards were too high to remain competitive at that time. A tailor named William M. Jones and his wife, Elizabeth,
were listed at the address from 1924 to 1934, the year of Mr. Jones' death. In 1932, the City Directory identified them as the
owners of the house. The Sanborn map of 1949 has a property line, for the first time in the series of those maps, separating
313 from 311 Waverley/404 Everett. Mr. and Mrs. Jones' son, William E. Jones, was living in the house in 1948.
Evaluation
This house at 313 Waverley appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The period
of significance begins in 1903, when the house was built, and ends when the land it was built on was sold off as a separate
property, about 1932.
Under criterion A, the house appears significant for its representation of a significant pattern of development in early Palo Alto
— the construction of small dwellings for rental income at the rear of residential lots with a main house at the front. The house
is also associated with the social role of such cheap housing — providing affordable housing for people getting established in
business and in some cases providing amenities or contributing to the cultural life of the city before those businesses generated
enough income to support themselves. This house was occupied by an insurance agent, an optician, a teacher, and a
bookkeeper as well as a proprietor of early motion picture theaters.
Under criterion C, this is a distinctive house by virtue of its small size and its toy -house -like design.
Evaluation
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Morrison, Craig. "Theaters and Movie Houses." Built in the U.S.A.: American Buildings from Airports to Zoos, Building
Watchers Series. Washington: Preservation Press, 1985.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1904-1948.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Packet Pg. 151
DPR 523L (1/95) WAVE313.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 5 of 6 Resource Identifier: 313 Wavelev St
Recorded by Michael Corbett
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*Date February 23. 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
References (continued)
Palo Alto Times. 16 September 1910, 27 October 1914, 22 November 1915, 2 January 1945.
Pevsner, Nikolaus. A History of Building Types, Solligan Series XXXV-19. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1976.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1904.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Valentine, Maggie. The Show Starts on the Sidewalk: An Architectural History of the Movie Theater, Starring S. Charles Lee.
New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1994.
Packet Pg. 152
DPR 523L (1/95) WAVE313.F1 *Required Information
State of California -- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary #
HRl#
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Trinomial Package -FULL
Page 6 of 6 *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 313 Waverlev St
*Map Name: Palo Alto Mannino Dept, GIS *Scale: 1":80' *Date of Map: 1999
120-22-1
120-22-2
120-22-3
120-22-4
120-22-5
120-22-6
120-22-7
Tl. Mir .e
Palo Alto
This document is • peptic represontatioo only of best available sources. /he Gy of Palo Apo assun.a no responsibility for soy rr0ms.
313 Waverley St
120-14-083
Tnbnitoldsba t
INVor�Pato AJb 018
DPR 523J (1/95)
*Required Information
Packet Pg. 153
PAGE &TURNBULL
326 WAVERLEY STREET
APN: 120-14-086
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criterion A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1901-1976
Summary of Significance: 326 Waverley Street was found eligible under Criterion A as an early
example of a single-family house built in the original grid of Palo Alto. Under Criterion C, it was
deemed eligible as a distinctive example of the typical square cottage type with Queen Anne
characteristics.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1901, the
year of the building's construction. The significance of the property under Criterion A, for being
constructed within the original street grid of Palo Alto, has also been omitted, as many extant
properties express this development context and this significance may be better expressed through
the survey and potential identification of a historic district.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
F gore 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation: Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly
representative of an architectural style or way of life important to the city, state, or nation)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓ I .Y+
Packet Pg. 154
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Statement of Significance: 326 Waverley Street is significant as an excellent variation of the local
square cottage house type with Queen Anne characteristics.
Period of Significance: 1901
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 155
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL J
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 326 Waverlev St
P1. Other Identifier: 326 Waverlev St
P2. Location: ❑ Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T _; R _ 1!4 of _'/4 of Sec . B.M.
c. Address 326 Waverlev St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 14 086
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The following description addresses the building in terms of its structure, plan, and appearance. The structure and plan are
described using three sources of information (1949 Assessment Record prepared by the Tax Assessor, Sanborn maps, and
current survey information — photographs, Field Notes form, and site visits from 1998 and 1999). The description of the
structure and plan is presented for two phases in the building's history. The building is presented as it was built, or as it was
at the earliest time warranted by the information available. Secorid the building is presented as it has changed, up to the present
(1999).
The house at 326 Waverley was built on a wide lot with two houses facing the street. A variety of sheds and outbuildings were
built, modified, and demolished at the rear of this double lot. By 1904, one of the rear buildings was a stable, which was gone
by 1924, replaced by a garage.
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: ® Building ❑ Structure ❑ Object ❑ Site ❑ District ❑ Element of District ❑ Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
326 Waverlev St; view south:
09/20/99; by B. Vahev; roll BRV-83,
neq #31
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
1901; City Directory
*P7. Owner and Address:
Teh C Chou
326 Waverley St Palo Alto _A 94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett. Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
December 29. 1999
*P1O. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Uodate (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE ® Location Map 0 Sketch Map ® Continuation Sheet ® Building, Structure and Object Record
❑ Archaeological Record ❑ District Record ❑ Linear Feature Record 0 Milli Packet Pg. 156
d
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
DPR 523A (1/9511 WAVE326.F1
*Required information,
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 2 of 5 Resource Identifier: 326 Waverlev St
Recorded by Michael Corbett
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*Date December 29, 1999 CO Continuation 0 Update
Description (continued)
The house is a one-story structure with a full basement and no finished attic space. It is a balloon frame structure clad on the
exterior in wood siding and with shingles in the gable. Fenestration consists of double -hung windows and paneled doors. In
1949, it had a mud sill foundation which has since been replaced by a concrete foundation. Inside, basement floors were earth,
and the main floors were hardwood. There was one fireplace but no other heating systems.
In plan this house is a common variation of a standard Palo Alto type — the square cottage with a projecting wing and a half
porch at the front. The 1901 and 1904 Sanborn maps showed a small central porch at the rear. The 1924 Sanborn map
showed this porch replaced by a full porch across the rear. The 1949 Sanborn map showed a new projecting wing at the rear
in the corner diagonally opposite the front projecting wing. This replaced the half of the rear porch that was shown on the 1924
map. The 1949 Assessment Record listed the following rooms: a living room, dining room, three bedrooms, two baths, a
kitchen, and a service porch. From a plan of the west corner of the house at the rear, dated 7 April 1977 and available in the
City's BODS system, the dining room and kitchen are located along the northwest side of the house, and the living room is
located on the same side in the projecting wing at the front. The bedrooms are located along the southeast side of the house.
In appearance, this is a common variation of a common Palo Alto type — the square cottage. This example has a main house
which is nearly square in plan, covered by a hip roof. At the front is a gabled projecting wing with an angled bay window and
a half porch. The materials and finishes applied to this form are associated with the Queen Anne style of the 1890s. Features
of the design are the contrasting textures of wall surfaces; paneled soffits; jigsawn bargeboards, brackets, and pendants in and
around the gable; and turned decoration on the porch (balusters and spindles}.
DPR 523L (1/95) WAVE326.F1
Packet Pg. 157
*Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 3 of 5
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 326 Waverlev St
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
83. Original Use: 84. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Queen Anne
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1901: Built (City Directory)
1977: Major repairs as the result of fire damage
*B7. Moved? fJ No 0 Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Initial period of development in Palo Alto, C: Square cottage Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1901-1973 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
{Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope, Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The house at 326 Waverley is located in Block No. 19 of the original plan of Palo Alto made in 1889.
Structure: The residence at 326 Waverley first appeared on the August 1901 Sanborn map. The addresses 324 and 326
Waverley were first listed in the Palo Alto City Directory dated December 1901 as the homes of Mr. and Mrs. T. Burke and Dr.
W.L. Adams, respectively. The Sanborn map of 1904 numbered the front house as 326 Waverley and the small building to the
rear of the lot, part of which was a stable, as 326%. After 1915, 324 Waverley was not listed in the City Directory again until
1934. The Sanborn map of 1924 showed that the building at the rear had been demolished since the Sanborn map of 1904
and replaced by a detached garage. The garage shown on the 1924 Sanborn map was gone by the 1949 map and was replaced
by a two-story structure further back on the lot and identified as 324 Waverley. This address had reappeared in the City
Directory in 1934 so that the garage with apartment above it was probably built about 1933. The 1924 Sanborn map showed
a porch added across the back of the main house since the 1904 Sanborn map. The 1949 map showed a new room added to
the back. The Assessor's records include building permits for major repairs undertaken in 1977 due to fire damage.
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
613. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: December 29, 1999
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 158
DPR 523B (1/95} WAVE326.F1 *Required Information
State of California --- The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRIITrinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Item 2
Attachment A 2023 11
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 4 of 5 Resource Identifier: 326 Waverley St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date December 29, 1999 Ei3 Continuation ❑ Update
History (continued)
Use: The Palo Alto City Directory listed two family names at 326 Waverley from 1901 to 1904. A stonemason named T. Burke
and his wife and Dr. W.L. Adams. According to his father's obituary (Palo Alto Times "Death of W.J. Adams" n.d.), Dr. W.L.
Adams gave up his Palo Alto medical practice to manage his father's lumber business located in San Francisco. Dr. Adams was
not listed in the Palo Alto City Directory after 1904, the year he was last listed at 326 Waverley. He died in San Francisco and
his funeral services were held there. From 1910 to 1913, Leonard and Georgia Cleland occupied the house and were followed
there in 1914 by Mrs. Cleland's brother, William E. Southwood and his wife Ellen. The City Directory identified the Southwood's
as owners of their residence. Mr. Southwood, an insurance broker and city councilman, died in his home at 326 Waverley in
1946. The house remained Mrs. Southwood's home until her death in 1973. Her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Richard
K. Fox, moved in with her in 1948. The "Library Bulletin" reported in its September 1946 issue that Mr. Southwood, who had
moved with his family from San Francisco to Mayfield in 1888 and to Palo Alto in 1902, had long collected photographs of early
Palo Alto, some of which he had photographed himself, and preserved pictures of the commonplace things that showed the
city's past. His collection was donated at the time of his death to the Palo Alto Library's local history collection. It was the
Southwoods who built and rented the apartment over the garage. From 1934 to 1948, their tenants included a barber, a
chauffeur, a gardener, a caddy and two store clerks.
Evaluation
This house at 326 Waverley appears eligible for the NRHP under criterion A and C at the local level of significance for the period
1901 to 1973 when Mrs. Southwood died.
Under criterion A, it represents the development of the initial grid of the city with houses. if 326 Waverley was built by its first
known resident, a stonemason named T. Burke, it may be significant as an example of a house built by a building trades
craftsman for himself. And if Burke worked on the construction of Stanford, as did most known masons at that time, it may
be significant as a link between the building of Stanford and the growth of Palo Alto. Similarly, if it was built by Dr. Adams who
owned a lumber business, it may be significant for that association.
Under criterion C, this house is significant as a common variation of a standard local type — the square cottage with a projecting
wing and a half porch at the front. Alterations following a fire in 1977 appear to be inside and do not affect its integrity.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources, Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1901-1973.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 28 February 1919, 6 January 1936, 27 January 1939, 23 April 1946, 24 April 1973.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1901.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1904.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 159
DPR 523L (1/95) WAVE326.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary #
HRI#
Trinomial
Page of 5 *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 326 Waverlev St
*Map Name: Palo Alto Mannino Dent, GIS *Scale: 1":80' *Date of Map: 1999
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
n.wsof
Palo Alto
Thai document h a morale nprasarrafnn only of ben a's s G worn,. Ths Cary of Pan Nn aauanss no responslbaly km any arms.
120-22-1
120-22.2
120-22-3
120-22-4
120-22-5
120-22-6
120-22-7
324-326 Waverley St
120-14-086
in o duct 4 s �,
cIWo1Pilo Aim048 C)
so'
DPR 523J (1/95)
*Required Information
Packet Pg. 160
PAGE &TURNBULL
333 WAVERLEY STREET
APN: 120-14-080
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1906-1930
Summary of Significance: 333 Waverley Street was found eligible under Criterion A as an early
example of a single-family house built in the original grid of Palo Alto, and for its early use as a
boarding house for students. Under Criterion C, it was deemed eligible for its unique stylistic
combination of Queen Anne and bungalow characteristics.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to be 1906,
the year of the building's construction. The significance of the property under Criterion A, for being
constructed within the original street grid of Palo Alto and for its use as a boarding house, has been
omitted, as many extant properties express this development context and this significance may be
better expressed through the survey and potential identification of a historic district.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation: Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly
representative of an architectural style or way of life important to the city, state, or nation)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓
Packet Pg. 161
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Statement of Significance: 333 Waverley Street is significant as an early and unique house form that
combines elements of Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, and the bungalow form through its cross
cabled roof, fish scale shingles at the upper gables, and a covered front porch with full -width
dormers.
Period of Significance: 1906
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 162
N., —,— I— YIJ-JUL-J IJ�1
State of California -- The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 4 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 333 Waverlev St
P1. Other Identifier: 333 Waverlev St
P2. Location: ❑ Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T • R •A of _'/ of Sec • B.M.
c. Address 333 Waverley St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone ; mE/ mN
'e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 14 080
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
This house at 333 Waverley Street is a 2'h -story, balloon- or platform -frame structure with a half basement. It is clad in three -
lap siding on the ground floor and in shingles on the second floor, dormer, and gable walls. The footprint of the house is
rectangular with a principal square volume at the front, a one-story extension across the rear, and a further one-story projecting
wing at the east corner in the rear. The main volume is 2% stories on its southeast side and 11/2 stories on its northwest side.
This irregular arrangement is covered by a complex roof that indludes a large front facing gable in the roof above the second
floor and a shed dormer in the sloping side of a perpendicular gable that drops down over a half porch. The design of this house
could be described in different ways: a large variation of the square cottage with a projecting wing and half porch, a large
bungalow, or a mix of Queen Anne and bungalow styles. The character of this house is conveyed primarily by its form. Details
that contribute to its character are the different materials of its wall surfaces, the flaring base of the second story wall, bulging
porch columns, and classical friezes and moldings.
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: ® Building 0 Structure 0 Object 0 Site 0 District ❑ Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
333 Waverlev St; view north;
09120199; by B. Vahev: roll BRV-83,
nee #33
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
ca. 1906: City Directory
*P7. Owner and Address:
James E & Patricia J Sharp
333 Waverlev St Palo Alto CA 94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
May 11, 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: ❑ NONE ® Location Map 0 Sketch Map 2 Continuation Sheet 2 Buildin
o Archaeological Record 0 District Record ❑ Linear Feature Record ❑ Milli
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
9.
Structure and Object Record
Packet Pg. 163
d
DPR 523A (1/95)/ WAVE333.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 2 of 4
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 333 Waverley St
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Queen Anne and Bungalow
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
ca. 1906: Built (City Directory)
1977: Addition of attached carport
*B7. Moved? ® No 0 Yes ❑ Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Development patterns in Palo Alto: C: Queen Anne and bungalow style house
Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1906-1930 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The residence at 333 Waverley Street is located in Block 31 of the original subdivision of University Park in 1889.
Structure: The dwelling at 333 Waverley Street does not appear on the Sanborn map of 1904 and is first listed in the Palo Alto
City Directory in 1906. The MetroScan and tax card both date it to 1910. The Sanborn maps of 1924 and 1949 show identical
footprints, and the Assessor's documents include little more than an authorization for a new chimney and the construction in
1977 of an attached carport. The record in the City Directory, however, indicates that the single-family residence operated at
more than one period of its history as a boarding house or multi -family dwelling. Such changes of function may well have
entailed interior alterations not reflected in the record. By 1974, it was a single family house again.
Use: Though the Palo Alto City Directory listed only one name at a time at 333 Waverley Street from 1906 to 1928, at least
in 1913, it was listed by Mrs. Davis under "Rooms for Men" with ten rooms for rent. Frorn 1930 to 1948, two, three, and four
family names were listed. C.H. Rogers, an occupant from 1932 to 1938, was identified as the owner of the house as were
Laurence and Marie Ilse who lived there in 1948.
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: May 11, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 164
DPR 523B (1/95) WAVE333.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 3 of 4 Resource Identifier: 333 Waverlev St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardyjhistoryl *Date May 11, 2000 ® Continuation o Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Evaluation
This house, at 333 Waverley Street, appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The
period of significance is from 1906, when it was built, to 1930, when alterations must have been made for multiple family
occupancy.
Under criterion A, it is an early house in the original grid of the city of Palo Alto. Its early use as a boarding house represents
the provision of cheap housing for students and others in the early 20th century.
Under criterion C, this house is a distinctive and unusual example of a house of its period in Palo Alto, with elements of Queen
Anne and bungalow styles.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Dorfman, Sonia. "Boarding Houses and Apartment Houses in Palo Alto: 1893-1945." Historical context statement prepared
for Palo Alto Historic Building Survey. 1999.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1906-1953.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 8 February 1937.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Y.M.C.A. Directory of Rooming and Boarding Houses. 1913-1914.
Packet Pg. 165
DPR 523L (1/95) WAVE333.F1 *Required Information
Item 2
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Page 4 of 4
*Map Name: Palo Alto Plannina Dept. GIS *Scale: 1.'130'
Primary
HRI#
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Trinomial Package -FULL
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 343 Waverlev St
*Date of Map: 1999
9b
120-14-50
120-14-84
40
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-23-2
-29-5
-23-4
-23-5
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120-14-53
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120-14-112
120-14-113
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120-14-51
120-1
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120-1442
120-14-92
161
99'
120-14-70
120-14-81
120-14-111
4.
120-14-68
120-14-71
120-14-72
120-14-73
lb A
3
120-14-79
120-14-78
120-14-67
120.14-7
120-14-76
420.14-77
120-14-75
120-50-1
120-50-2
120-14-108
120.14-109
120-14-63
ti
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333 Waverley St
120-14-080
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en
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*Required Infolmafon
Packet Pg. 166
PAGE &TURNBULL
947 WAVERLEY STREET
APN: 120-17-060
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1903-1960s
Summary of Significance: 947 Waverley Street was found eligible under Criterion A for its
association with important patterns of development in Palo Alto, including development within the
original grid, and for the connection between Palo Alto and Stanford University. It was also found
significant under Criterion C as a common early building type, the Colonial Revival Foursquare.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1903, the
year of the building's construction. The significance of the property under Criterion A, for being
constructed within the original street grid of Palo Alto and for the connection between Palo Alto and
Stanford University, has been omitted as many extant properties express this development context
and this significance may be better expressed through the survey and potential identification of a
historic district.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation: Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly
representative of an architectural style or way of life important to the city, state, or nation)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓ I .Y+
Packet Pg. 167
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Statement of Significance: The subject building is significant as an early and excellent example of
the American Foursquare style in Palo Alto with influences of Craftsman, Colonial Revival, and Prairie
styles.
Period of Significance: 1903
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 168
I J- JUL-, I J�1
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Item 2
Primary # Attachment A 2023-11-
HRI # .. .. 09 HRB Nomination
Trinomial. ` Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 4 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 947 Waveriev St
P1. Other Identifier: 947 Waverlev St
P2. Location: 0 Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T _; R •_'/+ of _'/ of Sec : B.M.
c. Address 947 Waverlev St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 17 060
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
This house, at 947 Waverley Street, is a classic example of an important early Palo Alto building type. In form, it is a square
box with a full porch across the first floor. It is covered by a hip roof with overhanging eaves and paneled soffits. In
appearance, it mixes associations with the Colonial Revival, the Prairie style, and bungalows. Its stylistic features include a
symmetrical composition, broad overhanging eaves that with the porch provide a horizontality to the design, a fine textured wall
surface, and classical orders in the porch and the volume of the house (corner pilasters).
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family procerty
*P4. Resources Present: ® Building ❑ Structure 0 Object 0 Site 0 District ❑ Element of District p Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
947 Waverlev St: view northeast;
09116/99; by B. Vahev: roll BRV-83,
neq #1 5
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
ca. 1903: Metroscan
*P7. Owner and Address:
Christopher & Jana Stevens
947 Waverlev St Palo Alto CA 94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street. Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
February 23, 2000
*'P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE ® Location Map ❑ Sketch Map ® Continuation Sheet ® Buildin• Structure and Ob'e, t Record
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record 0 Milli
❑ Artifact Record ❑ Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
Packet Pg. 169
DPR 523A (1/95)/ WAVE947.F1 *Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 2 of 4 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 947 Waverley St
81. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Colonial Revival/Prairie Style
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
ca. 1903: Built (MetroScan)
1947: Remodel interior
1950: Changes
1998: interior "update"
*B7. Moved? ® No 0 Yes ❑ Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Pattern of development in Palo Alto: C: Two-story box Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1903-1960s Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The house at 947 Waverley was built on a 50 -by -150 -foot lot in the original University Park plan of Palo Alto. Sometime
after 1904 and before 1924, a garage was built behind the house in the north corner of the lot. The garage is still standing.
Structure: The Santa Clara MetroScan dates the house at 947 Waverley to 1903, the Assessor's records to 1904. The house
does not appear on the Sanborn map of 1901 but does on that of 1904. The address is not listed in the Palo Alto City Directory
of December 1904 (there is no directory for 1905) but first appears in 1906. The Palo Alto Times reported, on 7 August 1947,
that Celeste C. McKee, owner and builder, was remodeling her residence at 947 Waverley at a cost of $700. There is also a
note dated 1950 on the tax card that says that changes of an unspecified nature were observed by the Tax Assessor through
the windows. According to the Palo Alto Daily News, in 1998, the owners at that time updated the interior "without sacrificing
its authenticity."
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: February 23. 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 170
DPR 523B (1195) WAVE947.F1 *Required Information
State of California -- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
HRIITrinomial
Page 3 of 4 Resource Identifier: 947 Waverlev St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date February 23, 2000 El Continuation 4 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
Use: The Palo Alto City Directory listed Mrs. E.P. Pomeroy and her family as the occupants of the dwelling at 947 Waverley from
1906 until 1920. Various of her seven children lived with Mrs. Pomeroy at different times. According to the U.S. Census of
1910, Mrs. Pomeroy was housing in that year her 40 -year -old son, Thomas, a mining engineer; a daughter-in-law, Ellen; a 38
year old son, James, also a mining engineer; a 32 year old son, Horace, also a mining engineer; a son Frank, 24, a student; and
Emily, 17, a student. At the time of the U.S. Census of 1920, James, now 47, Horace, now 44, and Emily, now 27, continued
to live with their mother. From 1921 until about 1991, this house was the home of Celeste McKee. She lived there 69 years,
twenty of which with her husband George, a post office clerk, until his death about 1943. She went to work as a department
secretary at Stanford University when her husband died and retired sometime in the 1960s.
Evaluation
This house, at 947 Waverley, appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The period
of significance is from 1903, when it was built, to the 1960s.
Under criterion A, the house is associated with the following important patterns in Palo Alto's development: the early
development of residences throughout the original grid of the city and the connection between Palo Alto and Stanford University
in the early development.
Under criterion C, this house is an archetypal example of an important early Palo Alto building type — a two-story box with
references to Colonial Revival and Prairie Style designs.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Fisher, Margaret McKee. interview with Ruth Sloan. 9 December 1998.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1903-1998.
Palo Alto Daily News. 27 November 1998.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 13 February 1920, 7 August 1947.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1904.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1967.
Stanford Alumni Directory. 1931.
U.S. Census. 1910, 1920.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 171
DPR 523L (1/95) WAVE947.F1
*Required Information
State of California -- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary #
HRI#
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page of 4 *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 947 Waverlev St
*Map Name: Palo Alto Planninu Dept. GIS *Scale: 1":80'
*Date of Map: 1999
947 Waveriey St
120-17-060
TI. Chi .1
Palo Alto
DPR 523J (1/95)
7Tk Oucum.d b a graphic r.Ptaantatbn artly of bat available samaa. TIM Gy of Pab Alb assumes no fas(bmbNty far.iy snore
This =plop
cM product
0
a
f9'
*Required Information
Packet Pg. 172
PAGE &TURNBULL
1545 WAVERLEY STREET
APN: 124-07-026
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
&T
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1909-1919
Summary of Significance: 1545 Waverley Street was found eligible under Criterion A for its
association with important patterns of development in Palo Alto as one of the earliest residences
built in the Seale Addition, and for its erection by contractor John Taylor, who owned and built the
property as his personal residence. The subject property was also deemed significant for
demonstrating the connection between Palo Alto and Stanford University as the residence of Jesse
Sears, a prominent Stanford University professor of education. In addition, it was found eligible
under Criterion C as an unusual house type with a box shape and a mixture of stylistic influences.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1909, the
year of the building's construction. Mention of the Criterion A significance related to the building's
ability to demonstrate the close connection between Palo Alto and Stanford University has been
omitted, as many Palo Alto buildings were occupied by Stanford University professors like Jesse
Sears, and therefore the subject residence does not represent his contributions to society.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
J 1 JY
Packet Pg. 173
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation: Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly
representative of an architectural style or way of life important to the city, state, or nation)
Statement of Significance: 1545 Waverley Street is significant as a unique housing type with a
mixture of stylistic influences, including features of the Queen Anne and Colonial Revival.
Period of Significance: 1909
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
N
Packet Pg. 174
lY 1 V U I L L Y I J JS -1 L J I JY
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL j
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 1545 Waverlev St
P1. Other identifier: 1545 Waverlev St
P2. Location: 0 Not for Publication El Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T _; R _; _'/4 of _'/< of Sec . B.M.
c. Address 1545 Waverlev St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone , mEl mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 124 07 026
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The following description addresses the building at 1545 Waverley in terms of its structure, plan, and appearance. The structure
and plan are described using three sources of information (1949 Assessment Record prepared by the Tax Assessor, Sanborn
maps, and current survey information — photographs, Field Notes form, and site visits from 1998 and 1999). The description
of the structure and plan is presented for two phases in the building's history. The building is presented as it was built or as
it was at the earliest time warranted by the information available. Second, the building is presented as it has changed, up to
the present (1999).
This house, at 1545 Waverley Street, is a two-story structure with a full basement and finished space in the attic. It is a
balloon- or platform -frame structure built on a concrete wall foundation and covered by a hip roof with a large gabled wing.
The frame is clad on the exterior in beveled siding on the ground floor and shingles on the second floor and gables. Fenestration
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Simile family property
*P4. Resources Present: a Building o Structure ❑ Object ❑ Site ❑ District o Element of District o Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
1545 Waverlev St; view northeast;
10/05/99: by B. Vahev; roll BRV-87,
nea #11A
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: Historic
0 Prehistoric 0 Both
1905; Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
Gregory Avis
1545 Waverlev St Palo Alto CA
94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett. Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
December 29, 2 00
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore. 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE ® Location Map o Sketch Map ® Continuation Sheet ® Building. Structure and Obj t Record
a Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record ❑ Millir
❑ Artifact Record ❑ Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
Packet Pg. 175
DPR 523A (1/9511 WAVE1545.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
HRI/Trinomial
Page 2 of 5 Resource Identifier: 1 545 Waverlev St
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date December 29. 2000 ® Continuation o Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Description (continued)
consists of double hung windows and paneled doors. Inside, basement floors are cement and the ground floor has hardwood
floors. In 1949, the Tax Assessor identified a gas -fired, hot-air heating system and one fireplace.
In plan, this house is a generally square structure with wide projecting wings at diagonal corners of the front and rear, producing
a distinctive footprint. In the angle between the main part of the building and the front projecting wing at the west corner of
the building is an L-shaped porch. In the middle of the southeast side is a projecting bay window. In 1949, the Assessor
identified the following rooms: on the ground floor were a living room, dining room, bath, and service porch (No kitchen was
listed, presumably an oversight.); and on the second floor, there were three bedrooms and a bath. The interior arrangement of
rooms is unknown. The off -center location of the front door, the irregular footprint, and the small number of rooms in a large
house suggest a house with an unusual arrangement of interior spaces.
In appearance, this house looks more like a house from the 1890s than from 1906. The form, a hip -roofed box with its
projecting gabled wing, is usually associated with the Queen Anne style. Similarly, the contrasting textures of wall materials
are typical of the Queen Anne. The gabled wing and the matching gabled porch, both treated like classical pediments; the
columned porch, like a miniature temple; and the paneled soffits are characteristic of the Colonial Revival style. The composition
of the form and the windows is awkward and looks like the work of a carpenter without design experience.
Packet Pg. 176
DPR 523L 11195) WAVE1545.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 3 of 5
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 1545 Waverley St
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use; Single family propertv
*B5. Architectural Style: Queen Anne/Colonial Revival
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1905: Built (Palo Alto Times)
*B7. Moved? ® No ❑ Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Patterns of development; C: House type Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1905-1919 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The house at 1545 Waverley is located in Block No.25 on the Map of South Palo Alto (1924) and was part of the Seale
Addition Subdivision no. 1. It is located on a lot that measures 75 by 150 feet, a size that was large for a suburban lot of its
day, The house is first shown on the Sanborn map of 1924 with a garage behind it near the northwest property line. The 1949
Sanborn map showed the same structures.
Structure: The Palo Alto Times reported, on 5 January 1906, that the previous year Henry Taylor built a residence at 1545
Waverley. The Palo Alto City Directory first listed Mr. Taylor living at the address in 1908 and identified his occupation as
contractor. It is likely that he was the builder of his home. The Assessor's documents include a copy of a 1964 building permit
for the addition of a rear porch as well as two others for the remodeling of the kitchen and of two bathrooms.
Use: According to the record in the Palo Alto City Directory the house at 1545 Waverley was used as a single family residence
from 1907 until 1953 and later. The house's first occupant was Henry T. Taylor, a contractor and carpenter, and he was listed
at the address until 1913. He was followed there by a Stanford professor of Education, Jesse B. Sears, his wife Stella
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes}
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: December 29, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 177
DPR 523B (1/95) WAVE1545.F1 *Required Information
State of Califomia — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 4 of 5 Resource Identifier: 1545 Waverley St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date December 29, 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
Richardson Sears, and their two sons: Robert, who, according to his father's obituary (San Francisco Chronicle 8 December
1973) retired in 1973 as the holder of the David Starr Jordan Professorship in Psychology at Stanford, and W. Norman Sears,
M.D., who practiced medicine in Palo Alto and was born not long after his parents had moved into the Waverley house. Edward
and Dorothy Hindes were first listed at the address in 1925 and continued to be listed there together until Mr. Hindes death in
1939. Mrs. Hindes continued to be listed at the address for many years thereafter and was identified as the owner of the
property.
Evaluation
This house, at 1545 Waverley Street, appears eligible to the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The
period of significance runs from 1906, when it was built to 1919, when Jesse Sears was last in the house.
Under criterion A, this house is associated with important patterns of development in Palo Alto. It was among the earliest
houses in the Seale Addition, it was built and first occupied by a contractor (John Taylor), and it represents the association of
Palo Alto to Stanford University in the residence of Jesse Sears, a prominent professor of education.
Under criterion C, this house is an unusual example of the common Palo Alto building type characterized by a box -like shape.
This box is decorated with a mix of stylistic details.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Davis, Roland C. A Summary History of the Early Development of Palo Alto's "Seale Addition": An Account of How the First
South Palo Alto" Became Part of the Present "Old Palo Alto." Prepared for the Palo Alto Historic Building Survey. July 1998.
Miller, Guy, editor. Palo Alto Community Book. p. 190.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1908-1950.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 5 January 1906, 28 September 1973, 8 December 1973.
San Francisco Chronicle. 8 December 1973.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1965, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 178
DPR 523L (1195) WAVE1545.F1 *Required Information
State of Callfomia -- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary #
HRI#
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page �of 5 *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 1545 Waverlev St
*Map Name: Palo Alto Planninu Dept. GIS *Scale: 1":80'
*Date of Map 1999
Ti. Clip .t
Pa to Alto
This clo urronl is a pap* repraMafbn only of bob avaWMo 604#01! tlhi Gly of Palo Alb mamas no resoonsa ty for or/ anon
1645 Waverley St
124-07-026
This imp las aayd/PabMoGIS
0
elr
DPR 523,1 (1195)
*Required information
Packet Pg. 179
PAGE &TURNBULL
251 WEBSTER STREET
APN: 120-02-032
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination TT
Package FULL J�
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1907-1910
Summary of Significance: 251 Webster Street was deemed eligible under Criterion A as the home of
John B. Wideman, who was the owner of a successful Palo Alto family business in the first half of the
twentieth century. It also represents the population growth of Palo Alto after the 1906 earthquake
and the development of the city around the time that the streetcar line opened on University
Avenue. 251 Webster Street was also deemed eligible under Criterion C as an example of a common
variation of a typical Palo Alto house type that mixed familiar forms and finishes of the square
cottage and Craftsman styles.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: The window or vent in the gable peak was replaced and enlarged.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1907, the
year of the building's construction. The significance of the property under Criterion A, as a residence
built during the boom of construction after the streetcar line was built, has been omitted, as many
extant properties express this development context and this significance may be better expressed
through the survey and potential identification of a historic district.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL ✓
Packet Pg. 180
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation: Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly
representative of an architectural style or way of life important to the city, state or nation);
Statement of Significance: 251 Webster Street is significant as a unique variation of the square
cottage house type in Palo Alto, with combined stylistic elements of Queen Anne and Craftsman
architectural features. The subject building retains sufficient integrity despite a window alteration at
the gable end.
Period of Significance: 1907
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 181
Nil -O., ll r � J
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRI #
PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 251 Webster St
P1. Other Identifier: 251 Webster St
P2. Location: 0 Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto. CA Date 1991 T • R •_'/ of _'A of Sec ; B.M.
c. Address 251 Webster St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone • mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel /1, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 02 032
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The following description addresses the building in terms of its structure, plan, and appearance. The structure and plan are
described using three sources of information (1949 Assessment Record prepared by the Tax Assessor, Sanborn maps, and
current survey information — photographs, Field Notes form, and site visits from 1998 and 1999). The description of the
structure and plan is presented for two phases in the building's history. The building is presented as it was built, or as it was
at the earliest time warranted by the information available. Second the building is presented as it has changed, up to the present
(1999).
This house at 251 Webster is a one -and -one -half -story structure with a full basement. The top floor is called a half story
because it is built in the attic under the roof, in this case a high roof extended on the sides by shed dormers. This is a balloon -
frame structure on a concrete wall foundation. The frame is enclosed on the exterior by two- or three -lap siding at the ground
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: ® Building ❑ Structure ❑ Object ❑ Site 0 District 0 Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
251 Webster St; view northeast{
09/20199: by B. Vahev; roll BRV-83.
nett #25
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: 0 Historic
0 Prehistoric 0 Both
ca. 1907; City Directory
*P7. Owner and Address:
Theron & Hildur Wright
4980 Southside Rd Hollister CA
95023
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
January 11, 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE ® Location Map 0 Sketch Map ® Continuation S eet ® Building, Stnintiire and Obiect Record
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record 0 Milli r Packet Pg. 182
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
DPR 523A (1/9511 WEBS251.F1
*Required information.
Item 2
State of California - The Resources Agency Primary # Attachment A 2023 -11 -
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION Mil/Trinomial 09 HRB Nomination
CONTINUATION SHEET ` Package -FULL
Page 2 of 5 Resource Identifier: 251 Webster St
Recorded by Michael Corbett
*Date January 11, 2000 ® Continuation ❑ Update
Description (continued)
floor level and by shingles in the gables and dormer walls of the attic level. Interior finishes include "cement" floors in the
basement and pine floors upstairs. Fenestration consists of double -hung windows and paneled doors. At least one window
includes decorative mullions in the upper sash. In 1949, there was no heating system apart from a fireplace.
In plan, this house is a simple rectangle. In 1949, the Tax Assessor recorded the following rooms: downstairs were a living
room, dining room, bedroom, bath, and kitchen; and upstairs were three bedrooms, a bath, and kitchen. The arrangement of
the interior is not known.
In appearance, this house mixes the forms and imagery of common Palo Alto house types of its period. Although rectangular
in plan, this house looks like the typical square cottage on the ground floor at the front, with its angled bay window and half
porch. The steeply pitched roof with a shingled gable is associated with Craftsman influences in California. The form of the
ground floor refers to familiar traditions. The shape of the roof and the decorative finishes on the house refer to current
fashions. Decorative features include the shingled gable with its slightly projecting upper section. The contrasting wall textures
and the minimal decoration are characteristic of these houses. Houses like this appeared in Hodgson's bungalow book of 1906,
among other places.
Packet Pg. 183
DPR 523L111951 WEBS251.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 3 of 5
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09HRB Nomination
Package -FULL l
*NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 251 Webster St
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
63. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Craftsman Bungalow
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
ca. 1907: Built (City Directory)
by 1949: Converted to duplex
1958: Fire
*B7. Moved? s No o Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: pattern of development in Palo Alto, C: Common Palo Alto house type — combination of sauare
cottage and Craftsman Bungalow Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1907-1910 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The building at 251 Webster is located on a 50 -by- 112.57 -foot -lot in Block 45 of the original 1889 plan of University Park.
The lot size was typical of suburban lots of the day. No garage or other outbuilding appeared on the 1924 or 1949 Sanborn
maps.
Structure: The house at 251 Webster does not appear on the Sanborn map of 1904 and is first listed in the Palo Alto City
Directory of 1907. The Palo Alto Times reported on 3 January 1908 that J.B. Wideman, listed as occupant in the City Directory
of that year, was the owner and was putting up a $100 frame building on the property — this must have been a shed or perhaps
an alteration to the main house. By 1949, the house had two kitchens and was occupied as a duplex. The Assessor's records
include a 1958 "Structural Fire Damage Report" that reckons that $4,000 worth of damage had been done to the kitchen, the
living room, one of the bedrooms and the roof over them. Today (1999), there is an addition at the rear.
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: January 1 1, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 184
DPR 523B (1195} WEBS251.F1 'Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRIITrinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 4 of 5 Resource Identifier: 251 Webster St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history! *Date January 11, 2000 ® Continuation ❑ Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
Use: The Palo Alto City Directory first listed the address in 1907 at which time Mr. and Mrs. H.A. Moc and Mrs. Morris Fosdick
and Miss Bertha Fosdick shared the house. By the 1908 City Directory, the house was owned and occupied by John B.
Wideman, founder of Wideman's Store, clothier's, of Palo Alto, by his wife Dora, their two sons, A.E. and Otto Wideman (who
were about twenty and sixteen years old, respectively), and a daughter, Florence P. Wideman. Whereas the house was shared
by two families in 1907, by 1908, it was used as a single-family dwelling. The family firm had been established in 1906 as
a tailor shop. In 1918, Wideman's became a ready-to-wear store and as such continued to do business at the corner of
University and Emerson. When the business opened, the Palo Alto Times said "all the collegiate suits were tailor made." By
the 1920s, Otto Wideman, who lived in this house as a youth said, "College dress has tended toward ultra -conservatism .. .
and is a direct contrast to the old days of sombreros, high heeled boots, flannel shirts, plug uglies, sophomore skimmers, leather
cuff cords, long coats and peg -top, 14 -inch trousers."
According to Etta M. Sproat's obituary that appeared in the Palo Alto Times in February 1956, she and her mother, Mrs. Mary
Sproat, moved into the house at 251 Webster in 1911. Miss Sproat was a bookkeeper in Palo Alto until the 1950s. The Sproat
women were listed at the address until 1930 when they were replaced there by Mrs. Sproat's other daughter Mary Sproat
Stevens, her husband Vivian Stevens (who was a clerk at the Federal Telegraph Company in 1930), and their daughter Iva
Stevens. In 1942 or 1943, Mrs. Stevens died. In 1944, Mr. Stevens was identified as the owner of the house, but in 1946,
even though Mr. Stevens was still living, his daughter was identified as the owner and sharing the house with Marjorie Scott.
In 1948, Marjorie Scott, Iva Stevens, and Miss Stevens' aunt, Etta Sproat, were sharing the house, but in that year, Miss Sproat
was identified as the owner.
Evaluation
This house, at 251 Webster, appears to be eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The
period of significance is 1907 to 1910, as long as John Wideman lived here.
Under criterion A, as the home of John B. Wideman from 1908 to 1910, it was an early residence of the owner of a successful
Palo Alto family business in the period 1906-1950s. Built in 1907, it represents the population growth of the city after the
1906 earthquake and the development of this area of the city around the time of the opening of the streetcar line on University
Avenue.
Under criterion C, it is an example of a common variation of a typical Palo Alto house type of the period that mixes familiar forms
and finishes of the square cottage and the Craftsman style.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Hodgson, Fred T. Practical Bungalows and Cottages for Town and Country: Perspective Views and Floor Plans of One Hundred
Twenty -Five Low and Medium Priced Houses and Bungalows. Chicago: Frederick J. Drake & Company, 1906.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1907-1950.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 3 January 1908, 10 April 1936, 15 November 1952, 8 December 1952, 26 December 1952, 3 August 1970.
Sanborn Map Company, Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1962, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 185
DPR 523L (1/95) WEBS251.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary
HRI#
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page , _ of 5 *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 251 Webster St
*Map Name: Palo Alto Planning Dept. GIS *Scale: 1%80'
*Date of Map: 1999
DPR 523,1(1/95)
This doomed biographic representation onty al best mist* sources The Cdr of Pab Alb muses no responsibilly for wry snore
*Required Information
251 Webster St
120-02-032
This mop Is • C)
pnxIxt the
Cltyof Palo Ma 0318
Packet Pg. 186
PAGE &TURNBULL
1235 WEBSTER STREET
APN: 120-07-037
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criterion A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1907-1955
Summary of Significance: 1235 Webster Street was found significant under Criterion A as a property
that illustrates the early relationship between the initial development of Palo Alto with the existence
of Stanford University. Under Criterion C, the building was deemed eligible as a good example of the
airplane bungalow, a distinctive building type.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1907, the
year of the building's construction. The significance of the property under Criterion A, for its
relationship between the initial development of Palo Alto and the presence of Stanford University,
has been omitted as many extant properties express this development context and this significance
may be better expressed through the survey and potential identification of a historic district.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation: Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly
representative of an architectural style or way of life important to the city, state or nation)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓
Packet Pg. 187
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL
Statement of Significance: 1235 Webster Street exhibits a unique residential form that combines
stylistic elements of a simple shingle cottage with hipped roof and an airplane bungalow -style upper
sleeping porch, although it is unclear whether the upper sleeping porch is original to construction.
The building appears to retain integrity.
Period of Significance: 1907
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 188
N., —I— ILL YIJ-JVG -J IJAY
State of California -- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRI #
PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer. Date
Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 1 235 Webster St
P1. Other Identifier: 1235 Webster St
P2. Location: ❑ Not for Publication El Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T _• R _; _% of %4 of Sec ; B.M.
c. Address 1235 Webster St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _; mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 07 037
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The following description addresses the building in terms of its structure, plan, and appearance. The structure and plan are
described using three sources of information (1949 Assessment Record prepared by the Tax Assessor, Sanborn maps, and
current survey information — photographs, Field Notes form, and site visits from 1998 and 1999). The description of the
structure and plan is presented for two phases in the building's history. The building is presented as it was built, or as it was
at the earliest time warranted by the information available. Second the building is presented as it has changed, up to the present
(1999).
The house at 1235 Webster is a two-story residence in a distinctive form called an airplane bungalow. Because the usually
reliable Sanborn maps show this building incorrectly, the construction history is unclear. First built in 1907, the 1924 Sanborn
map showed it as a one-story structure. After a substantial addition in 1941, the 1949 Sanborn map still showed it as a one -
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Sinele family property
*P4. Resources Present: ® Building ❑ Structure ❑ Object ❑ Site ❑ District ❑ Element of District ❑ Other {isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
1235 Webster St; view east.
10/05/99: by B. Vahev: roll BRV-88,
nee #2
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: 0 Historic
0 Prehistoric 0 Both
1907: Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
Richard Leask
1235 Webster St Palo Alto CA 94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
January 11, 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE 0 Location Map ❑ Sketch Map ® Continuation Sheet El Building. Structure and Objet Record
El Archaeological Record ❑ District Record u Linear Feature Record ❑ Millir Packet Pg. 189 �d
o Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
DM 523A (1195)1 WEBS1235.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 2 of 5 Resource Identifier: 1235 Webster St
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date January 11, 2000 ® Continuation ❑ Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
L
Description (continued)
story structure while the Tax Assessor described it as having two stories at that time. (As a point of comparison, another Palo
Alto airplane bungalow, at 311 Waverley Street, was clearly shown as such on the Sanborn maps.) Because of the conflicting
information, it is not clear if this was built as a two-story structure or if the second story was added. If this was built as an
airplane bungalow, it was an early example. If the second floor was added in 1941, it was unusually well integrated with the
style of the original.
This house is a balloon -frame house on a concrete wall foundation. The frame is clad on the exterior in wood shingles. Inside,
there are both pine and hardwood floors. The living room is paneled in redwood. In 1949, heat was provided by one gas floor
furnace and one fireplace.
In plan, the earliest evidence — the 1924 Sanborn map — showed this house as a generally rectangular one-story building
oriented with its long axis parallel to the street. There was a full porch across the front and a shallow projecting wing in the
north corner at the rear. There was no basement, and the shallow pitched roof left no space for a habitable attic. The second
floor, whether it was original or added in 1941, was originally a much smaller rectangle oriented at right angles to the street.
The rear of the second level was enlarged at the rear sometime after it was built. In 1949, the Tax Assessor identified the
following rooms: on the ground floor were a living room, dining room, two bedrooms, a bath, kitchen, service porch, and study;
and upstairs were two bedrooms and a bath.
In appearance, this is an airplane bungalow, a type of bungalow that had a small second story with a sleeping porch or
bedrooms. In the voluminous writings about bungalows in the first decades of the 20th century, they were almost always
described as one-story houses with low pitched gable roofs. In fact, bungalow plan books often illustrated one and one-half
and two-story houses. Many one and one-half story houses called bungalows had high pitched roofs and finished living spaces
under the roofs. Another type of upper level space was achieved in bungalows like this one with low-pitched roofs by building
a small second floor with four walls rising through the main roof in the center of the house for only one or two rooms. One
example of this type was published in The Craftsman magazine in 1910 (Stickley 1988, pp. 44-47), with the second story
described as "a large upper screen bedroom." Many others were built in this period (1910-1912), as illustrated in The California
Bungalow (Winter, pp. 15, 17, 35, 37). An example from this period published in the 1920s but probably designed before 1908
(Wilson, p. 57) was described as having "a large sleeping room on the second floor; the windows in screen room provided with
drop -sash and can be used the year round." Still in the early days of flight, a 1921 pattern book entry entitled, "The Aeroplane
Type of House" began as follows: The aeroplane type of house is given that name from the fact of the likeness of its roof to
the wings of an aeroplane. The roof has a very low pitch and is covered with canvas with prominent ridges which increase the
similarity to the aeroplane. The projection of the cornice is surmounted by a large cupola, having a remote resemblance to the
cabin of the aeroplane operator. This type of house has been a great favorite in California . . . There is a sleeping porch and
a bedroom on the second story which by their location at the top of the house should get every summer breeze that blows.
As illustrated in these examples, the literature of the bungalow presented the second story as if it were little more than a tent
cabin in order to sleep in the open air but under a roof.
In reality many houses were also built that followed the visual model of the airplane bungalow, but which enclosed the upstairs
space like any other room in the house with ordinary wall materials and windows. Writing in 1990 about a small house, similar
to 311 Waverley Street, Tony Wrenn said, "The 'airplane bungalow' was a common type in the West. Having grown a two-
story cabin above the fuselage, this bungalow spread its single story wings on either side." In 1994, David Gebhard and Robert
Winter (p. 41 1) described a large house in Altadena as "A first-rate example of the 'airplane bungalow,' called that for its
wingspread."
The style of this house is conveyed in a mix of its forms and its finishes. Unlike the airplane bungalow at 311 Waverley, here
the finishes do not accentuate the form but are typical of Craftsman bungalows. Features include the overhanging eaves with
exposed rafter ends, heavy timber porch posts with angled braces, shingled walls, and minimal decorative details.
Packet Pg. 190
DPR 523L (1/95) WEBS1235.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 3 of 5
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 1235 Webster St
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Airplane Bungalow
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1907: Built (Palo Alto Times)
1941: Addition
*B7. Moved? ® No 0 Yes o Unknown Date: Original Location:
*68. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: H.H. Dabinett 11941 addition)
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Patterns of development in Palo Alto, C: Airplane bungalow Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1907-1955 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The house at 1235 Webster is located on a 50 -by -120 -foot lot in Block 92 in the original University Park subdivision of
1889. The lot is typical in size of a suburban lot of its day. The 1924 and 1949 Sanborn map shows only the house on the
lot. According to the Assessor, a garage was built in 1949 and a greenhouse in 1952.
Structure: The Palo Alto City Directory first listed 1235 Webster in 1906 as the home of H.L. Cannon, and both MetroScan and
the Assessor's records date the construction to 1905. The Palo Alto Times, however, reported the construction of a new
residence for H.L. Cannon at this address on 12 August 1907 and listed it again on 31 January 1908 in its resume of the past
year's building activity. The Daily Pacific Builder reported on 12 November 1941 that the contractor H.N. Dabinett was building
a $2,000 addition to the house for its owner L.H. Brown. The Assessor's records note that a bedroom was enlarged in 1958.
Use: Henry Lewin Cannon, who built the single family dwelling at 1235 Webster in 1905, was a professor of English History
at Stanford University from 1903 until his death in the Spanish influenza epidemic in January 1919. According to the record
in the Palo Alto City Directory, he and his wife had left the house they had built by 1910. This may have been because
Professor Cannon's research of early English financial records, "a work at which he had labored for the last ten years, both here
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: January 11, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 191
DPR 523B (1/95) WEBS1235.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRIITrinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 4 of 5 Resource Identifier: 1235 Webster St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date January 11. 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
and in London" (The Stanford Illustrated Review January 1919), took him away from Palo Alto. "It was the good fortune of
historical science that the most important original research work of Professor Cannon's life was finished when death came to
him." The City Directory lists many short-term occupants at the address, and it was listed as vacant on more than one occasion,
indicating that the house was a rental property. One of the short term occupants (from 1916 to 1921) was Henry Bolton Post,
a "well-known engineer and general contractor," who drowned in the Klamath River while establishing a gold mining claim in
1923. Then from 1933 to 1955, an instructor at Stanford named Leland H. Brown and his wife Louise C. Brown were its
occupants. An obituary makes it clear that Mrs. Brown's maiden name was Cannon and that she had moved to Palo Alto with
her parents in 1904. She was the daughter of the builders of the house who seem to have never sold it.
Evaluation
This house, at 1235 Webster Street, appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The
period of significance begins in 1907 (when the house was built) and ends in 1955 labout the time it was sold by descendants
of the original owners).
Under criterion A, the house is significant for its association with significant patterns in Palo Alto history. Built in 1907 by a
Stanford professor, it represents the relationship of the initial development of Palo Alto to the existence of the university. it
also represents the early development of the original grid of the city with single family residences.
Under criterion C, it is an example of a distinctive building type — the airplane bungalow.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Daily Pacific Builder. 12 November 1941.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1906-1955.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 12 August 1907, 13 June 1972.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1950, 1953, 1959, 1963, 1967.
The Stanford Illustrated Review. January 1919.
U.S. Census. 1910, 1920.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 192
DPR 523L (1195) WEBS1235.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources, Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary #
HRI#
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Trinomial Package -FULL
Page of 5 'Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 1235 Webster St
"Map Name:. Palo Alto Planning Dept. GIS "Scale: 1":80' "Date of Map: 1999
DPR 523J (1/95)
Thls document 'seem!** repnesna ion eny of bell .Mw* sources. The City of Pais Ado assumes no tepormibllsy for eny snot.
`Required Inforrnotion
Packet Pg. 193
PAGE &TURNBULL
1345 WEBSTER STREET
APN: 120-07-076
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criterion A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1906-1935
Summary of Significance: 1345 Webster Street was found significant under Criterion A, as an
unusually large example of an early Palo Alto house with several highly distinguished early owners
including Ellwood P. and Helen Van Hyem Cubberley, and under Criterion C as a distinctive example
of the Colonial Revival style in Palo Alto.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1933, the
year of the building's construction, and the style has been revised from Colonial Revival to Dutch
Colonial Revival. The Criterion A significance that was identified in the 2001 Survey, related to the
building's ownership by distinguished citizens of Palo Alto, has been omitted. The residence was
occupied by the prominent Stanford University educator and donor Ellwood P. Cubberley and his
wife Helen Van Hyem Cubberley for the span of only one year. 1345 Webster Street does not have
a sufficient association with the contributions by the Cubberleys related to either Palo Alto or
Stanford University.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓ I .Y+
Packet Pg. 194
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly representative of an architectural style or way
of life important to the city, state, or nation)
Statement of Significance: 1345 Webster Street is significant as a distinctive example of the Dutch
Colonial Revival style in Palo Alto.
Period of Significance: 1906
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 195
I r l /l —,— I L L Y I J -J V L J I J.Y
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY .RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 35
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 6 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 1345 Webster St
P1. Other Identifier: 1345 Webster St
P2. Location: ❑ Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T • R _; �'/4 of _'/. of Sec ; B.M.
c. Address 1345 Webster St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone ,•
mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 07 076
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The following description addresses the building in terms of its structure, plan, and appearance. The structure and plan are
described using three sources of information (1949 Assessment Record prepared by the Tax Assessor, Sanborn maps, and
current survey information — photographs, Field Notes form, and site visits from 1998 and 1999). The description of the
structure and plan is presented for two phases in the building's history. The building is presented as it was built, or as it was
at the earliest time warranted by the information available. Secorfd the building is presented as it has changed, up to the present
(1999).
The house at 1345 Webster is a two-story structure with a full basement. The house might alternatively be described as a one-
and -one-half story structure with its upper floor attic enclosed by a gambrel roof and finished as living space. This is a balloon
or platform frame structure with a concrete wall foundation. It is enclosed on the exterior and the roof by wood shingles. Inside,
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: ® Building 0 Structure 0 Object 0 Site 0 District 0 Element of District ❑ Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
1345 Webster St: view north;
09/13/99: by B. Vahey; roll BRV-76.
neo #9
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: 0 Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
1906; Metroscan
*P7. Owner and Address:
R L & Victoria Sullivan Jr.
1345 Webster St Palo Alto CA 94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street. Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
January 11, 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore. 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE ® Location Map 0 Sketch Map ® Continuation Sheet ® Buildin
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record 0 Milli
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
r
g. Structure and Object Record
d
Packet Pg. 196
DPR 523A (1/9511 WEBS1345.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRIVTrinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 2 of 6 Resource Identifier: 1345 Webster St
Recorded by Michael Corbett
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL 2
*Date January 11, 2000 cia Continuation 0 Update
Description (continued)
the basement floors are "cement," and on the main levels, they are hardwood. In 1949, heat was provided by a gas -fired floor
furnace and two fireplaces. Fenestration consists of double -hung windows and a paneled front door. The upper sash of most
windows is multi -paned.
In plan, the house is nearly square except for a projecting porch at the center of the front facade and an arbor on the front at
the south corner that cuts into the volume of the house. The area of the second floor is slightly smaller than that of the first
floor, due to the angle of the roof. A long shed dormer across most of the front minimizes the loss of space under the roof.
In 1949, the Tax Assessor identified the following rooms: downstairs were a living room, dining room, half bath, kitchen, service
porch, and library; and upstairs were six bedrooms and two baths. The arrangement of these rooms is not known.
In appearance, this house was designed in the Colonial Revival style. Whereas the term Colonial Revival often encompasses
several periods and may be popularly associated primarily with the Georgian Revival, the style of this house refers to 17th
century vernacular houses in New England, characterized by gambrel roofs and shingled walls. The classical portico refers to
the common addition of classical elements to earlier houses in the 18th century. The orderly fenestration belongs to the early
20th century. Whatever were the original reasons for a gambrel roof, in 1906 in Palo Alto, it was more expensive, more difficult
to build, less efficient, and used more lumber than an ordinary wall and roof and was built only for its stylistic associations.
Packet Pg. 197
DPR 523L (1/95) WEBS1345.F1 •Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 3 of 6
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 1345 Webster St
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Colonial Revival
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1906: Built IMetroscan)
1908: Addition
*B7. Moved? El No 0 Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Period of development in Palo Alto, C: Colonial Revival Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1906-1935 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The house at 1345 Webster is situated on a 101 -by -112'/, -foot lot in Block 98 of the University Park plan of 1889. The
Jot was originally 75 feet wide, which made it a large suburban lot for its day. Between 1949 and 1975, the adjacent 25 -by -
112 %2 -foot lot on the northwest side was merged with this lot, creating space for a large garden. This lot had no buildings
shown on the 1924 and 1949 Sanborn maps and may have already been owned and used as part of this property. The 1924
and 1949 Sanborn maps showed a garage behind the house in the east corner of the lot.
Structure: The Santa Clara County MetroScan dates the house to 1906 and the Assessor's records to 1907. As the address
was first listed in the Palo Alto City Directory of 1907, it seems more likely that the house was completed in 1906. It did not
appear on the Sanborn map of 1904, and the Palo Alto Times reported an addition on 24 December 1908. The only record of
alteration to be found in the Assessor's records is a copy of a 1976 building permit for a $10,000 remodel of the kitchen which
included the addition of a new window and a new deck at the rear of the house.
Use: The Palo Alto City Directory first listed the single family dwelling at 1345 Webster in 1907 as the residence of Ellwood
P. Cubberley and his wife Helen Van Hyem Cubberley, According to a long biographical sketch that appeared on 15 September
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: January 11, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 198
DPR 523611/951 WEBS1345.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 4 of 6 Resource Identifier: 1345 Webster St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history} *Date January 11, 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL J
History (continued)
1941 in the Palo Alto Times at the time of his death, Dr. Cubberley was the founder of the Stanford School of Education as well
as the donor of the building in which it was located. He had come to Stanford in 1898 as head of the department of education,
became dean when the School of Education was organized in 1917, and held that position until he retired in 1933. The above -
mentioned article said of Dr. Cubberley that: "His contributions to education are summed up by one of his colleagues under three
headings:
1. The development of the study of history of education.
2. The organization and development of state school administration, a field in which he was widely
influential throughout the United States.
3. The development of city school administration. Countless cities and towns in California and other
parts of the country have superintendents trained under him."
The Cubberley's were, however, in the house on Webster for about a year, Reporting Mrs. Cubberley's death in 1952, the Palo
Alto Times wrote that they built a home on San Juan Hill in 1908. After her husbands death, Mrs. Cubberley opened that home
as a residence on San Juan Hill for graduate women which came to be called Cubberley House.
When the Palo Alto Times reported in 1908 an addition to 1345 Webster, the owner was identified as Captain A.J. Hutchinson.
The Captain and his wife, Sadie Lindsay Hutchinson (obituary, Palo Alto Times 6 January 1955), came to Palo Alto in 1906 after
having founded a town called Lindsay in the San Joaquin Valley as well as the citrus industry there. From 1915 until his death
in 1935, the house was the home of Walter Hammond Nichols who, according to Who's Who in America, came to Palo Alto
in that year with his wife, Ester Connor Nichols, and daughter, Dorothy Nichols, to be a teacher at Palo Alto High School. He
was soon named superintendent and high school principal and, according to an obituary published in the Palo Alto Times on 10
October 1935, it was under his leadership that the Palo Alto Union High School district was formed and the new high school
built. He remained the principal until his death. His wife and daughter sold the house when he died and set up house together
elsewhere in Palo Alto. Mrs. Nichols became a journalist and for more than 65 years covered the Peninsula's cultural community
for the Palo Alto Times (obituary, San Jose Mercury News 19 October 1990).
About 1943, a lawyer named Richard E. Doyle and his wife Kathleen Cassidy Doyle moved into the house. Mr. Doyle was
appointed a city judge in 1948 and in 1952 ran for a new judgeship in Palo Alto -Mountain View municipal court due to be set
up 1 January 1953. He received the largest vote in the primary election in June 1952 but in August was fired as police judge
for the withdrawal of $200 for personal use from the city's bail bond trust fund. No criminal charges were filed, but Mr. Doyle's
election bid was finished.
Evaluation
This house at 1345 Webster Street appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The
period of significance begins in 1906 when the house was built and ends about 1935 when the last of a series of prominent
early figures in Palo Alto sold the house.
Under criterion A, the house is an unusually large example of an early Palo Alto house, built during the initial period of
development of the city for residences. This house represents the high level of achievement of a disproportionate number of
Palo Aitans in its first three owners, and it represents the association of the development of Palo Alto with that of Stanford in
its original owner.
Under criterion C, this is a distinctive example of the Colonial Revival style in Palo Alto.
Packet Pg. 199
DPR 523L (1/95) WEBS1345.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 5 of 6 Resource identifier: 1345 Webster St
Recorded by Michael Corbett
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*Date January 11, 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Miller, Guy, editor. Palo Alto Community Book.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 24 December 1908, 10 October 1935, 17 February 1937, 15 September 1941, 25 January 1952, 1
November 1952, 3 November 1952, 6 January 1955, 7 June 1987.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1967.
San Jose Mercury News. 19 October 1990.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Who's Who in America. 1926-1927
Packet Pg. 200
DPR 523L (1/95) WEBS1345.F1 *Required Information
State of California --- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRI#
LOCATION MAP
Item 2
Attachment A 2023 11
09 HRB Nomination
Trinomial Package -FULL
Page Q of 6 *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 1345 Webster St
*Map Name: Palo Alto Planning Dent. GIS *Scale: 1':80' *Date of Map: 1999
J
Ito Cho of
Pa to Alto
TNs clocianagab a graphic rapralanalaba only of bast r ale* acmes. The Cay m! Pab AND assuaas no msponsbbiHy for wry boors.
*RegJred Intomnalion
1345 Webster St
120-07-076
This mpMs r��
cbyarwloinetiet NWcats 0111')
DPR 523J (1/95)
Packet Pg. 201
PAGE &TURNBULL
669 CHANNING AVENUE
APN: 120-05-014
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1896-1938
Summary of Significance: 669 Channing Avenue was deemed eligible under Criteria A and C. Under
Criterion A, it represents early patterns of development of single-family homes in Palo Alto, and the
fluctuating housing conditions present in the late nineteenth to early twentieth centuries in Palo Alto
as the building alternated between a single-family residence and lodging for multiple tenants every
few years. Under Criterion C, the subject building was deemed eligible as a building type designed in
the image of an urban rowhouse.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: Windows replaced, foundations clad in stone, loss of ornamentation at the
gable peak and window framing.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1896, the
year of the building's construction. The significance of the property under Criterion A, for
representing early patterns of development of single-family homes in Palo Alto and the fluctuating
housing conditions present in the late nineteenth to early twentieth centuries in Palo Alto, has also
been omitted, as many extant properties express this development context and this significance
may be better expressed through the survey and potential identification of a historic district.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
Packet Pg. 202
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
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RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation: Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly
representative of an architectural style or way of life important to the city, state, or nation)
Statement of Significance: 669 Channing Avenue is significant as an early Queen Anne style
residence. The facade has been altered in several ways, including replacement of original windows
and removal of ornamentation at the gable end and upper corners at the window frames. However,
the building retains its overall character and massing to a sufficient degree for consideration as
contributing building to overall neighborhood architectural context.
Period of Significance: 1896
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 3
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 203
I'(,/l—,— — YIJ- JUL-J,JY
State of California -- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI # .
Trinomial
Item 2
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Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 35
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer_ Date
Page 1 of 6 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 667-669 Charming Ave
P1. Other Identifier: 667-669 Channing Ave
P2. Location: ❑ Not for Publication a Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto. CA Date 1991 T _; R _ 1/4 of Y4 of Sec ; B.M.
c. Address 667-669 Channinq Ave City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 05 014
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The following description addresses the building in terms of its structure, plan, and appearance. The structure and plan are
described using three sources of information (1949 Assessment Record prepared by the Tax Assessor, Sanborn maps, and
current survey information — photographs, Field Notes form, and site visits from 1998 and 1999). The description of the
structure and plan is presented for two phases in the building's history. The building is presented as it was built, or as it was
at the earliest time warranted by the information available. Second the building is presented as it has changed, up to the present
(1999).
The house at 667 Channing is located on a mid -block lot on the northwest side of Channing Street between Middlefield and
Webster. It is located in the original grid of the city of Palo Alto on a lot that measures 50 by 150 feet, a size that was typical
of a suburban lot of its period.
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family Drooert
*P4. Resources Present: a Building ❑ Structure ❑ Object 0 Site ❑ District 0 Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
667-669 Channinq Ave: view
northwest; 09116199: by B. Vahev:
roll BRV-81. neq #20
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: a Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
1896; City Directory
*P7. Owner and Address:
Herman Bensen
667 Charming Ave Palo Alto CA
94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett. Dames & Moore
221 Main Street. Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
January 11, 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore. 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE a Location Map 0 Sketch Map a Continuation Sheet cm Building. Structure and Objet Record
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record ❑ Linear Feature Record ❑ Millin Packet Pg. 204
(2 Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record 0 Other (list)
DPR 523A 11195)1 CHAN667.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomlal
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 2 of 6 Resource Identifier: 667-669 Channinn Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett
Item 2
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Package -FULL
*Date January 11, 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
Description (continued)
In plan, the Sanborn maps of 1901 to 1949 show a two-story rectangular dwelling with a full porch across the ground floor
of the front and a one-story extension across two thirds of the rear. The Tax Assessor's card, prepared in 1949, lists rooms
for two units. Downstairs, there were a living room, dining room, two bedrooms, one bath, kitchen, and a service porch.
Upstairs, there were a living room, dining room, one bedroom, bath, and kitchen. The location of the front door on one side
is characteristic of California houses in this period with a hallway on one side of the building leading to stairs and the rooms
located on the other side of the hallway. This is a common plan type found in late 19th -century pattern books. More ornate
versions of such a plan, with slight differences for urban sites, appear in Picturesque California Homes of 1894 (plates 5, 6, 7,
and 28), among many possible examples. These are usually referred to as city residences.
In structure, this is a stud -frame house with a gable roof on a concrete wall foundation. The frame is clad in narrow -banded
siding nailed directly to the studs except for shingled gables which must be attached to sheathing or nailers. Fenestration
consists of double -hung windows and paneled doors. Inside, there is some hardwood paneling, and floors are a mix of pine with
hardwood in some rooms on the ground floor. The house was built with a fireplace . By 1949, there was also a gas floor
furnace.
In appearance, this is a more urban looking house than most built in Palo Alto. Its verticality and concentration of ornament
on the front facade are like rowhouses in San Francisco and Oakland. The textures of its wall surfaces are associated with the
Queen Anne Style. Ornamentation recalls the Eastlake style which was most popular in the 1880s when it was typically applied
much more richly than here. Features of the style include the contrast in types and textures of siding, decorative bargeboards,
and the porch trim. Some of the decorative features have been added since 1989 when a photograph shows its appearance
at that time. Original decorative features are the bargeboard with its ends terminating in circles cut by a jigsaw, and pieces
applied to the faces of the bargeboard — a series of panels along the boards and round knobs at the center of each circle.
Original features on the porch are the brackets and the circular feature in the gable. The pendant and jigsawn decoration at the
apex of the gable have been added since 1989. In addition, knobs in the top corners of the second -floor window frames have
been added since 1989.
Packet Pg. 205
DPR 523L 11!95) CHAN667.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI air
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 3 of 6
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 667-669 Channing Ave
B1 . Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
63. Original Use: 64. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Eastlake/Queen Anne
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1896: Built (City Directory)
1976: General remodel and addition of room at rear
1984: New garage with second story apartment built behind house
1988: Remodeling back porch, addition of new side porch
Item 2
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*NRHP Status Code 3S
*B7. Moved? No 0 Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Development of Palo Alto during first decade: C: House type Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1896-1938 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The house at 667 Channing is located in what was Block No. 64 in the first Plat of the City of Palo Alto. The current
boundaries of the lot remain the same as those on the Sanborn map of 1901.
History of Construction and Alteration: This residence first appears in the Palo Alto City Directories in the edition of 1895-96
as Channing B. 64 (for its location in Block 64). The occupants listed in that edition of the directory were J.L. (John) and
George Merguire, both of whom were identified as stationers. The Palo Alto Times obituary (13 September 1901) for John
Merguire says that he had lived in Palo Alto for six years prior to his death which would mean that 667 Channing was probably
his first home in the city. He and George were gone from the house, however, by the time of the 1896-97 edition of the
directory in which it was identified as "2nd from Webster, left side of Channing." The directories over the next fifteen years
show a regular and rapid turnover of occupants which might indicate that the house was occupied by renters. The Sanborn
map record shows no changes in the structure through 1949. A building permit was issued in September 1976 that authorized
a general remodel and the addition of a room to the rear. In June 1988, a building permit was issued that authorized the
See continuation sheet
611. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
4614. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: January 11, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 206
DPR 523B (1(95) CHAN667.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Tfinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 4 of 6 Resource Identifier: 667-669 Channing Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date January 11. 2000 ® Continuation El Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL
History (continued}
remodeling of the back porch as well as the addition of a new side porch. In 1984, a new garage with a second story apartment
was built behind the house. This new structure replaced one that had been first listed in the 1938 City Directory as 669
Channing.
History of Use: According the Palo Alto City Directories, there was an annual or biannual turnover of occupants at 667
Channing. From 1896 to 1898, there were four to five residents all with different last names, indicating use of the building as
a boarding or lodging house. In 1897-1898, for example, there were three students, a farmer, and Mrs. J.R. Bartruff,
presumably the proprietor. From 1899 to 1932, the house was usually occupied as a single family residence, with Charles C.
Hill, his wife, and housemaid there in 1904. Hill was the first superintendent of schools in Palo Alto. The longest resident was
L.H. Fletcher, retired, who with his wife, Minnie, and daughter, Helen were listed in the 1919-1920 directory edition. The
Fletcher's were in the house for about twelve years. After the Fletcher's, the occupants of the house tended to change every
one or two years. From 1932 to 1938, it was a boarding or lodging house. In 1938, it became a duplex with a second unit
listed at 669 Channing. The front appears to have been enclosed during this period. Like many other properties in the Bay Area,
this house was modified to provide a maximum number of housing units at a time of severe housing shortage. In the first eighty
years of its existence, 667 Channing served as relatively short-term housing for a remarkable variety of people including
bricklayers, dairymen, meat cutters, laundrymen, students, janitors, farmers, ranchers, professors, nurses, clerks, and an aviator.
In 1976, the house was converted back to a single family residence, and a garage was added at the rear. In 1983, a new
garage and workshop with a second -story apartment above was built behind the house, designed by Architectural Resources
Group of San Francisco. Since 1989, the house has been renovated with a rebuilt fireplace, Bradbury and Bradbury wallpapers,
and an eight -color exterior paint job.
Evaluation
The house at 667 Channing appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. Under criteria
A and C, the period of significance is 1896 to 1938.
Under criterion A, the house represents the development of Palo Alto in its first decade as a city of single family homes. It also
represents the tight and volatile condition of housing in the late 19th and early 20th century. With one 12 -year exception, the
occupants of this house changed every year or two, alternating between a single family residence and a boarding or lodging
house.
Under criterion C, the house represents a rare Palo Alto building type designed in an image of an urban rowhouse.
Questions about the integrity of this house are raised by the addition of ornamental features after 1989. While it is not
inconceivable that such features were originally present, in the absence of any documentation, it must be assumed that they
have no historical precedent on this house. The addition of ornament at the apex of the gable and at the top corners of the
second floor window frames result in some loss of integrity of design. These are small but conspicuous changes. However,
because these additions are easily reversible and because they are not related directly to the nature of significance under criteria
A or C, the house as a whole retains significance.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Newsom, Samuel and Joseph Cather Newsom. Picturesque California Homes: A Volume of Forty Plates, Plans, Details and
Specifications of Houses Costing from $7,000 to $ 15,000, and adapted to Families Having Good Taste and Moderate Means.
City and Country Homes. San Francisco: 1884. Reprint with an Introduction by David Gebhard, Los Angeles: Hennessey &
Ingalls, Inc., 1978.
Palo Alto. Building Record for 667-669 Channing: Construct room addition t
Packet Pg. 207
DPR 523L (1/95) CHAN667.F1 *Required Information
State of California The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 5 of 6 Resource Identifier: 667 Charming Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*Date January 11, 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
References (continued)
Palo Alto City Directory. 1895-1953.
Palo Alto Daily News. 27 November 1998.
Palo Alto Division of Building Inspection. Building Permit. Application for 667-669 Channing: New Garage and Shop with
second story apartment above. 1983.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Historical Association. Property file on 667 Channing including notes on Charles C. Hill.
Palo Alto Stanford Heritage. Past Heritage; Eleventh Annual Holiday House Tour, pamphlet. 1998.
Palo Alto Times. 14 September 1904, 26 May 1905, 2 September 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1901.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1904.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 208
DPR 523L (1/95) CHAN667.F1 *Required Information
State of California -- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
_LOCATION MAP.
Page of
Primary #
HRI#
Trinomial
Item 2
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Package -FULL
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 667-669 Channina Ave
*Map Name: Paio_Afto Planning Dent. GIS *Scale: t":80r *Date of Map: 1999
DPR 523J (1/95)
This slocaeoarl is a pales rapnosrWbn only of bat WOW* sources The Cy d Pala Mb mimes no responsibly for a1y sits
*Required Information
Packet Pg. 209
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL
CRITERIA 2 & 5 NOMINATIONS
Properties proposed for designation under Palo Alto Criteria 2 and 5:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of life
important to the city, state or nation)
• Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important)
Address
Criteria
Category
570 Coleridge Avenue
2, 5
2
1620 Cowper Street
2 ,5
2
2150 Cowper Street
2, 5
2
75 Crescent Drive
2, 5
2
731 Emerson Street
2, 5
2
855 Hamilton Avenue
2, 5
2
469 Homer Avenue
2, 5
2
411 Lytton Avenue
2, 5
2
1056 University Avenue
2, 5
2
385 Waverley Street
2, 5
2
Page &Turnbull 1 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNI
Packet Pg. 210
PAGE &TURNBULL
570 COLERIDGE AVENUE
APN: 124-02-004
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL
&T
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1926-1932
Summary of Significance: 570 Coleridge Avenue was found eligible under Criteria A and C. Under
Criterion A, the building represents the intention of developers of the Seale Addition to establish a
residential development park for the middle to upper -middle class. Under Criterion C, the building is
a notable example of the Tudor Revival style as designed by Birge Clark.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1926, the
year of the building's construction. The identified Criterion A significance was omitted as the subject
building was not the first or last large residential building erected in the Seale Addition and is not
known to have served as a catalyst for the development of the neighborhood. The identification of
the neighborhood as typical of a historic residence park of the early twentieth century would be
better represented through identification of a historic district.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
Packet Pg. 211
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
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Package -FULL
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly representative of an architectural style or way
of life important to the city, state or nation)
• Criterion 5 (The building or architect was important)
Statement of Significance: 570 Coleridge Avenue is significant as a work by prominent local Palo
Alto architect Birge Clark. It is a rare example of Clark's work in the Tudor Revival style, as he
primarily worked in the Spanish Colonial Revival style.
Period of Significance: 1926
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 212
1 Y1 1 ,..01_, ILLY I J'JV L -J I JY
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
PRIMARY RECORD
Trinomial
NRHP Status Code
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL J
Other Listings .
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 4 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 570 Coleridge Ave
P1. Other Identifier: 570 Coleridge Ave
P2. Location: o Not for Publication a Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto. CA Date 1991 T _• R • _'/. of _'A of Sec B.M.
c. Address 570 Coleridge Ave City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _; mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 124 02 004
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The house at 570 Coleridge is a large, two-story house with a basement and a fully finished attic. It is a wood -frame structure
clad in stucco and, as the architect said, fake half-timbering. In plan, it is an irregular arrangement of 1 Y2- and two-story gabled
wings. The composition of these wings and various ornamental embellishments including half timbering, flared eaves, steel
casement windows, a heavy paneled wood door in a deep entrance vestibule, a massive brick chimney, and decorative iron
hardware conveyed an image of "a large two-story Elizabethan hbuse" according to Birge Clark. This style is more commonly
called Tudor Revival.
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Sinale family property
*P4. Resources Present: a Building o Structure ❑ Object ❑ Site ❑ District 0 Element of District ❑ Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
570 Coleridge Ave: view east:
09/14/99: by B. Vahey: roll BRV-80,
neg #21
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: a Historic
o Prehistoric 0 Both
1926: Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
William & Gisele Aronson
570 Coleridge Ave Palo Alto CA
94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
February 20. 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore. 2000)
*Attachments: o NONE a Location Map 0 Sketch Map a Continuation Seet a Building. Structure and Ob t Record
o Archaeological Record 0 District Record ❑ Linear Feature Record 0 Milli r} Packet Pg. 213
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record a Other (List)
DPR 523A (1/95)/ COLE570.F1
*Required information.
State of Califomia — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary ti_
HRI #,,
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 2 of 4
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 570 Coleridge Ave
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Tudor Revival
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1926: Built (Palo Alto Times)
*B7. Moved? ® No o Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*BB. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: Birae Clark b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Development of the Seale Addition, Depression in Palo Alto; C: Tudor Revival Style by architect
Birae Clark Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1926-1932 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The single family dwelling at 570 Coleridge is on a 150 -by -150 -foot Seale Addition lot at the corner of Coleridge and
Webster in what was originally Block No. 30 of South Palo Alto. A Map of South Palo Alto, dated 22 December 1924, shows
the scheme of subdivision of the standard blocks of this part of South Palo Alto to have been 16 parcels of 50 by 150 feet and
8 of 50 by 200 feet. A Map of the City of Palo Alto dated July 1929 shows that parcels 1, 2, and 3 were owned by a single
owner. The resultant 150 -by -150 -foot lot was the site of the present house and the dimensions have never been altered.
Structure: The Palo Alto Times, of 11 February 1926, printed a building permit notice that W.F. Goodenough would be building
a house for J.M. Blackburn at 570 Coleridge. It says in Residences in Palo Alto and Stanford Designed by the Office of Birge
Clark that the working drawings for this house were completed in 1926 and, while Birge Clark dated it to 1928 in his memoir
An Architect Grows up in Palo Alto, the Palo Alto City Directory of 1927 already lists J.M. Blackburn at the address. In his
memoir the architect offers an insight into the home's ornamentation: "The Blackburn house was built in 1928 and is a large
two-story Elizabethan house. Many of my smaller houses had been Elizabethan Cottage type, but this one was really a half-
timbered mansion. 0f course, like other Elizabethan half-timbered houses in Palo Alto, it was not truly a half-timber, but just
boards applied before the stucco went on, and looking back you wonder why you designed it that way, other than probably an
owner asking for it."
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
4614. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: February 20. 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 214
DPR 523B (1/95) COLE570.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 3 of 4 Resource Identifier: 570 Coleridge Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date February 20. 2000 a Continuation 0 Update
History (continued)
Mr. and Mrs. Blackburn were prospering at the time they commissioned their house and lived in it upon completion, no doubt
intending to stay. According to his obituary (Palo Alto Times, 20 October 1971), Mr. Blackburn was forced by the Depression
to sell Palo Alto's President Hotel in 1932. That is the last year the City Directory lists him at the address. Subsequently, he
lived at 1911 Waverley Street and continued in his original business as an automobile dealer. The tax record has no evidence
of any significant alteration.
Use: The house at 570 Coleridge was built by a prospering local merchant for himself and his family. When his business
interests foundered in 1932 he was obliged to sell. The new buyer was in the house for only five years before he turned it over
again in 1934. The City Directory of 1935 identifies this third owner as a mining engineer and consulting geologist named
Edward B. Corbet who lived in the house with his family until his death in 1957. From 1958 to 1961, Linda B. Corbet, the
widow of E.B. Corbet, was listed at the address. None of these occupants ever used the house other than as a single family
residence.
Evaluation
This house, at 570 Coleridge, appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The period
of significance is from 1926, when the house was built, to 1932, when the original owner sold it.
Under criterion A, the house represents the intentions of the original developers of the Seale Addition. Because it was sold by
its owner in 1932 due to financial problems in the Depression, it represents the affect of the Depression on some people in Palo
Alto and on businesses like automobile dealerships.
Under criterion C, this house is a notable example of the Tudor Revival style and a rare example of the style by the office of
Birge Clark.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Clark, Birge. An Architect Grows up in Palo Alto.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1926-1961.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 11 February 1926.
Residences in Palo Alto and Stanford Designed by the Office of Birge Clark.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 215
DPR 523L (1/95) COLE570.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary
FHRI#
LOCATION MAP Trinomial
Page 4 of 4 "Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 570 Cole(dae Ave
*Map Name: Palo Alto Planning Dept. GIS *Scale: 1":80' *Date of Map: 1999
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
124-1-15
124-1-16
124-1-17
570 Coleridge Ave
124-02-004
DPR 523.1(1/95)
This 4ocumas is a pragso raweunanbn only of best sealable sou,c,s
The Gay of Palo Alb amens no responsibility for any errors.
"Required Information
1242-19
Packet Pg. 216
PAGE &TURNBULL
1620 COWPER STREET
APN: 124-08-085
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1931-1944
Summary of Significance: 1620 Cowper Street was found eligible under Criterion A as a
representation of development in the Seale Addition. Under Criterion C, it was deemed eligible as an
impressive example of the English Tudor Revival style designed by Charles K. Sumner, a prominent
local architect who was prolific in Palo Alto and Stanford.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1931, the
year of the building's construction. Mention of the Criterion A significance identified in the 2001
Survey has been omitted, as the subject building was not the first or last large residential building
erected in the Seale Addition and is not known to have served as a catalyst for the development of
the neighborhood.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly representative of an architectural style or way
of life important to the city, state or nation)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓
Packet Pg. 217
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
• Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important)
Statement of Significance: 1620 Cowper Street is significant for its English Tudor Revival style
designed by the architect -of -merit Charles K. Sumner.
Period of Significance: 1931
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 218
N., —,— I—YIJ-JUL -J IJ�1
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
NRHP Status Code
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 4 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 1620 Cowper St
P1. Other Identifier: 1620 Cowper St
P2. Location: 0 Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T • R _; _'/4 of _'4 of Sec . B.M.
c. Address 1620 Cowper St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _; mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel 1/, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 124 08 002
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The house at 1620 Cowper is a large house generally in an L -plan with its wings open to the rear and oriented to the south and
southeast for exposure to sunlight. It consists of three volumes, a principal 2 -story wing perpendicular to the street, a one-story
wing parallel to the street, and a small, attached garage projecting toward the street from the north corner of the two-story
wing. The house is a wood -frame structure clad in stucco and covered by a steeply pitched gable roof with numerous gables.
Details include steel casement windows and exposed timber bead's. The asymmetrical, picturesque composition of the building
suggests an English Tudor house and its process of construction over a long period of time.
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: a Building 0 Structure ❑ Object 0 Site 0 District 0 Element of District ❑ Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
1620 Cowper St: view southwest:
09/13/99; by B. Vahev; roll BRV-77,
nea #27
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: a Historic
❑ Prehistoric ❑ Both
1931; Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
Roland & Harriet Davis
1620 Cowper St Palo Alto CA 94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main treat, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
February 23. 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: ❑ NONE ® Location Map 0 Sketch Map ® Continuation S eet ® Ruildin Structrre and nhifft Record
❑ Archaeological Record o District Record o Linear Feature Record 0 Milli Packet Pg. 219 Id
❑ Artifact Record o Photograph Record ❑ Other (List)
DPR 523A (1/95)/ COWP1620.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources. Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HR1 #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 2 of 4 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 1620 Cowper St
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: HP2 Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Tudor Revival
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1931: Built (Palo Alto Times)
1962: Roof alteration, patio enclosed
*B7. Moved? ea No ❑ Yes in Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: Charles K. Sumner (19311: James Mason (1962 alteration) b. Builder: William Short
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Seale Addition, C: Work of Charles K. Sumner and Enalish Tudor Revival Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1931-1944 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The parcel at 1620 Cowper is a portion of Block 24 of the Seale Addition subdivision laid out in 1898. In 1931, this parcel
was subdivided from the property belonging to the owners of 465 Lowell. A jog was made in the southernmost corner to leave
those owners possession of a cottage and garage already standing on that corner at the time of subdivision.
Structure: The Palo Alto Times published a building permit notice on 17 June 1931 for a new residence at 1620 Cowper. The
construction was also reported twice in Building and Engineering News on 18 and 20 June 1931 to cost $13,500 to $14,000.
The commissioning owners were Alf and Emilie Wellhaven, the architect was Charles Sumner, and the builder was William Short
who worked out of San Francisco. The Wellhavens built the place to be their own residence and were listed as its occupants
when the address first appeared in the Palo Alto City Directory in 1932. In 1962, a patio was enclosed with glass walls and
a high pitched roof designed by an architect named James Mann.
Use: Mr. and Mrs. Alf Wellhaven seem to have had the house at 1620 Cowper built for their own residence, but according to
the record in the Palo Alto City Directory, they had moved by 1934. The house was rented for the next ten years to various
families until it was sold in 1944. The new owners, Mr. and Mrs. Ingvald Nielsen, lived here until 1979.
See continuation sheet
Bi 1. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14, Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: February 23, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 220
DPR 52360/95) COWPt620.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #,
HRlITrinomial
Page 3 of 4 Resource Identifier: 1620 Cowper St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date February 23. 2000 0 Continuation ID Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Evaluation
This house, at 1620 Cowper, appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The period
of significance runs from 1931, when it was designed, to 1944, when the original owners sold it.
Under criterion A, it represents the intentions of the developers of the Seale Addition.
Under criterion C. it is an impressive example of a large house inspired by English Tudor architecture and an example of the work
of Charles K. Sumner. The 1962 addition at the rear is very different in style from the original. However, it does not result in
a loss of integrity because the essential features of the house remain intact, and because the addition is in the spirit of the
Secretary of the Interior's Standards (albeit before they were written and therefore unintentionally).
References
Building and Engineering News. 18 June 1931, 20 June 1931.
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Davis, Roland C. A Summary History of the Early Development of Palo Alto's "Seale Addition": An Account of How the First
South Palo Alto" Became Part of the Present "Old Palo Alto." Prepared for the Palo Alto Historic Building Survey. July 1998.
Davis, Roland C. Report on 1620 Cowper Street.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1931-1979.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 17 June 1931.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1963, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 221
DPR 523L (1/951 COWP162o.F1
*Required Information
State of California -- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Page i of 4
'Map Name: Palo Alto Plannin i Dent, GIS *Scale: 1":80'
Primary #
HRI `
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
•Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 1620 Cowper St
'Date of Map: 1999
Packet Pg. 222
PAGE &TURNBULL
2150 COWPER STREET
APN: 124-10-005
1
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
&T
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criterion A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1936-1967
Summary of Significance: 2150 Cowper Street was found eligible under Criterion A as a
representative of housing owned by business executives commuting to San Francisco. Under
Criterion C, the subject property is a fine example of the Colonial Revival style designed by Leslie I.
Nichols.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: Ivy removed from the exterior; no other alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1936, the
year of the building's construction. The Criterion A significance identified in the 2001 Survey has also
been omitted, as the subject building was not the earliest nor the most representative example of
commuter housing from the Peninsula to San Francisco, and the property is not individually
significant for this association.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly representative of an architectural style or way
of life important to the city, state or nation)
• Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JrJ (.n -r
Packet Pg. 223
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Statement of Significance: 2150 Cowper Street is significant as a Colonial Revival design by
important local architect Leslie I. Nichols. The building appears to retain a high level of integrity.
Period of Significance: 1936
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 224
1 Y1 1 ,..01_, ILLY I J'JV L -J I JY
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #, .
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 4 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 2150 Cowper St
P1. Other Identifier: 2150 Cowper St
P2. Location: 0 Not for Publication a Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and IP2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T ; R , __Y4 of _Y4 of Sec ; B.M.
c. Address 2150 Cowper St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _; mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 124 10 005
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The house, at 2150 Cowper, is a fine example of a New England version of the Colonial Revival style. It is a 11/2 -story, wood
structure clad in wide clapboards and covered by a big gable roof with prominent dormers. It is an L -plan with its arms
establishing privacy in relation to the street and open to the sunlight from the southwest. A covered walkway linked the house
to a garage at the rear. From the street, the house consists of two volumes, a principal volume which is symmetrical in
composition, and a secondary volume at the side as if it were a Vernacular addition to a New England farmhouse. Decorative
details include shutters, a recessed front door, and minimal eaves.
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Sinale family property
*P4. Resources Present: a Building 0 Structure 0 Object 0 Site 0 District 0 Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
2150 Cowper St; view south:
09/16/99: by B. Vahev: roll BRV-82,
neo #16
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
1936: Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
Joseph & Leah McDonough
2150 Cowper St Palo Alto CA 94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett. Dames & Moore
221 Main Street. Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
•P9. Date Recorded:
February 20. 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE 0 Location Map ❑ Sketch Map el Continuation 5
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record ❑ Linear Feature Record 0 Milli
❑ Artifact Record ❑ Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
heel ®Builrhng, Structure anrf Qhiect Record
n
Packet Pg. 225
DPR 523A (1195)1 COWP2150.F1
*Required information.
State of California -- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRI#f
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
J
Page 2 of 4 *NRHP Status Code 35
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 2150 Cowper St
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: HP2 Shale family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Colonial Revival
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1936: Built (Palo Alto Times)
*B7. Moved? a No 0 Yes ❑ Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: Leslie I. Nichols b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Pattern of development in Palo Alto. C: Work of Leslie I. Nichols and Colonial Revival
Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1936-1967 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The series of official City of Palo Alto maps first include the part of South Palo Alto south of Seale in the edition of 1924.
That map has the Seale Addition no. 7, Block no. 2 of which, where 2150 Cowper is located, was not yet bisected by
Washington. Washington had been put through by the time of the city map of 1929 on which parcel lines are drawn that show
the standard dimensions along Cowper to have been 60 by 127.50 feet. The house at 2150 Cowper was built on a combination
of parcel no. 11 and half of parcel no. 12 in Block no. 2.
Structure: The Palo Alto Times printed a building permit notice, on 26 February 1936, that identified the owner of 2150 Cowper
as Charles P. Morse and the architect as Leslie I. Nichols. The Palo Alto City Directory listed Charles and Ruth Morse at the
address from 1938 into the 1960s.
Use: The Palo Alto City Directory listed Charles and Ruth Morse as the resident owners at 2150 Cowper from the time of its
completion to 1967. According to Mr. Morse's obituary in the Palo Alto Times (6 June 1970), he moved in 1967 to Menlo Park.
A San Francisco Chronicle obituary (10 June 1970) says that he had been senior vice president of a 114 year old seed company,
Ferry -Morse, co-founded by his grandfather, and that he had resigned in 1965, continuing as a member of the board of directors.
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: February 20. 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 226
DPR 523B (1/95) COWP2150.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 3 of 4 Resource Identifier: 2150 Cowper St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date February 20. 2000 ® Continuation ❑ Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Evaluation
This house at 2150 Cowper appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The period
of significance runs from 1936, when it was built, through 1967, the period that includes the residency of the original owners.
Under criterion A, the house represents an important Palo Alto pattern, the housing of San Francisco business executives who
commuted to the city.
Under criterion C, it is a fine example of the Colonial Revival style designed by the important local architect Leslie Nichols.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Map of the City of Palo Alto. 1929, 1949.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1938-1967.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 26 February 1936, 6 June 1970.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
San Francisco Chronicle. 10 June 1970.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 227
DPR 523L (1/95) COWP2150.F1 "Required Information
State of California — The Resources. Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI
LOCATION MAP Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page of _4_ *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 2150 Cowoer_St
*Map Name: Palo_Aito Planning Qgpt. GIS *Scale: 1":80' *Date of Map: 1999
DPR 523,1 (1/95)
bids docuire5 Is a owl* anyaso saibn only of WS aratabls sou'ws, 'rho Cay of Fab Mb saunas no nasponabilly for any sears.
*Required Information
Packet Pg. 228
PAGE &TURNBULL
75 CRESCENT DRIVE
APN: 003-09-006
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
r
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
&T
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criterion A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1928-1944
Summary of Significance: 75 Crescent Drive was deemed eligible under Criterion A as a
representative example of the development and intentions of Crescent Park. Under Criterion C, it
was found to be a good example of the Monterey Colonial Revival style.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: There is an addition at the west (left) side and rear; construction in 2019 re -
stuccoed, reroofed, and replaced windows, with some windows removed where the addition was
added. However, replacement was done in -kind, and the building retains its original appearance.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1928, the
year of the building's construction. The significance of the property under Criterion A, as a
representative of the development of Crescent Park, has been omitted, as many extant properties
express this development context and this significance may be better expressed through the survey
and potential identification of a historic district.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415-3
..P4
Packet Pg. 229
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly representative of an architectural style or way
of life important to the city, state or nation)
• Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important)
Statement of Significance: 75 Crescent Drive is significant as the work of important local architect
Wilbur Harrison and builder H.H. Dabinett in the Monterey Revival Style.
Period of Significance: 1928
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
N
Packet Pg. 230
I, _AY I V t) 1 L L Y 1 J- J., L- J I J,Y
State of California — The Resources. Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary
HRI: #
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code ?S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 4 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 75 Crescent Dr
P1. Other Identifier: 75 Crescent Dr
P2. Location: 0 Not for Publication El Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T • R _; _'A of _''A of Sec . B.M.
c. Address 75 Crescent Dr City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _ mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 003 09 006
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The house at 75 Crescent Drive is a two-story, Monterey Revival style building with its long side facing the street to enhance
its presence. It is a wood -frame structure clad in stucco and covered by a red tile hip roof. In plan, it consists of a large, two-
story wing facing the street and a one-story wing projecting toward the rear. Details include a recessed porch area at the center
of the front facade with a wooden balcony, exposed heavy timber beams, decorative iron hardware, and steel casement
windows. Its porch and balcony convey an image of life that could be lived outside as well as inside. The house appears to
be only one room wide at the center, so that light and air enter the living area, and it is sometimes possible to see through to
the back.
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: a Building a Structure 0 Object 0 Site 0 District 0 Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
75 Crescent Dr: view north
10/05/99; by B. Vahev: roll BRV-87.
neg #6A
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: E Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
1928: Building and Engineering News
*P7. Owner and Address:
Woodrow & Dorothy Ersted
75 Crescent Dr Palo Alta CA 94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett. Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
February 23. 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore. 2000)
*Attachments: ❑ NONE z Location Map 0 Sketch Map ® Continuation Sheet ® Building, Structure and Object Record
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record 0 Millir Packet Pg. 231 rd
o Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
DPR 523A (1/95)/ CRESC75.F1
*Required information.
Item 2
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary # Attachment A 2023 -11 -
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # 09_HRB Nomination
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD ` Package -FULL
Page 2 of 4
J
"NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder} 75 Crescent Dr
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Monterey Colonial Revival
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations}
1928: Built (Building and Engineering News)
1937: Addition
*B7. Moved? ® No 0 Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
89a. Architect: Wilbur Harrison b. Builder: H. H. Dabinett
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Development of Crescent Park. C: Monterey Colonial Revival Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1928-1944 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: A Map of the City of Palo Alto Showing the City Limits on January 1, 1921 identifies all the land on which Crescent Park
was to be built as undeveloped and belonging to "Hopkins." By the Map of the City of Palo Alto dated November 1924,
Crescent Drive had been laid out and the land divided into parcels. Of these parcels, No. 11 in Block no. 114, minus a portion
about 40 by 180 feet along the eastern border was the site of 75 Crescent. The property has retained the same boundaries
since then.
Structure: Building and Engineering News (4 August 1928) mentioned the new residence at 75 Crescent (numbered 71 Crescent)
designed by Wilbur Harrison and built by H.H. Dabinett for W.J. Carr at a cost of $14,000. The Daily Pacific Builder mentioned
the address on 14 April 1937 in reference to a $2,000 addition built by the same builder for the same owner. According to the
Assessor's records, the house was not altered again in any significant way after 1937. A structural engineer's note says that
the posts supporting the balcony appeared to him to be a later addition.
Use: W.J. and Mary H. Carr had the house at 75 Crescent designed and built, presumably to satisfy their own tastes and
requirements. They were the first occupants listed in the Palo Alto City Directory in 1929, and they continued to be listed there
See continuation sheet
811. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: February 23, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 232
DPR 523B (1/95) CRESC75.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
HRl/Trinomial
Page 3 of 4 Resource Identifier: 75 Crescent Dr
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date February 23, 2000 NI Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
through 1937. From 1938 until his death in 1944, Albert C. Hooper lived in the nine room house without a family. Hooper was
a banker and a partner in the J.R. Hanify Company, a lumber and shipping firm. According to his obituary in the Palo Alto Times
in 1944, Hooper was an "art connoisseur, collector and quiet philanthropist . . . He traveled abroad widely and lived for a time
in Rome. A connoisseur of painting, sculpture, furniture, miniatures, and other objects of art, he had amassed a valuable
collection, the bulk of which he gave to the California Palace of the Legion of Honor early this year. The gift included a Van
Dyke, a Romney, old silver snuff boxes, rare clocks and china. He was a patron of music as well as of other arts and played
the piano for his own enjoyment. Although he helped many young men to go through the university he was reticent about these
and other philanthropies." His estate, including the City of Paris Building in San Francisco was valued at $909,960. George
L. Boland who followed him at the address, worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad in San Francisco.
Evaluation
This house at 75 Crescent appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The period of
significance runs from 1928, when it was built, to 1944, when Albert C. Hooper died.
Under criterion A, the house represents the development of Crescent Park.
Under criterion C, it is an example of the Monterey Colonial Revival style, designed by Wilbur Harrison and built by H. Dabinett.
References
Building and Engineering News. 4 August 1928.
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Daily Pacific Builder. 14 April 1937.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1929-1950.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 5 October 1944, 16 October 1944, 24 April 1945, 10 June 1946, 12 December 1975.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 233
DPR 523L (1/95) CRESC75.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary #
HRI#
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 4 of 4 *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 75 Crescent Dr
*Map Name: Palo Alto Plannina Dept. GIS *Scale; 1":80'
*Date of Map: 1999
DPR 523J (1/95)
TTM dacaeras is e QapA c rsprsaerlatoe only of be mla6Is sources. The Cty al Palo At maims s no reeponsibilly lot any errors.
*Required Information
Packet Pg. 234
PAGE &TURNBULL
731 EMERSON STREET
APN: 120-27-071
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1896-1970
Summary of Significance: 731 Emerson Street was deemed eligible under Criterion A as a
representative of several patterns: early single-family development in Palo Alto, the provision of
housing for lodgers and boarders in dwellings, and the development of both speculative and
personal residences by contractors and builders. Under Criterion C, it was deemed eligible as a
distinctive example of the Queen Anne style and as a work of the important local builder H.L.
Upham.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1896, the
year of the building's construction. The significance of the property under Criterion A for being
exemplary of early development and housing patterns in Palo Alto has been omitted, as many
extant properties express this development context and this significance may be better expressed
through the survey and potential identification of a historic district.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓ I .Y+
Packet Pg. 235
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of
life important to the city, state, or nation)
• Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important)
Statement of Significance: 731 Emerson Street is significant as an early and notable example of the
Queen Anne style that was built by important local builder H.L. Upham.
Period of Significance: 1896
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 236
N., —,— I— YIJ-JUL-J IJ�1
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
NRHP Status Code
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 55 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 731 Emerson St
P1. Other Identifier: 731 Emerson St
P2. Location: o Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T _; R _; Y4 of _^Y4 of Sec : B.M.
c. Address 731 Emerson St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 27 071
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The following description addresses the building in terms of its structure, plan, and appearance. The structure and plan are
described using three sources of information (1949 Assessment Record prepared by the Tax Assessor, Sanborn maps, and
current survey information — photographs, Field Notes form, and site visits from 1998 and 1999). The description of the
structure and plan is presented for two phases in the building's history. The building is presented as it was built, or as it was
at the earliest time warranted by the information available. Second the building is presented as it has changed, up to the present
(1999).
The house at 731 Emerson is a two-story, stud -frame structure built on a mud sill foundation that was replaced with concrete
walls after 1949. The house has a complex, steeply pitched, multi -gable roof. The frame is enclosed by narrow beveled siding
on the ground floor and shingles in two different patterns in the gables. Inside, there are pine floors on the ground floor and
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family orooertv
*P4. Resources Present: a Building ❑ Structure ❑ Object o Site ❑ District 0 Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
731 Emerson St; view northeast;
09/16/99; by B. Vahev; roll BRV-83,
neo #11
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
1895: Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
James Cook
1120 Palo Alto Ave Palo Alto CA
94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett. Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
December 15, 1999
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore. 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE ® Location Map 0 Sketch Map ® Continuation Sheet 13 Building, Stnir•.tura and Objet Record
0 Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record ❑ Millir Packet Pg. 237
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
DPR 523A (1/951! EMER731.F1
*Required information.
Item 2
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary # Attachment A 2023-11-
HRI/irinomial 09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
J
Page 2 of_ Resource Identifier: 731 Emerson St
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date December 15. 1999 o Continuation o Update
Description (continued)
plaster walls. There is a half basement with an earth floor (1949) and a finished attic area. In 1949, there was one fireplace
but no other provision for heating. Fenestration consists of double -hung windows and multi -pane wood doors. The upper sash
in the front bay window is ornamented with a perimeter of small panes of colored glass.
In plan, this is a generally rectangular structure with projections of different sorts that give it a lively and irregular appearance.
As built, at the ground level, there was a projecting bay window on one side of the front facade and another at the rear of the
house in the south corner. There was a large projecting wing at the center of the rear and an L-shaped porch at the front in
the east corner. In 1924, a one-story addition was built at the rear in the south corner between the bay window and the rear
wing. The roof form, in conjunction with the projections, adds complexity to the appearance of the house. The roof is steeply
pitched with a cross gabled wing above the front bay window, a parallel porch roof that is a continuation of the main roof, and
a side gable. In the continuous plane of this main -porch roof, there is an eyelid dormer. In 1949, the Tax Assessor identified
a basement with an earth floor and a habitable attic. At that time, on the ground floor there were a living room, dining room,
bath, kitchen, and service porch. On the second floor there were two bedrooms, a bath, and a kitchen. In the attic, there were
three bedrooms. Since two kitchens were identified, there appear to have been two units in this house. Two doors on the front
porch provide access to the two units — one on the ground floor and one in the second floor and attic.
In appearance, this building is an austere and unusual example of the Queen Anne style. Associated with the Queen Anne are
an irregular and asymmetrical massing, contrasting wall textures (beveled siding and shingled gables), bay windows, and colored
glass. The austerity, the paneled soffits, and the classical features -- especially the distinctive temple -like front porch — are
representative of the turning away from highly decorated buildings to simpler ones. Still, the highly irregular form of this building
is its most distinctive feature.
Packet Pg. 238
DPR 523L 11195) EMER731.F1 *Required Information
State of Califomia — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRi #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 3 of 5 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 731 Emerson St
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Queen Anne
"B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1895: Built (Palo Alto Times)
*B7. Moved? ® No ❑ Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: Quinn and Upham
*610. Significance: Theme A: Patterns of development in Palo Alto. C: Queen Anne Style Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1896-1970 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The building at 731 Emerson is located on a 50 by 112.50 foot lot in what was numbered Block 10 from the time of the
earliest subdivision of the city. The Plat of the Town of Palo Alto of 1894 shows the present structure on a single 25 by 112.50
foot parcel, and it seems possible that the house was originally situated on such a lot or situated on a larger lot in such a way
that half could be sold off later.
Structure: The Palo Alto Times of 24 May 1894 printed a notice that Mr. H.L. Upham, foreman for P.P. Quinn, contractor, had
built for himself a carriage house on Emerson Street at a cost of $300 in Block 10 and that he had moved into it pending the
construction of a residence on the same lot. The footprint of this carriage house first appears on the series of Sanborn maps
in 1901. At that time and on all the Sanborn maps until 1949, though the residence had been completed and occupied, the
carriage house is identified as a dwelling. It was, in fact, expanded at some time between the Sanborn maps of 1901 and 1904,
and a garage appears on the Sanborn map of 1924. As for the house itself, the Palo Alto Times of 2 January 1896 mentioned
that the firm of Quinn and Upham had built in 1895 a house in Block 10 at a cost of $1,680. This would have been 731
Emerson. According to the record in the Palo Alto City Directory, Mr. Upham and his family lived at the address until about
1902 at which time they moved to 443 Kipling. The Palo Alto Times of 2 October 1924 printed a building permit notice of
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*812. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: December 15, 1999
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 239
DPR 523E (1/95) EMER731.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION MI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 4 of 5 Resource Identifier: 731 Emerson St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (historvl *Date December 15. 1999 ® Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
interior alterations at 731 Emerson at a cost of $ 100. The Sanborn map of 1924 registers in that year the addition of a room
to the rear of the ground floor. There is no evidence in the Assessor's records of further alterations.
Use: In 1894 when Henry Upham built the dwelling in the rear of the lot at 731 Emerson, he was identified as a foreman
employed by the contractor P.P. Quinn. By 1896, when notice was published that the house had been completed Mr. Upham
and Mr. Quinn were partners. The Palo Alto City Directory lists only the Uphams at the address from 1895 until 1900, but for
every year from 1900 until 1944, the directory lists always at least two family names with another listed for the rear. These
occupants were either students or workers: at different times, a maid, a laborer, a dressmaker, five painters, a carpenter, two
plasterers, two barbers, two machinists and a driver. This driver, John Benson paid for the alterations made in 1924. His name
appears as owner of the house in the Assessor's records, and the City Directory lists him at the address until 1970 (he died at
the end of 1970).
Evaluation
This house at 731 Emerson appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance for the period
1896, when it was built, to 1970, when John Benson died after 46 years in the house. Under criterion A, this house represents
several patterns — the original development of residences in Palo Alto; the provision of housing for lodgers and boarders in
dwellings; and the development of houses by contractors and builders, apparently both for personal residence and investment
purposes, which were occupied by them for only a few years. Under criterion C, this is a distinctive example of the Queen Anne
style, characterized by its irregular shape and especially its temple -like porch. It is also an example of the work of an important
early builder and contractor, H.L. Upham.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1895-1971.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Historical Association. File on Henry L. Upham.
Palo Alto Times. 20 April 1894, 25 May 1894, 27 July 1894, 2 January 1896, 26 October 1905, 2 October 1924, 16 March
1946, 2 January 1971.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1901.
Sanborn Map Company, Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1904.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1964, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 240
DPR 523L (1/95) EMER731.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary*
HRI#
LOCATION MAP Trtnor lai:
Page _5_ of "Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 731 Emerson St
"Map Name: Palo Alto Plannino Dept. GIS *Scale: 1":80' *Date of Map: 1999
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
7W Clif of
Palo Alto
mle document b a graphic asprarealbn only of bee swear{. eorws.. The My d P. Ai4 ateames nom - :.. •. • for rmrs.
731 Emerson St
120-27-071
120-47-1 •
120-47-2
120-47-3
120-47-4
120-47-5
120-47-6
120-47-7
120-70-1
120-70-2
120-70-3
120-70-4
120-70-5
120-70-6
120-70-7
120-70-8
120-70-9
120-70-10
Sava product of e
cnyalPiloAlta ols 0
m ar
CPR 523J (1/95)
Packet Pg. 241
PAGE &TURNBULL
855 HAMILTON AVENUE
APN: 003-03-033
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination TT
Package FULL J�
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1915-1931
Summary of Significance: 855 Hamilton Avenue was found significant under Criterion A for
representing the construction of grand houses in Palo Alto by retired or widowed Midwesterners,
and under Criterion C as an imposing example of an impressive Period Revival style residence.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: Windows replaced; front door possibly replaced; no additional alterations
identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The building's significance related to the history of large
houses constructed by retired Midwesterners has been omitted, as this would be better expressed
through an association between the property and a specific person. The period of significance is
revised to 1915, the year of the building's construction. The name of the architect has been revised
to Charles K. Sumner (instead of Charles S. Kaiser) to reflect the name by which Sumner was better
known, and the name under which the most prolific period of his career was undertaken.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓ I .Yi
Packet Pg. 242
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly representative of an architectural style or way
of life important to the city, state or nation)
• Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important)
Statement of Significance: The subject building is significant as a work of the notable local architect
Charles K. Sumner and the builders Collman & Duncan. It is an imposing example of a Period Revival
style residence and retains a high level of integrity.
Period of Significance: 1915
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 243
r\f, /l 1 1 1 V U I L L Y I J- JUL-, I J�1
State of California — The Resources:. Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
. . . ... .. .. .. .......
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review. Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 855 Hamilton Ave
P1. Other Identifier: 855 Hamilton Ave
P2. Location: 0 Not for Publication ta Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T • R •_'l, of _'IA of Sec . B.M.
c. Address 855 Hamilton Ave City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large andlor linear resources) Zone _ mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 003 03 033
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
When the two houses on Hamilton Avenue for the Ray family were completed in early 1916, the Palo Alto Times called them
"The year's finest productions in residences." The paper described the houses as follows:
The year's finest productions in residences are the Ray residences at 845 [855] and 865 Hamilton, built
for Mrs. Caroline E. Ray and Robert C. Ray by Collman & Duncan, San Francisco.
The two houses are almost identical, having one garage to accommodate three machines. There are two
stories and a finished attic. On the first floor there is a library, reception hall, living room, dining room,
kitchen, glass enclosed veranda and sun porch, pastry pantry and butlers' pantry.
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: s Building o Structure 0 Object 0 Site ❑ District 0 Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #1
855 Hamilton Ave; view northwest;
09/14/99; by B. Vahev: roll BRV-80.
neg #4
*'P6. Date ConstructedlAge and
Source: ® Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
1916: Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
Jay C & Michaele M Hoed
855 Hamilton Ave Palo Alto CA
94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
February 23, 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE is Location Map ❑ Sketch Map ® Continuation S t Building, Structure and Ohje t Record
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record 0 Milli Packet Pg. 244 �d
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
DPR 523A (1/95)1 HAMIB55.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRiftrinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 2 of 5 Resource Identifier: 855 Hamilton Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett
Item 2
Attachment A 2023 11
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
2
*Date February 23 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
Description (continued)
The woodwork and walls are the finished work of expert interior decorators. The woodwork, except in
the library, on the first floor is finished in an especially treated white enamel, there being five coats
applied. The walls are canvassed over the cement and the tintings are perfect.
On the second floor, there are four chambers, three bathrooms, one with shower, a dressing court,
sewing room and two sleeping porches.
The attic has three servants' bedrooms, a bathroom, and a large playroom finished entirely in cedar with
large linen drawers and deep cupboards.
The windows in the sleeping chambers are fitted with the Heuser patent windows, Stewart disappearing
screens and two sets of shades. There is throughout both lighting and heating, electric wiring, vacuum
connections in each room with the machine in the cellar, complete telephone system, emergency burglar
alarm and lighting system and two Reid water heaters and hot air heating system. The baths are finished
in white tile, with tubs built in and pedestal basins. The cost of the two buildings was about $30,000.
In style, 855 Hamilton is an early example of a Period Revival Style house, a style that was more common in the 1920s. It is
a large house with an imposing presence on the street. Its composition is an overlay of asymmetrical elements (gabled bay and
projecting bay window) on a generally symmetrical core (hip roof with three dormers} as if it were a late Renaissance manor
house with later additions.
DPR 523L (1/95) HAMI855.F1
Packet Pg. 245
*Required Information
Item 2
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 3 of 5 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 855 Hamilton Ave
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Period Revival
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1916: Built (Palo Alto Times)
*B7. Moved? ® No 0 Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: Charles S. Kaiser b. Builder: Coltman and Duncan
*B10. Significance: Theme A: pattern of development in Palo Alto, C: Period Revival Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1915-1931 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: According to a Map of the City of Palo Alto (no date, but after 1915 and before 1918), the two, single-family residences
at 855 and 865 Hamilton were originally located on one large lot in Block no. 53. By the Revised Map Showing the City Limits
on January 1, 1921, the large lot had been divided into two unequal parts, leaving 855 Hamilton on a 120 -by -200 -foot lot.
Those dimensions have never been altered.
Structure: The Palo Alto Times printed a note that residences had been built at 845 and 865 Hamilton for Mrs. Caroline E. Ray
and her stepson, Robert C. Ray, by Collman and Duncan of San Francisco. The architect of both houses was Charles S. Kaiser
(Palo Alto Times 1 October 1915). A note in the Palo Alto Times, of 24 April 1916, said that those two houses were nearing
completion and that the cost of each was about $15,000. The stepson lived at 865 Hamilton until his death in 1929. The
stepmother lived at 855 Hamilton until her death in 1931. Other than a building permit for a tool house (Palo Alto Times 2
February 1924), there is no indication in the documentary record of alterations. There is a discrepancy between the shape of
the present front bay and that on the Sanborn maps,
Use: The twelve room, single-family dwelling at 855 Hamilton was designed and built for a wealthy widow who lived there from
the time of its completion in 1916 until her death in 1931. Mrs. Caroline Dodge Ray moved to Palo Alto from Duluth after the
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: February 23, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 246
DPR 5238 (1195) HAMI855.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Item 2
Attachment A 2023 11
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 4 of 5 Resource Identifier: 855 Hamilton Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date February 23, 2000 ct Continuation 0 Update
History (continued)
death of her husband, James Dodge Ray. According to the Palo Alto Times, in 1931, James Ray "is credited with having
developed to its present proportions the City of Duluth, Minn. He became wealthy with the increase in value of his realty
holdings and through milling and mining operations." Duluth was at the peak of its prosperity when Mrs. Ray moved to Palo
Alto, and presumably her real estate there was at the peak of its value. Mrs. Ray may have come to Palo Alto in 1916 because
her stepson, Robert C. Ray, was here, having come to Stanford in 1903. Robert C. Ray was a banker who retired at the age
of 31. At her death, Mrs. Ray left an estate worth $550,119.00. Caroline Ray was at least the second wealthy widow to move
to this part of Hamilton Avenue from Minnesota, after Emma Wolverton came to 975 Hamilton in 1909. William E. and Mattie
B. Lake lived in the house after Mrs. Ray and remained there until the 1970s. Mr. Lake worked as a salesman for Montgomery
Ward.
Evaluation
The house at 855 Hamilton Avenue appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. Its
period of significance runs from 1915, when it was built, to 1931, when the original owners were gone.
Under criterion A, this house represents an interesting aspect of Palo Alto's history that may not have involved a large number
of properties but which had a noticeable impact — the construction of grand houses by retired or widowed midwesterners.
Under criterion C, this house is an example of an imposing Period Revival style house that was designed to be impressive. This
house is in contrast to other houses of the time that were designed to be, variously, inconspicious, falsely modest, private, and
striking.
References
Alsberg, Henry G., editor. The American Guide: A Source Book and Complete Travel Guide for the United States. New York:
Hastings House, 1949.
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Gebhard, David and Torn Martinson. A Guide to the Architecture of Minnesota. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press,
1977.
Map of the City of Palo Alto. 1921, 1949.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 1 October 1915, 25 March 1916, 25 April 1916, 19 February 1929, 19 October 1931, 4 April 1942, 1
January 1970, 4 March 1976.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
DPR 523L (1/95) HAMI855.F1
Packet Pg. 247
•Required Information
Item 2
State of California -- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary # Attachment A 2023-11-
HRI# 09 HRB Nomination
Trinomial Package -FULL
Page of 5 *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 855 Hamilton Ave'
*Map Name: Palo Alto Plannina Deot, GIS *Scale: 1":80` *Date of Map: 1999
J
DPR 523J (1/95)
This *canal Is a graphic (*presentation only of boat amiable mums. The City d Pab Alb assumes no raaponstaly far airy snore.
*Required Inforroation
Packet Pg. 248
PAGE &TURNBULL
469 HOMER AVENUE
APN: 120-16-051
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criterion A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1906-1954
Summary of Significance: 469 Homer Avenue was found eligible under Criterion A as an example of
single-family development in the original grid of Palo Alto, and under Criterion C as an early
Craftsman bungalow and the work of Charles E. Hodges, one of the earliest architects in Palo Alto
and the University Architect of Stanford University.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1906, the
year of the building's construction.
vtirokA
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly representative of an architectural style or way
of life important to the city, state or nation)
• Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓
Packet Pg. 249
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Statement of Significance: 469 Homer Avenue is significant as a notable Craftsman bungalow
designed by Charles E. Hodges, one of Palo Alto's earliest architects and the University Architect of
Stanford University.
Period of Significance: 1906
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 250
N., —,— I— YIJ-JUL-J IJ�1
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 469 Homer Ave
P1. Other Identifier: 469 Homer Ave
P2. Location: ❑ Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d, Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA _ Date 1991 T _; R _• _'/4 of _% of Sec B.M.
c. Address 469 Homer Ave City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _ mEl mN
•e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 16 051
*P3a. Description: {Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The following description addresses the building in terms of its structure, plan, and appearance. The structure and plan are
described using three sources of information (1949 Assessment Record prepared by the Tax Assessor, Sanborn maps, and
current survey information — photographs, Field Notes form, and site visits from 1998 and 1999). The description of the
structure and plan is presented for two phases in the building's history. The building is presented as it was built, or as it was
at the earliest time warranted by the information available. Second the building is presented as it has changed, up to the present
(1999).
The house at 469 Homer is a one and one-half story, balloon or platform frame structure on a concrete wall foundation. The
frame is clad on the exterior in shingles, presumably nailed to sheathing. In 1949, the Tax Assessor recorded a quarter
basement. Inside, there are plaster walls, hardwood floors on the ground floor, and pine floors on the second floor. In 1949,
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: s Building o Structure ❑ Object ❑ Site 0 District ❑ Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
469 Homer Ave: view northwest:
09/16/99: by B. Vahev; roll BRV-83,
neg #13
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
1906; Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
Dale Snyder
7003 Yacht Haven Rd Friday Harbor
WA 98250
*P$. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett. Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco. CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
December 27, 1999
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".( Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE ® Location Map 0 Sketch Map ® Continuation Sleet ® Building. Structure and Objet Record
0 Archaeological Record ❑ District Record o Linear Feature Record 0 Milli
0 Artifact Record ❑ Photograph Record ❑ Other (List)
Packet Pg. 251
-d
DPR 523A (1/95)1 HOME469.F1
•Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRIlTrinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
s
Page 2 of 5 Resource Identifier: 469 Homer Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett
*Date December 27 1999 ® Continuation ❑ Update
Description Icontinued)
heat was provided by two gas floor furnaces and one fireplace. Fenestration consists of double -hung windows with six -light
and eight -light upper sash and paneled doors.
In plan, this house is a nearly square building with several minor projections. As shown on the 1924 and 1949 Sanborn maps,
there is a square bay at the front in the south corner of the house and a porch across the rest of the facade on the southeast
side. On the southwest side facing the alley, there is an angled bay window, and at the rear, there is a two-story projecting
bay in the north corner. The placement of the porch and bays took advantage of natural sunlight. In 1949, the Tax Assessor
identified the following rooms: on the ground floor were a living room, dining room, kitchen, and service porch; and upstairs
were three bedrooms, a bath, and a screen porch. It seems likely that the living room stretched across the front of the house
with the dining room behind it, lit by the angled bay window. After 1949, the southwest end of the porch was enclosed.
In appearance 469 Homer is a Craftsman bungalow, characterized by its low profile, shingled walls, orientation to the outdoors,
and general simplicity of form and decoration.
The garage at the rear, shown on the 1924 Sanborn map, is a rectangular, gable roofed structure clad in shingles. It has its
original hinged doors with eight -light glass upper panels in each door.
The house is next door to the Woman's Club of Palo Alto. These two buildings were designed by the same architect. The
property is enhanced by mature oak trees.
Packet Pg. 252
DPR 523L (1/95) HOME469.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 3 of 5
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 469 Homer Ave
61. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Craftsman Bungalow
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1906: Built (Palo Alto Times)
1954: Addition of bath
*B7. Moved? ® No ❑ Yes ❑ Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: Charles H. Hodges b. Builder: unknown
*1310. Significance: Theme A: Early development of Palo Alto; C: Craftsman Bungalow Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1906-1954 Property Type Residential
{Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
Applicable Criteria A and C
History
Site: The lot at 469 Homer appeared on the Map of the City of Palo Alto (1921) in Block no. 27 with boundaries that have
remained the same to the present (2000). There is no evidence that the present house was preceded on the site by any other
structure. The house is located at the northwest corner of Homer Avenue and Downing Lane on a lot that measures 50 by 100
feet, a size that was typical of a suburban lot of its day.
Structure: The Palo Alto Times printed on 5 January 1906 a building permit notice that reported that Charles A. Hodges was
architect of a new residence costing 81,600 for Dr. W.J. Fleckenstein at 469 Homer (in 1916 Charles Hodges would be the
architect for the Woman's Club next door). The Palo Alto City Directory listed Dr. and Mrs. Fleckenstein at the address in the
edition of 1906. The Assessor's records note only one alteration to the house which was the 1954 addition of a new bath.
It is at just that time that the City Directory begins to list four family names occupying this house that had until then been a
single family dwelling.
Use: The house at 469 Homer served from the time of its construction in 1906 until 1954 as a single family dwelling. The
original owner, Dr. Fleckenstein was a dentist with offices in the Jordan Building. After one year, Dr. Fleckenstein was gone,
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: December 27, 1999
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 253
DPR 5238 111951 HOME469.F1 *Required Information
Item 2
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRIITrinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 4 of 5 Resource Identifier: 469 Homer Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date December 27, 1999 ® Continuation ❑ Update
History (continued)
and the house was occupied by a series of families, most of them residents for two to six years, suggesting that this may have
served as a rental property. Among the subsequent residents was Frank H. Cory, Chief Deputy Clerk of the Supreme Court in
1907 and a bank examiner, in 1910. In the mid -1930s (including 1934-1936) the house was occupied by Warren A. Littlefield
(1868-1952) and his family. Littlefield was described in his obituary as a "pioneer California furniture merchant" who had
operations at various times in Santa Cruz, Stockton, Lodi, Tracy, and two locations in Palo Alto beginning in 1930 (the Medico -
Dental Building and 421 Bryant Street). In 1952, his obituary in the Palo Alto Times said, "At a testimonial dinner given for him
last year by the Western Furniture Mart in San Francisco, Mr. Littlefield received a plaque recognizing him as the oldest active
retail furniture operator in Northern California." Since 1955, the house has functioned like a boarding house.
Evaluation
This house at 469 Homer appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance for the period
1906 to 1954 when it was modified internally.
Under criterion A, this is a single family house from the early period of the development of the city, located in the original grid.
Under criterion C, it is a Craftsman Bungalow, a typical building type in Palo Alto. It was designed by Charles E. Hodges who
was one of the earliest professional architects in Palo Alto and the University Architect at Stanford. He is best known for the
Woman's Club next door and the Chemistry Building and the reconstruction of Memorial Church at Stanford.
Modifications of the house for multi -unit occupancy have left the character and appearance of the exterior unchanged. The
landscaping and the presence of the original garage, are unusual surviving elements of the setting.
References
California. Secretary of State. Index to Architects. 1947. California State Archives.
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Gebhard, David, Eric Sandweiss, and Robert Winter. Architecture in San Francisco and Northern California. Revised edition.
Salt Lake City: Gibbs M. Smith, Inc., 1985.
Map of the City of Palo Alto. 1921.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1906-1955.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Historical Association. The Streets of Palo Alto.. .
Palo Alto Times. 5 January 1906, 11 September 1952, 14 April 1953.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto, New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1955, 1957.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 254
DPR 523L (1/95) HOME469.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP Trinomial.
Primary #
HRI#
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page of 5 , *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 469 Homer Ave
*Map Name: Palo Alto Mannino Dent. GIS 'Scale: 1":80'
120-16-57
no @h N
Pa to Alto
DPR 523J (1/95)
'Required InforricrtIon
120-16-47
12016-8,2
120-16-83
120-1684
1201685
12616-86
120-16-87
1261688
120-16.89
120--6-90
120-16.91
1201692
120-16-93
120-16-55
12-44,82
120-16-50
120-17-7
120-17-6
120-17-5
469 Homer Ave
120-16-051
126-17-8
*Date of Map: 1999
120-17-9
120-17-10
120-17-21
Thb d••• 111404 is a VaPltc rapfaee tafbo mly of beat avaigLM sources The City of Palo Apo assumes no macro's*, for my wore.
120-17-11
120-17-12
12047-19
Packet Pg. 255
PAGE &TURNBULL
411 LYTTON AVENUE
APN: 120-14-076
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination TT
Package FULL J�
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1901-1910
Summary of Significance: 411 Lytton Avenue was found significant under Criterion A as an early
example of a single-family residence built in the original street grid of Palo Alto, and for
demonstrating the early connection between Palo Alto and Stanford, as its first two residents were
Stanford University faculty members. Under Criterion C, the building was found eligible as a
distinctive example of the typical square cottage type built by the important early builder J.W. Wells.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: Front fence repaired; no other alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1933, the
year of the building's construction. The significance of the property under Criterion A, for being
constructed within the original street grid of Palo Alto, and for its connection to Stanford University,
has been omitted as many extant properties express this development context and this significance
may be better expressed through the survey and potential identification of a historic district.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
Packet Pg. 256
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of
life important to the city, state, or nation)
• Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important)
Statement of Significance: The subject building is significant as an example of the typical early Palo
Alto square cottage housing type as designed by the significant local builder J.W. Wells.
Period of Significance: 1901
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 257
r\f, —,— I— YIJ-JUL-J IJ�1
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 4 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 411 Lytton Ave
P1. Other Identifier: 411 Lytton Ave
P2. Location: ❑ Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T _• R _• _A of _% of Sec . B.M.
c. Address 411 Lytton Ave City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 14 076
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The house at 411 Lytton is a small, one-story, square cottage. It is a balloon -frame structure clad in shingles and covered by
a hip roof. The roof has overhanging eaves and exposed rafters. The roof extends out over an entrance porch in the center
of the street side of the building. The street facade is symmetrical in composition with a window on either side of the cental
entrance porch and a hip roofed dormer that repeats the proportions of the house.
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: ® Building 0 Structure ❑ Object 0 Site 0 District 0 Element of District ❑ Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
411 Lytton Ave; view northwest:
09/20/99: by B. Vahev: roll BRV-83.
neg #34
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
❑ Prehistoric ❑ Both
1901: Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
Albert & Leone Johnson
19111 Croyden Ter Irvine CA 92612
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
February 23. 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore. 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE ® Location Map 0 Sketch Map 0 Continuation SieetBuilding. Structure and Qhpe
0 Archaeological Record 0 District Record ❑ Linear Feature Record 0 Milli
❑ Artifact Record ❑ Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
Packet Pg. 258
t Record
d
DPR 523A (1/95)/ LYTT411.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRt #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 2 of 4
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 411 Lytton Ave
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Bungalow
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1901: Built (Palo Alto Times)
*B7. Moved? 0 No 0 Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: J.W. Wells
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Pattern of development in Palo Alto; C: Square cottage Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1901-1910 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The house at 411 Lytton is located on a .06 acre lot in block 31 of the original University Park subdivision of 1889.
According to the record in the series of Sanborn maps, this house shared a 93 -by -100 -foot corner lot at Lytton and Waverley
with another house numbered 385 Waverley from 1901 until sometime after 1924. The Sanborn map of 1949 shows a four -
unit apartment building added to the same larger lot at some time since the publication of the Sanborn map of 1924.
Structure: The Palo Alto Times reported, on 20 April 1901, the construction of two cottages at the site in question by J.W.
Wells for Van Alstine Wallace at a total cost of $2,000. The Palo Alto City Directory first listed the cottage at 411 Lytton in
1901. The Assessor's records include no mention of alterations.
Use: The Palo Alto City Directory first listed the residence at 411 Lytton in 1901. From that year through 1904, a young
instructor at Stanford, Joseph Grant Brown, lived in the house with his mother, Mrs. C.G. Brown. According to an obituary
which appeared in the Palo Alto Times, on 7 December 7 1967, Brown transferred from Illinois State Normal College to Stanford
in 1900, received his bachelor of arts degree in 1901, and his master of arts in 1903. "He was an expert in atmospheric
electricity and taught physics at Stanford from 1901 to 1934." He was Stanford University's oldest living professor emeritus
at the time of his death at 98 years in 1967.
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: February 23, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 259
DPR 5239 (1/95) LYTT411.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
HRIlTrinomial
Page 3 of 4 Resource Identifier: 411 Lytton Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history)
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*Date February 23, 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
History (continued)
The next occupant listed from 1907 through 1910 was also on the Stanford faculty. According to a death announcement that
appeared in the Stanford Alumnus of January 1913, Samuel B. Charters was an assistant professor in the Electrical Engineering
Department from 1905 until his death in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania in 1912, while on a sabbatical leave. "During his leave he was
acting as inspector of the materials which the Los Angeles Aqueduct Company is purchasing in Pittsburg." He was the last
faculty member to live at the address.
The house was the residence of Albert E. Johnson from 1925 to 1931 and again in 1936 and 1937. Mr. Johnson was identified
in different editions of the City Directory as a hod carrier, a laborer, and a gardener. According to an obituary that appeared
in the Palo Alto Times, on 18 October 1974, he was a native of Sweden who had lived in Palo Alto for 50 years at the time
of his death at 88. That would indicate that the house at 411 Lytton would have been his first permanent address in Palo Alto.
He and his wife are identified as the owners of the house on Assessor's documents prepared about 1949, in which year it was
the residence of his son, Alfred N. Johnson and his wife, Leonie.
Evaluation
The house at 411 Lytton appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The period of
significance is from 1901, when it was built, to 1910, when its Stanford connection ended.
Under criterion A, the house represents both the early residential development of the original grid of the city and the early
connection between Palo Alto and Stanford. Its first two residents included young Stanford professors, Joseph Grant Brown
and Samuel B. Charters.
Under criterion C, the house is an example of a typical early Palo Alto building type — a square cottage — designed by an
important early builder, J.W. Wells.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1901-1950.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update, Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 20 April 1901. (obituary Joseph Grant Brown) 7 December 1967. (obituary Albert Johnson) 18 October
1974.
Stanford Alumnus. January 1913.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1901.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1904.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15;: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 260
DPR 523L (1195) LYTT411.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP Trinomial
Page 4 of 4 , "Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 411 Lytton Ave
•Map Name: Palo Alto Planning Deot. GIS *Scale: 1":80'
Primary #
FIR!#
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
120-14-112
120-14-113
TN Clap •1
Palo Alto
411 Lytton Ave
120-14-076
Ibis Women! b a Qap is representation golly of best avaands sswrp. The
al Palo Ws assign's no response for any anon.
'Date of Map: 1999
�raiPooproduct MoGIS t
*Regutedifyinimation
Packet Pg. 261
PAGE &TURNBULL
1056 UNIVERSITY AVENUE
APN: 003-05-026
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1927-1931
Summary of Significance: 1056 University Avenue was deemed eligible under Criteria A and C as the
architect -designed personal residence of Joseph L. Stewart.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1927, the
year of the building's construction.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly representative of an architectural style or way
of life important to the city, state or nation)
• Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important)
Statement of Significance: 1056 University Avenue is significant as the self -designed personal
residence of notable Bay Area architect Joseph L. Stewart, and as an excellent example of the
Spanish Colonial Revival style.
Period of Significance: 1927
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓ I .Yi
Packet Pg. 262
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
[)they Urstings
itavierir>aCode Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 1056 University Ave
P1. Other Identifier: 1056 University Ave
P2. Location: D Not for Publication El Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T • R ; ^ A of %A of Sec B.M.
c. Address 1056 University Ave City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone • rnE/ mN
'e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 3-5-26
'P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
This house, at 1056 University Avenue, has a complex footprint whose most prominent part belongs to a two-story structure
in an L -plan. In addition, two one-story wings project further to the rear, and there is an attached one-story garage at the front
of the northeast side. The orientation of the house is open to southern light at the rear. It is also designed to establish privacy
on its busy University Avenue location. The house is a wood -frame structure clad in stucco and covered by a red -tiled gable
roof. The design is derived from Mediterranean sources. The' principal two-story volume facing the street is in a balanced
composition with a central recessed entranceway and a mix of window types, including a bay window and a segmental window.
Decorative features include overhanging eaves with exposed rafters, an iron window grille, and patterned mullions in casement
windows.
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: ® Building ❑ Structure ❑ Object 0 Site 0 District 0 Element of District ❑ Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
1056 University Ave: no view; 1 June
2000: by M. Corbett: roll PA -MC, neq
#5
'P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
0 Prehistoric 0 Both
1927: HRB Staff Report
*P7. Owner and Address:
Violante Robert V & Barbara J Trustee,
1056 Univeristy Ave. Palo Alto, CA
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9, Date Recorded:
May 19, 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and
Bradley for Dames & Moore. 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE ® Location Map 0 Sketch Map ® Continuation Sheet ® Building, Structure and Object Record
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record 0 Milling Station Record 0 Rock Art Rero-d
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record ❑ Other (List)
Packet Pg. 263
DPR 523A (1195(/ UNIV1056.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 2 of 5 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 1056 University Ave
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Mediterranean Revival
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1927: Built (HRB Staff Report)
*B7. Moved? El No 0 Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: Joseph L. Stewart b. Builder: Keystone Construction Company
*B10. Significance: Theme Joseph L. Stewart Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1927-1931 Property Type residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The house at 1056 University Avenue is situated on an irregular lot of approximately 82 by 209 feet which is located in
Block 70. Though this block is located within the bounds of the original University Park subdivision of 1889, it was part of a
re -subdivision and relocation of blocks 60, 70, 85, F, G, and H.
Structure: According to the City of Palo Aito Historic Resources Board Staff Report, dated 11 July 1997, the house at 1056
University Avenue was built by the Keystone Construction Company, in 1927, for the owner, architect and first occupant,
Joseph L. Stewart.
Use: This house was occupied by Joseph L. Stewart from 1927 to 1931. Joseph L. Stewart received license number 760 to
practice architecture in California on 28 March 1913. Stewart was in partnership with Henry C. Smith, a noted apartment house
designer, in the firm of Smith and Stewart from 1911 to 1914. By 1920, Stewart was in practice under his own name. Stewart
lived and worked in San Francisco during the early years of his practice, except in 1907, after the earthquake, when he lived
in Oakland at the Waldorf House. In 1918, he and his wife lived at 65 San Benito Way in San Francisco, and in 1923, they lived
on St. Francis Boulevard — both of these were houses he designed in St. Francis Woods, a stylish upper middle class
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: May 19. 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 264
DPR 523B (1(95) UNIV1056.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRIITrinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 3 of 5 Resource Identifier: 1056 University Ave
Recorded by Michael CorbettlSteve Hardy (history) *Date Mav 19, 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
neighborhood west of Twin Peaks. In 1926, he designed another house for his family at 1056 University Avenue in Palo Alto.
After he moved his residence to Palo Alto, he maintained his office in San Francisco.
While Stewart's practice has not been fully researched, his designs for several commercial buildings and for numerous houses
were published in the Architect and Engineer. Among his commercial buildings, all in San Francisco, were the Columbia Hotel
(1914, by Smith and Stewart) with a mansard roof; a garage at 180 Twelfth Street for Mortimer Fleishhacker (1920); the Moss
Glove Company Building (1921); and the Crest View Apartments (1922). He also designed an apartment house in Palo Alto
for Mrs. Wasson. Numerous house designs were also published. Most of these were in San Francisco and Palo Alto in
prestigious neighborhoods such as St. Francis Woods and Crescent Park. Among his Palo Alto houses were 50 Crescent Drive,
1056 University Avenue, and 1560 University Avenue. In addition, according to the Architect and Engineer (May 1925),
"Architect Joseph L. Stewart has completed plans for a group of six high-class homes, construction of which has been started
in Crescent Park, Palo Alto for Mr. J.K. Calley. The houses will cost $20,000-$25,000 each." (It is not clear which of these
houses were actually built.)
Evaluation
This house, at 1056 University, appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C as the home of the architect Joseph L.
Stewart. It is eligible at the local level of significance for the period 1927 to 1931.
References
Architect and Engineer. Contract notice: 6 houses in Crescent Park, Palo Alto, for J.K. Calley. May 1925.
Architect and Engineer. "Apartment Houses — Some Recent San Francisco Examples." Vol. 70:1 (September 1922). pp. 48-50.
. "Garage for Mr. Mortimer Fleishhacker." Vol. 63:3.
. "On House Builders." Vol. 61:1 (April 1920). pp. 60-61.
. "Palo Alto Apartment House for Mrs. Wasson." February 1925.
. "Forest Hill Residence for Mrs. F.T. Movingo." August 1926.
. "House for Mr. Joseph L. Stewart, St. Francis Woods." Vol. 69:1 (June 1922), pp. 82-83.
California. Secretary of State. Index to Architects. 1947. California State Archives, Sacramento.
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Corbett, Michael R. Splendid Survivors: San Francisco's Downtown Architectural Heritage. San Francisco: California Living
Books, 1979.
Palo Alto. Historic Resources Board Staff Report on 1056 University. 16 July 1997.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1931.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Packet Pg. 265
DPR 523L (1/95) UNIV1056.F1 •Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 4 of 5 Resource Identifier: 1056 University Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date May 19. 2000 rgl Continuation ❑ Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
References (continued)
Palo Alto Times. 1 April 1926.
Polk's Crocker -Langley San Francisco Directory. San Francisco: R.L. Polk & Co., 1911-1926.
San Francisco Call. 15 November 1907.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1953, 1962, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 266
DPR 523L (1195) UNIV1056.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary #
HRI#
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 5 of . *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 1056 University Ave
*Map Name: Palo Alto Planning Deat. GIS `Scale: 1 ":80'
*Date of Map: 1999
TN city •f
Palo Alto
1056 University Ave
Palo Alto, CA
This map Ise
product of Po
City of Palo Alto GIS
DPR 523.E (1/95)
Ms doctored is a preplan representation only WW2 salable sources the My of nab Alb assumes no responsibility for arty srrora.
'Required Information
Packet Pg. 267
PAGE &TURNBULL
385 WAVERLEY SREET
APN: 120-14-078
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criterion A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1901-1910
Summary of Significance: 385 Waverley Street was found eligible under Criterion A as a
representative of early single-family development within the original street grid of Palo Alto. Under
Criterion C, it was deemed eligible as a distinctive example of the typical square cottage type
designed by important early builder J.W. Wells.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: no alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to be 1901,
the year of the building's construction.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of
life important to the city, state or nation);
• Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important)
Statement of Significance: 385 Waverley Street is significant as an early square cottage house type
and as the work of an important early Palo Alto builder J.W. Wells.
Period of Significance: 1901
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓
Packet Pg. 268
❑ Artifact Record ❑ Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL J
NRHP Status Code 3S
Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 385 Waverley Street
P1. Other Identifier: 385 Waverley Street
P2. Location: 0 Not for Publication IN Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T ; R '/ of A of Sec ; B.M.
c. Address 385 Waverley Street City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone rnE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel if, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 14 078
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The house at 385 Waverley is a small, one-story, square cottage. It is a balloon -frame structure clad in shingles and covered
by a hip roof with flaring eaves. The roof has overhanging eaves and exposed rafters. The roof extends out over an entrance
porch in the center of the street side of the building. The street facade is symmetrical in composition with a window on either
side of the cental entrance porch and a hip roofed dormer that repeats the proportions of the house.
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: ® Building 0 Structure 0 Object ❑ Site ❑ District 0 Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
385 Waverley St.; view north;
08/08/01; by B. Vahey; roll BRV-XX,
neg #22
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: a Historic
0 Prehistoric 0 Both
1901; Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
Leone L. and Albert N. Johnson,
trustees, 19111 Croyden Terrace
Irvine, California 92612
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address}
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
18 August 2001
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and
Bradley for Dames & Moore)
*Attachments: 0 NONE ® Location Map ❑ Sketch Map ei Continuation Sheet Is Building, Structure and Object Record
o Archaeological Record ❑ District Record ❑ Linear Feature Record 0 Millil - •d
Packet Pg. 269
DPR 523A (1/95)! wave385.fl.wpd
*Required Information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 2 of 5
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*85. Architectural Style: Bungalow
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1901: Built (Palo Alto Times)
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 385 Waverley St.
*B7. Moved? la No 0 Yes O Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: J.W. Wells
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Pattern of development in Palo Alto; C: Square cottage Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1901-1910 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The house at 385 Waverley Street is located on a .08 acre lot in block 31 of the original University Park subdivision of
1889. According to the record in the series of Sanborn maps, this house shared a 93 -by -100 -foot corner lot at Lytton and
Waverley with another house numbered 411 Lytton Avenue from 1901 until sometime after 1924. The Sanborn map of 1949
showed a four -unit apartment building added to the same larger lot at some time since the publication of the Sanborn map of
1924.
Structure: The Palo Alto Times reported, on 20 April 1901, the construction of two cottages at the site in question by J.W.
Wells for Van Alstine Wallace at a total cost of $2,000. The Palo Alto City Directory first listed the cottage at 385 Waverley
in 1901.
Use: The two cottages were built as rental properties for Van Alstine Wallace, listed variously in city directories as a merchant,
a department manager at Frazer's, and as retired. Wallace lived at various addresses near the intersection of Lytton and
Waverley streets for many years including 385 Waverley, 411 Waverley, 407 Waverley, and 410 Lytton.
Until about 1905, Wallace lived with his wife, Anna, a Stanford graduate and a Latin teacher at Palo Alto High School.
According to a newspaper account of a lawsuit filed by Anna Wallace against the estate of her husband after his death in 1919,
he lived
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: 18 August 2001
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
DPR 571R f114Fi1 wavARRF fl wnrl
Packet Pg. 270
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRIITrinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL J
Page 3 of 5 Resource Identifier: 385 Waverley St.
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date 18 August 2001 a Continuation o Update
History (continued)
with Evelyn Jane Dunton (a.k.a. Ellen B. Lee) from 1907 until his death. The Palo Alto City Directory first listed the residence
at 385 Waverley in 1901. At that time, the occupants were Mrs. M.P. Newland and her sons, Lloyd and Ralph, both Stanford
students. The Newlands were succeeded by other households that included Stanford students, including Miss B.T. Lamborn,
a Latin student from 1904 to 1907. (Perhaps there was some connection between Anna Wallace, a Latin teacher, and Miss
Lamborn, a Latin student). In 1908, the owner of the property, Van A. Wallace was listed here. Subsequent residents included
Charles N. Cross, a mechanical engineering instructor at Stanford in 1910, two teachers, a grammar school principal, and a
dressmaker. In 1920-1921, Mrs. Wallace lived here after her husband's death. In 1921, the house was sold to John F. Gilpin,
an English born carpenter with Southern Pacific, who resided here until 1944. From 1946 to 1950, the house was occupied
by Mrs, Mary J. Carmichael, a bank teller. From 1953 to 1972 the house was owned by Albert E. Johson, a gardener. Johnson
and his wife, Clara, lived in the house except for one year during this period.
Evaluation
The house at 385 Waverley Street appears eligible to the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The
period of significance is from 1901, when it was built, to 1910, when its Stanford connection ended.
Under criterion A, the house represents both the early residential development of the original grid of the city and the early
connection between Palo Alto and Stanford. From 1901 to 1910, Stanford instructors or students resided here in all but one
year when the owner of the property was here.
Under criterion C, the house is an example of a typical early Palo Alto building type — a square cottage — designed by an
important early builder, J.W. Wells.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Metroscan/Santa Clara, County Assessor's Information on Palo Alto Properties including Assessor's Parcel Map. 1997.
Miller, Guy C. Letter to Superintendent of Schools, Chicago. 26 July 1945.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1901-1950.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update, Property File,
Palo Alto Times.
(obituary Albert Johnson) 18 October 1974.
"Widow of Wallace to Appeal Claims." 27 April 1921.
"Details Received of Death of Lloyd Newland." 21 October 1913.
"Heart Attack Proves Fatal to C.N. Cross." 11 January 1932.
"Private Rites Held for Mrs. Cross." 17 April 1952.
"Ellen Barnhisel Passes Suddenly." 27 October 1925.
"Funeral is Held for Agnes Drake." 8 June 1945.
"Last Rites Held for Agnes Drake." 8 June 1945.
"Mrs. Ellen Gilpin Taken by Death." 29 October 1926.
"Elderly Man Dies in Palo Alto Home." 1 June 1944,
"Funeral [?i for John Gilpin," 2 June 1944.
"Albert Johnson." 18 October 1974.
"Record of a Year's Progress: Building Record." 3 January 1902.
"Building." 20 April 1901.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1901.
Packet Pg. 271
rIPP R7' I 11/CAI vumm'SRF f1 ,a,n,l
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRIlTrinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL J
Page 4 of 5 Resource Identifier: 385 Waverley St.
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date 18 August 2001
® Continuation 0 Update
References (continued}
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1904.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1908.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
United States Census. 1900.
United States Census. 1910.
Packet Pg. 272
DPR 523L (11951 wava3R5 f1 wnrl
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary #
HRI#
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL J
Page 5 of 5 *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 385 Waverley St.
*Map Name: Palo Alto Planning Dept. GIS *Scale: 1":80' *Date of Map: 1999
Packet Pg. 273
DPR 523.111/R51 wavalRS f9 wnrl
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
CRITERIA 2 & 6 NOMINATIONS
Properties proposed for designation under Palo Alto Criteria 2 and 6:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of life
important to the city, state or nation)
• Criterion 6 (The structure or site contains elements demonstrating outstanding attention to
architectural design, detail, materials or craftsmanship)
Address
Criteria
Category
162 Bryant Street
2, 6
2
1590 California Avenue
2, 6
2
825 Kipling Street
2, 6
2
1757 Park Boulevard
2, 6
2
530 Webster Street
2, 6
2
Page &Turnbull 1 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNI
Packet Pg. 274
PAGE &TURNBULL
162 BRYANT STREET
APN: 120-24-038
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1908-1950
Summary of Significance: 162 Bryant Street was deemed eligible under Criterion A as a
representative of the establishment of Palo Alto in its first two decades by middle-class families.
Under Criterion C, it was deemed eligible as a representative of the work of carpenters or builders
who were influenced by traditional practices and published building plans.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1908, the
year of the building's construction. The Criterion A significance identified in the 2001 Survey has
been omitted as the subject building is not known to have served as a catalyst for early middle-class
development.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly representative of an architectural style or way
of life important to the city, state or nation)
• Criterion 6 (The structure or site contains elements demonstrating outstanding attention to
architectural design, detail, materials or craftsmanship)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓
Packet Pg. 275
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Statement of Significance: 162 Bryant Street is significant as an elaborate example of an early
common square cottage house type built from published building plans. It features stylistic
elements of the Edwardian era that combine Colonial Revival and Queen Anne characteristics. It
retains a high level of integrity and craftsmanship.
Period of Significance: 1908
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 276
N., —,— I— YIJ-JUL-J IJ�1
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #. .
Trinomial..
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 35
Other Listings
Review Code. Reviewer
Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 162 Bryant St
P1. Other Identifier: 162 Bryant St
P2. Location: ❑ Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T • R _; _'A of _''A of Sec : B.M.
c. Address 162 Bryant St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone • mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 24 038
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The house at 162 Bryant is a large and elaborate example of a common type. It is a one-story, stud -frame house above a raised
basement. The house and half porch at the front are covered by a hip roof. A projecting wing at the front and a side bay
window are covered by gable roofs.
The main walls of the house are clad in 2 -lap or 3 -lap siding, except for a frieze under the eaves clad in flush siding. The gables
are clad in fish -scale shingles. Fenestration includes a paneled front door and double -hung windows except in some locations
on the front. On the porch is a high horizontal casement window (perhaps a piano window) and in the projecting wing is a
tripartite window with multi -pane sidelights and upper sash of the central window.
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: e Building ❑ Structure ❑ Object 0 Site 0 District ❑ Element of District ❑ Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
162 Bryant St: view southwest
09120/99: by B. Vahey: roll BRV-84.
neo #19
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
ca. 1908: City Directory
*P7. Owner and Address:
George & Lora Smith
162 Bryant St Palo Alto CA 94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco. CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
January 11. 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore. 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE ® Location Map 0 Sketch Map ® Continuation S eet ® Building, Structure and Objet Record
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record 0 Milli Packet Pg. 277 �d
o Artifact Record ❑ Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
DPR 523A (1/95)/ BRYA162.F1
*Required information.
State of California -- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
HRliTrinomial
Page 2 of 5 Resource Identifier: 162 Bryant St
Recorded by Michael Corbett
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*Date January 11, 2000 (4 Continuation 0 Update
Description (continued)
In plan, this house is generally rectangular except at the front where various features give it a lively and irregular form. The
exterior wall is defined by a projecting wing with an angled bay window facing the street, an entrance vestibule standing out
from the main walls under the porch, and an angled bay window facing the side. The central portions of this irregular exterior
wall are covered by a porch. Lacking a Tax Assessor's card and the detailed information it provides about structure, finishes,
and rooms, little is known about the interior. According to MetroScan (1999), this building has eight rooms including four
bedrooms and two family rooms. The other two rooms are, presumably, a living room and dining room. In addition, there is
a kitchen and three bathrooms. The raised basement would appear to have been finished long after the original house and to
include the two family rooms. Thus, the main house must contain a living room, dining room and two to four bedrooms.
Because the front door is off center, this house appears less likely to have a corridor providing access to rooms, and more likely
to have a more modern, open plan. Several houses of a similar character appear in Wilson's Bungalow Book of 1908.
The appearance of the house mixes forms and images usually associated with 19th -century houses on the one hand and 20th -
century bungalows on the other hand. The basic shape of the house as it appears from the street, a one-story square box with
a hip roof and a projecting wing with an angled bay window at the front, was common in the 1890s. Such houses were often
decorated with ornament from the Queen Anne style, which was popular at the time, and have often been called Queen Anne
cottages in style guides of the 1960s -1990s. Unlike this house, however, cottages of the 1890s were usually clad in different
siding (including rustic siding and patterned shingles) and had a higher pitched roof with a gable over the projecting wing. The
lively and irregular form of the front of this house is also characteristic of houses of the 1890s.
Houses with plans like this were published in newspapers, magazines, and plan books. They were widely available and were
commonly used with and without modifications as sources of ideas for homeowners and as plans for carpenters, builders, and
architects. Wilson's Bungalow Book of 1908 illustrated several house plans like many other published plans that might have
served as a starting point for the design of this house.
The finishes and decorative details of this house also mix imagery from the 1890s with imagery from the time the house was
built (ca. 1908). The contrasting textures of the wall siding and the shingled gables recall the Queen Anne style of the 1890s.
At the same time, these and other features are associated with the imagery of the Colonial Revival style and with bungalows
of the 1900s. The siding, the round porch columns that visually support an entablature, and the paneled soffits are associated
with the Colonial Revival style. The textured walls, the low pitch of the roof, and the suggestion of an open floor plan, are
characteristics of bungalows.
Packet Pg. 278
DPR 523L (1195) BRYA162.F1 *Required Information
State of California --- The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 3 of 5 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 162 Bryant St
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Colonial Revival
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
ca. 1908: Built (City Directory)
*B7. Moved? ® No 0 Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Pattern of development; C: Common local house type Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1908-1950 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The 1904 edition of the Sanborn map of Palo Alto shows no structure on the parcel of land that became 162 Bryant.
Property lines on that map indicate that the parcel's proportions had not yet been determined. On the same map one can see
that this portion of Palo Alto served residential purposes exclusively from the beginning.
Building History: The City Directories first list 162 Bryant in the 1908 edition. There is no evidence of a later change of street
numbers to cause a confusion of the present 162 Bryant with another structure. At the same time the Santa Clara County
MetroScan dates the building to 1912. The Historic Inventory Survey and City of Palo Alto Index to Building Permits gives no
reference. The 1910 U.S. Census lists Harry and Adeline Vandervoort living at 162 Bryant with their two sons of six and four
years. They are identified as owners of the property with a mortgage.
History of Use: According to the City Directories, the house at 162 Bryant was first occupied as the residence of the proprietor
of a transfer company and his family. W. Allguire a gas fitter is also identified as resident at the address. He shares the
proprietors wife's maiden name. So whatever the details of the arrangement, it seems to have been a situation other than that
of householder taking in boarders. W. Allguire was gone by the time of the 1910 U.S. Census. The house continued to be the
residence of the families of proprietors and managers of commercial establishments located in the town for much of the first
half of the century.
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: January 11, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
DPR 523B (1195) BRYA162.F1
Packet Pg. 279
*Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 4 of 5 Resource Identifier: 162 Bryant St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date January 11, 2000 El Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Evaluation
The house at 162 Bryant Street appears to possess significance under criteria A and C of the NRHP. It appears eligible at the
local level of significance for the period 1908 to 1950. Under criterion A, it represents the establishment of the original part
of Palo Alto in its first two decades by middle class families — the first owners owned a transfer company. Under criterion C,
it is a large and elaborate example of a common house type that mixed forms and images from the 1890s and 1900s. It
represents the work of carpenters or builders influenced by traditional practices and published building plans. In plan and shape
it recalls a common small house type of the 1890s. At the same time, in style and decoration it is a bungalow, with elements
of the Queen Anne, Colonial Revival, and Craftsman styles.
The house appears to possess integrity. Its high basement, finished as living space, appears to be an addition, date unknown.
This is a common type of addition, that might have been made anytime from the 1910s to the 1990s.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
MetroScan. 1999.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 13 April 1940.
Palo Alto Times. Alfred McAslan, 14 August 1951; Effie McAslan, 13 November 1967; Anne Patricia Williams, 14 December
1970; Nancy Walker, 23 June 1981; Nettie S. Walker, 25 March 1952.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1904.
Sanborn Map Company. insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
U.S. Census. 1910.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Wilson, Henry L. The Bungalow Book: A Short Sketch of the Evolution of the Bungalow from its Primitive Crudeness to its
Present State of Artistic Beauty and Cozy Convenience. Illustrated with Drawings of Exteriors, Floor Plans, Interiors and Cozy
Corners of Bungalows Which Have Been Built from Original Designs. 4th edition. Los Angeles: Henry L. Wilson, 1908.
Packet Pg. 280
DPR 523L (1/95) BRYA162.F1 'Required Information
State of California -- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT' OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION, MAP
Page _ 5. of
*Map Name: Palo Alto Plannino Dept. GIS *Scale: 1":80'
Primary
HRI#
Trinorniat.
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
•Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 162 Brvant St
12045-1
120.45-2
120-45.3
120-45.4
120-45-5
120-45-6
120-45-7
120-45-8
*Date of Map: 1999
DPR 523J (1/95)
Tab documrd Is * graphic ngpert0bn only of ball wadable scums. TM Cyr of Palo Ab mace. no raaponsibilly lo[ rry away
"Required In ama: ion
Packet Pg. 281
PAGE &TURNBULL
1590 CALIFORNIA AVENUE
APN: 137-05-066
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1912-1950
Summary of Significance: 1590 California Avenue was found significant under Criterion A for
representing the early development of the former town of Mayfield, and under Criterion C as a good
example of a Craftsman style bungalow.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The building's association with the early development of
the former town of Mayfield, due to its early date of construction, has been omitted as this building
has not been determined to be the earliest building built or to have served as a catalyst for the
construction of other nearby residences. The style and type of building has been clarified as a
Craftsman style square cottage. The period of significance is revised to 1912, the year of the
building's construction.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓ I .Y+
Packet Pg. 282
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly representative of an architectural style or way
of life important to the city, state or nation)
• Criterion 6 (The structure or site contains elements demonstrating outstanding attention to
architectural design, detail, materials or craftsmanship)
Statement of Significance: 1590 California Avenue is an excellent example of a Craftsman style
square cottage residential building and demonstrates good architectural detailing representative of
the period.
Period of Significance: 1912
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 283
I'(,/l—,— — YIJ- JUL-J,JY
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Item 2
Primary # Attachment A 2023-11-
HRI # 09 HRB Nomination
Trinomial i Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 1590 California Ave
P1. Other Identifier: 1590 California Ave
P2. Location: 0 Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T _• R _; _%4 of _'A of Sec B.M.
c. Address 1590 California Ave City Palo Alto Zip 94306
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone • mE! mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 137 05 066
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The following description addresses the building in terms of its structure, plan, and appearance. The structure and plan are
described using three sources of information (1949 Assessment Record prepared by the Tax Assessor, Sanborn maps, and
current survey information — photographs, Field Notes form, and site visits from 1998 and 1999). The description of the
structure and plan is presented for two phases in the building's history. The building is presented as it was built, or as it was
at the earliest time warranted by the information available. Second the building is presented as it has changed, up to the present
(1999),
The house at 1590 California is a one-story balloon -frame structure with a concrete wall foundation. The house and an L-shaped
front porch are covered by a hip roof with overhanging eaves. The frame is clad on the exterior in shingles, nailed on sheathing,
or possibly on nailers. Inside, floors are pine and walls are plastered. In 1949, the Tax Assessor recorded a gas -fired hot-air
heating system and one fireplace with a chimney. Fenestration consists of double -hung windows and paneled doors.
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Simile family property
*P4. Resources Present: 5 Building ❑ Structure 0 Object ❑ Site 0 District 0 Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
1590 S California Ave; view
northwest: 09/21/99: by B. Vahev:
roll BRV-85, neg #34
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: s Historic
o Prehistoric ❑ Both
1912: Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
Joyce Campbell
PO Box 60957 Palo Alto CA 94306
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street. Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
December 27. 1999
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore. 2000)
*Attachments: ❑ NONE ® Location Map ❑ Sketch Map s Continuation SiPat ® Building, Structure and 0h'e t Record
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record 0 Milli i Packet Pg. 284
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
DPR 523A (1 19511 CAL1590.F1
*Required Information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 2 of 5 Resource Identifier: 1590 California Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date December 27, 1999 Continuation ❑ Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Description (continued)
In plan, this house is nearly square. With its porch, the roof covers a rectangular area. In 1949, rooms recorded by the Tax
Assessor included a living room, dining room, three bedrooms, a bath, and a kitchen. While the arrangement of the interior is
not known, the location of the front steps off -center and the front door even more off -center suggests something other than
a central hall plan. (For more information on this type of arrangement, see the square cottage context that accompanies the
final survey report.).
In appearance, this is a Craftsman Bungalow, characterized by a low hip roof with overhanging eaves and exposed rafter ends,
shingled walls, a full porch with square posts, and an overall simplicity of form and decoration. (For more information on this
type of house, see the bungalow context that accompanies the final survey report.)
Packet Pg. 285
DPR 523L (1/95) CAL159d.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 3 of 5 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 1590 California Ave
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
63. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Craftsman Bungalow
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1912: Built (Palo Alto Times)
*B7. Moved? ® No 0 Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Development period in Mayfield: C: Craftsman Bungalow Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1912-1950 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The Sanborn map of 1925 shows the house now numbered 1590 California to have been built on what had originally been
five 25 by 115 foot lots of Block No. 16 (Nos. 1-5) in College Terrace. The Sanborn map of 1945 shows that in the interim
a second dwelling (1550 California) had been built on the same property. Sometime after 1945, this second dwelling and a 50
by 115 foot portion of the originally 125 by 115 foot parcel was sold off, leaving the site of 1590 California a 75 by 115 foot
lot on the north corner of California and Bowdoin.
Structure: According to the Santa Clara County MetroScan, the house at 1590 California was built in 1912. This date is
consistent with the appearance of the house which looks like others built in the period from about 1905 to 1915. Sanborn
maps do not cover the neighborhood prior to 1924, no mention has been discovered in the Palo Alto Times, and the city
directories do not list the address prior to 1926. The Assessor's records note only a modest interior remodeling and the repair
of existing stairs in 1973.
Use: The Palo Alto city directories from 1926 to 1950 list single, working class families as residents in the six room house at
1590 California. The same directories indicate that these families tended to own the property while they lived there. From 1936
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*812. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*814. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: December 27, 1999
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 286
DPR 523B (1 /95) CAL1590.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRIITrinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 4 of 5 Resource Identifier: 1590 California Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date December 27, 1999 ® Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
through at least 1950, Mrs. Carrie H. Luchning, a widow, and Gertrude Luchning, a public school teacher, shared the house.
The City Directory indicated that Mrs. Carrie Luchning was the owner.
Evaluation
This house appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance for the period 1912-1950.
Under criterion A, as a single family house it represents a period of renewal and growth in Mayfield following incorporation and
control of the taverns.
Under criterion C, it is an example of a characteristic building type — a Craftsman bungalow.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1926-1950.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 8 July 1940, 11 January 1958, 28 January 1977.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Map of Mayfield. New York: 1924, 1945.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1958.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Winslow, Ward and the Palo Alto Historical Association. Palo Alto: A Centennial History. Palo Alto: Palo Alto Historical
Association, 1993.
Packet Pg. 287
DPR 523L (1 /95) CAL1590.F1 "Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary #
HRI#
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page of
*Map Name: Palo Alto Plannina Deot. GIS "Scale: 1 ":80'
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 15.90 California Ave
"Date of Map: 1999
OPR 523J (1/95)
docun.es biographic
only or boil ava3.a. mums. Th. Cy al Pm lib ammo no naponsibiley fog few woes.
*Requited Intonation
Packet Pg. 288
PAGE &TURNBULL
825 KIPLING STREET
APN: 120-17-021
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1898-1916
Summary of Significance: 825 Kipling Street was found significant under Criterion A for its
association with the original residential development of Palo Alto, and under Criterion C as one of
the most elaborate versions of a square cottage with Queen Anne style features to be constructed in
the late nineteenth century in Palo Alto.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: Windows replaced; no other alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The building's association with the original residential
development of Palo Alto has been omitted and the period of significance is revised to consist of
1898, the year of the building's construction.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly representative of an architectural style or way
of life important to the city, state, or nation)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓ I .Y+
Packet Pg. 289
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL
• Criterion 6 (The structure or site contains elements demonstrating outstanding attention to
architectural design, detail, materials, or craftsmanship)
Statement of Significance: 825 Kipling Street is significant as one of the most elaborate early square
cottages in Palo Alto that uses Queen Anne style detailing and is reminiscent of several typical
pattern book designs of the late nineteenth century that used the diagonal projecting wing plan. The
building illustrates the familiarity of local builders with the popular pattern book designs of the day.
Period of Significance: 1898
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 290
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
NRHP Status Code
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL 2
as
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 823-825 Kipling St
P1. Other Identifier: 823-825 Kipling St
P2. Location: ❑ Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto. CA Date 1991 T _ R _; _'/Q of _'Y4 of Sec . B.M.
c. Address 823-825 Kipling St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone • mE/ mN
"e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 17 021
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The following description addresses the building in terms of its structure, plan, and appearance. The structure and plan are
described using three sources of information (1949 Assessment Record prepared by the Tax Assessor, Sanborn maps, and
current survey information — photographs, Field Notes form, and site visits from 1998 and 1999). The description of the
structure and plan is presented for two phases in the building's history. The building is presented as it was built, or as it was
at the earliest time warranted by the information available. Second the building is presented as it has changed, up to the present
(1999).
The house at 823-825 Kipling is a one-story structure with a full basement and unfinished attic space. It is covered by a hip
roof with gabled wings. The house is a balloon -frame structure that had brick foundation walls in 1949. The house is enclosed
on the exterior by rustic siding that is nailed to the frame without sheathing. Small gable areas are clad in shingles. Fenestration
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: 2 Building 0 Structure 0 Object ❑ Site ❑ District o Element of District ❑ Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #1
823-825 Kipling St: view northeast:
09/16/99; by B. Vahev: roll BRV-82.
neg #34
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: in Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
1898: Metroscan
*P7. Owner and Address:
Carl McCluskev
7560 Nez Perce Dr Bozeman MT
59715
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
December 29, 1999
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore. 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE ® Location Map 0 Sketch Map ® Continuation S
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record 0 Milli
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
feet ® Building. Structure and Objeo
Packet Pg. 291
t Record
d
DPR 523A 11/951/ KIPL823.F1
*Required information.
Item 2
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary # Attachment A 2023 -11 -
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial 09 HRB Nomination
CONTINUATION SHEET \, Package -FULL
Page 2 of 5 Resource Identifier: 823-825 Kipline St
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date December 29, 1999 ® Continuation 0 Update
Description (continued)
consists of wood, double -hung windows and paneled doors. Interior finishes include hardwood floors on the first floor. In 1949,
there were two gas -fired floor furnaces and no fireplaces.
In plan, this house is a notably irregular variation of an otherwise standard example of a typical Palo Alto house type — the
square cottage. From the main, nearly square body of the house, there are projections in three directions. At the front, there
is a projecting wing and half porch, like in many other square cottages. In addition, there is a diagonally projecting wing at the
south corner. On the northwest side of the house there is a slight projection of most of the wall. In 1949, the Tax Assessor
identified the following rooms, all on the main floor: two living rooms, two bedrooms, two baths, two kitchens, and one service
porch. In other words, at that time, there were two one -bedroom apartments in the building.
In appearance, this is a small example of a house that mixes the common square cottage form with elaborations of that form
and decorative details from the Queen Anne style. Three plans presented in the Newsom brothers' Picturesque California Houses
of 1884 are similar in their general layout. These are one-story cottages with a projecting wing and a porch across the front
and a diagonal projecting wing at the corner. Each of the Newsom brothers' plans has a central hallway with rooms on either
side, as this house must have. The Newsom brother's houses are more elaborately decorated. Although some details are missing
from this house (e.g., porch decoration, like spindles; possibly roof cresting at the ridges) it is similar in character, if simpler and
cheaper, than the Newsom brothers' models. In this house, there is a contrast in wall textures in the rustic siding and shingled
gables. The porch columns were turned on a lathe and the brackets at the tops of the columns were made with a jigsaw. Apart
from the eaves with their paneled soffits and the broken -pediment -like gables, this house lacks references to historical styles
of architecture.
Packet Pg. 292
DPR 523L (1/95) KIPL823.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 3 of 5 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 823-825 Kipling St
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family Droperty
*B5. Architectural Style: Queen Anne
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1898: Built (Metroscan)
ca. 1946: Converted to duplex
*B7. Moved? E2 No ❑ Yes ❑ Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Original residential development in Palo Alto; C: Square cottage Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1898-1946 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The duplex now numbered 823 and 825 Kipling is situated on a 50 -by -1121/2- foot lot in Block No. 26 of the original plan
of 1889. Kipling was not on that plan but appears on a map of the city published in the Palo Alto Live Oak on 2 September
1898. The lot's size was typical of a suburban lot of its day. Sometime after the 1904 Sanborn map and before the 1924
Sanborn map, a garage was built behind the house near the east corner of the lot. Then, sometime after 1924 and before 1949,
a second, larger garage was built next to the first one, stretching across most of the rest of the back of the lot.
Structure: The Santa Clara County MetroScan dates the residence at 823-825 Kipling to 1898. It appears on the Live Oak map
of 1898 mentioned above and first appears on the series of Sanborn maps on that of 1901. The Palo Alto City Directory lists
823 Kipling in 1901 as the home of Mrs. Addie Thomas, Beulah Thomas, and Ed Thomas. The Assessor's records note no
alterations, the City Directory shows that about 1941 the dwelling went from being a single family residence to a duplex which
would have entailed some interior alterations.
Use: James Aeneas Mosher immigrated from Nova Scotia in 1903 and was listed at 823 Kipling in the Palo Alto City Directory
of 1904. According to the U.S. Census of 1910, Mr. Mosher's wife Minnie, his son Reuben, and daughters Nora, Maud and
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: December 29, 1999
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 293
DPR 523811/95) KIPL823.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 4 of 5 Resource Identifier: 823-825 Kit)line St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date December 29, 1999 ® Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
1
History (continued)
Ada had all immigrated in 1903 as well. According to an obituary published in the Palo Alto Times on 12 December 1916, also
with him in Palo Alto were three brothers and a sister. One of those brothers, George W. Mosher, was associated with James
in the building business. James Mosher died at a building site on the Stanford campus in 1916. Minnie Mosher continued to
be listed at the address until 1940. She was residing at the home of a daughter in Mountain View when she died in 1949
(obituary 18 May 1949). The house, as 823 Kipling, was listed vacant in 1941, and in 1942, as 823 and 825, was listed
vacant twice. By 1944, the two units were each occupied by a married couple. On the tax card, prepared in 1949, the owner's
name was Albrect E. Lindner and the current MetroScan lists the name Lindner among co -owners.
Evaluation
This house at 823-825 Kipling appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance for the period
1898 to 1916, when James Mosher died.
Under criterion A, it represents the original residential development of the city of Palo Alto. As the home of James Mosher and
his family, it is associated with the construction of buildings in early Palo Alto. James was one of several brothers in the
construction business here (the best known was George W. Mosher). James died in 1916 working on a building at Stanford.
His brother Thomas, a contractor, also lived here in 1910.
Under criterion C, this is one of the most distinctive and elaborate versions of a common Palo Alto house type in the city — the
square cottage. It is similar in its general character including its diagonal projecting wing, to three pattern book designs in
Picturesque California Homes by the Newsom brothers.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Newsom, Samuel and Joseph Cather Newsom. Picturesque California Homes: A Volume of Forty Plates, Plans, Details and
Specifications of Houses Costing from $7,000 to $15,000, and adapted to Families Having Good Taste and Moderate Means.
City and Country Homes. San Francisco: 1884. Reprint with an Introduction by David Gebhard, Los Angeles: Hennessey &
Ingalls, Inc., 1978.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1901-1950.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Live Oak. 2 September 1898.
Palo Alto Times. 12 December 1916, 15 May 1949.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1901.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1967.
U.S. Census. 1910.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 294
DPR 523L (1/95) KIPL823.F1 *Required Information
State of California -- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP Trinomial
Page of � "Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 8g3-825 Kiolino St
*Map Name: Palo Alto Piannina Dent. GIS `Scale: 1":80' *Date of Map: 1999
Primary
HRI#
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
823-825 Kipling St
120-17-021
!ae Chy e/
Palo Alto
DPR 523J (1/951
This dooumue b a MOW representation may a1 best sealable sourest The Cry dPilo Alto assumes no n.pono dly lot any emus.
p'cRrasp er • /jam
City ofPalo A�GIS
(/�J}
*PeritireatratoTroncn
Packet Pg. 295
PAGE &TURNBULL
1757 PARK BOULEVARD
APN: 124-25-039
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
r
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
&T
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1904-1919
Summary of Significance: 1757 Park Boulevard was deemed eligible under Criterion A as a
representative of early development patterns in the Evergreen Park subdivision. Under Criterion C, it
was deemed eligible as a variation of the common early Palo Alto building type, the two-story box.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1904, the
year of the building's construction. The significance of the property under Criterion A, as a
representative of early development patterns in the Evergreen Park subdivision, has been omitted,
as many extant properties express this development context and this significance may be better
expressed through the survey and potential identification of a historic district.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of
life important to the city, state or nation);
• Criterion 6 (The structure or site contains elements demonstrating outstanding attention to
architectural design, detail, materials or craftsmanship)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JrJ 1 -P-.
Packet Pg. 296
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Statement of Significance: 1757 Park Boulevard is significant as an excellent and early example of
the Foursquare house type with Colonial Revival and Prairie style characteristics. It was constructed
with high quality materials and retains a high level of integrity and architectural character.
Period of Significance: 1904
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 297
1 Y1 1 ,..01_, ILLY I J'JV L -J I JY
State of California The Resources Agency,
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 4 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 1757 Park Blvd
P1. Other Identifier: 1757 Park Blvd
P2. Location: ❑ Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T _; R V. of Y. of Sec ; B.M.
c. Address 1757 Park Blvd City Palo Alto Zip 94306
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 124 25 039
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The house at 1757 Park Boulevard is a two-story, wood -frame structure clad in three -lap siding and covered by a hip roof. The
second story overhangs a full porch across the front. The house has a rectangular footprint with a bay window on the west
side and a one-story extension across the rear. Inside, there is a full basement, a living room, dining room, kitchen, and service
porch downstairs; and a bath and four bedrooms upstairs — with one bedroom in each corner.
In appearance, this house mixes imagery associated with traditional box -like American houses and the Colonial Revival style.
The symmetry of the house is established by its hip roof and central hip roofed dormer, the symmetrical arrangement of second
floor windows, and the four evenly spaced porch columns. Decorative features include paneled eaves, a frieze under the eaves,
a column order on the porch, a flaring wall at the base of the upper floor, and patterned mullions in the windows.
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: ® Building ❑ Structure ❑ Object o Site ❑ District ❑ Element of District ❑ Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
1757 Park Blvd; view northwest;
09121199; by B. Vahev; roll BRV-85,
neg #23
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
Prehistoric 0 Both
1904; Metroscan
*P7. Owner and Address:
John & Susan Thomas
1757 Park Blvd Palo Alto CA 94306
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett. Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
May 10. 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: ❑ NONE ® Location Map ❑ Sketch Map (a Continuation Sheet ® Building, Structure and Object Record
o Archaeological Record 0 District Record ❑ Linear Feature Record ❑ Milli) Packet Pg. 298 d
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
DPR 523A (1/95)/ PARK1757.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 2 of 4
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL
*NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 1757 Park Blvd
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Colonial Revival
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1904: Built (Metroscan)
1915: Garage remodeled
1977: Interior remodeling
*B7. Moved? No 0 Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Development of Evergreen Park subdivision; C: Two-story box type house Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1904-1919 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The General Plan of the Town of Mayfield, California dated March 1919 showed the property now numbered 1757 Park
Boulevard as lot 8 in Block 19 of the Evergreen Park subdivision. Granted the irregularities in the dimensions of the lots in Block
19 due to the curve in Park Boulevard, lot 8 is a standard 50 -foot lot in a rational scheme of subdivision. The boundaries of
the property must, therefore, have been determined by that subdivision, and they have not been altered since.
Structure: The Santa Clara MetroScan dates the house at 1757 Park Boulevard to 1904, the year of the Evergreen Park
subdivision. According to the Assessor's records, the garage was remodeled in 1915. In 1977, a building permit was issued
for sheet -rocking interior walls of the house over existing walls. The house now has three bathrooms which would have been
highly unusual for a small house built in 1904. This suggests that other interior remodeling must have taken place.
Use: The Palo Alto City Directory listed Austin and Evangeline Thomson living in the single family residence at 1757 Park (then
numbered 222 Park) from 1910 to 1918. According to a sketch published in the Palo Alto Times, on 11 September 1944,
Thomson had begun working as a cashier and bookkeeper for the Cooperative Land and Trust Company just about the time it
See continuation sheet
B1 1. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: May 10. 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 299
DPR 523E (1/95) PARK1757.F1 *Required Information
State of California - The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
HRIITrinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 3 of 4 Resource Identifier: 1757 Park Blvd
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history} *Date May 10, 2000 la Continuation ❑ Update
History (continued)
opened the Evergreen Park tract. Austin Thomson married Evangeline Thompson in 1905, and the couple was listed in the
earliest available directory in 1910 as residents of this house. (A title search might show if the Thomson's were the original
owners or if they rented from the Cooperative Land and Trust Company who was both his employer and the developer of the
subdivision.) Evangeline was the daughter of A.G. Thompson who established the Home Bakery in Palo Alto in 1897. The
Thomsons moved to Fresno in 1919. From 1927 until his death in 1956, James B. Diehl owned and occupied the house with
his wife, Clara. He was identified for all of those years as a chauffeur.
Evaluation
This house at 1757 Park appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The period of
significance is from about 1904, when it was built, to 1919, when the Thomsons left.
Under criterion A, this house was one of the first houses built in the Evergreen Park subdivision. Because of that and because
its first (?) and longtime resident, Austin Thomson, was an employee of the developer, this house represents the development
of the subdivision.
Under criterion C, this house is a variation of a common early Palo Alto building type — the two-story box.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1910-1953.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 1 February 1921, 11 September 1944, 18 September 1956.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1945.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1967.
Santa Clara County. Recorder. Document No. 13652308. 27 March 1997.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 300
DPR 523L (1195) PARK1757.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
tiRI#
LOCATION MAP Trinomial _
Page 4 of 4 *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder)
*Map Name: Palo Alto Planning Dept. GIS *Scale: 1":80'
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
1757 Park Blvd
*Date of Map: 1999
DPR 523J (1/95)
Thla doaunwna Is a papa represertalbn only of best available worms tin CIy of Palls Alb assumes no responiNlry for any arms
*Required Information
Packet Pg. 301
PAGE &TURNBULL
530 WEBSTER STREET
APN: 120-03-059
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1928-1932
Summary of Significance: 530 Webster Street was found significant under Criterion A for its
connection to a prolific period of apartment construction in Palo Alto in the late 1920s, and under
Criterion C as an excellent example of a middle-class garden apartment of the 1920s.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1928, the
year of the building's construction, as this date encompasses both the building's association with the
construction of apartment buildings in Palo Alto and its architectural significance.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly representative of an architectural style or way
of life important to the city, state, or nation)
• Criterion 6 (The structure or site contains elements demonstrating outstanding attention to
architectural design, detail, materials, or craftsmanship)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
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Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
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Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL
Statement of Significance: 530 Webster Street represents a significant increase in apartment
building construction in Palo Alto in the late 1920s and is an excellent example of a 1920s garden
apartment building for the middle-class that incorporates a mixture of Spanish Colonial Revival and
Mission Revival style design elements that are unusual for an apartment building in Palo Alto.
Period of Significance: 1928
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 303
N., —,— I— YIJ-JUL-J IJ�1
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Trinomial. .. .. ` Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 530 Webster St
P1. Other Identifier: 530 Webster St
P2. Location: 0 Not for Publication ut Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T _; R _ Y. of _'/, of Sec . B.M.
c. Address 530 Webster St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _ mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 03 059
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The 1949 Sanborn map shows this property at 530 Webster occupied by two structures, an apartment building occupying most
of the site and a garage at the rear. Driveways on both sides of the apartment building provide access to the garage. The
apartment building is arranged in a U -plan around a landscaped courtyard that is open to the street. The courtyard is entered
on axis by an original sidewalk. At the mouth of the courtyard, the sidewalk branches in two, and circumscribes the courtyard
in a ractrack shape with straight sides and round ends. This sidewalk provides access to entries located on the three walls
facing the courtyard. At the center of the courtyard is a fountain with a birdbath, and between the edge of the sidewalk and
the building is a narrow planting strip.
The U -plan of the apartment building is interrupted on its outside walls by a recessed light court in each of the three wings of
the building. Inside the courtyard, there is an entry to multiple units in each wing. Altogether there are 16 units according to
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP3 Multiple family oropertv
*P4. Resources Present: a Building ❑ Structure 0 Object 0 Site 0 District 0 Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
{View, date, accession #)
530 Webster St; view southwest:
09/16/99: by B. Vahev; roll BRV-81,
neq #14
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
o Prehistoric 0 Both
1928; City Directory
*P7. Owner and Address:
Dennis & Karen Levett
502 Waverlev St Palo Alto CA 94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
March 24. 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE ® Location Map 0 Sketch Map ® Continuation Sheet z Building, Structure and Objet Record
0 Archaeological Record ❑ District Record 0 Linear Feature Record 0 Millir
0 Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
Packet Pg. 304
DPR 523A (1/951/ WEBS530.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomlal
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 2 of 5 Resource Identifier: 530 Webster St
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date March 24, 2000 Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL
Description (continued)
the 1949 Sanborn map. The building is a wood -frame structure clad in stucco and covered by a flat roof. Parapet walls are
coped in red roof tiles. The decorative design is an overlay that uses elements associated with the Spanish and Mediterranean
Revivals. It is symmetrical in composition, with round -arched windows and doors in those facades that directly face the street.
On the inside walls facing the main courtyard, standard double -hung windows are grouped in twos and threes, and the entry
openings have rounded corners. The outside walls are unembellished. Decorative details include iron hardware, glazed doorways,
round and rectangular panels (tile?) in the parapets, and projecting wood beams in the facades overlooking the street. The
garage is a one-story wood structure with board and batten siding and a flat roof.
Packet Pg. 305
DPR 523L (1195) WEBS530.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 3 of 5
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL
*NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 530 Webster St
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Multiple family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Spanish/Mediterranean Revivals
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1928: Built (City Directory)
1949: Remodel
*B7. Moved? ra No 0 Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: Aro and Okerman (19491
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Pattern of development in Palo Alto; C: Garden apartment of 1920s Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1928-1932 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The apartment house at 530 Webster Street is situated on a lot just a bit larger than 100 by 150 feet located in Block 38
of the original University Park scheme of 1889.
Structure: The Palo Alto Times reported, on 1 March 1923, that E.M. Thomas, the owner of the property at 530 Webster, was
building a garage there at a cost of $600. The same newspaper reported, on 1 January 1924, that an addition was made to
the structure at a cost of $100. The Sanborn map of 1924 showed a small one-story dwelling at the rear of the property.
Apparently the structure was occupied as a residence. This is verified by the Palo Alto City Directory which first listed the
address in the edition of 1924 at which time Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were resident. By the City Directory of 1928, an apartment
house had been built and occupied by its tenants of whom the Thomas's were two. Thomas appears to have been the developer
of the apartment house although he might have had partners. The Thomas' were listed continuously as residents at this address,
with E.M. Thomas listed as a gardener. It is interesting to note that the construction of the apartment house would not have
required the immediate demolition of the garage dwelling. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas may have remained where they were until their
new apartment was ready. The Palo Alto Times reported, on 13 October 1949, that the construction firm of Aro & Okerman
were undertaking a $1,000 remodel for the owners, J.E. and G.P. Shearer.
See continuation sheet
B1 1. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: March 24, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
DPR 523B (1(95) WEBS530.F1
Packet Pg. 306
*Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 4 of 5 Resource Identifier: 530 Webster St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date March 24, 2000 0 Continuation o Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
Use: The Palo Alto City Directory first listed the Cardinal Court Apartments at 530 Webster Street in 1928. In that year fifteen
family names were listed at the address, three of which were of a husband and wife, one of a widowed mother and her
daughter. Seven of the fifteen families were listed without occupation, three occupants were listed as teachers, and there was
a store manager, a saleswoman, a clerk and E.M. Thomas, a gardener. Later directories would continue to list occupants who
tended to have white collar jobs or else seemed to be retired. A majority of the occupants throughout our period of inquiry were
single. The record in the City Directory indicates that a sizeable proportion of the single women were widowed or divorced.
It does not give any clue about the status of the single men.
Evaluation
This property, at 530 Webster Street, appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The
period of significance is from 1928 to about 1932, encompassing the year the house was built until an apartment construction
boom ended in the early 1930s.
Under criterion A, this property represents an important period of apartment construction in Palo Alto in the late 1920s when.
social and economic conditions brought about the first large number of apartment buildings.
Under criterion C, this property is an example of a middle class, garden apartment of the 1920s.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Dorfman, Sonia. "Boarding Houses and Apartment Houses in Palo Alto: 1893-1945." Historical context statement prepared
for Palo Alto Historic Building Survey. 1999.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1924-1948.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 1 March 1923. 1 January 1924. 13 October 1949.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 307
DPR 523L (1/95) WEBS53o.F1 *Required Information
Item 2
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Page 5 of 5
*Map Name: Palo Alto P'lannina Deot. GIS *Scale: 1":80'
Primary # Attachment A 2023-11-
HRl# 09_HRB Nomination
Trinomial Package -FULL ,
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 530 Webster St
*Date of Map: 1999
The Clip ..
Palo Alto
530 Webster St
120-03-059
plod mod t a /j\
GlydPaloA GIS (�/�r��
* as
DP€2 523j (1/95)
nea mammal e a graphic roproatntatbn only of bast araantla a0umsa.. fia City al Pab Alb mamas no nepono Uty In any anon.
*Required Information
Packet Pg. 308
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
CRITERIA 2, 5 & 6 NOMINATIONS
Properties proposed for designation under Palo Alto Criteria 2, 5, and 6:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of life
important to the city, state or nation)
• Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important)
• Criterion 6 (The structure or site contains elements demonstrating outstanding attention to
architectural design, detail, materials or craftsmanship)
Address
Criteria
Category
541 Bryant Street
2, 5, 6
2
951 Hamilton Avenue
2, 5, 6
2
680 Homer Avenue
2, 5, 6
2
360 Kellogg Avenue
2, 5, 6
2
959 Waverley Street
2, 5, 6
2
Page &Turnbull 1 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNI
Packet Pg. 309
PAGE &TURNBULL
541 BRYANT STREET
APN: 120-15-091
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1946-1965
Summary of Significance: 541 Bryant Street was found significant under Criterion A as an early
example of a professional office building in downtown Palo Alto at a time when such buildings were
rare, and under Criterion C as an early and successful example of the courtyard office building in
Palo Alto that adopted Modern design features. In addition, the building is a good example in the
career of Leslie I. Nichols, demonstrating his transition to Modern styles in the post -World War II
period.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: Alterations to awnings and signage as typical of storefront alterations.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1946, the
year of the building's construction.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly representative of an architectural style or way
of life important to the city, state or nation)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓
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Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
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Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL
• Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important)
• Criterion 6 (The structure or site contains elements demonstrating outstanding attention to
architectural design, detail, materials or craftsmanship)
Statement of Significance: 541 Bryant Street is significant as an early example of a professional
office building in downtown Palo Alto at a time when such buildings were rare, and as an early and
successful example of the courtyard office building in Palo Alto that demonstrates Midcentury
Modern design. In addition, the building is a good example in the career of Leslie I. Nichols,
demonstrating his transition to Modern styles in the post -World War II period.
Period of Significance: 1946
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 311
I —,— I—YIJ-JUL -J IJ�1
Item 2
State of California -- The Resources Agency Primary # Attachment A 2023-11-
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # 09_HRB Nomination
PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial ` Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Ustings
Review Code Reviewer Date..
Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 541-549 Bryant St
P1. Other Identifier: 541-549 Bryant St
P2. Location: ❑ Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T _• R _• _1/4 of _7. of Sec B.M.
c. Address 541-549 Bryant St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _• mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 15 091
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The structure at 541 Bryant Street was built in 1946 in the middle of a block at what was at that time the edge of the
expanding downtown commercial area of Palo Alto. It was an office and commercial building in a city with relatively few
offices.
In plan, the building was designed in a U -shape with a central cotirt open to the street. The arms of the "U" accommodate three
stores that face the street in a one-story structure. The rear of the building is a two-story structure with offices. The fronts
of the stores are not parallel to the street but angled toward the center and with offset fronts. The court is almost triangular
in shape with a narrow opening at the street that grows wider toward the rear.
Visible facades of the building are of wood post and beam construction with large areas of plate glass. Sanborn maps show
a smaller U-shaped structure of reinforced concrete in the interior at the rear•
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP6 1-3 story commercial building
*P4. Resources Present: es Building ❑ Structure 0 Object ❑ Site ❑ District 0 Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
541-549 Bryant St: view northeast:
09/13/99; by B. Vahev: roll BRV-76.
nea #26
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: el Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
1946; Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
Paul Hansen
1635 Ben Roe Dr Los Altos CA
94024
*PS. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett. Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
Mav 6. 2000
P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE a Location Map 0 Sketch Map a Continuation Sheet s Building, Strut -Irma and Objert Record
❑ Archaeological Record ❑ District Record 0 Linear Feature Record 0 Millir Packet Pg. 312 id
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
DPR 523A (1195}1 BRYA541.FT
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 2 of 5 Resource Identifier: 541-549 Bryant St
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date May 6. 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL
Description (continued)
In appearance, this building mixes an innovative courtyard plan with an arrangement of storefronts that was introduced in the
late 1930s and finishes that are associated with the Bay Area Tradition. The wood and glass construction, the cantilevered sun
screens across the front, the outdoor courtyard with a mature tree are all part of a careful design that accomplishes the difficult
and unusual task of being both urban and sensitive to the climate and natural setting. The U-shaped plan and large sheets of
plate glass admit light to the interior. The sun screens at the front shade the storefronts from southwestern sun. The narrow
opening to the court preserves an urban street wall while the court itself provides light, air, and a quiet peaceful area away from
the street.
This building was designed at a time when professional offices were starting to move in large numbers to the suburbs. A 1953
Architectural Record study of commercial buildings included many small professional offices. One of these, built in 1951 in
Charlotte, North Carolina, included angled storefronts and an open passageway to the interior. At least two other small buildings
in downtown Palo Alto from the mid 1950s are designed with urban street walls and open interiors. This building appears to
be an early example of a successful local building type.
Packet Pg. 313
DPR 523L (1 /95) BRYA541.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 3 of 5
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
J
*NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 541-549 Bryant St
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: 1-3 story commercial building
*B5. Architectural Style: Modernism
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1946: Built (Palo Alto Times)
1979: Alterations to include a restaurant
*B7. Moved? ® No ❑ Yes ❑ Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: Leslie 1. Nichols and W.J. White Jr. b. Builder: Leslie Nichols and W.J. White, Jr.
4610. Significance: Theme Development of Palo Alto: C: Modern office building, work of Leslie I. Nichols Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1946-1965 Property Type Commercial Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The parcel occupied today by 541-543-545-547-549 Bryant Street was, until the construction of the present complex,
the site of a dwelling numbered 545 Bryant. The Palo Alto Times recorded the construction of this earlier structure in 1896.
It served as a residence from that time until 1927 when the City Directory listed commercial occupants — a team of interior
decorators and a dealer in lamp shades. The directories from 1928 to 1932 indicated the structure again used for residence,
at least sometimes divided into at least two units. The directories from 1934 to 1944 listed: "Swartz, Jacob P. (Pauline G.)
furn mfrs 545 Bryant." None of these directories identified the address with an "h" or "r" so it seems to have been a place of
business again. It remained so until it was replaced by the present structure.
Building History: The last occupant of the original structure at 545 Bryant, Paul Hansen, was the developer of the present
complex. The Palo Alto Times of 29 March 1946, records that he had "a permit for a business building to be constructed by
Nichols and White at 541 Bryant Street" The building was designed for three stores and ten offices at a cost of $64,000.
According to the Palo Alto Times of 29 October 1946, (Leslie) Nichols and (W.J. Jr.) White were the designers as well as
builders. Judge Edward E. Hardy had already made a lease agreement by that date. Paul Jack Hansen, the son of the building's
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: May 6, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 314
DPR 5238 (1/95) BRYA541.F1 *Required Information
State of California -- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
HRI/Trinomial
Page 4 of 5 Resource Identifier: 541-549 Bryant St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date May 6, 2000 la Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
first owner, told Beth Bunnenberg of the Palo Alto Historical Association that Judge Hardy played an important part in the idea
for the building. He was in a wheelchair and needed a wheelchair accessible ground -floor office and restroom. The judge's
requirements were integrated into the overall plan and the specific details of the complex.
In 1979, a building permit was granted for alterations to accommodate a restaurant.
History of Use: The City Directory of 1948 listed the occupants of the new complex as: Paul Hansen's Camera Shop (which
had occupied the old structure just prior to its destruction); Crow Pharmacy; five lawyers and a firm of lawyers; an insurance
agent and an insurance company office; an accountant and a constable, Among the lawyers in the building were Edward E.
Hardy and N. Perry Moerdyke, Jr. Moerdyke was a prominent figure in Palo Alto. In addition to a successful law practice, he
was active in fraternal and civic organizations and was an officer of the Rickey Hotel companies. Judge Hardy was "the fourth
and last Palo Alto justice of the peace," according to Winslow. He retired in 1953 when the judicial system was reorganized
and his position was eliminated. Because of his position, a constable was also located in the building. Later directories showed
that many of the original leasers remained through the 1950s but by the mid -1960s some original spaces were replaced by other
types of commercial ventures, e.g., press printers, a modeling school, a secretarial agency, etc.
Evaluation
The building at 541 Bryant Street appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The
period of significance runs from 1946, when it was built, to about 1965, when small office buildings began to be built in very
different ways.
Under criterion A, this building represents an early example in Palo Alto of a professional office building, a type that would be
built in large numbers within a few years. It may also be significant as the office of the last justice of the peace in Palo Alto
and as an early architectural accommodation of wheelchair users — Judge Hardy was in a wheelchair.
Under criterion C, this building is an early and successful example of a courtyard office building in Palo Alto. It is an example
of Bay Area modernism in style. It is also an example of the work of the important local architect, Leslie 1. Nichols. Like Birge
Clark, Nichols was best known for his residential designs using traditional imagery, but also made a successful transition to
modernism after World War 11. This building represents that important aspect of his work.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources, Sacramento, CA, August 1997.
Daily Pacific Builder. 30 August 1946.
Lopez, Frank G., editor. Commercial Buildings: An Architectural Record Book, Office Buildings, Banks, Transportation Buildings,
Radio and TV Buildings, Theaters. New York: F.W. Dodge, 1953.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1939, 1941, 1942, 1944, '1946, 1948, 1950.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 29 March 1946, 28 August 1946, 29 October 1946, 22 April 1977.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Winslow, Ward and the Palo Alto Historical Association. Palo Alto: A Centennial History. Palo Alto: Palo Alto Historical
Association, 1993.
Packet Pg. 315
DPR 523L (1/95) BRYA541.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP,.
Page of
*Map Name: Palo Alto Planrlina Dept GIS_ *Scale: 1":80'
Primary #
HRI#
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 541-549 Bntant St
*Date of Map: 1999
7.. COSY ./
Pa to Alto
This document Is e graphic nq.wnlalbo only of best seayiWe somwa. Th. City d Pab Ake assumes mo responsibility for ■+y ems.
541-549 Bryant Street
120-15-091
TN, mop Is
City d° Palo AteGIS 0
IPR 523.1(1/95)
*Required Information
Packet Pg. 316
PAGE &TURNBULL
951 HAMILTON AVENUE
APN: 003-04-021
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1909-1946
Summary of Significance: 951 Hamilton Avenue was found significant under Criterion A for its
association with the pattern of development where many San Francisco residents moved to the
Peninsula following the 1906 earthquake and fires, raising Palo Alto's stature as a streetcar suburb
of San Francisco. The building was also found significant under Criterion C as a large and imposing
example of the Craftsman style as designed by Henry L. Upham, of Pittman & Upham, who designed
many houses in Palo Alto in the 1890s and 1900s.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: Some windows replaced; front steps and path replaced; no additional
alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: Mention of the building's association with the trend of
suburban development of the Peninsula in the wake of the 1906 earthquake has been omitted, as
this historic pattern of residential development would be better demonstrated through a historic
district that shows the large-scale impact of this pattern throughout the Peninsula. The period of
significance has been revised to 1909, the year of the building's construction.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓ I .Y+
Packet Pg. 317
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
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RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly representative of an architectural style or way
of life important to the city, state, or nation)
• Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important)
• Criterion 6 (The structure or site contains elements demonstrating outstanding attention to
architectural design, detail, materials, or craftsmanship)
Statement of Significance: 951 Hamilton Avenue is significant as a large and imposing example of
the Craftsman style with excellent detailing and craftmanship. The building was designed by Henry
L. Upham, of Pittman & Upham, who designed many houses in Palo Alto in the 1890s and 1900s and
has been identified as a significant local builder in Palo Alto.
Period of Significance: 1909
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 318
N., —,— I—YIJ-JUL -J IJ�1
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary ::#
HRI #
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL
NRHP Status. Code 3S
Other Listings ....
Review Code Reviewer_ _ Date
Page 1 of 6 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 951 Hamilton Ave
P1. Other Identifier: 951 Hamilton Ave
P2. Location: ❑ Not for Publication la Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T • R _; _Y4 of % of Sec ; B.M.
c. Address 951 Hamilton Ave City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _; mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 003 04 021
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The following description addresses the building in terms of its structure, plan, and appearance. The structure and plan are
described using three sources of information (1949 Assessment Record prepared by the Tax Assessor, Sanborn maps, and
current survey information — photographs, Field Notes form, and site visits from 1998 and 1999). The description of the
structure and plan is presented for two phases in the building's history. The building is presented as it was built, or as it was
at the earliest time warranted by the information available. Second the building is presented as it has changed, up to the present
(1999).
The house at 951 Hamilton is a large, square, two-story building with a one-third basement. Despite the high roof and large;
dormer, the attic space was recorded in 1949 as unfinished. This is a balloon -frame or platform -frame structure on a concrete
wall foundation. The frame is clad on the exterior in shingles that are presumably nailed to sheathing. Inside there are "cement"
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: ® Building o Structure 0 Object 0 Site ❑ District ❑ Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
951 Hamilton Ave; view northwest:
09/14199; by B. Vahev; roll BRV-79.
neci #28
*P6. Date ConstructedlAge and
Source: ® Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
1909; Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
A A & Alice Soar
951 Hamilton Ave Palo Alto CA
94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett. Dames & Moore
221 Main Street. Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
Mav 19. 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE IS Location Map 0 Sketch Map ® Continuation Sheet ® Building, Structure and Object Record
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record 0 Mill Packet Pg. 319 :rd
❑ Artifact Record ❑ Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
DPR 523A (1195)/ HAMI951.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 2 of 6 Resource Identifier: 951 Hamilton Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date Mav 19. 2000 0 Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
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Description (continued)
floors in the basement and hardwood floors on the first floor. Interior walls are pine. In 1949, the Tax Assessor identified one
gas -fired hot air furnace and one fireplace. In addition, the letter "W" for air conditioning may indicate a window unit. If an
air conditioner was present in 1949, it would have been a very early example. Fenestration consisted of a variety of window
types — double hung and casements with different patterns of multi -pane sash, leaded glass, and stained glass. The front door
appears to be solid oak.
In plan, this building is a square house with its second story overhanging an area across the front that is part of a porch. The
porch extends into the front lawn on a brick terrace shaded by a trellis of massive timbers. Also projecting from the main body
of the house is a gabled bay window on the northeast side and a porch wing at the rear.
Inside, the Tax Assessor recorded the following rooms in 1949: downstairs were a living room, dining room, den, kitchen, and
service porch; and upstairs were five bedrooms and two baths. A 1909 newspaper article described the interior having an
entrance hall with "a large dining hall" on one side, "and on the other side a music room twenty-eight feet long." Behind the
music room was a den. Also on the first floor were a kitchen and pantry, and "separate apartments for the servants."
In appearance, although too large to fit the standard description of a bungalow, it is an expanded version of a Craftsman
Bungalow. Although large, its horizontal profile minimizes its bulk. Its low pitched gable roof, proportional cross -gabled dormer,
overhanging eaves with exposed rafters and purlins, shingled wall surfaces, clinker brick terrace and chimney, connection to
the outdoors by the front deck and trellis, and mix of casement and multi -paned windows are all associated with Craftsman style
houses. The Palo Alto Times described it in 1909 as follows, "It is in modern style of architecture, similar to the style that is
popular for Southern California homes."
Inside, this house also resembled the well -publicized modern bungalows in Southern California in its finishes. The Palo Alto
Times said, "the interior is finished throughout in Oregon Pine in slashed grain and slightly stained. The entrance hall is finished
and furnished in browns . . . The kitchen and the pantry have the latest equipment." The upstairs sleeping rooms were "all
beautifully finished and each room tinted in a different shade. There are lavatories for every room, and the bathrooms are large
and finished in nickel. One of the pleasant features is the special provision that has been made for the children." (Whatever
was provided for the children was not described.)
Packet Pg. 320
DPR 523L (1/95) HAMI951.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
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Page 3 of 6 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 951 Hamilton Ave
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Craftsman
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1909: Built (Palo Alto Times}
*B7. Moved? ® No El Yes El Unknown Date: Original Location:
*BB. Related Features:
garage
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Development patterns in Palo Alto: C: Craftsman style Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1909-1946 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The 100 -by -200 -foot lot at 951 Hamilton is located in Block 67 of the Original Map of the University Park of 1889 and
appears in its present configuration on the Map of the City of Palo Alto ca. 1917. There is no evidence of any structure on the
site prior to the present dwelling. A lot this size was referred to locally as a "Villa lot," intended for large and grand houses.
In addition to the house, a one-story, wood garage was shown at the rear, northwest of the house on the Sanborn maps of
1924 and 1949.
Structure: The Palo Alto Times printed, on 18 December 1909, a story in which it was stated that Charles T. Morrison and his
family were in the process of moving from the house next door, which they had completed and occupied about a year before,
into their "splendid new home at 951 Hamilton Ave." (The article had nothing to say about what had occasioned the move,
Charles Morrison was manager and president of Morrison Lumber Company in San Francisco, the lumber industry was, at the
turn of the century, an integral part of the real estate development industry. Speculation may have played a part in the family's
decision to move from one new home to another next door.) The same Times article (18 December 1909) said that the firm of
Pittman and Upham were the builders and that the cost was $10,000. The house's footprint on the Sanborn maps of 1924
and 1949 are identical, and there is no indication of alteration in the Assessor's records.
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: May 19, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 321
DPR 523B (1195( HAMI951.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRllTrinomlal
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 4 of 6 Resource Identifier: 951 Hamilton Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date May 19, 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
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History (continued)
Use: The Palo Alto Times article ,of 18 December 1909, about the Morrison's new residence at 951 Hamilton says: "That
section of the city affords most delightful views and is the aristocratic district. In the immediate neighborhood are a dozen or
more residences that have cost from $10,000 to $25,000 each, and all have spacious and finely improved grounds." This is
a rare example of a newspaper article — much more than a newspaper listing — about a single house. The Palo Alto City
Directory first lists the address in 1910. The occupants were Charles T. Morrison, president and manager of the Morrison
Lumber Company (headquartered in San Francisco), his wife, and his mother, Mrs. Mary E. Morrison. Charles Morrison's wife,
Caroline, and his mother, Mary, were members of the Woman's Club of Palo Alto, and Caroline Morrison was president after
they moved from this house. The Morrisons continued to be listed at the address until 1916. In that year, the elder Mrs.
Morrison died at 951 Hamilton, and Charles and Caroline Morrison moved to 454 Homer. (The Morrisons had previously lived
at 2830 Howard Street in San Francisco.)
From 1918 to 1923, the house was occupied by Dr. James G. Sharp and his wife Rose. Dr. Sharp was a professor in the
University of California College of Dentistry from 1903 to 1928 and dean from 1904 to 1914. He was also a supporter of Lucie
Stern in establishing the Community Theater. In 1924, S.G. and Laura Bonn bought the house and, after her husband's death,
Mrs. Bonn remained in the house with her daughter at least until 1946. Samuel G. Bonn "was a real estate and investment
operator for the K.D. Winship Estates of San Francisco," and served on the Palo Alto City Council from 1925 until his sudden
death in 1928. There is no indication that the house has ever served as anything but a single-family dwelling.
Evaluation
This house at 951 Hamilton appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance for the period
1909 to 1946.
Under criterion A, this house illustrates several significant patterns of development. It appears to be associated with the
movement by many people, who could afford it, out of San Francisco to suburban areas after the earthquake of 1906. It
appears to represent a pattern of advertising by lumber companies (and other materials suppliers) with attractive houses for their
officers. The house belonged to a segment of Palo Alto residents whose work was in San Francisco — three of the principle
owners, Morrison, Sharp, and Bonn, all must have commuted by train.
Under criterion C, this house is an unusually large and imposing example of a Craftsman style house in Palo Alto. It is also
significant as the work of Henry L. Upham and his partner Harry M. Pittman. Upham designed and built many houses in Palo
Alto in the 1890s and 1900s.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources, Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1910-1948,
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update, Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 18 December 1904, 17 April 1916, 18 August 1928, 24 December 1928.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924: revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1967.
Packet Pg. 322
DPR 523L (1/95) HAMI951.F1 *Required Information
State of California -- The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRIfTrinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 5 of 6 Resource Identifier: 951 Hamilton Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date May 19, 2000 ca Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
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09 HRB Nomination
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References (continued)
U.S. Census. 1910.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 323
DPR 523L (1/95) HAMI951.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
, LOCATION MAP
Primary
HRI#
Trinomial .�
Page 6 of 6 *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) e51 Hamilton Ave
*Map Name: Palo Alto Planning Deot. GIS *Scale: 1 "tang. *Date of Map: 1999
951 Hamilton Ave
003-04-021
Item 2
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TAMmto I•o
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a
This. dacunee h a. pri*Nc npna'ra'Ibn only of bap'rabble sources. The Cly of Pab Mb eSsumei no reiporsaaliy for sly wore
*Required Infogr roflon
Packet Pg. 324
PAGE &TURNBULL
680 HOMER AVENUE
APN: 120-05-010
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
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&T
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criterion A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1901-1950s
Summary of Significance: 680 Homer Avenue was found eligible under Criterion A as a
representative of early single-family development in Palo Alto that was built within the town's
original grid. Under Criterion C, it was found significant as a distinctive and well-built house by the
prominent early builder J.W. Wells.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1901, the
year of the building's construction, and the architectural style and form of the building have been
clarified as a Colonial Revival style Foursquare. The Criterion A significance identified in the 2001
Survey has been omitted, as the subject building was not the first or last building erected in the
original grid of Palo Alto, nor was it known to have served as a catalyst for early neighborhood
development.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415-3
Packet Pg. 325
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly representative of an architectural style or way
of life important to the city, state or nation)
• Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important.)
• Criterion 6 (The structure or site contains elements demonstrating outstanding attention to
architectural design, detail, materials, or craftsmanship.)
Statement of Significance: 680 Homer Avenue is significant as an excellent example of a Colonial
Revival Foursquare and demonstrates a high level of craftsmanship achieved by the prominent
builder J.W. Wells.
Period of Significance: 1901
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
N
Packet Pg. 326
I, _AY I V t) 1 L L Y 1 J- J., L- J I J,Y
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Item 2
Primary # Attachment A 2023-11-
1"IRI # 09 HRB Nomination
Trinomial ` Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) _680 Homer Ave
P1. Other Identifier: 680 Homer Ave
P2. Location: D Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T ; R _ _'/4 of 1/4 of Sec B.M.
c. Address 680 Horner Ave City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _ mE/ mN
"e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 05 010
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The following description addresses the building at 680 Homer in terms of its structure, plan, and appearance. The structure
and plan are described using three sources of information )1949 Assessment Record prepared by the Tax Assessor, Sanborn
maps, and current survey information — photographs, Field Notes form, and site visits from 1998 and 1999). The description
of the structure and plan is presented for two phases in the building's history. The building is presented as it was built or as
it was at the earliest time warranted by the information available. Second, the building is presented as it has changed, up to
the present (1999).
The house at 680 Horner Avenue is a two-story, stud -frame structure with a hip roof. In 1949, the Tax Assessor identified a
foundation of brick walls and sheathing on the stud frame covered by siding. Although most carpenter's handbooks of the
period recommended enclosing the exterior or interior of a stud -frame with a sheathing of plain boards (preferably laid diagonally)
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: a Building ❑ Structure ❑ Object ❑ Site 0 District 0 Element of District D Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #1
680 Horner Ave; view southeast:
09/16199; by B. Vahey; roll BRV-81,
nett #1$
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
0 Prehistoric 0 Both
1901; Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
Ann Spence
680 Homer Ave Palo Alto CA 94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco. CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
February 23, 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE a Location Map 0 Sketch Map a Continuation Sh ® it in r t Record
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record ❑ Linear Feature Record 0 Milli d
❑ Artifact Record ❑ Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
DPR 523A (1195)1 HOME680.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 2 of 5 Resource Identifier: 680 Homer Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date February 23, 2000 s Continuation o Update
Item 2
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Description (continued)
before attaching the siding, this was not always done. Sheathing provided strength that would be valuable in an earthquake
or under other shear stresses. In fact, if the assessment records made by the Santa Clara County Tax Assessor in 1949 are
correct, sheathing was almost never applied to early Palo Alto houses. The use of sheathing involved higher costs for labor and
materials. The presence of sheathing on this house indicates a well-built and more expensive structure than most. Inside, floors
are pine, and the walls are plaster. Fenestration consists primarily of double hung windows and paneled doors. In 1949, the
Tax Assessor recorded one fireplace and chimney and contradictory information about the presence of a heating system.
In plan, this house is a distinctive and complex building. As built, it was in two parts, a two-story generally L-shaped structure
at the front with a one-story porch in the angle of the wings at the corner, and a one-story rectangular structure at the rear.
By 1924, the rear was also two stories. In 1949, there was a small basement with an earth floor. On the ground floor there
was a living room, dining room, one bedroom, half bath, kitchen, and service porch. Upstairs there were four bedrooms and
one bath.
In appearance, 680 Homer combines an irregular form and details associated with the Colonial Revival style. The plan and
massing of the building may have come from a pattern book or may have been designed by the builder for this corner site. With
its north corner entrance porch, the design was oriented to the traffic (pedestrians, horses, wagons, bicycles, a few automobiles)
at the intersection of Homer and Middlefield rather than to sunshine and air. The details — finely textured lap siding, hip roof,
overhanging eaves, paneled soffits, frieze under the eaves, porch columns and entablature, and square bay with deck railing —
are all typical of the Colonial Revival, but they are applied to the building without any compositional order. The result is a
building with Colonial Revival details that does not represent any style. Some of the details -- the turned balusters in the porch
railing, and the deck railing on the bay window — look like they might be modern alterations.
Packet Pg. 328
DPR 523L (1/95) HOME680.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 3 of 5
Item 2
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*NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 680 Homer Ave
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Colonial Revival
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1901: Built (Palo Alto Times)
1924: Second story addition to rear
*B7. Moved? ® No ❑ Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: J.W. Wells
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Pattern of development in Palo Alto, C: Design and work of J.W. Wells Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1901-1950s Property Type residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The Sanborn map of 1901 shows a large property at the intersection of Homer and Middlefield that belonged to a family
named Congdon. Miss Frances Congdon built a cottage fronting on Middlefield, and J.W. Congdon built a residence at the south
corner of Homer and Middlefield. The Sanborn map of 1904 shows that the large property had been subdivided into four lots
on one of which were situated the two Congdon dwellings. By the Map of the City of Palo Alto ca. 1916, the cottage built by
Miss Congdon was separated from the residence built by J.W. Congdon by a property line that was the last adjustment to the
boundaries of the lot at 680 Homer.
Structure: The Palo Alto Times, of 3 January 1902, reported the construction of a new residence (on Middlefield) by J.W. Wells,
builder, for J.W. Congdon at a cost of $3,000. The Palo Alto City Directory lists Joseph and Frances Congdon at the corner
of Homer and Middlefield in 1901, 1902, and 1903. The Sanborn map of 1924 shows that a second story addition in the rear
of the house and a garage behind it had been made at some time since the Sanborn map of 1904.
Use: According to the Palo Alto City Directories, the Congdon's who had had the residence at 680 Homer and the neighboring
cottage at 818 Middlefield took in two renting students in 1903. The Congdon's were not listed in 1904. After a number of
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14, Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: February 23, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 329
DPR 523B (1195) HOME680.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
HRIITrinomial
Page 4 of 5 Resource Identifier: 680 Homer Ave
Recorded by Michael CorbettlSteve Hardy (history) *Date February 23, 2000 0 Continuation ❑ Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
occupants, the house at 680 Homer became in 1912 the home of George W. and Ethel Harms. Mr. Harms began working as
a blacksmith in Palo Alto about 1896. Harms and various partners were engaged in horseshoeing and general blacksmithing
at various locations. He continued to be listed at this address through the 1950s. A son, Lloyd W. Harms, was listed in the
City Directory at 680 Homer from about 1928 to at least 1973. According to his mother's obituary (Palo Alto Times 9 April
1947), however, he lived in the cottage behind his parents house at 818 Middlefield.
Evaluation
This house at 680 Homer appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance for the period
1901 to the 1950s.
Under criterion A, this house represents the early development of single family houses built in the original grid of the city.
Under criterion C, it is a distinctive, unusually well-built house built by one of the city's prominent early builders, J.W. Wells.
It is unusual in shape and orientation to the street. It is one of the few early houses identified by the Tax Assessor as built with
sheathing on the frame of the building, rendering it more resistant to shear stresses than most houses in Palo Alto, which lacked
sheathing. If it were shown that some decorative details were added, this house might be eligible only for the CRHR because
of a (reversible) loss of integrity.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Map of the City of Palo Alto. ca. 1916.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 4 January 1901, 9 August 1901, 3 January 1902, 31 March 1914, 9 April 1947.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1901.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1904.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 330
DPR 523L (1/95) HOME680.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary #
HRI#
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page of 5 •Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 680 Homer Ave
*Map Name: Palo Alto Planning Dept. GIS *Scale: 1 ":80'
no Oily of
Palo Alto
)PR 523.! (1145)
*Date of Map: 1999
680 Homer Ave
120-05-010
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as
gapnlo npreltualbn only of ball salable moCmaa. The Coy of Pab Mb assume no responsleliy for any inert
*Required Infomiaon
Packet Pg. 331
PAGE &TURNBULL
360 KELLOGG AVENUE
APN: 124-07-043
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1919-1948
Summary of Significance: 360 Kellogg Avenue was deemed eligible under Criterion A as a
representative of the connection between the development between Stanford and Palo Alto through
its owner, Harry Reynolds, a leader in Stanford University alumni affairs. It also embodies the
original intentions of developers of the Seale Addition. Under Criterion C, it was deemed eligible as
an imposing example of a kind of modern house that drew on historical sources for inspiration but
did not attempt to revive historical styles.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The Criterion A significance identified in the 2001 Survey
has been omitted, as the subject building was not the first or last building erected in Palo Alto's Seale
Addition, nor was it the building prominently associated with Stanford University's alumni contextual
history. The end of the period of significance has also been revised to 1928, the year that prolific local
architect Birge Clark designed a rear guest house on the property.
lug_ _ - _. - w? --
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL ✓IJ.f
Packet Pg. 332
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly representative of an architectural style or way
of life important to the city, state or nation)
• Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important.)
• Criterion 6 (The structure or site contains elements demonstrating outstanding attention to
architectural design, detail, materials, or craftsmanship.)
Statement of Significance: 360 Kellogg Avenue is significant as a large and well-built example of the
Colonial Revival style with some Craftsman influences, and for its rear guest house designed by
Birge M. Clark in 1928.
Period of Significance: 1919-1928
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 333
N., —,— I— YIJ-JUL-J IJ�1
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 4 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 360 Kellogg Ave
P1. Other Identifier: 360 Kellogg Ave
P2. Location: 0 Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T ; R _• _'/. of _'% of Sec B.M.
c. Address 360 Kellogq Ave City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _ mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 124 07 043
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
This house, at 360 Kellogg, is a long, generally rectangular, two-story building, with one-story elements at either end. It is a
wood -frame structure clad in shingles and covered by a low hip roof with overhanging eaves and exposed rafters. Despite
irregularities in its plan, the design conveys a sense of symmetry with multi -paned, double hung windows on either side of a
central entry and stair bay. At the ground floor is a paneled door with sidelights. Above this door is a bracketed balcony with
an iron railing and a Palladian window. In style, this house is derived from Colonial Revival and Craftsman sources, combined
to produce a comfortable modern house.
*P3b Resource Attributes: {List attributes and codes} HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: ® Building ❑ Structure 0 Object ❑ Site 0 District ❑ Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo;
(View, date, accession #)
360 Kellogg Ave; view south;
10/05199; by B. Vahey; roll BRV-87,
neg #19A
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
1919: Metroscan
*P7. Owner and Address:
Paul & Janet Alexander
360 Kellogg Ave Palo Alto CA 94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett. Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
February 20, 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE 53 Location Map ❑ Sketch Map ® Continuation Sh
o Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record ❑ Milli
0 Artifact Record o Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
eet Building. Structure and Ohjnrt Record
n
Packet Pg. 334
d
DPR 523A (1/9511 KELL360.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 2 of 4 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 360 Kellogg Ave
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Colonial Revival and Craftsman
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1919: Built IMetroscan)
1928: Guest house built (now 1450 Waverley)
*B7. Moved? ® No D Yes ❑ Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Pattern of development in Palo Alto, C: Design Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1919-1948 Property Type residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The house at 360 Kellogg is situated on a .46 acre lot located at the corner of Kellogg and Waverley in the Seale Addition
Development no. 1. A residence that was once a guest house was sold off and numbered 1450 Waverley resulting in an irregular
border between them.
Structure: The Santa Clara MetroScan dates the construction of the house at 360 Kellogg to 1919. The Palo Alto City Directory
first listed the address in 1920 at which time the house was occupied by Dr. and Mrs. Harry B. Reynolds. Building and
Engineering News mentioned the address, on 17 March 1928, in reference to the construction of a guest house on the property.
The architect of this guest house was Birge M. Clark and the owner of the property Dr. H.B. Reynolds. The guest house still
stands but now as a separate property numbered 1450 Waverley.
Use: The Palo Alto City Directory listed the first occupants of the single family residence at 360 Kellogg, Harry and Charlotte
Reynolds, at the address from 1920 through 1948. According to an article published in the Palo Alto Times, on 11 June 1954,
at the time of Dr. and Mrs. Reynolds' 50th wedding anniversary, both husband and wife were graduates of Stanford University,
the classes of 1896 and 1902, respectively. They returned to Palo Alto from San Francisco after the earthquake and fire of
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
813. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: February 20., 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 335
DPR 523B11/951 KELL360.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRIiTrinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 3 of 4 Resource Identifier: 360 Kell000 Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date February 20, 2000 ® Continuation ❑ Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
1906, and by September 1908, Dr. Reynolds was involved with the establishment of the Peninsula Hospital as one of its
incorporators. He took an active part in the lives of both the city of Palo Alto and Stanford University. In 1933, he served as
chairman of the Mayor's Committee on Unemployment and Relief (Palo Alto Times 28 February 1933) and in 1935 as the first
president of Stanford Associates (Stanford Daily 18 April 1935). As president of the Stanford Associates, he pleaded with
wealthy alumni for endowments to maintain that private institution free from the influence of the whims of the sort of electorate
that had recently preferred Franklin Delano Roosevelt to Herbert Hoover. In 1952, Dr. Reynolds published "the meditations of
a medical man on various world stupidities" (San Francisco Chronicle 4 February 1952) in which he deplored the nations
vanishing values. He was honored by Stanford Associates in 1957 with "the degree of Uncommon Man." "The idea of honoring
'the Uncommon Man' originated in an address by former President Herbert Hoover, who protested that 'we are in danger of
developing a cult of the Common Man, which means a cult of mediocrity —(Palo Alto Times 18 February 1957). On the occasion
of their 50th wedding anniversary (11 June 1954), the Palo Alto Times noted that the couple had opened the studio cottage
on the property at 360 Kellogg (which cottage is now the residence at 1450 Waverley) to aspiring musicians who needed a place
in which to practice. The same article also noted that Dr. and Mrs. Reynolds had moved to 342 Kellogg and had made the home
at 360 available to their daughter, Mrs. Edd Roundtree, her husband, and their children.
Evaluation
This house, at 360 Kellogg, appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The period
of significance is 1919, when it was built, through 1948, covering the period when it was occupied by Harry and Charlotte
Reynolds.
Under criterion A, this house represents the important continuing connection between the development of Palo Alto and Stanford
University through its owner, Harry Reynolds who was a leader in alumni affairs. It also embodies the original intentions of the
developers of the Seale Addition.
Under criterion C, this house is an imposing example of a kind of modern house that drew on historical sources for inspiration
but did not attempt to revive historical styles.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Building and Engineering News. 17 March 1928.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1920-1953.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. "Fund Allocated for Relief Work" 28 February 1933. "New of 25 Years Ago" 5 September 1933. "Dr. and
Mrs. Harry Reynolds Observe 50th" 11 June 1954. obituary of Mrs. Reynolds 21 January 1957. "Dr. Reynolds Given Special
Campus Honor" 28 February 1957.
Residences in Palo Alto Designed by the Office of Birge Clark.
San Francisco Chronicle. 4 February 1952.
Stanford Daily. 18 April 1935.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 336
DPR 523L (1/95) KELL360.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary #
HRI#
Trinomial
Page 4 of ,tom
*Map Name: Palo Alto Plannina Dem. GIS *Scale: 1":80'
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 360 KelioggAve
Tie 611}H
Palo Alto
*Date of Map: 1999
360 Kellogg Ave
124-07-043
IJb12 b13J (HI95)
This emanate is e peptic repreeertalbn airily of beef enable eowr»t. 1M Cay of Pais Afb euW+Me no responsibility for any errors.
'Required Information
Packet Pg. 337
PAGE &TURNBULL
959 WAVERLY STREET
APN: 120-17-059
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criterion A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1899-1946
Summary of Significance: 959 Waverley Street was deemed eligible under Criterion A as a
representative of early single-family development in Palo Alto and a representative of the pattern of
development by original owner/builders. Under Criterion C, it was found eligible as a work of the
important Palo Alto contractors Downing & Laumeister.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1899, the
year of the building's construction. The Criterion A significance is omitted, as the subject building is
not known to have served as a catalyst for early single-family development.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly representative of an architectural style or way
of life important to the city, state, or nation)
• Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓
Packet Pg. 338
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL
• Criterion 6 (The structure or site contains elements demonstrating outstanding attention to
architectural design, detail, materials, or craftsmanship)
Statement of Significance: 959 Waverley Street is significant as an early Craftsman Foursquare
design by important Palo Alto contractors, Downing & Laumeister. It was constructed with quality
materials and craftsmanship and retains a high level of integrity and architectural character.
Period of Significance: '1899
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 339
N., —,— I— YIJ-JUL-J IJAY
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 6 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 959 Waverlev St
P1. Other Identifier: 959 Waverlev St
P2. Location: 0 Not for Publication el Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T • R • %+ of '/. of Sec ; B.M.
c. Address 959 Waverlev St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 17 059
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The following description addresses the building in terms of its structure, plan, and appearance. The structure and plan are
described using three sources of information (1949 Assessment Record prepared by the Tax Assessor, Sanborn maps, and
current survey information — photographs, Field Notes form, and site visits from 1998 and 1999). The description of the
structure and plan is presented for two phases in the building's history. The building is presented as it was built, or as it was
at the earliest time warranted by the information available. Second the building is presented as it has changed, up to the present
(1999).
The building at 959 Waverley is a two-story structure with a small basement (10 by 10 feet) and no finished attic space. It is
a balloon or platform frame structure which was on a brick foundation in 1949 (this had not been replaced by the time of a 1978
city inspection report). The frame is enclosed on the exterior in wood shingles, presumably nailed to sheathing. The house is
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: ® Building ❑ Structure 0 Object 0 Site ❑ District 0 Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
959 Waverlev St; view northeast:
09/16/99; by B. Vahev; roll BRV-83.
neq #16
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
1899; Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
Jean Ramacciotti
959 Waverlev St Palo Alto CA 94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street. Suite 600
San Francisco. CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
December 29. 1999
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE ® Location Map ❑ Sketch Map el Continuation S
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record ❑ Milli
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
heft ®13111klmg, Stnirttirp and Ohiee
r
Packet Pg. 340
t Record
DPR 523A 111951! WAVE959.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
HRIITrinomial
Page 2 of 6 _ Resource Identifier: 959 Waverlev St
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date December 29. 1999 0 Continuation o Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Description (continued)
covered by a hip roof, and the second story overhangs a full porch across the first floor, supported on pairs of wood columns.
Fenestration consists of wood, double -hung windows except in the rear where there are multi -pane sliders. Doors are paneled.
Inside there are "cement" floors in the basement and pine floors in the main part of the house. There is redwood paneling in
the first floor rooms. In 1949, the Tax Assessor identified an oil -burning, hot-air, gravity heating system and one fireplace.
In plan, this house is a somewhat irregular rectangular box. On the southeast side, facing Addison Street, is a projecting bay
window on the ground floor. On the northwest side is a rectangular projecting wing. The rectangular rear of the house is
narrower than the front. Across the rear in 1901 and 1904 was a one-story extension. By the time of the 1924 Sanborn map,
this extension had been increased to two stories, and there was a further two-story extension behind it. The 1949 Sanborn
map is less detailed but appears to show yet another extension, this one less than the full width of the rear of the house. The
1949 Tax Assessor fisted the rooms in the house as follows: downstairs were a living room, dining room, bedroom, bath, two
kitchens, and one service porch; and upstairs were six bedrooms and one bath. The arrangement of the interior is not known.
In appearance, this house is a variation of a common Palo Alto house type — the two-story rectangular box. In form, this house
is characterized by its rectangular shape, its second story overhanging the porch that runs completely across its ground floor,
its hip roof, and proportional dormers. This is a Craftsman house in style with its shingled walls, overhanging eaves and exposed
rafters, and paired porch columns. Standard windows are used in pairs, achieving satisfying proportions at a low cost. Although
larger than a bungalow, this house is similar in appearance to designs for two-story houses that appeared in turn of the century
pattern books including bungalow books, for example books by the Century Architectural Company in 1897, and Hodgson's
in 1906. In relation to those publications and to other houses of the type in Palo Alto le.g., 630 Lincoln), this is an early
example.
In addition, there is a garage behind the house. This garage is a rectangular structure with a hip roof, overhanging eaves and
exposed rafter ends. Its walls are divided into a lower area with wood siding, and a clerestory area with battens, There is a
pair of original paneled doors on rollers.
Packet Pg. 341
DPR 523L (1/95) WAVE959.F1 *Required information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRl
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 3 of 6
*NRHP Status Code 35
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 959 Waverley St
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Craftsman
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1899: Built (Palo Alto Times)
*B7. Moved? ® No 0 Yes ❑ Unknown Date: Original Location:
*BB. Related Features:
garage
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: Downing and Laumeister
*B10. Significance: Theme A: pattern of development. C: common Palo Alto building type Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1899-1946 Property Type Residential
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity,)
Applicable Criteria A and C
History
Site: The house at 959 Waverley is located at the north corner of Waverley and Addison in Block No. 57 as it appeared on the
Map of the Town of Palo Alto (1894). The lot measured 50 by 160 feet and was a large sized example for a suburban lot of
its day. After 1904 and before 1924 (as shown on Sanborn maps), a wood structure was built behind the house. This structure
was labeled a garage on the 1924 Sanborn map. With its high roof and unusual appearance, this was probably built early in
the period between 1904 and 1924 and may originally have been for horses and wagons.
Structure: The Palo Alto Times reported on 26 May 1899 that the firm of Downing and Laumeister were building a new
residence for Mrs. Jane A. Denton at a cost of $3,000. The same newspaper published on 29 December 1899 a notice that
said that Downing and Laumeister had dissolved their partnership because Mr. Downing was retiring from the firm, According
to the Palo Alto City Directory the first occupant of 959 Waverley was the contractor T.B. Downing. The building was described
as a two-family dwelling by the Tax Assessor in 1949. Since that time, it has become a single family residence again,
Use: According to the record in the Palo Alto City Directory the house at 959 Waverley was a single family residence from 1899
to 1950. Combing information from city directories and the U.S. Census of 1910 (that was difficult to read), the occupants
in 1910 were F. Tarpey, age 40 (head of household), and Winifred Tarpey, age 38 (sister of F. Tarpey). Winifred Tarpey was
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*614. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: December 29, 1999
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 342
DPR 523B (1/95) WAVE959.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 4 of 6 Resource Identifier: 959 Waverley St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date December 29, 1999 ® Continuation ID Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
principal of a school whose name started with a "C" (Castilleja?). The Palo Alto Times had written of the Tarpey's father on
5 October 1904 at the time of his death that he and his family had moved to Palo Alto from San Francisco and during the five
years they remained two sons and a daughter attended Stanford University. He had returned to his home on Bush Street in San
Francisco by 1904 but the two daughters remained behind in Palo Alto or chose to return.
According to Palo Alto: A Centennial History, the 1956 Nobel Prize Laureate, William B. Shockley, moved to Palo Alto in 1913
when he was about three years old. The Shockley family lived at 959 Waverley at least by 1914 and remained there until they
left Palo Alto in 1922. Some seven years after the family's arrival, the father, William H. Shockley, a mining engineer, was made
a lecturer in Mining and Metalurgy. The mother, May Shockley, was an artist. The junior William Shockley won the Nobel Prize
in physics in 1956 as the co -inventor of the transistor. Also in 1956, he returned to Palo Alto and, under the aegis of Beckman
Instruments, Inc., organized a team of top scientists at Shockley Semiconductor Laboratory. Team members would eventually
break away to form Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation, and from there Intel Corporation, as well as taking other significant
parts in the development of the network of science and industry that would come to be called Silicon Valley.
Evaluation
The building at 959 Waverley appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance for the period
1899 to 1946 (approximate date of conversion to duplex).
Under criterion A, this house is associated with two important patterns — the initial development of Palo Alto as a city
dominated by suburban houses, and the construction by contractors of houses for themselves (T.B. Downing).
Under criterion C, this house is a variation of a common Palo Alto building type — a rectangular box with a hip roof and a full
front porch under an overhanging second story. It is an early example of this type and of the Craftsman style. It is a notable
example of the work of the important Palo Alto contractors, Downing and Laumeister. In addition, located on a corner with its
distinctive rear garage, possibly built for horses and wagons, more visible than most, this property is a conspicuous example
of an early Palo Alto residential lot. The property has a high level of integrity. The conversion of the house to a duplex about
1946 is not noticeable on the exterior. This house is not significant under criterion B for its association with William Shockley
because Shockley lived here only as a child. His later accomplishments may be associated with other houses in Palo Alto and
elsewhere.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Century Architectural Company. Modern Homes: A Collection of Practical Designs for Houses and Cottages, seventh edition.
1897. Republished as Late Victorian Houses and Cottages. Mineola, New York: Dover Publications, 1999.
Hodgson, Fred T. Practical Bungalows and Cottages for Town and Country: Perspective Views and Floor Plans of One Hundred
Twenty -Five Low and Medium Priced Houses and Bungalows. Chicago: Frederick J. Drake & Company, 1906,
Palo Alto City Directory. 1904-1950.
Palo Alto Daily News. 6 May 1999. p. 9.
Packet Pg. 343
DPR 523L 11/95) WAVE959.F1 "Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 5 of 6 Resource Identifier: 959 Waverlev St
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date December 29, 1999 itg Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
References (continued)
Palo Alto Department of Inspectional Services. Pre -Sale and Housing Inspection Form. Prepared by Eugene Brown, Inspector.
29 March 1978.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 26 May 1899, 29 December 1899, 5 October 1904, 29 November 1920, 26 May 1925.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1901.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1904.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1950, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Winslow, Ward. Palo Alto: A Centennial History. p. 212.
Packet Pg. 344
DPR 523L (1/95i WAVE959.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #,.
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
LOCATION MAP Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page of *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 959 Waverlev Si
*Map Name: Palo Alto Plann)no Dent. GIS *Scale: 1":80°
*Date of Map: 1999
Packet Pg. 345
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
CRITERIA 2 & 3 NOMINATIONS
Properties proposed for designation under Palo Alto Criteria 2 and 3:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of life
important to the city, state or nation)
• Criterion 3 (The structure or site is an example of a type of building which was once common,
but is now rare)
Address
Criteria
Category
904 Bryant Street
2, 3
2
630 Lincoln Avenue
2, 3
2
2115-2121 Cornell Street
2, 3
3
2127-2133 Cornell Street
2, 3
3
719 Webster Street
2, 3
3
Page &Turnbull 1 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNI
Packet Pg. 346
PAGE &TURNBULL
904 BRYANT STREET (formerly 802-804 Bryant Street)
APN: 120-28-105
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1904-1955
Summary of Significance: 904 Bryant Street, originally 802-804 Bryant Street, was found significant
under Criterion A for its role in representing important development patterns of early Palo Alto, and
under Criterion C as a distinctive example of an early twentieth century residential building type.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: Building was relocated from the 800 -block of Bryant Street since 2001;
openings within first -floor porch have been altered.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity despite relocation of building.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance is revised to 1904, the year of
the building's construction. The identified Criterion A significance was omitted as the subject
building was not the first or last early twentieth-century residential building erected in the historic
core of Palo Alto and is not known to have served as a catalyst for the development of the
neighborhood. The architectural style of the building has been revised to a Colonial Revival style
Foursquare.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
J 1 JY
Packet Pg. 347
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly representative of an architectural style or way
of life important to the city, state or nation)
• Criterion 3 (The structure or site is an example of a type of building which was once
common, but is now rare)
Statement of Significance: This building, which was moved to 904 Bryant Street from 802-804
Bryant Street since it was surveyed in 2001, is significant as an early and excellent example of the
Colonial Revival style Foursquare constructed in Palo Alto in the early years of the twentieth century.
Despite its relocation, the building retains a high level of historic integrity.
Period of Significance: 1904
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
N
Packet Pg. 348
17\JYIVU ILLY.,_'vc,..J
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary :#
HRI #
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings ..
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 6 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 802-804 Bryant St
P1. Other Identifier: 802-804 Bryant St
P2. Location: In Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T _. R _; _''4 of _% of Sec . B.M.
c. Address 802-804 Brvant St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _; mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 28 015
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
This building is located at the south corner of Bryant Street and Homer Avenue. It is located one block southwest of Waverley
Street (where a streetcar line was planned at the time this house was built) and three blocks southeast of University Avenue.
It is located on a lot that measures 371/2 by 100 feet, about the size of a typical city lot of the period. The building nearly fills
the front of its lot and represents a density of development associated with proximity to the streetcar.
Sanborn maps show this as a 11/2 story dwelling at 804 Bryant in 1908, 1924, and 1949. It is shown as a dwelling, as distinct
from flats or apartments. It is not clear why it was shown as a 11/2 story structure when the second story is a full story and
considering that a half story usually refers to an upper story that is smaller than the lower floors because of the angle of a roof.
Rather than an indication of a change or an error, perhaps this refers to the unusual situation here of a ground floor that was
built smaller than the upper floor which overhangs a full porch.
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Sinale family property
*P4. Resources Present: ® Building 0 Structure 0 object 0 Site ❑ District ❑ Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo;
(View, date, accession #)
802-804 Bryant St; view south;
09/16/99: by B. Vahev; roll BRV-83.
neq #6
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
1904; Assessor's Records
*P7. Owner and Address:
Palo Alto Med Foundation Healthcare
300 Homer Ave Palo Alto CA 94301
*PS. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
January 11, 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey report and other sources, or enter "none.) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and
Bradley for Dames & Moore. 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE la Location Map 0 Sketch Map ® Continuation Sheet ® Building, Structure and Object Record
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record 0 Milfnt Statinn Record ❑ Rock Art Record
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
Packet Pg. 349
DPR 523A (11951/ BRYA802.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI1Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 2 of 6 Resource identifier: 802-804 Bryant St
Recorded by Michael Corbett
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*Date January 11. 2000 Continuation ❑ Update
Description (continued)
As built, this was a two-story building in a nearly square plan. By 1924, the ground floor was extended to the rear. The second
floor is carried on round columns over a porch that stretches across the entire front of the house. The second floor projects
out even further with square bays at each of its front corners. Between the time of the pre -1924 rear extension of the ground
floor and 1955 when the house was converted permanently to a duplex, the interior consisted of a living room, dining roam,
bedroom, bath, kitchen, and service porch on the ground floor, and four bedrooms and a bath upstairs. In addition, there was
a small basement measuring 8 by 10 feet. An undated notation pointing to the rear extension on the Tax Assessor's card
indicates "office" use.
This is a stud frame structure built on a foundation of concrete walls. Its frame is clad in three -lap siding nailed directly on the
studs, without sheathing. Interior walls are plastered and the floors are pine. In 1949, heating was by gas floor furnaces.
There were no fireplaces. The house is covered by a hip roof with overhanging eaves and paneled soffits. Fenestration consists
of wood, double -hung windows, and paneled doors.
In appearance, this house mixes imagery generally associated with the Colonial Revival style and with Craftsman Bungalows.
Colonial Revival style features include the boxy shape, hip roof, paneled soffits, frieze under the eaves, classical references in
the porch columns, siding, and overall symmetry. The exposed beams (with their ends jigsawn in an S -curve) that appear to
support the large corner bays are associated with Craftsman Bungalows. Together, the house belongs to neither of these styles.
The form of the building characterized by its hip roof, full porch, and second floor corner bays is the predominant element in
establishing its unusual character. The building is similar in character to 840 and 846 Bryant in this block and contributes to
a distinctive "streetcar suburb" landscape in this area.
Packet Pg. 350
DPR 523L (1/95) BRYA8o2.F1 *Required Information
Item 2
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary # Attachment A 2023 -11 -
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # 09_HRB Nomination
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD ` Package -FULL J
Page 3 of 6 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 802-804 Bryant St
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: 64. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Craftsman and Colonial Revival
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1904: Built (Assessor's Records}
ca. 1908-1924: Ground floor extension
ca. 1924-1949: Addition of garage at rear
unknown date: garage enlarged
*B7. Moved? ® No 0 Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Patterns of development; C: House type Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance A: 1904-1955; C: 1904 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
lDiscuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: 802 Bryant is located in Block 67 of the original plat of the City of Palo Alto. The Sanborn map of 1908 does not identify
a property line separating this building (listed as 804 Bryant) from a dwelling at 806 Bryant and two dwellings identified as "A"
and "B" Homer. (Later information show these to have been 260 and 268 Homer, built in 1908.) The Homer Avenue dwellings
are on a separate parcel by the time of the 1924 Sanborn map, but 804 and 806 are shown on a single parcel through the 1949
Sanborn map.
History of Building: The assessment card for 802 Bryant (identified as 804 Bryant) dates the building to 1904; the Santa Clara
County MetroScan dates it to 1898. City directories first list the address in 1904. Granted the frequency of occupant turnover;
the fact that the occupant at the time of the 1910 U.S. Census was identified as a renter; and the fact that the Sanborn of
1908 has the house on one piece of land with three others, it seems fair to suppose that this was built as a speculative dwelling
probably in or about 1904. It is not known when the ground floor extension was built within the period of 1908 to 1924. A
garage at the rear was built for two vehicles between 1924 and 1949 and was enlarged for a third vehicle at an unknown date
(perhaps when the streetcar was removed in 1925).
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: January 11. 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 351
DPR 523B (1/95) BRYA8o2.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary°
HRIITrinomial
Page 4 of 6 Resource Identifier: 802-804 Bryant St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date January 11. 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
History of Use: According to the city directories, the turnover at 802 (804) Bryant was almost on an annual basis prior to 1926.
The occupants were either tradesmen and their families or students. The owners and occupants during the period 1918-1920
were Louis J. and Ella Bieg. Louis Bieg was listed as a heating plant installer in 1918-1919. Because this house was probably
built without any heating system, it may be that Bieg installed the gas floor furnace at that time. (This house was built on the
same lot at the same time as 806 Bryant. As late as 1949, 806 Bryant still had no heating system, leading to the speculation
that neither house originally had one — a common situation in working class housing in pre -World War II California.) The City
Directory of 1907 gives two addresses, 802 and 804 Bryant, and the directories that followed usually listed two or more family
names at the one address. The residence seems to have been occupied much of the time as a rental property.
In the 1910 census, the occupant was a renter, May Coons Wilbur and her two grown sons. Mrs. Wilbur was divorced and
her occupation was "theatrical elocution." In 1920, the occupant was also the owner and his wife and son. The mix of last
names among the residents in many years raises the possibility that this was sometimes occupied as a boarding house or a
lodging house. There were many boarding houses in this neighborhood according to various directories, but as this address was
never listed as such, there is no confirmation that it ever served such a function. With five bedrooms, this was an unusually
large house and amenable to use by a large family or as a boarding house or lodging house.
Evaluation
The building at 802 Bryant Street appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. Under
criteria A, the period of significance is 1904 to 1955, when it became a duplex. Under criterion C, the period of significance
is 1904.
Despite many unanswered questions about this building (who built it, who was it built for, what was the source of the design,
did it function as a boarding house?) under criterion A, 802 Bryant Street appears to represent important patterns of Palo Alto's
early development. It appears to have been built speculatively for a small and specialized segment of the population — a large
working class family. It was built near streetcar tracks and downtown businesses for access to work by people who would not
have automobiles or other means of transportation. The house may have been built intentionally with the flexibility to function
as a boarding or lodging house, or as a duplex. For most of its history, it has provided rental housing to students and working
class people.
Under criterion C, 802 Bryant is a distinctive example of an important building type — the large family house. It was originally
built with four bedrooms upstairs and gained a fifth bedroom when the ground floor was extended to the rear before 1924.
With its full porch and projecting second -story corner bays this is a distinctive looking house. It combines conventional imagery
derived from the Colonial Revival and Craftsman styles with an unusual form that conveys contradictory ways of life — the full
porch is characteristic of suburban houses in pleasant climates, while the second floor above the porch with its projecting bays
represents an intensity of land development characteristic of streetcar suburbs.
A previous evaluation by Carey & Company in 1998 was preliminary in nature. It was based on the appearance of the building
and was completed before research was done. Based on information discovered after that report was made, we have come
to a different conclusion. This does not represent a difference of opinion but conclusions based on different information.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Carey & Company. Historic Resources Survey: Palo Alto Medical Foundation Properties, Palo Alto, California. Prepared for Palo
Alto Medical Foundation. January 20, 1998.
Dorfman, Sonia. "Boarding Houses and Apartment Houses in Palo Alto: 1893-1945." Historical context statement prepared
for Palo Alto Historic Building Survey. 1999.
Packet Pg. 352
DPR 523L (1/95) BRYA8o2.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 5 of 6 Resource Identifier: 802-804 Bryant St
Recorded by Michael Corbett
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*Date January 11. 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
References (continued)
Palo Alto Times. 17 August 1938.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1904-1963.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1908.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949.
U.S. Census. 1910, 1920.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Warner, Sam B., Jr. Streetcar Suburbs: The Process of Growth in Boston 1870-1900. New York: Atheneum, 1976.
Packet Pg. 353
DPR 523L (1/95) BRYASO2.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary #.
HRi#
Trfnorniat
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page A_ of 6 *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 802-804 Bryant St
*Map Name: Palo Alto Plannina Dgpt. GIS *Scale: 1":80' *Date of Map: 1999
Tie C117 •r
Palo Alto
DPR 523J (1/95)
71116 daanrmt Is a graphic t+on.«l.tbn only of 4aat mist* *mom 7M City a1 Palo Alb aoannaa no napam b y tar any imam
802-804 Bryant Street
120-28-015
This the
cta r. tMy ofPalo asprodu
*Requited Intarno ton
Packet Pg. 354
PAGE &TURNBULL
630 LINCOLN AVENUE
APN: 120-06-033
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
r
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
&T
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1910-1925
Summary of Significance: 630 Lincoln Avenue was deemed eligible under Criterion A as a
representative of important local patterns of development by people in the construction trades, and
of the relationship of the growth of Palo Alto to the construction of Stanford University. Under
Criterion C, it was deemed eligible as an example of a large and common housing type, the
Foursquare box with Craftsman style features.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: Formerly exposed rafter tails have been shortened and enclosed in some
locations; no additional alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1910, the
year of the building's construction. The architectural style of the building has also been revised from
Craftsman Bungalow to Craftsman style Foursquare.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly representative of an architectural style or way
of life important to the city, state, or nation)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415-3
Packet Pg. 355
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
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Package -FULL
• Criterion 3 (The structure or site is an example of a type of building which was once
common, but is now rare)
Statement of Significance: 630 Lincoln Avenue is significant as an early and excellent example of the
Foursquare house type in Palo Alto with Craftsman style characteristics.
Period of Significance: 1910
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
N
Packet Pg. 356
I, _AY I V t) 1 L L Y 1 J- J., L- J I J,Y
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRI #
PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 6 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 630 Lincoln Ave
P1. Other Identifier: 630 Lincoln Ave
P2. Location: 0 Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P26 or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary,)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto. CA Date 1991 T _; R _ % of _Y+ of Sec , B.M.
c. Address 630 Lincoln Ave
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone •
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 06 033
City Palo Alto Zip 94301
mE/ mN
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The following description addresses the building in terms of its structure, plan, and appearance. The structure and plan are
described using three sources of information (1949 Assessment Record prepared by the Tax Assessor, Sanborn maps, and
current survey information — photographs, Field Notes form, and site visits from 1998 and 1999). The description of the
structure and plan is presented for two phases in the building's history. The building is presented as it was built, or as it was
at the earliest time warranted by the information available. Secorid the building is presented as it has changed, up to the present
(1999)
The house at 630 Lincoln is a large, two-story house with a half basement and a finished attic. It is a balloon or platform frame
structure which was still on its original brick wall foundations in 1949. The frame is enclosed on the exterior by three -lap siding,
and windows are double hung. The house is covered by a high hip roof with hip -roofed dormers. Inside, there were plaster
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: ® Building ❑ Structure 0 Object ❑ Site ❑ District 0 Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
630 Lincoln Ave; view southeast:
09/13199; by B. Vahev; roll BRV-76.
necl #6
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
ca. 1910; City Directory
*P7. Owner and Address:
Rob Levitskv
630 Lincoln Ave Palo Alto CA 94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco. CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
December 27, 1999
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update LCorbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE ® Location Map ❑ Sketch Map ® Continuation Sheet ® Bu /din
0 Archaeological Record 0 District Record ❑ Linear Feature Record ❑ Milli
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
r
g
Structure and Objec
Packet Pg. 357
t Record
d
DPR 523A 11/9511 LINC630.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL J
Page 2 of 6 Resource Identifier: 630 Lincoln Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date December 27, 1999 ® Continuation 0 Update
Description (continued)
walls, and floors as follows: cement floors in the basement, hardwood floors on the ground floor, and pine floors on the second
floor. In 1949, the Tax Assessor recorded two gas floor furnaces and two fireplaces.
In plan, this was a square building with projections shown on three sides on the 1924 and 1949 Sanborn maps. At the north
corner of the building near the street corner, a projecting, second -story, square -corner bay overhung a partially recessed entrance
porch. At the other end of the ground floor on the front facade, there was a projecting, angled, bay window. At the rear of
the southwest side, projecting toward the center of the lot was an angled, bay window and a porch or porte cochere above it.
At the rear was a one-story, projecting bay. In 1949, the Tax Assessor identified the following rooms: on the ground floor, a
living room, dining room, bath, kitchen, service porch and a sun porch (ambiguously noted, but visible at the rear); on the second
floor were four bedrooms and a bath; and in the attic were two bedrooms. MetroScan listed seven bedrooms, three bathrooms,
and dining room in 1998.
Although the interior plan is not known, this house resembles others with a plan that includes a living room across the first floor,
and a bedroom in each of the four upstairs corners. The two attic bedrooms do not appear to have been needed by the single
family of five who first lived in the house nor by the subsequent families through the early 1950s. However, they were recorded
in 1949 and may have been created at the beginning as part of the complete development of a spacious house.
In appearance, this house is a box in form, with finishes and decorative embellishments associated with Craftsman Bungalows.
As a large, two-story house, this house was not a bungalow. However, houses similar to this one appeared in many pattern
books from the 1890s to 1920s including bungalow books including those published by the Century Architectural Company in
1897 and Hodgson's in 1906. Decorative features associated with Craftsman Bungalows include the fine textured three -lap
siding, the hip roof with overhanging eaves and exposed rafters, the bay windows and the square porch posts.
Packet Pg. 358
DPR 523L (1/95) LINC630.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 3 of 6
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 630 Lincoln Ave
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Craftsman Bungalow
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
ca. 1910: Built
*B7. Moved? ® No 0 Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: George McLachlan
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Pattern of development; C: Square box type Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1910-1925 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
{Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The property at 630 Lincoln is located at the south corner of Lincoln and Byron in Block no. 89 of the Original Map of the
University Park of 1889. Between the publication of that map and the Plat of the Town of Palo Alto in 1894, Block no. 89 was
bisected by Byron. The plat shows the two halves of Block no. 89 subdivided into parcels of 25 by 112Y2 feet. Two of the
parcels (nos. 33 and 34) were bought by a stone mason named George McLachlan about 1903. The dimensions of the lot (50
by 1121/2 feet) have never been altered since the original purchase. This was a typical suburban lot of its time and was located
at the fringes of the city's development. The house is located at the northeast end of the lot. By the time of the 1924 Sanborn
map, there was a garage at the rear of the center of the lot and an irregular dwelling at the southwest end of the lot at 620
Lincoln Avenue. This dwelling was in two parts and may have been built in two stages. In the extreme south corner of the
lot was one part of the building, a one and one-half story rectangular structure with a projecting bay facing the street. Extending
toward the northeast was a wider one-story, square structure including a porch. Nothing had changed in the lot in 1949. By
the time of the Fire Run map of 1997, the garage and the dwelling at 620 Lincoln were gone.
Structure: According to an interview with George McLachlan (junior) conducted on 15 April 1947, his father, also named
George, brought his family to Palo Alto in January 1903. The family lived at 940 Scott while George (senior), a stone mason
working at Stanford University, built the house at 630 Lincoln. The Palo Alto City Directory first lists the McLachlans as
See continuation sheet
611. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
613. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: December 27.. 1999
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 359
DPR 523B 0195) LINC63t .F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
HRI/Trinomial
Page 4 of 6 Resource Identifier: 630 Lincoln Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy {history} *Date December 27. 1999 ® Continuation ❑ Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
occupying the new house in 1910. The Palo Alto Times on 9 October 1947 and the Daily Pacific Builder on 13 October 1947
both report a $2,000 addition at 630 Lincoln for or by the owner at that time, C.C. Wrenn. (City directories of 1946 and 1948
list a carpenter named Chester Wrenn living at 628 Waverley.) The footprints on the Sanborn maps of 1924 and 1949 are,
despite these additions, identical.
Use: George McLachlan was a stonemason and foreman, for the McGilvray Stone Company, on such Stanford University work
as the outer quad and the church. McGilvray Stone Company, which became McGilvray-Raymond Granite Company in 1907,
was in business from 1880 to about 1940. The company was involved in the construction of Stanford University, the University
of California at Berkeley, the San Francisco Civic Center, and many of the major buildings in downtown San Francisco. The
company was also a major builder of cemetery monuments. As a foreman, McLachlan held a position of responsibility for one
of the leading architectural stone companies in California. Beginning in 1912, McLachlan's occupation was listed as "marble
works" and "monuments and contracting." It is not clear whether he still worked for McGilvray at that time or not. An
unexplored area of research is any possible ethnic basis for the association between McLachlan and McGilvray. Both were Scots
although McGilvray was born in Ireland, as was Mrs. McLachlan.
McLachlan built the single family residence at 630 Lincoln to house himself and his family. The McLachlans were listed at the
address from 1910 until 1924, by which time the senior George McLachlan was listed as a cutter of monuments. It appears
that he also built the dependent dwelling on the property which may have been intended for the adult children who continued
to be listed at the address until 1924, the year of the father's death. McLachlan was described in his obituary as "a pioneer
stone mason of Palo Alto and one of the builders of Stanford University... He was associated with the early development of
Palo Alto, particularly with the growth of the Presbyterian Church, of which he was an officer and faithful leader." The house
continued as a single family residence under subsequent owners through 1953.
Evaluation
This house at 630 Lincoln is eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance for the period 1910
to at least 1925.
Under criterion A, it represents an important local pattern of development of houses by people in the construction trades, and
related to this, it represents the relationship of the growth of Palo Alto to the construction of Stanford University.
If more were known about the builder and first resident, George McLachlan, it may be significant under criterion B for its
association with him.
Under criterion C, it is an example of a large house, and a variation of a common type, the square box, embellished with
Craftsman features.
References
Basin Research Associates. Letter report regarding Archeological/Cultural Resources Conditions of Approval for project located
at 8th and Townsend Streets (San Francisco), documenting a work yard of the McGilvray-Raymond Granite Company. Prepared
for Bay West Development Company in compliance with requirements of the San Francisco Department of City Planning. 21
August 1989.
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Century Architectural Company. Modern Homes: A Collection of Practical Designs for Houses and Cottages, seventh edition.
1897. Republished as Late Victorian Houses and Cottages. Mineola, New York: Dover Publications, 1999.
Packet Pg. 360
DPR 523L (1/95) LINC63O.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
HRIITrinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL J
Page 5 of 6 Resource Identifier: 630 Lincoln Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date December 27, 1999 0 Continuation 0 Update
References (continued/
Daily Pacific Builder. 13 October 1947.
Hodgson, Fred T. Practical Bungalows and Cottages for Town and Country: Perspective Views and Floor Plans of One Hundred
Twenty -Five Low and Medium Priced Houses and Bungalows. Chicago: Frederick J. Drake & Company, 1906.
McLachlan, George interview. 15 April 1947.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 3 March 1924, 18 June 1949, 9 August 1947.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 361
DPR 523L (1/95) LINC63Q.F1 *Required Information
State of California -- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary #
HRI#
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 6 of 6 •Resource Name or # lAssigned by recorder) 630 Linco n Ave
*Map Name: Palo Alto Planning Dem. GIS *Scale: 1 ":80' *Date of Map: 1998
The Chi .1
Pa to Alto
This dominant b a graphic npross 5stbn only of Baal amiable gowns. The CAy of Pala ADD mums no msspoallany for any aroma.
ANN
630 Lincoln Ave
120-06-033
Manua k a t
product
tfly crPalmAke GIS
a
wy
DPR 523J (1/951
*Required Info ,otlon
Packet Pg. 362
PAGE &TURNBULL
2115-2121 CORNELL STREET
APN: 137-02-042
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1928
Summary of Significance: 2115-2121 Cornell Street was found eligible under Criteria A and C, in
association with the adjacent property at 2127-2133 Cornell Street, as an excellent example of a
cottage court in College Terrace that consisted of small cottages like those constructed as vacation
homes around Lake Tahoe. The presence of Cottage Courts was related to Criterion A as a notable
development practice in Palo Alto of the period.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: None.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of
life important to the city, state, or nation)
• Criterion 3 (The structure or site is an example of a type of building which was once
common, but is now rare)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓
Packet Pg. 363
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Statement of Significance: 2115-2121 Cornell Street, containing two residential buildings, is
significant as a unique vernacular variation of small Craftsman vacation cottages that were
constructed in Palo Alto as cottage courts and are associated with the pattern of residential
densification of cottage court developments. This property is associated with the adjacent property
at 2127-2133 Cornell Street.
Period of Significance: 1928
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 3
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 364
N., —,— I— YIJ-JUL-J IJ�1
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary it
HRI #
PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL 1
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 4 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 2115-2121 Cornell St
P1. Other Identifier: 2115-2121 Cornell St
P2. Location: ❑ Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T _; R _• _%, of Y. of Sec ; B.M.
c. Address 2115-2121 Cornell St City Palo Alto Zip 94306
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone ,• mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 137 02 042
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
This property at 2115-2121 Cornell is occupied by two small dwellings in a staggered arrangement from front to back. There
is also a garage behind the rear dwelling. Each dwelling is a one-story, wood -frame structure clad in shingles. The house at
2115 Cornell, closest to the street, is covered by a gable roof. The rear house is covered by a hip roof. Each house is lit by
casement windows. The small, light character of the houses is in contrast to the massive river stone chimneys. The house at
2115 Cornell is slightly larger, with a living room, dining room, two bedrooms, a bath and a kitchen. The house at 2121 Cornell
has a living room, bedroom, bath and kitchen. The houses are designed in the image of Craftsman style vacation houses,
common around Lake Tahoe and in resort areas throughout California.
'P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: ea Building ❑ Structure ❑ Object o Site o District ❑ Element of District ❑ Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
2115-2121 Cornell St: view northeast;
09/21/99: by B. Vahev; roll BRV-86
nea #19
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
ca. 1928; Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
Helen Proctor
758 Greer Rd Palo Alto CA 94303
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett. Dames & Moore
221 Main Street. Suite 600
San Francisco. CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
March 31. 2000
"P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore. 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE ® Location Map ❑ Sketch Map ® Continuation S
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record 0 Milli
❑ Artifact Record ❑ Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
hAPt Ruddinn Structure and OhiPet Record
d
r
Packet Pg. 365
DPR 523A (1/951/ CORN2115.F1
'Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRl#
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL l
Page 2 of 4 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 2115-2121 Cornell St
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Craftsman
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
ca. 1928
*B7. Moved? ® No 0 Yes ❑ Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder:
*B10. Significance: Theme cottaae courts of College Terrace Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1928 Property Type residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The small cottages now numbered 2115 and 2121 Cornell were built on a 100 -foot -by -125 foot lot composed of four of
the original 25 -by -125 -foot lots (nos. 18 to 21) in Block No. 35 in College Terrace. The small cottages now numbered 2127
and 2133 were also on this lot until about 1949 (the official map of the city of 1949 showed an unsubdivided lot; the Tax
Assessor and the Sanborn map of that year treated the property as divided, although the Tax Assessor referred to a building
on old lots 18 and 19 as 2127 Cornell, which was actually on Tots 20 and 21). Some time around 1949, the original lot was
divided in half with two dwellings and a garage remaining on each half.
Structure: No building notices have been discovered for this property. Because the buildings are identical to those next door
and because they were first occupied at the same time, building notices for 2127-2133 Cornell provide information that is
attributed to this property as well. The Palo Alto Times published a building permit notice on 7 April 1928 that identified H.
Van Polen as the owner and builder of a cottage at 527 Cornell at a cost of $1,600 (527 Cornell was changed to 2127 Cornell
ca. 1950). This notice was followed by another that said that Mr. Van Polen was building another cottage next door at 533
Cornell (2133 Cornell) at the same cost. The two cottages shared a driveway and garage, as they do at present, According
to the Assessor's records there has been no alteration to the original structure.
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: March 31 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 366
DPR 523E (1 /95) CORN2115.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 3 of 4 Resource Identifier: 2115-2121 Cornell St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date March 31, 2000 0 Continuation ❑ Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
Use: The Palo Alto City Directory first listed the address in the edition of 1930. From that time and throughout our period of
inquiry there was an almost annual turnover of occupants, none of whom was identified as an owner. A number of the
occupants were identified as public school teachers while almost all of the rest were associated with Stanford University, as
both students and secretaries. The cottages were all built as rental residences, and that is how they were used.
Evaluation
Together with the adjoining lot at 2127-2133 Cornell, or with other cottages in College Terrace, this property at 2115-2121
Cornell Street appears to be eligible for the NRHP as part of a multiple property nomination for "Cottage Courts of College
Terrace. A discussion of this multiple property type is provided in the final survey report.
This property at 2117-2121 Cornell Street appears eligible under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The period
of significance begins in 1928. A more detailed evaluation should be made if a multiple resource nomination is prepared.
References
Byxbee, John F. Map of the City of Palo Alto. 1949.
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1930-1950.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. April 7, 1928.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County, Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949.
Sloan, Ruth. "Cottage Courts of College Terrace." Printed notes for walking tour. 13 May 1999.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 367
DPR 523L (1195) CORN2115.F1 *Required Information
State of California --- The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
LOCATION MAP Trinomial
Page of 4 *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder)
*Map Name: Palq Alto PlanninaDent. GIS *Scale: 1":84"
Ilia City .f
Palo Alto
DPR 523J (1/951
TMIg doomedi. ■ RaPhin n nosonlatbn auk of boot nonionic tomato The cry d Pab Alb amines no feapon.baay for any *nom
*Required Information
137-242 137.253
2115-2121 Cornell St
137-02-042
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
2115-2121 Cornell t
*Date of Map: 1999
Trrtkct l e /rte
City of Merecit (`/1�_1
61 61. 1
o•
Packet Pg. 368
PAGE &TURNBULL
2127-2133 CORNELL STREET
APN: 137-02-041
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1928
Summary of Significance: 2127-2133 Cornell Street was found eligible under Criteria A and C, in
association with the adjacent property at 2115-2121 Cornell Street, as an excellent example of a
cottage court in College Terrace that consisted of small cottages like those constructed as vacation
homes around Lake Tahoe. The presence of Cottage Courts was related to Criterion A as a notable
development practice in Palo Alto of the period.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: None.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of
life important to the city, state, or nation)
• Criterion 3 (The structure or site is an example of a type of building which was once
common, but is now rare)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓
Packet Pg. 369
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Statement of Significance: 2127-2133 Cornell Street, containing two residential buildings, is
significant as a unique vernacular variation of small Craftsman vacation cottages that were
constructed in Palo Alto as cottage courts and are associated with the pattern of residential
densification of cottage court developments. This property is associated with the adjacent property
at 2115-2121 Cornell Street.
Period of Significance: 1928
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 3
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 370
N., —,— I— YIJ-JUL-J IJ�1
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Page 1 of 4
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Primary #
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 38
*Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 2127-2133 Cornell St
P1. Other Identifier: 2127-2133 Cornell St
P2. Location: ❑ Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto. CA Date 1991 T _; R _; Y. of _Y4 of Sec . B.M.
c. Address 2127 Cornell St City Palo Alto Zip 94306
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _; mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 137 02 041
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
This property at 2127-2133 Cornell is occupied by two small dwellings in a staggered arrangement from front to back. There
is also a garage behind the rear dwelling. Each dwelling is a one-story, wood -frame structure clad in shingles. The house at
2127 Cornell, closest to the street, is covered by a gable roof. The rear house is covered by a hip roof. Each house is lit by
casement windows. The small, light character of the houses is in contrast to the massive river stone chimneys. The house at
2127 Cornell is slightly larger, with a living room, dining room, tvJo bedrooms, a bath, and a kitchen. The house at 2133 Cornell
has a living room, bedroom, bath, and kitchen. The houses are designed in the image of Craftsman style vacation houses,
common around Lake Tahoe and in resort areas throughout California.
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Sinqle family property
*P4. Resources Present: co Building ❑ Structure 0 Object 0 Site ❑ District 0 Element of District ❑ Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
2127 Cornell St: view north:
09/21/99: by B. Vahev; roll BRV-86,
neq #15
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
ca. 1928: Palo A/tp Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
Helen Proctor
758 Greer Rd Palo Alto CA 94303
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco. CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
March 31. 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none.) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE 0 Location Map 0 Sketch Map o Continuation S eet ® Buildin:. Structure and Ob'e t Record
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record 0 Milli Packet Pg. 371
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
DPR 523A (1/95)/ CORN2127.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI it
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 2 of 4 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 2127-2133 Cornell St
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Craftsman
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
ca. 1928
*B7. Moved? ® No o Yes u Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: H. Van Polen
*B10. Significance: Theme cottage courts of College Terrace Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1928 Property Type residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The small cottages now numbered 2127 and 2133 Cornell were built on a 100 -foot -by -125 foot lot composed of four of
the original 25 -foot -by -125 -foot lots (nos. 18 to 21) in Block No. 35 in College Terrace. The small cottages now numbered
2115 and 2121 were also on this lot until about 1949 (the official map of the city of 1949 showed an unsubdivided lot; the
Tax Assessor and the Sanborn map of that year treated the property as divided, although the Tax Assessor referred to a building
on old lots 18 and 19 as 2127 Cornell, which was actually on lots 20 and 21). Some time around 1949, the original lot was
divided in half with two dwellings and a garage remaining on each half.
Structure: The Palo Alto Times published a building permit notice on 7 April 1928 that identified H. Van Polen as the owner and
builder of a cottage at 527 Cornell at a cost of $1,600 (527 was changed to 2127 Cornell ca. 1950) . This notice was followed
by another that said that Mr. Van Palen was building another cottage next door at 533 Cornell (2133 Cornell) at the same cost.
The two cottages shared a driveway and garage, as they do at present. According to the Assessor's records, there has been
no alteration to the original structure.
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: March 31, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 372
DPii 523E (1/95) CORN2127.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
HRI/Trinomial
Page 3 of 4 Resource Identifier: 2127-2133 Cornell St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date March 31. 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
Use: The Palo Alto City Directory first listed the address in the edition of 1930. From that time and throughout our period of
inquiry, there was an almost annual turnover of occupants, none of whom was identified as an owner. A number of the
occupants were identified as public school teachers while almost all of the rest were associated with Stanford University, as
both students and secretaries. The cottages were all built as rental residences, and that is how they were used.
Evaluation
Together with the adjoining lot at 2117-2121 Cornell, or with other cottages in College Terrace, this property at 2127-2133
Cornell Street appears to be eligible for the NRHP as part of a multiple property nomination for "Cottage Courts of College
Terrace. A discussion of this multiple property type is provided in the final survey report.
This property at 2127-2133 Cornell Street appears eligible under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The period
of significance begins in 1928. A more detailed evaluation should be made if a multiple resource nomination is prepared.
References
Byxbee, John F. Map of the City of Palo Alto. 1949.
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1930-1950.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. April 7, 1928.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949.
Sloan, Ruth. "Cottage Courts of College Terrace." Printed notes for walking tour. 13 May 1999.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 373
DPR 523L (1195) C0RN2127.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Page of 4
*Map Name: Palo Alto_Planninn Dent, GIS *Scale: 1':80'
1.
Primary*
HRI#
Trinort,�l..
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder} 2127-2133 Cornell St
*Date of Map: 1999
Ms Ch1 .1
Palo Alto
Mb dammed b a gaphlo eertf000 llatien only of tool mister aowcee, TRs Gay d Pab Arr meaner no egponeibWy for sty !noes.
2127-2133 Cornell St
137-02-041
Mk /wise ciyor°toOPalo weds C)
a
®PR 523.1(1/951
*Required Information
Packet Pg. 374
PAGE &TURNBULL
719 WEBSTER STREET
APN: 120-04-112
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1905-1948
Summary of Significance: 719 Webster Street was deemed eligible under Criterion A as an early
example of suburban development in Palo Alto and a residence built during the boom of
construction after the streetcar line was built. It is also significant as an example of builders
constructing houses for their own use. Under Criterion C, it was deemed eligible as an important
early building type: the square cottage type with a projecting wing and steep gable roof.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: There is a large addition to the right side and a replacement of a tripartite
window at the second -floor dormer.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1905, the
year of the building's construction. The significance of the property under Criterion A, as a residence
built during the boom of construction after the streetcar line was built and by the original
owner/builders for their own use, has also been omitted, as many extant properties express this
development context and this significance may be better expressed through the survey and
potential identification of a historic district.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓
Packet Pg. 375
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly representative of an architectural style or way
of life important to the city, state, or nation)
• Criterion 3 (The structure or site is an example of a type of building which was once
common, but is now rare)
Statement of Significance: 719 Webster Street is significant as an early example of the Eastern
Shingle Cottage style in Palo Alto. The facade has been altered in several ways, including the
replacement of original windows and a large addition to the rear right side of the house. However,
the building retains its overall character and massing to a sufficient degree for consideration as a
contributing building to the overall neighborhood architectural context.
Period of Significance: 1905
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 3
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 376
State of California — The Resources: Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRI #
PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 721-727 Webster St
P1. Other Identifier: 721-727 Webster St
P2. Location: ❑ Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T _; R •_'/+ of _%. of Sec B.M.
c. Address 721-727 Webster St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _ mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 04 067
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
This house, at 721-727 Webster Street, is a wood -frame structure clad in three -lap siding on its walls and variously patterned
shingles in its gables. It is covered by a steeply pitched gable roof with flaring eaves and long shed dormers. The 1908 Sanborn
map labeled the house as having two stories, indicating that the upper floor space was already finished and habitable, including
the shed dormers. The subsequent Sanborn maps of 1924 and 1949 labeled the house with 11/2 stories — a more consistent
way of describing space under a roof. In plan, this is a square cottage with a projecting wing and half porch on the ground floor,
surmounted by a large attic that overhangs the porch. This is a common variation of a common Palo Alto house type of the
period. In 1949, shortly after it was converted to apartments, the Tax Assessor identified the following rooms: a living room,
dining room, bedroom, bath, kitchen, and service porch downstairs; and two living rooms, two bedrooms, two baths, and two
kitchens upstairs.
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: ® Building ❑ Structure ❑ Object ❑ Site ❑ District ❑ Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
721-727 Webster St; view north:
09/16/99: by B. Vahev: roll BRV-81,
neq#17
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
o Prehistoric a Both
1905: Assessor's Records
*P7. Owner and Address:
Dennis Levett
PO Box 420 Palo Alto CA 94302
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett. Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
March 31, 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: ❑ NONE ® Location Map o Sketch Map csil Continuation Sh
0 Archaeological Record 0 District Record ❑ Linear Feature Record ❑ Milli
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record ❑ Other (List)
eet ® Building. Structure and Object Record
n
Packet Pg. 377
DAR 523A (1/95)/ WEBS721.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 2 of 5 Resource Identifier: 721-727 Webster St
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date March 31, 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL
Description (continued)
In appearance, this design mixes imagery associated with very different approaches to style. On the ground floor, the form of
the house is derived from those cottages of the 1890s often characterized as Queen Anne cottages. At the same time, it was
simplified in surface treatment like the Colonial Revival style. Meanwhile, the shingled gables and steeply pitched roof upstairs
with its variety of shingle patterns, flaring eaves, and cantilevered gable top, all refer to Craftsman and east coast Queen Anne
style houses (often called Shingle Style). Altogether the styles of the house represent a simplifying rejection of the elaborate
ornamentation and complex massing of the Victorian era while retaining a form commonly associated with it. The design of
this house is similar to several others in Palo Alto, especially 471 Addison Avenue and 249 Kipling Street.
Packet Pg. 378
DPR 523L (1/95) WEBS721.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 3 of 5 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 721-727 Webster St
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Craftsman/Shingle Style
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1905: Built (Assessor's Records)
1940: Alterations
*B7. Moved? ® No 0 Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme Pattern of development in Palo Alto; C: Early Palo Alto building type Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1905-1948 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The house at 721 Webster Street is situated on a 50 -foot -by -125 -foot lot in Block 55 of the original University Park plan
of 1889. The 1908 Sanborn map showed a stable behind the house in the east corner of the lot. This stable was a one-story,
wood -frame structure. The stable was replaced by 1924 when the Sanborn map showed a one-story, wood -frame garage in
the same location but with a smaller footprint. The house was built about two blocks from the new streetcar line on University
Avenue.
Structure: The Assessor's records date the house at 721 Webster Street to 1905, and the Sanborn map of 1904 did not show
a house on the site. The Palo Alto City Directory first listed the address in 1906 at which time it was occupied by W.E. Collins,
a contractor, Ray E. Collins, a carpenter, and Miss Blanche Collins, a student. The Palo Alto Times reported on 26 October 1906
that the house had been sold by the realtor and developer J.J. Morris to W.T. Greene, and in 1907, the City Directory listed
Walter L. Greene at the address. The Palo Alto Times reported on 7 June 1940 that a building permit had been issued to Anna
Darlington for alterations to the house that would cost $400.00.
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: March 31, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 379
DPR 523B (1/95) WEBS721.F1 *Required Information
State of California -- The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 4 of 5 Resource Identifier: 721-727 Webster St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (historvl *Date March 31. 2000 ® Continuation o Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
Use: The Palo Alto City Directory listed 721 Webster Street as a single family dwelling from 1906 until 1948 when three family
names were listed. Walter Leonard Greene, who bought the house in 1906, was listed at the address with his wife Abbie, son
Merrill, and sister Rebecca T. Greene. The Greene's were all natives of Maine. According to an obituary published in the Palo
Alto Times on 4 October 1926, Rebecca Greene had been a member of the high school faculty for five years when she moved
into the Webster Street house with her brother and his family. She worked for some years as the associate principal of Palo
Alto Union High School, while she lived there. She died at 65 years old in this house. In 1939, Walter and Abbie Greene sold
the house and moved to 819 Oregon. The new owner was Anna Darlington, a widow, who made alterations and by 1948 was
renting out apartments in it.
Evaluation
This house at 721-727 Webster Street appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance.
The period of significance is 1905, when it was built, to 1948, when it was converted to apartments. Except for an exterior
stairway on the southeast side, this conversion did not change the appearance of the building. This was a minor change that
did not affect the essential features of the design. Thus, the house retains integrity for the NRHP.
Under criterion A, this house is associated with the following significant patterns in Palo Alto's early development: it represents
the initial development of the city with suburban residences; it recalls the boom in construction associated with the streetcar
line; and it represents the construction of many early houses by carpenters or builders for themselves.
Under criterion C, this house is an example of an important early building type in Palo Alto, characterized as a square cottage
with a projecting wing and half porch surmounted by a steep gabled roof.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1906-1950.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 26 October 1906, 4 October 1926, 7 June 1940, 17 February 1947, 14 April 1947.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1904.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1908.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 192.4.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 380
DPR 523L (1/95) WEBS721.F1 *Required Information
Item 2
State of California -- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary #
HRI#
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Trinomial Package -FULL
Page 5 of 5 `Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 721-727 Webster St
*Map Name: Palo Alto Planning Dent. GIS *Scale: 1":80' "Date of Map: 1999
120-4-23
120.4.3.1
120-43-2
120-43-3
120434
120-43-5
120434
12043-7
120-43-8
12043-9
120-43-10
12055-1
120-55-2
120-55-3
120-55-4
120-55-5
120-55-6
120-55-7
12055-B
1204-40
120449
ore tn..f
Pa to Alto
this docunwa b ■ graphic rapruadtlbn ally of best awlabb somas. lln. C y d Prb Aba MOM* no nsparr691y or any am*.
120-40-11
120-40-12
120-40-13
120-40-14
120-40-15
12040-16
120-40-17
120-40-18
725 Webster St
120-04-067
ti0
120-4-52
120-4-58
prtduct
Trim* w. 0
Ply off Pub A; cols
a6
UF'It b13J t 1/95)
*Required information
Packet Pg. 381
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
CRITERION 3 NOMINATIONS
Properties proposed for designation under Palo Alto Criterion 3:
• Criterion 3 (The structure or site is an example of a type of building which was once common,
but is now rare)
Address
Criteria
Category
635 Bryant Street
3
2
815 Kipling Street
3
3
817 Kipling Street
3
3
845 Waverley Street
3
4
Page &Turnbull 1 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNI
Packet Pg. 382
PAGE &TURNBULL
635 BRYANT STREET
APN: 120-16-035
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1904-1922
Summary of Significance: 635 Bryant Street is significant under Criterion A as a building that
represents the development of rooming and boarding houses in Palo Alto due to the opening of the
streetcar line on University Avenue, and under Criterion C as an early example of a Palo Alto
rooming house.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance was previously determined to
be 1904 to 1922 to include the years that building served as a rooming house. The period of
significance is revised to 1904, the year of the building's construction, which is sufficiently associated
with the building's design and construction as a rooming house.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation: Criterion 3 (The structure or site is an
example of a type of building which was once common, but is now rare)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓
Packet Pg. 383
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
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Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL
Statement of Significance: 635 Bryant Street is significant as an early and good example of a
rooming house that was constructed at a time when the new streetcar line on University Avenue
was increasing the demand for residential housing in the University South area. The building is a
rare survivor in an area where many early buildings were razed and redeveloped in the later
decades of the twentieth century.
Period of Significance: 1904
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 384
N., —,— I— YIJ-JUL-J IJ�1
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION FIR( #
PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date.
Page 1 of 6 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 635 Bryant St
P1. Other Identifier: 635 Bryant St
P2. Location: ❑ Not for Publication ni Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T ; R •_Y4 of _%4 of Sec : B.M.
c. Address 635 Bryant St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 16 036
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The following description addresses the building at 635 Bryant in terms of its structure, plan, and appearance. The structure
and plan are described using three sources of information (1949 Assessment Record prepared by the Tax Assessor, Sanborn
maps, and current survey information — photographs, Field Notes form, and site visits from 1998 and 1999). The description
of the structure and plan is presented for two phases in the buiiding's history. The building is presented as it was built, or as
it was at the earliest time warranted by the information available. Second the building is presented as it has changed, up to
the present (1999).
This building at 635 Bryant is a large, two-story structure with a half basement. Although it has a high attic space, the attic
is not finished. In 1949, it was on a concrete wall foundation. This is a balloon -frame or platform -frame structure clad on the
exterior in V -groove siding, scored horizontally in the center of each board to give it a finer texture. Fenestration consists of
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: ® Building ❑ Structure o Object 0 Site 0 District 0 Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #1
635 Bryant St: view northeast:
09/13/99: by B. Vahev; roll BRV-76,
neii #24
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
❑ Prehistoric ❑ Both
1904: Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
Hamilton Associates 300
700 Emerson St Palo Alto CA 94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco. CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
April 4. 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: ❑ NONE s Location Map 0 Sketch Map a Continuation S
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record 0 Milli
a Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record ❑ Other (List)
)Pat ® Ruilding, Stnintiira and l7hIR
Packet Pg. 385
t Record
d
DPR 523A (1/95)/ BRYA635.F1
*Required information.
State of California The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 2 of 6 Resource Identifier: 635 Bryant St
Recorded by Michael Corbett
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*Date April 4, 2000 ® Continuation ❑ Update
Description (continued)
double -hung windows and paneled doors. Inside, there is a cement floor in the basement, and there are pine floors in the upper
stories. In 1949, there was one gas fired hot air heater and one fireplace.
In plan, this is a large rectangular structure with its gable end facing the street. It has a full porch across the front on the ground
floor. The building has a half basement and nine bedrooms.
In appearance, this is a simple box in form with a symmetrical composition at the front of decorative features including a full
porch with round columns, projecting cornices over the two angled bay windows on the second floor, and siding with.
contrasting textures (horizontal grooved boards on the main part of the house and shingles in the gable). These features mix
associations with the Colonial Revival and Queen Anne styles.
Packet Pg. 386
DPR 523L (1/95) BRYA635.F1 `Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 3 of 6 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 635 Bryant St
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Colonial Revival and Queen Anne
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1904: Built (Palo Alto Times)
1909: Addition
1952: Conversion to duplex
*B7. Moved? ® No 0 Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*BB. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Development of rooming and boarding houses, C: Rooming house Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1904-1922 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
)Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: 635 Bryant was the first structure built on its site (measuring 50 by 105'2 feet). It is located within the original boundaries
of the City of Palo Alto. Located one block from University Avenue, the City's commercial artery, the Sanborn reap of 1924
shows that this block of Bryant Avenue developed with several two-story private dwellings and the First Church of Christ
Scientist. The October 1959 update of the Sanborn map shows the same block with two of the single family residences divided
into apartments.
Building History: The Palo Alto Times of 1 January 1904 recorded the construction of a house at 635 Bryant at a cost of
$1,500. The Palo Alto Times of 3 December 1909, recorded an addition at the same address at a cost of $2,000. The county
tax records record the conversion of the house to a duplex in 1952. County tax records show a minor remodeling in 1960, at
a cost of $500.
History of Use: A dwelling was built at 635 Bryant at a cost of $1,500 in 1904. Sources identifying the original owner and
builder are confusing. It appears that C.D. or C.B. Elliott built the house on a speculative basis and sold it to Clifford Gilmore
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: April 4. 2000
(This space reserved for official continents)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 387
DPR 523B (1/95) BRYA635,F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRIITrinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 4 of E Resource Identifier: 635 Bryant St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date Anril 4, 2000 ® Continuation ❑ Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
Allen, a Stanford professor of romance languages. In 1909, it was enlarged at a cost of $2,000 and occupied as a rooming
house. Opening of the streetcar line nearby may have contributed to this decision (the University Avenue line was one and one
half blocks away). The U.S. Census of 1910 lists a widow, Mrs. Nellie Goodspeed, as the head of household, with her adult
daughter, a teacher, and four lodgers, as the occupants. Mrs. Goodspeed was later (1918) appointed by the Board of Public
Safety as a protective police officer. According to the Palo Alto Times, "it will be her duty to meet and advise women and girls
arriving in Palo Alto who may be strangers here, and especially look after the welfare of young women, and keep them from
harm. She will be more a matron than a police officer, but she will be clothed with full police power, which she will exercise
in case of need.... She has had a large experience in finding homes for orphaned children in connection with the splendid work
done along this line by the Native Sons and Native Daughters." The lodgers were a mail carrier, a Jewish engineer, geologist
for the railroad with his wife, and a divorced restaurant owner. In the obituary of the restaurant owner, William F. Gardemeyer,
the Palo Alto Times stated: "Together with Joe Larkin, he operated the restaurant and cigar store at 115 The Circle that became
a colorful haunt of Stanford students. "Roughs" from the Farm packed the place to eat, carve their names in pine tables, or
shoot a game of billiards." The building remained a lodging and boarding house through several owners. The YMCA Directory
of Rooming and Boarding Houses of 1913-1914, lists Mrs. Gosset at this address with three rooms. The City Directory from
1914 through 1922 lists: "Jackman, Mrs. L., landlady, 635 Bryant.' The enlarged dwelling served as a boarding house from
1910 until 1922. From that time until 1950, the house served as the single family residence of Dr. William H. Zieber, his wife
(widowed in 1930), and children. The City Directory records non-residential uses during the 1950s and 1960s — first as a
furniture store and after 1956 as professional offices. A 1953 advertisement for the grand opening of Fidanque's Maple House,
providing "an unmatched concept of furniture merchandising," described the building as, "A fine, old home . . . Its fourteen large
rooms have been tastefully redecorated to provide a natural setting for the display of the finest American Provincial furnishings
. . . Here is a gracious atmosphere for leisure shopping." The 1956 City Directory listed Edward Durrell Stone, architect, at this
address. Stone, based in New York, was one of the leading architects in the United States from the 1930s to the 1950s.
Among his best-known works are the interior of Radio City Music Hall, the Museum of Modern Art in New York (collaboration),
the United States Embassy in New Delhi, the United States Pavilion at the World's Fair in Brussels, and the John F. Kennedy
Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. Stone's northern California work, some of which must have been designed here,
includes an office building and an apartment complex in Foster City, the Monterey Community Hospital, Seaside City Hall,
Stanford University Hospital, the Santa Clara Main Library, two buildings in the Marriott Industrial Park in Santa Clara, Palo Alto's
Mitchell Park Branch Library, the Palo Alto Main Library, and Palo Alto City Hall.
Evaluation
This building, at 635 Bryant Street, appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The
period of significance runs from 1904 ,when it was built, to 1922, its last year as a rooming house.
Under criterion A, this house represents the development of rooming and boarding houses in association with the opening of
a streetcar line on University Avenue.
Under criterion C, it is an example of an early Palo Alto rooming house.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Dorfman, Sonia. "Boarding Houses and Apartment Houses in Palo Alto: 1893-1945." Historical context statement prepared
for Palo Alto Historic Building Survey. 1999.
Gebhard, David, Eric Sandweiss, and Robert Winter. Architecture in San Francisco and Northern California. Revised edition.
Salt Lake City: Gibbs M. Smith, Inc., 1985.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1906-1962.
Packet Pg. 388
DPR 523L 11195) BRYA635.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #,
HRllTrinomial
Page 5 of 6 Resource identifier: 635 Bryant St
Recorded by Michael Corbett
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL J
*Date April 4, 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
References (continued)
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 7 May 1918, 5 November 1935, 7 September 1951, 15 July 1953.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1904.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1908.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1953, 1961, 1962, 1967.
Strauss, Susan. "Edward Durell Stone." Macmillan Encyclopedia of Architects. vol. 4. New York: The Free Press, 1982, p.
132-133.
U.S. Census. 1910
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Young Men's Christian Association. Directory of Rooming and Boarding Houses. 1913-1914.
Packet Pg. 389
DPR 523L (1/95) BRYA635.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Page of
"Map Name: Palo Alto Planning Dept, GIS *Scale: r:80'
Primary it,
HRI#
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 635 Bryant St
"Date of Map: 1999
Tim Chj •!
Palo Alto
This daeumaa is a graphic norm/dation only of bog anNabla aouma. Tho Gy of Palo AAo taaunn no naparsiiliy for any snore,
/ 120-48-1
/ 120-48-2
120-48-3
120-48-4
120-48-5
1?0.48.8
120-48-7
120.48,8
120-48-9
120-48-10
NNNNIN20-48-11
120-48-12
120-48-13
120-48-14
120-48-15
120-48-16
120-48-17
120-48-18
120-48-19
635 Bryant Street
120-16-035
product
map lo /i\
at the
c y of Polo Alb GM(/�8`Jj
a
DPR 523J (1/95)
*Required Inforrnaflon
Packet Pg. 390
PAGE &TURNBULL
815 KIPLING STREET
APN: 120-17-023
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1897-1910
Summary of Significance: 815 Kipling Street was deemed eligible under Criterion A as an early
example of a single-family residence built within the original street grid of Palo Alto and was part of
the larger development pattern of the construction of inexpensive rental housing for a flexible
market. Under Criterion C, the building was deemed eligible as a well-built variation of the typical
square cottage type.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: Steps replaced with masonry; front lawn replaced with brick; no other
alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to be 1897,
the year of the building's construction. The significance of the property under Criterion A, for being
constructed within the original street grid of Palo Alto, and as a representative of the pattern of
construction of inexpensive rental housing for a flexible market, has been omitted as many extant
properties express this development context and this significance may be better expressed through
the survey and potential identification of a historic district.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓ I .Y+
Packet Pg. 391
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation: Criterion 3 (The structure or site is an
example of a type of building which was once common, but is now rare)
Statement of Significance: 815 Kipling Street is significant as an excellent example of the typical
square cottage type with modest Queen Anne details. The building retains its overall character and
massing to a sufficient degree to contribute to the overall neighborhood architectural context.
Period of Significance: 1897
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 3
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 392
State of California — The Resources. Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 4 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 815-819 Kipling St
P1. Other Identifier: 815-819 Kipling St
P2. Location: 0 Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T _; R _; _'A of Y. of Sec ; B.M.
c. Address 815-819 Kipling St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone • mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel /1, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 17 023
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
This house at 815 Kipling is a small, rectangular, wood -frame building with a hip roof. It is an example of the square cottage
type with a projecting gabled wing and a half porch. It is decorated with turned columns on the porch and with classical
moldings around windows and doors and in the gable. The strange face of the gabled wing (2/3 bay window and 1/3 blank wall)
appears to reflect an inexperienced designer and results in a distinctive appearance.
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: ® Building o Structure ❑ Object ❑ Site ❑ District 0 Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
itiffw
•'
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
815-819 Kipling St; view northeast;
09/16/99; by B. Vahev; roll BRV-82,
neq #31
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
0 Prehistoric 0 Both
1897; Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
Michael H & Rachel F Carr
1389 Canada Rd Woodside CA
94062
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco. CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
February 23, 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore. 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE ® Location Map 0 Sketch Map ® Continuation S
0 Archaeological Record 0 District Record ❑ Linear Feature Record 0 Milli
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
'1PAt ® RiWlrfln Strunt41rp. And 0hect Record
d
Packet Pg. 393
DPR 523A (1/95)/ KIPL815.F1
*Required information.
State of California -- The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 2 of 4 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 815-819 Kipling St
91. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Queen Anne
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1897: Built (Palo Alto Times)
*B7. Moved? ® No ❑ Yes ❑ Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: A.W. Caulkins
*B10. Significance: Theme A: pattern of development; C: square cottage Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1897-1910 Property Type residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The house at 815 Kipling is situated on an 80 -by -25 -foot lot located in Block 26 of University Park. According to the
record in the series of Sanborn maps, the house shared with its twin, the house at 817 Kipling, a 50 -by -112'/2 -foot lot, at least
as late as 1924. By the Map of the City of Palo Alto of 1949, the property had come by the dimensions it has today.
Structure: The Palo Alto Times reported on 8 October 1897 that a contract had been awarded to A.W. Caulkins for the
construction of two, four -room cottages in Block 26 on Kipling (then called Marguerite) for George Lucas. Mr. Lucas, a plumber,
had planned to do the plumbing for the two cottages himself, promising that it would be "of the latest pattern." The twin
houses were "arranged so that two rooms in each may be rented for housekeeping" and were to cost about $1,500 each to
build. There is no indication that Mr. Lucas ever lived in either of them. The Assessor's records do not document any
alterations.
Use: According to a notice that appeared in the Palo Alto Times, on 6 October 1903, George E. Lucas, the builder of the
residence at 815 Kipling, left his wife an estate that consisted primarily of three houses and lots in the town of Palo Alto. One
of those three houses was probably the one in question, another the one at 817 Kipling, and the third his own residence at 247
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes}
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: February 23, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 394
DPR 5238 (1/95) KIPL815.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
HRI/Trinomial
Page 3 of 4 Resource Identifier: 815-819 Kiolino St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date February 23, 2000 23 Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
L
History (continued)
Alma. The cottage at 815 Kipling, like its twin at 817, had been designed and built as a rental property and arranged so that
the whole could be let to a single tenant or divided in half and let to two independent tenants. According to the record in the
Palo Alto City Directory the house (known variously as 53 Marguerite, 813 and 815 Kipling) seems to have always served as
a single family dwelling. From 1929 until 1938, the house was occupied by its owner, Mrs. Annis O. Stidston who was the
widow of William A. Stidston who had died at their home at 645 Gilman in 1920 at the age of about 79 (obituary Wm. A.
Stidson Palo Alto Times 1 March 1920). In 1940, the house was occupied by a new owner, Mrs. C.N. Hadeen.
Evaluation
This house at 815 Kipling appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The period of
significance runs from 1897, when it was built, to about 1910, when houses of this type were no longer built.
Under criterion A, it represents the earliest development of residences in the original grid of Palo Alto and it represents a pattern
of cheap, rental housing for a flexible market.
Under criterion C, it is an example of an important early Palo Alto building type — the square cottage. This example has a
projecting gabled wing and a half porch.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Map of the City of Palo Alto. 1949.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1899-1948.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 8 October 1897. (Will of George E. Lucas) 6 October 1903. (Wm. A. Stidston taken by Death) 1 March
1920.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1901,
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1904.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 395
DPR 523L (1195) KIPL815.F1 *Required Information
State of California -- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary #
HRI#
Trinomial
Page _4 of _
*Map Name: Palo Alto Plannina Dept GLS *Scale: 3":80°
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 815-819 Kipling St
*Date of Map: 1999
120-16.82
120-16-83
12016.84
120-1645
12016-86
120-16-87
120-16-88
120-1649
120-16-90
120-16-91
120-16-92
120-16-93
T.. Chi .t
Pa is AI to
DPR 523J (1/95)
TW documnl is Ymplek ropowslOtbo anM of b.sY *voluble rowan. T o Cly d Fab Aloa aseumn no roiwb ty for any arms.
815-819 Kipling St
120-17.022
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BO
*Required Information
Packet Pg. 396
PAGE &TURNBULL
817 KIPLING STREET
APN: 120-17-022
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1897-1910
Summary of Significance: 817 Kipling Street was deemed eligible under Criterion A as an early
example of a single-family house built within the original street grid of Palo Alto. Under Criterion C,
the building was deemed eligible as a well-built variation of the typical square cottage type.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: Some windows replaced; front yard altered; no other alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance is revised to 1897, the year of
the building's construction. The significance of the property under Criterion A, for being constructed
within the original street grid of Palo Alto, has been omitted, as many extant properties express this
development context. This significance may be better expressed through the survey and potential
identification of a historic district.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation: Criterion 3 (The structure or site is an
example of a type of building which was once common, but is now rare)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓ I .Y+
Packet Pg. 397
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Statement of Significance: 817 Kipling Street is significant as an excellent example of the typical
square cottage type with modest Queen Anne details. The building retains its overall character and
massing to a sufficient degree to contribute to the overall neighborhood architectural context.
Period of Significance: 1897
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 3
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 398
N., —I— ILL YIJ-JUL-J IJAY
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary
HRI #
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1_ of 4 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 817 Kipling St
P1. Other Identifier: 817 Kiplinq St
P2. Location: 0 Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T • R _; _'4 of ''4 of Sec ; B.M.
c. Address 817 Kipling St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _ mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate} APN 120 17 022
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
This house at 817 Kipling is a small, rectangular, wood -frame building with a hip roof. It is an example of the square cottage
type, with a projecting gabled wing and a half porch. It is decorated with turned columns on the porch and with classical
moldings around windows and doors and in the gable. The strange face of the gabled wing (2/3 bay window and 1/3 blank wall)
appears to reflect an inexperienced designer and results in a distinctive appearance.
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: Building ❑ Structure 0 Object 0 Site 0 District 0 Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
817 Kipling St; view northeast:
09/16199: by B. Vahev: roll BRV-82.
neg #33
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: a Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
1897: Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
Bertram & Lorraine Harper
817 Kipling St Palo Alto CA 94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street. Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
February 23. 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: o NONE ® Location Map ❑ Sketch Map a Continuation Sheet ra
Building. Structure and Object Record
❑ Archaeological Record ❑ District Record ❑ Linear Feature Record 0 Millir
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record ❑ Other (List)
DPR 523A (1/95)/ KIPL817.F1
Packet Pg. 399
d
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 2 of 4 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 817 Kipling St
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Queen Anne
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1897: Built (Palo Alto Times)
*B7. Moved? ® No 0 Yes ❑ Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: A.W. Caulkins
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Pattern of development in Palo Alto, C: Square cottage Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1897-1910 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The house at 817 Kipling is situated on a 25 -by -112'/ -foot lot located in Block 26 of the original University Park section
of Palo Alto. According to the record in the series of Sanborn maps, the house shared with its twin, the house at 817 Kipling,
a 50 -by -1 12Ys-foot lot, at least as late as 1924. By the Map of the City of Palo Alto of 1949, the property had come by the
dimensions it has today.
Structure: The Palo Alto Times reported, on 8 October 1897, that a contract had been awarded to A.W. Caulkins for the
construction of two four -room cottages in Block 26 on Kipling (then called Marguerite) for George Lucas. Mr. Lucas worked
as a plumber and planned to do the plumbing for the two cottages himself, promising that it would be "of the latest pattern."
The twin houses were "arranged so that two rooms in each may be rented for housekeeping" and were to cost about $ 1,500
each to build. There is no indication that Mr. Lucas ever lived in either of them. The Assessor's records do not document any
alterations, but the large double window on the porch at 817 Kipling appears to be one.
Use: According to a notice that appeared in the Palo Alto Times on 6 October 1903, George Lucas, the builder of the residence
at 817 Kipling, left his wife an estate that consisted primarily of three houses and lots located in the town of Palo Alto. One
of those three houses was probably the one in question, another its next door neighbor at 815 Kipling ,and the third his own
See continuation sheet
Bi 1. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: February 23, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 400
DPR 5238 (1/95) KIPL817.F1 "Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRIITrinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 3 of 4 Resource Identifier: 817 Kiriline St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date February 23, 2000 Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
residence at 247 Alma. The cottage at 817 Kipling, like its twin at 815, had been designed and built as a rental property and
arranged so that the whole could be let to a single tenant or divided in half and let to two independent tenants. According to
the record in the Palo Alto City Directory, the house seems to have served as a rented single family dwelling until it was
purchased and occupied by William and Margaret Carpenter. The address 819 Kipling began to be listed, in addition to 817
Kipling, only from 1942 in which year that portion of the house was occupied by a nurse named Florence Jacobsen, while the
Carpenters continued at 817.
Evaluation
This house at 817 Kipling appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The period of
significance runs from 1897, when it was built, to about 1910 when houses of this type were no longer built.
Under criterion A, it represents the earliest development of residences in the original grid of Palo Alto, and it represents a pattern
of cheap, rental housing for a flexible market.
Under criterion C, it is an example of an important early Palo Alto building type — the square cottage. This example has a
projecting gabled wing and a half porch. The apparent modification of windows on the porch is a minor change that leaves the
essential significant features of the house intact and does not affect its integrity.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Map of the City of Palo Alto. 1949.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1899-1954.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 8 October 1897. "Will of George E. Lucas." 6 October 1903.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1901.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1904.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 401
DPR 523L (1/95) KIPL817.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRI#
LOCATION MAP Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 4 of 4 - *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 817 Molina St
*Map Name: Palo Alto Planning Dept. GIS *Scale: 1":80' *Date of Map: 1999
120-1642
120-1683
120-1644
120-16-85
120-1646
120-16-87
120-1688
120-16-89
120-16-90
120-16-91
120-16-92
120-16-93
This asunwr is a "spit r.possemadon only of best .velebee ..ueoes, The cry of Pab Alb mums no nesporsidHryt for soy errors.
817 Kipling St
120-17-022
tiro. product
/��
cny GIs [�T]
DPR 523.1(1195)
*Required Information
Packet Pg. 402
PAGE &TURNBULL
845 WAVERLEY STREET
APN: 120-17-030
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1897-1970s
Summary of Significance: 845 Waverley Street was found significant under Criterion A as an early
example of single-family residential construction in Palo Alto and for its later use as a boarding
house. The building was also found significant under Criterion C as a distinctive example of an early
middle-class residence in Palo Alto.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: Standing -seam metal roof installed; solar panels installed; porch spindles
and posts replaced (brackets shown on porch posts in 2001 were believed non -historic); shutters
removed on secondary facade; windows replaced.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to be 1897,
the year of the building's construction. The building's significance has been revised to focus on its
rarity as a surviving example of an early middle-class residence in Palo Alto; mention of its use as a
boarding house in subsequent years has been omitted.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation: Criterion 3 (The structure or site is an
example of a type of building, which was once common but is now rare)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓
Packet Pg. 403
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Statement of Significance: 845 Waverley Street is significant as a rare surviving example of an early
middle-class residential building in Palo Alto. While the building has been recently altered, its
original character was simple with few decorative elements, and the retained form, massing, and
overall integrity of the building allows it to continue to contribute to the overall character of Palo
Alto as a "contributing" building.
Period of Significance: 1897
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 4
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 404
N., —,— I— YIJ-JUL-J IJAY
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
NRHP Status Code
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 6 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 845 Waverlev St
P1. Other Identifier: 845 Waverlev St
P2. Location: 0 Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T _• R _• _Y, of _Y. of Sec B.M.
c. Address 845 Waverlev St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone • mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 17 030
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The following description addresses the building in terms of its structure, plan, and appearance. The structure and plan are
described using three sources of information (1949 Assessment Record prepared by the Tax Assessor, Sanborn maps, and
current survey information — photographs, Field Notes form, and site visits from 1998 and 1999). The description of the
structure and plan is presented for two phases in the building's history. The building is presented as it was built, or as it was
at the earliest time warranted by the information available. Second the building is presented as it has changed, up to the present
(1999).
The house at 845 Waverley is a two-story, stud -frame structure with a hip roof. In 1949, the Tax Assessor identified a
foundation of mud sills and piers — these were replaced in 1979. The frame is enclosed on the exterior by V -groove siding.
Inside, the floors are pine with some hardwood surfaces on the ground floor and plaster walls. In 1949, there was no heating
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: ® Building 0 Structure 0 Object 0 Site 0 District 0 Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
845 Waverlev St; view northeast:
09/13/99; by B. Vahev; roll BRV-76.
neq #33
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
1899; City Directory
*P7. Owner and Address:
Daniel & Pamela Cunningham
845 Waverlev St Palo Alto CA 94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
December 16, 1999
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: ❑ NONE ® Location Map 0 Sketch Map ® Continuation S
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record ❑ Linear Feature Record 0 Milli
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record ❑ Other (List)
heet ® Building, Strut -tire and fhjer•t Record
d
r
Packet Pg. 405
DPR 523A (1/951/ WAVE845.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRIlTrinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 2 of 6 Resource Identifier: 845 Waverlev St
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date December 16, 1999 ® Continuation ❑ Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Description (continued)
system. A brick chimney is visible on an early, undated photograph of the house in the PAHA files. This has been replaced by
a metal pipe chimney. Fenestration includes double -hung windows and paneled doors.
In plan, this house is a two-story, narrow rectangular box with one-story extensions on three sides. At the front, the one-story
extension is a porch that wraps around the side in a shallow L -plan. The house has no basement or attic. In 1949, the Tax
Assessor identified the following rooms on the ground floor: living room, dining room, bedroom, kitchen, and service porch.
On the second floor were two bedrooms and a bath. The arrangement of the interior rooms is unknown.
In appearance, this is a simply -detailed structure that has been embellished with decorative details probably in recent years.
As it was built, the character of the house was defined primarily by its distinctive shape — a narrow two-story box with a
wraparound one-story extension, hip roofs, and a generous porch. An apparently early, undated photograph in the PAHA files
shows moveable glass panels in the porch and a brick chimney. In contrast to the turned balusters in the porch and stair railings
today (1999), this photograph shows simple, unornamented square balusters. In contrast to the jigsawn brackets at each porch
post today, it shows brackets only on the posts at the top of the stairs. Surprisingly, it seems to show the same shutters that
are now on the second floor windows. Apart from these few details, the only decorative features of the building are the paneled
soffits under the eaves.
Packet Pg. 406
DPR 523L (1/95) WAVE845.F1 *Required Information
State of California -- The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 3 of 6
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL J
*NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 845 Waverlev St
B1. Historic Name:
62. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family provertv
*B5. Architectural Style: Decorated box
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1899: Built (City Directory)
1979: Alterations
*B7. Moved? ® No ❑ Yes ❑ Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: initial development of Palo Alto, C: middle-class housing Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1897-1970s Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Use: This property is located in Block 26 of the Original Plat of the Town of Palo Alto, as published in 1894. A house is shown
on or near the site in maps dated 1894 and 1898 (the maps are not precise). The 1901 Sanborn map shows a wood building
with a tile chimney behind the house in the east corner of the lot. The 1924 Sanborn map shows a wood garage behind the
house in the north corner of the property. Both buildings were still present on the 1949 Sanborn map. By 1998, the garage
was still there but the other building was gone, Although no direct information exists about the use of that building with its
tile chimney, the fact that the house was occupied by a butcher raises the possibility that it was a smokehouse.
Structure: The Palo Alto City Directory first lists the address in 1899 when the house was occupied by Mr. and Mrs. A.W. Mills.
In the directory of 1896-1897, A.W. Mills was listed as a butcher at Wisdom's Market living over Earle & Suiters grocery store.
In the directory of 1897-1898, he was listed as a salesman for Sherman & Company, living on Waverley Street in Block 26.
If the Mills family was the first occupants of the house at 845 Waverley Street, it must have been completed by the summer
of 1897. The series of Sanborn maps indicate no additions from 1901 to 1949. The Assessor's records contain the copy of
a 1979 building permit for a new kitchen, breakfast room, and foundation at a cost of $60,000.
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: December 16, 1999
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 407
DPR 52360/95} WAVE845.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
HRI/Trinomial
Page 4 of 6 Resource Identifier: 845 Waverlev St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date December 16, 1999 ID Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
Use: Albion Wesley Mills, identified as a butcher in 1896, a salesman for Sherman & Company in 1897, and a clerk for the same
firm in 1899, was, with his wife Martha Robertson Mills, the first occupant of the single family dwelling at 845 Waverley. The
Palo Alto Christian Church was established due to an initiative of Mr. and Mrs. Wills in 1896. According to the Palo Alto Times,
in 1913: "Mr. Mills was one of the charter members of the Christian Church in Palo Alto, and it was largely due to his services
and generosity that the work was maintained in the face of the discouraging things that come to the early life of a church. For
years he was superintendent of the Sunday school and was instant with any service he could render to his friends and the
departments of his church, as well as to the moral and progressive movements of his community. He was widely respected,
numbering among his friends those in all walks of life."
In the early years, the house was also a rooming or boarding house for students, as shown in City Directory listings from 1901
to 1915, and a YMCA directory for 1913-1914. A note in the PAHA files states, without citing a source, that this house was
an annex to the Student's Guild hospital in the typhoid epidemic of 1903. Without mentioning a specific address, Winslow
states (p. 1661, "The typhoid outbreak spurred the guild, working with the university hygiene department, to rent a building in
Palo Alto and make it a hospital." Beginning in 1916, the house was occupied by single families which tend to be headed by
men with working class occupations. From 1920 until the 1970s, the house was occupied by Valdemar and Marie Peterson
who owned it at (east from 1930. Mr. Peterson was listed in the City Directory at different times as a garage man, a picture
framer, and a carpenter.
Evaluation
This house at 845 Waverley appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance for the period
1897 to the 1970s.
Under criterion A, it represents the initial development of Palo Alto with single family houses. It also represents the use of single
family houses for boarders and lodgers, especially by Stanford students in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Under criterion C, this house is a distinctive example in its form of a middle class house of its period. The recent addition of
decorative details on the porch represent a relatively minor loss of integrity in a house whose principal significance has little to
do with its style or decoration.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Dorfman, Sonia. "Boarding Houses and Apartment Houses in Palo Alto: 1893-1945." Historical context statement prepared
for Palo Alto Historic Building Survey. 1999.
First 95 Years of History. Palo Alto Christian Church.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1896-1975.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 3 June 1913, 26 May 1914.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1904.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Packet Pg. 408
DPR 523L (1/95) WAVE845.F1 *Required Information
State of California - The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRIITrinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 5 of 6 Resource Identifier: 845 Waverlev St
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date December 16, 1999 ® Continuation ❑ Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
References (continued)
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Young Men's Christian Association. Directory of Rooming and Boarding Houses. 1913-1914.
Winslow, Ward and the Palo Alto Historical Association. Palo Alto: A Centennial History. Palo Alto: Palo Alto Historical
Association, 1993.
Packet Pg. 409
DPR 523L (1/95) WAVE845.F1 `Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRI#
LOCATION MAP Trinomial
Page of *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder)
*Map Name: Palo Alto Plannina dent. GIS *Scale: 1":80'
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
845 Waverlev St
*Date of Map: 1999
DPR 523J (1195)
This *venom is e graphic representation only of best avaiabie scurmae. The Gay of Pab AND assrsnes no responsibility for any amore
845 Waverley St
120-17-030
Titsprod uct c bt a ti)City it! Polo Ado Cettl
ff
aa'
*Required Informc111on
Packet Pg. 410
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
CRITERIA 1 & 2 NOMINATIONS
Properties proposed for designation under Palo Alto Criteria 1 and 2:
• Criterion 1 (The structure or site is identified with the lives of historic people or with important
events in the city, state, or nation)
• Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of life
important to the city, state or nation)
Address
Criteria
Category
2230 Amherst Street
1, 2
2
538 Churchill Avenue
1, 2
2
Page &Turnbull 1 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNI
Packet Pg. 411
PAGE &TURNBULL
2230 AMHERST STREET
APN: 137-07-062
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1909-1938
Summary of Significance: 2230 Amherst Street was found eligible under Criterion A as a
representative of early building patterns by owner -builders; it was built by a Stanford University
student as a primary residence and to rent to other students. It was also found significant under
Criterion C as a large and well-built Craftsman residence in College Terrace.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1909, the
year of the building's construction.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph. Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 1 (The structure or site is identified with the lives of historic people or with
important events in the city, state or nation)
• Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly representative of an architectural style or way
of life important to the city, state or nation)
Statement of Significance: The subject building is significant because it was constructed based on a
pattern book design by James McLain Goodell, a Stanford University rising sophomore, who built
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓
Packet Pg. 412
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
and operated the subject property as a rental for other Stanford University students from 1909 until
1938. It is also significant as a large Craftsman residence that was built with quality materials and a
high level of craftsmanship.
Period of Significance: 1909-1938
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 413
JUL J I J�1
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL J
NRHP Status Code 35
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page j_ of *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 2230 Amherst St
P1. Other Identifier: 2230 Amherst St
P2. Location: 0 Not for Publication 0 Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA _ Date 1991 T _; R _; _'Y4 of % of Sqc ; B.M.
c. Address 2230 Amherst St City Palo Alto Zip 94306
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and or linear resources) Zone _ mEl mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 137 07 062
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The following description addresses the building at 2230 Amherst in terms of its structure, plan, and appearance. The structure
and plan are described using three sources of information (1949 Assessment Record prepared by the Tax Assessor, Sanborn
maps, and current survey information — photographs, Field Notes form, and site visits from 1998 and 1999). The description
of the structure and plan is presented for two phases in the building's history. The building is presented as it was built, or as
it was at the earliest time warranted by the information available, Second the building is presented as it has changed, up to
the present (1999).
This house at 2230 Amherst is a two-story, balloon- or platform frame structure on a concrete wall foundation with a half
basement and no habitable attic space. The house is covered by a gable roof, and the second floor overhangs a half porch
across the front. In 1949, the frame was described as clad on the exterior in shingles. Inside, there were plaster walls,
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Sinale family property
*P4. Resources Present: s Building 0 Structure ❑ Object ❑ Ste ❑ District 0 Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
2230 Amherst St: view southwest;
09/21/99: by B. Vahev: roll BRV-$6.
nen #3
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: a Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
1909:
*P7. Owner and Address:
Robert & Isabelle Leon
223Q Amherst St Pfilo Alto CA
94306
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco. CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
February 23.2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames $. Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: ❑ NONE 0 Location Map 0 Sketch Map Continuation Sheet o Building, Structure and Object Record
❑ Archaeological Record c District Record 0 Linear Feature Record ❑ Mill Packet Pg. 414 rd
❑ Artifact Record ❑ Photograph Record ❑ Other (Liar)
DPR 523A (1195)1 AMHE2230.F1
*Required information.
State of California -- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
HRIITrinomial
Page 2 ofd Resource Identifier: 2230 Amherst St
Recorded by Michp@! Corbett
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*Date February 23.2000 ® Continuation a Update
Description (continued)
hardwood floors lat least the ground floor), and a cement floor in the basement. There were two gas fired floor furnaces and
a false fireplace. Fenestration consists of double hung windows and paneled doors.
in plan, this appears on the 1925 and 1945 Sanborn maps as a square building with a projecting wing on the northwest side.
In 1949, the Tax Assessor identified the following rooms: on the ground floor were a living room, dining room, kitchen, and
service porch; upstairs were four bedrooms and a den. The location of one bathroom was not clear. (In 1973, the sun porch
was converted to a living area. In 1974, the kitchen was remodeled and a bath added upstairs, probably above the projecting
sun parch on the northwest side of the house.) The arrangement of these rooms is unknown.
In appearance, this is a Craftsman style house with shingled wall surfaces, overhanging eaves with exposed rafters, big square
porch posts, and an overall simplicity of decorative detail.
Packet Pg. 415
DPR 523L (1/95) AMHE2230.F1 'Required Information
Item 2
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page of
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL J
*NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 2230 Amherst 53
B1. Historic Name:
62. Comrnon Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family nroDerty
*B5. Architectural Style: Craftsman
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1909: Built
*B7. Moved? te No 0 Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: James M. Goodell
*810. Significance: Theme A: Pattern of development in Palo Alto. C: Craftsman style Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1909-1938 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic s=ope. Also address integrity.}
History
Site: This house occupies a parcel measuring 75 by 125 feet, consisting of lots 31, 32, and 33 of Block 1 of College Terrace.
According to county records, James M. Goodell bought two 25 -by -125 -foot Tots in College Terrace from the J.J. Morris Real
Estate Company in 1905. These were Tots 31 and 32 of block 1. When, in 1926, new owners, Maxwell M. and Gertrude Pyle,
obtained a loan on their property it included three Tots: 31, 32, and 33 of block 1. By 1928, Olaf Pitt Jenkins and his wife,
Dorothy, owned a property of five 25 -by -125 -foot lots: 29, 30, 31, 32, and 33, Lot 29 and half of lot 30 have since been
detached.
Building History: According to the Palo Alto Times obituary for Howard C. Goodell (6 March 1998) "Goodell's father James
McLain Goodell was a 1909 graduate of Stanford University. During the summer of his freshman year he built a two -stony house
at 2320 (should be 2230?) Amherst Street in Palo Alto that is still standing." This James Goodell was a mechanical engineering
student.
History of Use: The 1906 directory listed Mrs. S.E. Goodell, Miss Nellie Goodell, and three others as residents of a house at 235
Amherst. The Palo Alto City Directory of 1907 lists J.M. Goodell residing at Goodell Club in College Terrace. It would seem
that Goodell had intended to house himself and two relatives as well as taking in boarders from the first and briefly called his
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
613. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: February 23,2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch reap with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 416
DPR 523B (1/95) AMHE2230.F1 *Required information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
HRIITrinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 4 of 6 Resource Identifier: 2230 Amherst St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardv lhistorv) `Date February 23,2000 N Continuation I:I Update
History (continued)
property Goodell Club. From 1914 until 1920, Nellie Goodell's profession is identified in the directories as "landlady." After
1920, however, there is no indication that the structure served as anything but a single family dwelling. From 1920 to 1927,
Maxwell M. Pyle lived here. In 1925, the address was changed to 630 Amherst. Pyle was employed primarily as a telegraph
operator. From 1930 to 1938, Olaf P. Jenkins and his family lived here. Olaf P. Jenkins (not to be confused with his father,
Oliver P. Jenkins, who was an original member of the Stanford faculty) was the state mineralogist, Chief of the State Division
of Mines, and editor of at (east two popular geologic guidebooks to California regions (in 1948 and 1951). Jenkins' wife
Dorothy and their son-in-law Robert F. Heizer were contributing authors of these books. A letter to the City of Palo Alto Zoning
Administrator in 1957, describes Jenkins contributions to the property and its condition at that time as follows:
Our present garage, situated with one wall on the property line, as shown on the accompanying map,
has deteriorated to the point where it should be razed.
The adjoining property to the northwest, now owned by Mr. Robert Dodds, was a part of this property
at the time that Dr. Olaf Jenkins, the then owner, built the studio cottage at the rear of Lot 29. This
was later sold, together with 13%2 feet of Lot 30 to the wall of our garage.
Dr. Jenkins landscaped the whole property, putting in terraced lawns, planting trees and shrubs and
retaining the beautiful Sequoia Sempervirens already dominating the front of the lot, and the Monterey
Pine at the rear.
The whole was planned with both practical and aesthetic values in mind. The garage, trees and shrubs
give maximum privacy to Mr. Dodd's house and garden as well as to our own. In the thirteen years we
have lived here, everyone who has occupied this adjoining cottage has valued that privacy.
The driveway to our garage is on a slight grade, approximately the level of Mr. Dodd's lower lawn, and
some three to four feet below the rest of our lot.
To build a garage on the higher level would entail digging into the lot, tearing out long established trees
and shrubs, and creating such an eyesore as to greatly depreciate the value of our property.
For these reasons we respectfully request a variance to build a new garage on the site of the old one.
Evaluation
This house at 2230 Amherst appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The period
of significance runs from 1909, when the house was built, to 1938, when Olaf P. Jenkins moved out.
Under criterion A, the house represents a variation of an important early pattern of development — construction of a residence
by its owner, a Stanford student who built it as a residence and for income. It also is an early example of Stanford student
housing in College Terrace and an early student boarding house.
Under criterion C, this house is a large example of a Craftsman style residence in College Terrace. Although it is not clear what
has happened, there appears to have been alterations in the projecting wing on the northwest side of the house. This wing was
originally one story and was a porch of some kind. This porch was enclosed, probably in 1973, and a second story added in
1974. Although this alters the appearance of the house, it is not a major change and leaves the essential features of the house
intact.
The house is not significant under criterion B for its association with Olaf P. Jenkins. Jenkins was an important figure, but his
accomplishments appear to have come after 1938 when he lived elsewhere.
Packet Pg. 417
DPR 523L {1195) AMHE2230.F1 *Required Information
State of California -- The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRIITrinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 5 of 6 Resource identifier: 2230 Amherst St
Recorded by Michael Corbett
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*Date February 23, 2000 ® Continuation o Update
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Jenkins, Olaf P., editor. The Mother Lode Country. State of California Bulletin. San Francisco: 1948.
Jenkins, Olaf P., editor. Geologic Guidebook of the San Francisco Bay Counties. State of California Bulletin. San Francisco:
1951.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1904-1950.
Palo Alto Daily News. 6 March 1998.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 9 January 1935, 7 April 1944, 18 January 1952, 6 August 1975.
Sanborn Map, Mayfield. 1925, 1945; Map of Palo Alto. 1889.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1958,
Stanford Alumni Directory. Stanford, California,
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Winslow, Ward and the Palo Alto Historical Association. Palo Alto: A Centennial History. Palo Alto: Palo Alto Historical
Association, 1993.
Packet Pg. 418
DPR 523L (1195) AMHE2230.F1 •Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS. AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRI#
LOCATION MAP Uncials!
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page _L of 6 *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 2230 Amherst St
"Map Name: Palo Alto P(annina Dent. GIS "Scale: 11':80'
• Date of Map: 1999
CPR 523J (1/95)
flab dxunwl b a orb rspraaarrilbn Doty of aob ab11l la mono. TM Gay a Pab Alp Mora ao reparability ar.ry wpm
2230 Amherst Street
137-07-062
TM tarp Is ��'\
atpePP.bproductAroGPI
('ter./►
*Required Info rr alon
Packet Pg. 419
PAGE &TURNBULL
538 CHURCHILL AVENUE
APN: 124-01-006
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination TT
Package -FULL JT
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1921-1970s
Summary of Significance: 538 Churchill Avenue was found significant under Criteria A and C for its
association with a pioneering automobile woman Vida Vandervoort and as an imposing example of
a Colonial Revival style residence.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: Fence and gates installed along front of property ca. 2009; no other
alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to end in
1945 (instead of the 1970s), to correspond to the date that the Vandervoorts moved away from the
subject building.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 1 (The structure or site is identified with the lives of historic people or with
important events in the city, state or nation)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JCJ 1 JY
Packet Pg. 420
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
• Criterion 2 (The structure or site is particularly representative of an architectural style or way
of life important to the city, state or nation)
Statement of Significance: The residence at 538 Churchill Avenue is associated with Vida (nee
Ducker) Vandervoort, who was known locally as "a daring sportswoman, [who] bought and drove
one of the first automobiles in California and was the second woman to drive up the Redwood
Highway to Eureka, California."' The building was constructed for Vida and Samuel Vandervoort in
1921 and served as their home until the mid-194Os. While Vida Vandervoort's earliest solo
automotive exploits took place prior to her marriage, she and her husband continued to take
adventurous car trips "over hazardous terrain, [with] Vida driving and Sam on the running board."2
Both Vida and Samuel Vandervoort were active in the Palo Alto community. The subject building,
which was built for the Vandervoorts as their personal residence in 1921, is the property that is most
significantly associated with the personal achievements of Vida Vandervoort. The building is also
significant for its architecture as an imposing example of the Colonial Revival style, specifically in the
Georgian Revival style, which is rare in California.
Period of Significance: 1921-1945
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
1 "Pioneer Palo Altan Honored on her Birthday." Palo Alto Times, March 21, 1970.
2 "Pioneer Palo Altan Honored on her Birthday." Palo Alto Times, March 21, 1970. The full quote reads "They took many auto
trips over hazardous terrain, Vida driving and Sam on the running board with a log ready to hurl under the wheels in case the
car slid backward down the grade."
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 421
IYIVU ILL YIJ JVL J JY
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 4 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 538 Churchill Ave
P1. Other Identifier: 538 Churchill Ave
P2. Location: a Not for Publication a Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T _; R ; % of '/+ of Sec . B.M.
c. Address 538 Churchill Ave City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone • mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 124 01 006
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The house at 538 Churchill is a two-story, wood -frame structure with one-story wings at the sides and rear. The house is clad
in stucco and covered by a hip roof with overhanging eaves and paneled soffits. It is embellished with classical details including
orders in the side wings and a central entrance surround consisting of pilasters and a segmental pediment with a broken bed.
This is a Palladian composition that is different from similar houses in the Colonial Revival style because of its stucco walls.
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Sinale family property
*P4. Resources Present: ® Building 0 Structure 0 Object ❑ Site o District 0 Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
538 Churchill Ave; view southeast;
09/16/99; by B. Vahev: roll BRV-81.
neg #24 _
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
1921; Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
Nicholas & Linda Varveris
538 Churchill Ave Palo Alto CA
94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett. Dames & Moore
221 Main Street. Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
February 23. 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore. 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE ® Location Map ❑ Sketch Map tit Continuation Sheet zi Building, Structure and Obi t Record
7
0 Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record 0 Milli
0 Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record ❑ Other (List)
Packet Pg. 422
d
DPR 523A (1/951/ CHUR538.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 2 of 4 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 538 Churchill Ave
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Sinttle family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Colonial Revival
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1921: Built (Palo Alto Times)
ca. 1949-1952: Addition of cottage
unknown date: Kitchen remodel and addition of upstairs bath
*B7. Moved? ® No ❑ Yes ❑ Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Development of Seale Addition: C: Colonial Revival style Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1921-1970 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The house at 538 Churchill is located on what was formerly numbered Block 29 of South Palo Alto. This property lies just
outside the original borders of Palo Alto to the south in the Seale Addition. The Revised Map Showing the City Limits on
January 1, 1921 shows the boundary change and shows Block No. 29 divided into 22 parcels with 50 foot frontages. These
were sold almost exclusively in pairs so that 538 Churchill was, by 1924, a 100 -by -200 -foot lot. It has retained these
dimensions unchanged to the present.
Structure: The Palo Alto Times of 1 December 1921 published a notice of a building permit for a house at 538 Churchill. The
Palo Alto Times of 21 March 1970 printed a brief biography of Vida Ducker Vandervoort in which it says that she and her
husband, Sam Vandervoort built the house and lived there with her mother, Lois Peers Ducker, and sister, Edith Ducker. The
same profile says that when Lois became bedridden, a cottage was built on the property for her. The 1949 Sanborn does not
identify any cottage and, as Lois died in 1952, it must have been built between those two dates. At the time of the 1970
newspaper profile, Vida Vandervoort lived in the cottage with her companion, Rose Kimura. The permit history notes a number
of repairs and minor alterations to the main house that include a remodeling of the kitchen and the addition of an upstairs
bathroom.
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B1 2. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: February 23. 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 423
DPR 523B (1195) CHUR538.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
HRIITtinornial
Page 3 of 4 Resource Identifier: 538 Churchill Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date February 23. 2000 0 Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
Use: Sam and Vida Vandervoort built the house at 538 Churchill in 1921 and lived there with Vida's mother and sister. They
lived at the address through the whole time of our study. Lois Ducker died there in 1952, and Vida Vandervoort was still in
a cottage on the property at least as late as 1970. Mr. Vandervoort worked as a grocery wholesaler while his sister-in-law Edith
Ducker, worked as a teacher. Vida Vandervoort was from a pioneer Mayfield family. Her mother and two uncles arrived in the
1860s -1870s. Her uncle, Alexander Peers, lived in a house on a site now called Peers Park. Vida was born in Mayfield and
attended Castilleja School and Stanford. According to the Palo Alto Times in 1970, "Vida was locally known as a daring
sportswoman. She bought and drove one of the first automobiles in California and was the second woman to drive up the
Redwood Highway to Eureka, Calif."
Evaluation
This house at 538 Church appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The period of
significance is from 1921, when it was built, to sometime past 1970 (the original family remained until at least that date).
Under criterion A, this house may be significant for its association with a pioneering automobile woman, Vida Vandervoort,
pending further research.
Under criterion C, it is an imposing example of a variation of the Colonial Revival style.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Davis, Roland C. A Summary History of the Early Development of Palo Alto's "Seale Addition": An Account of How the First
"South Palo Alto" Became Part of the Present "Old Palo Alto." Prepared for the Palo Alto Historic Building Survey. July 1998.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1923-1948.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Historical Association. Parks of Palo Alto. Palo Alto: 1996.
Palo Alto Times. 1 January 1921, 21 March 1970.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1966, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 424
DPR 523L (1/95) CHUR538.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION F}RI#
LOCATION MAP Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 4 of 4 *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 538 Churchill Ave
"Map Name: Palo Alto Planning Lot. GIS 'Scale: 1":80'
124-7-37
S. Clrs •f
Palo Alto
DPR 523J (1/95)
120-848
mt<aacummi b ■ graphic rpe.$ar tbn only
124-1-18
538 Churchill Ave
124-01-006
'Date of Map: 1992
bad avdabl. sources. The Cry d Pub Mb assume' no mono/loftily for my won.
124-1-15
124-1-17
*Rewired Inforrnalion
Packet Pg. 425
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL J
CRITERIA 1, 2 & 5 NOMINATIONS
Properties proposed for designation under Palo Alto Criteria 1, 2 and 5:
• Criterion 1 (The structure or site is identified with the lives of historic people or with important
events in the city, state, or nation)
• Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of life
important to the city, state or nation)
• Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important)
Address
Criteria
Category
1990 Newell Road
1, 2, 5
1
211 Quarry Road
1, 2, 5
1
Page & Turnbull 170 MAIDENLANE,5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO,CALIFORN
Packet Pg. 426
PAGE &TURNBULL
1990 NEWELL ROAD
APN: 003-57-060
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
&T
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1939
Summary of Significance: 1990 Newell Road was deemed eligible under Criterion A as an Exposition
Homes Tour house, which reflected the importance of the Golden Gate International Exposition on
Bay Area architecture and showcased many modern local residential buildings. Under Criterion C, it
was deemed eligible as a notable example of a variation of a Modern Ranch Style home built before
World War II by a prominent Palo Alto architect David Clark, of the firm of Birge Clark, and important
local builders Aro & Okerman.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: None.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph. Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 1 (The structure or site is identified with the lives of historic people or with
important events in the city, state or nation);
• Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of
life important to the city, state or nation)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE,5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO,CALIFORNIA94108 TEL415 3
Packet Pg. 427
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL J
• Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important)
Statement of Significance: 1990 Newell Road is significant as a notable pre -World War II variation
on the Modern Ranch style by important local builders Aro & Okerman and designed by prominent
Palo Alto architect David Clark, of the firm of Birge Clark (and brother to Birge). It is also significant
for its use as an Exposition Homes Tour house, which reflected the importance of the Golden Gate
International Exposition on Bay Area architecture and showcased many modern local residential
buildings.
Period of Significance: 1939
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 1*
*Note, this is one of the few properties with significance as an "Exceptional Building" of pre-eminent
national or state importance. It is a meritorious work of important local builders Aro & Okerman and
architect David Clark, and played a role in the exhibition of local residential Modernism trends.
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE,STH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO,CALIFO
Packet Pg. 428
1,1,41,40
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 4 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 1990 Newell Rd
P1. Other Identifier: 1990 Newell Rd
P2. Location: 0 Not for Publication is Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto. CA Date 1991 T _; R _; _'% of _Y of Sec . B.M.
c. Address 1990 Newell Rd City Palo Alto Zip 94303
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _ mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel 1, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 003 57 060
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The house at 1990 Newell Road is a one-story, wood -frame structure clad in brick veneer and covered by a low hip roof. It is
arranged in an L -plan with its wings radiating from the corner along each street front so that the back of the house is oriented
to the southwest. Under a very simply shaped roof, the walls of the house are irregular with various jogs along the Newell Road
frontage and in both wings at the rear. These jogs provide sheltered outdoor space. Within the main volume of the house, in
1949 the Tax Assessor identified the following rooms: living moth, dining room, den, four bedrooms, three baths, kitchen, and
service porch. In addition, an attached, two -car garage was incorporated in the main house.
In style, this house is a variation of a Modern Ranch style design. Its low profile, horizontality, orientation to the garden,
provision of sheltered outdoor spaces, and transparency (the house is one -room wide in places so that the rear yard can be
glimpsed from the street) are all attributes identified with the Modern Ranch Style. While such houses often allude to adobe
buildings from pre -American California in the use of stucco walls, rough wood, and other features, this house makes no such
allusions. In its details, this house is a descendant of the Prairie houses of Frank Lloyd Wright.
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: is Building ❑ Structure ❑ Object ❑ Site ❑ District ❑ Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
1990 Newell Rd; view southwest:
09/20/99; by B. Vahev: roll BRV-84.
nea #25
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
1939; PAHA files
*P7. Owner and Address:
Frank Morsman Jr.
PO Box 63700 San Francisco CA
94163
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
March 17, 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE is Location Map 0 Sketch Map Is Continuation Sheet ® Buildin . Structure and Object Record
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record ❑ Linear Feature Record 0 Milli rd
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record ❑ Other (List)
DPR 523A (1/95)/ NEWE1990.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL i
Page 2 of 4 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 1990 Newell Rd
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Modern Ranch
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1939: Built (PAHA files)
*B7. Moved? ® No ❑ Yes ❑ Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: David Clark b. Builder: Aro and 0kerman
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Influence of Golden Gate International Exposition; C: Modern Ranch and work of David Clark
Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1939 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity)
History
Site: The house at 1990 Newell Road is situated on a 134 -by -85 -foot lot at the south corner of Newell and Northhampton
streets in Block 145 of South Palo Alto. It was part of a subdivision called Leland Manor.
Structure: According to the memorandum called "Residences in Palo Alto and Stanford Designed by the Office of Birge M. Clark"
in the files of the Palo Alto Historical Association, the house at 1990 Newell was built by the Palo Alto building firm of Aro and
Gkerman for the Palo Alto realty firm of Hare, Brewer, and Kelley to designs by David Clark in 1939. According to the same
memorandum, the builders participated with the owners in the financing of the project. The Palo Alto City Directory first listed
the address in the edition of 1940 at which time the house was occupied by its owners, Frank S. Morsman, Sr. and his wife
Virginia. Mr. Morsman resided there until his death in 1954, and the house is currently the property of his son, Frank S.
Morsman, Jr. According to "Residences in Palo Alto and Stanford Designed by the Office of Birge M. Clark," this house was
promoted in relation to the 1939 World's Fair on Treasure Island: "There were several houses built in isolated cities on the
Peninsula to be visited by Exposition Home Tours. They were all so-called model houses and were for sale."
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet. (Sketch map with north arrow required)
B13. Remarks:
*814. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: March 17, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
Packet Pg. 430
DPR 5238 111951 NEWE1990.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
HRI/Trinomial
Page 3 of 4 Resource Identifier: 1990 Newell Rd
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date March 17, 2000 g Continuation D Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023 11
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
Use: According to an obituary which appeared in the Palo Alto Times on 6 September 1954, Frank S Morsman, Sr. who was
with his wife Virginia, the owner and occupant of the single family residence at 1990 Newell during our period of inquiry, was
born in Omaha, Nebraska about 1879. He moved to Palo Alto in 1939 when he would have been about 60 years old, and
though the obituary does not identify his occupation, it says that he was a member of Telephone Pioneers of America.
Evaluation
This house, at 1990 Newell Road, appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The
period of significance is 1939, when the house was built.
Under criterion A, as an Exposition Homes Tour house, this house reflects the important influence of the Golden Gate
International Exposition (GGIE) on Bay Area architecture — the first modem looking buildings that many people ever saw were
at the GGIE. Many commercial buildings were remodeled in that period with modern imagery. This house represents the
importance of residential modernism in relation to the GGIE as well.
Under crterion C, this house is a notable example of a variation of a Modern Ranch Style home built before World War II by a
prominent Palo Alto architect David Clark, of the firm of Birge Clark.
References
Baker Graphic Service. "Exposition Home. Leland Manor," photograph. [19391.
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1940-1955.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto. Historic Resources Board. Staff report on 1990 Newell, 7 May 1997.
Palo Alto Times. (obituary Frank S. Morsman, Sr.) 6 September 1954.
"Residences in Palo Alto and Stanford Designed by the Office of Birge M. Clark." PAHA files.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 431
DPR 523L (1/95) NEWE1990.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary #
HRI#
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package FULL J
Page 4 of 4 *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 1990 Newell Rd
*Map Name: Palo Alto Planning Dent, GIS *Scale: 1" :80'
*Date of Map: 1999
7b CR' •f
Pa to Alto
PR 523J (1/95)
1990 Newell Rd
003-57-060
C)
'Ns trap Ise
City etas
a ay
sat oocwawa le. • graphic reproSAatbn only of beat Malabar somas. The ay of Pa» Alb muses no reWwaWNIY for ay acme.
*Required Infomnatlon
Packet Pg. 432
PAGE &TURNBULL
211 QUARRY ROAD
APN: 142-04-019
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination TT
Package -FULL J�
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1931-1959
Summary of Significance: 211 Quarry Road was deemed eligible under Criteria A and C. Under
Criterion A, the building is one in a series of Palo Alto municipal hospitals. Under Criterion C, the
building is a late and rare surviving example of a hospital based on the pavilion plan, and is
significant as an Art Deco -style hospital designed by the important Oaldand-based architecture firm
Reed & Corbett.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: Glass in windows possibly replaced; no other alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: None.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 1 (The structure or site is identified with the lives of historic people or with
important events in the city, state or nation)
• Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of
life important to the city, state or nation);
• Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDENLANE,5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO,CALIFORNIA94108 TEL415 3
Packet Pg. 433
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL J
Statement of Significance: The subject building is significant as a late and rare surviving example of
a hospital based on the pavilion plan and was designed in the Art Deco style by the important
Oakland firm of Reed and Corbett. It is also significant as an example of one of several Palo Alto
municipal hospitals.
Period of Significance: 1931
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 1*
*Note, this is one of the few properties with significance at the national level given its Art Deco pavilion
plan design. Due to this stylistic importance, it has been assigned a Category 1 rating for the Palo Alto
Historic Inventory.
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE,STH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO,CALIFO
Packet Pg. 434
1,1,41,40
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
NRHP Status Code
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 285 Quarry Rd
P1. Other Identifier: 285 Quarry Rd
P2. Location: o Not for Publication GI Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T ; R _; _% of _'14 of Sec B.M.
c. Address 285 Quarry Rd City Palo Alto Zip 94304
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _; mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 142 04 012
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The Palo Alto Hospital is a 6 -story structure in an irregular T-shaped plan, the result of its initial construction in 1931 and an
expansion by the same architect in 1942. It is a reinforced concrete structure with concrete exterior walls and terra cotta
decorative panels. The building is in the Art Deco style with three, flat -roofed wings radiating from a hip -roofed tower. The
wings step down from the tower in the way that was popularized by skyscraper builders following the New York Zoning Law
of 1916. Like many Art Deco buildings, the styling is the result bf a combination of sources including classical and Renaissance
models taught at the Ecole des Beaux Arts, decorative arts, and romantic notions about technology. In the Palo Alto Hospital,
the base is rusticated and the wings are given a vertical character by alternating light colored pilasters with darker recessed
window bays — to express height and modern structural technology. Moreover the pilasters project slightly above the parapet
— unlike buildings with conventional classical orders that terminate in a cornice. The central tower culminates in a chimney
or exhaust stack which originally was capped by a metal finial that participated in the verticality of the design.
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP41 Hospital
*P4. Resources Present: ® Building ❑ Structure ❑ Object ❑ Site u District ❑ Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
285 Quarry Rd: view south;
09/21/9.9' by B. Vaheyt roll BRV-85,
neg #18
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source; ® Historic
❑ Prehistoric ❑ Both
1931; Western Hospital Review
*P7. Owner and Address:
Leland Stanford University BOA
2770 Sand Hill Rd Menlo Park CA
94025
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
May 11, 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore. 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE ® Location Map 0 Sketch Map ® Continuation Sheet ® Building, Structure and Object Record
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record ❑ Milli Packet Pg. 435 rd
❑ Artifact Record ❑ Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
DPR 523A (1/951/ QUAR285.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRi/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 2 of 5 Resource identifier: 285 Quarry Rd
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date May 11, 2000 ® Continuation ❑ Update
Item 2
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Package -FULL
Description (continued)
Decorative details include terra cotta spandrel panels between windows and light fixtures at the exterior entries. Inside, murals
were painted in the Children's Ward by the artist, Wolo.
The plan of the hospital is a late example that followed the idea of the pavilion plan. The pavilion plan was first built in the
1860s and became prevalent in the 1890s to 1930s. In an original pavilion plan, wards were one- or two-story structures wide
enough for beds next to windows on each wall. In this way, every patient had access to natural light and ventilation. Late
examples like this hospital were built with taller wings in larger buildings but were based on the same principle.
Packet Pg. 436
DPR 523L (1/95) QUAR285.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
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Package -FULL
Page 3 of 5 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # {Assigned by recorder) 285 Quarry Rd
B1 . Historic Name:
82. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Hospital
*B5. Architectural Style: Art Deco
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1931: Built (Western Hospital Review)
1938: Wing addition (80 -bed)
*B7. Moved? a No 0 Yes o Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: Reed and Corlett (1931): Will G. Corlett (1938) b. Builder: K.E. Parker and Company 11931)
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Municipal hospitals in Palo Alto: C: Design of hospitals Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1931-1959 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The building now called the Hoover Pavilion at 285 Quarry Road is situated on a 9.61 acre lot with Stanford University
property on three sides of it.
Structure: Western Hospital Review reported in its May issue of 1931 that the firm of Reed and Corlett were the architects and
K.E. Parker and Company the general contractors of the new Palo Alto Hospital located at 285 Quarry Road. The Palo Alto
Times reported, on 27 January 1938, that Will G. Corlett, architect and engineer, was also the designer of the wing that was
to be added. According to the article "Four Hospitals Mark Palo Alto History" which appeared in the Palo Alto Times, on 15
September 1959, the 100 -bed, four-story wing was completed in 1942 after many delays.
The firm of Reed and Corbett were well known in the east bay for several of the major buildings in downtown Oakland in the
1920s.
Use: A Stanford University instructor named Dr. William Freeman Snow established Palo Alto's first hospital in a frame building
at the corner of Lytton and Cowper in the 1890s. This was "a student hospital guild" which gave low cost care to University
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: May 11. 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 437
DPR 523B (1/95) QUAR2B5.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 4 of 5 Resource Identifier: 285 Quarry Rd
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date May 11, 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
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Package -FULL
History (continued)
students and faculty. In 1908, a group of private physicians incorporated to found the Peninsula Hospital, which consisted of
48 beds in a three-story frame structure located on Block 28 of South Palo Alto that was bordered by Embarcadero, Cowper,
and Churchill. Never a profitable enterprise, the Peninsula Hospital investors convinced the city to buy it in 1921. A $55,000
hospital bond issue was passed and a contract made with Stanford which arranged for the University to operate the institution
while the city owned it. In 1929, a $250,000 bond issue passed for a new hospital to be situated on the 10 -acre site at 285
Quarry Road which had been offered to the city by the University. Gifts, amounting to $145,200, were an integral part of the
budget. In May 1931, the up-to-date, 80 -bed hospital was completed. Situated on land leased at a nominal yearly rental from
Stanford, the city owned the hospital plant, but it was managed by the University. In 1937, a $175,000 bond issue was
approved to finance an 80 -bed addition which was not completed until 1942. Plans were drawn in 1954 for a further 200 -bed
addition and a $4,000,000 bond issue was passed. A competing scheme for an entirely new facility, however, was also
advanced at just about this time. Another $4,000,000 bond issue was passed, canceling out the earlier plans for an addition
to the 1931 structure, and in 1959, the Palo Alto -Stanford Medical Center was opened. According to the article "Renovation
of old hospital scheduled for later in year" that appeared in the Palo Alto Times, on 15 September 1959, the intention at that
time was to refurbish the old hospital on Quarry Road later in the same year. The tentative plan was to have twenty beds for
convalescing patients who did not require nursing care, space for sixty patients in a psychiatric section, and to use the rest of
the hospital for Medical Center overflow.
Evaluation
The Palo Alto Hospital appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The period of
significance is from 1931, when it opened, to 1959, when the Stanford Medical Center opened.
Under criterion A, this building is significant as one in a series of Palo Alto municipal hospitals.
Under criterion C, it is a late and rare surviving example of a hospital based on the pavilion plan. It is also a notable example
of the Art Deco style designed by the important Oakland firm of Reed & Corbett.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. "Scope of Palo Alto's Plans and Activities Explained" 12 May 1937. "Sketch Shows Hospital with Proposed
Annex." 27 January 1938. "Four Hospitals Mark Palo Alto History" 15 September 1959. "Renovation of Old Hospital Schedule
for Later in Year" 15 September 1959.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Western Hospital Review. May 1931.
Wilson, Mark A. A Living Legacy: Historic Architecture of the East Bay. Oakland: Lexicos, 1987.
Winslow, Ward and the Palo Alto Historical Association. Palo Alto: A Centennial History. Palo Alto: Palo Alto Historical
Association, 1993.
Woodbridge, Sally and John M. Woodbridge. San Francisco Architecture. San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 1992.
Packet Pg. 438
DPR 523L (1/95) QUAR285.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary #
HRI#
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 5 of 5 *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 285 Quarry Rd
`Map Name: Palo Alto Planning Dent. GIS "Scale: 1":146' *Date of Map: 1999
This document telegraphic representation only of benaralabl. scums. The City d Pab Mb asaunas no responsibility for eny errors.
285 Quarry Rd
142-04-012
ia. CI" d
Pa to Alto
DPR 523J (1/95)
This mopes e
product of *a
City of Pole A o GIS
lee'
*Required Information
Packet Pg. 439
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL J
CRITERIA 1 & 6 NOMINATIONS
Properties proposed for designation under Palo Alto Criteria 1 and 6:
• Criterion 1 (The structure or site is identified with the lives of historic people or with important
events in the city, state, or nation)
• Criterion 6 (The structure or site contains elements demonstrating outstanding attention to
architectural design, detail, materials or craftsmanship)
Address
Criteria
Category
695 Arastradero Road (Alta Vista Cemetery)
1, 6
2
720 Waverley Street
1, 6
2
Page & Turnbull 170 MAIDENLANE,5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO,CALIFORN
Packet Pg. 440
PAGE &TURNBULL
695 ARASTRADERO ROAD
Historic Name: Alta Mesa Cemetery
APN: 167-04-001
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
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&T
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1904-1952
Summary of Significance: The Alta Mesa Cemetery was found significant under Criterion Aas the
only local burial ground in Palo Alto, and for its connection to a local history of anti -Asian sentiment
that led to the creation of a segregated area for graves of those of Japanese descent. Under
Criterion C, the property is a significant picturesque cemetery design by Oscar Niedermuller that
features organized of lawns, winding roadways, oaks, and carefully sited buildings.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: Chapel (1904, designed by Alexander F. Oakley) was replaced with a new
main building ca. 2010; no other alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: None.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 1 (The structure or site is identified with the lives of historic people or with
important events in the city, state or nation)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE,5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO,CALIFORNIA94108 TEL415 3
Packet Pg. 441
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
• Criterion 6 (The structure or site contains elements demonstrating
Item 2
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outstanding attention to
architectural design, detail, materials or craftsmanship)
Statement of Significance: The cemetery at 695 Arastradero Road is significant as the only local
burial ground in Palo Alto. It is an important cultural resource that documents discriminatory burial
practices towards the Asian community, and specifically Japanese American community. The
cemetery is also significant for its picturesque organization and landscape design by Oscar
Niedermuller.
Period of Significance: 1904-1952
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE,STH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO,CALIFO
Packet Pg. 442
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #„
HRI #
Trinomial
NRHP Status Code
Item 2
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Package -FULL
35
Other Listings
Review Code. Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 7 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder} 695 Arastradero Rd
P1. Other Identifier: 695 Arastradero Rd
P2. Location: 0 Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T • R _; _'/, of '/. of Sec • B.M.
c. Address 695 Arastradero Rd City Palo Alto Zip 94306
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _; mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel II, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 167 03 019
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
As it exists today, Alta Mesa Memorial Park at 695 Arastradero is in at least three zones: the original cemetery; an adjacent area
on the south that includes the columbarium, crematorium, and mausoleum built in the 1930s -1940s; and areas purchased in
1952 and later.
Cemetery. The original cemetery is a roughly rectangular 25 -acre property oriented east -west. The property stretched from
its entrance on Arastradero Road at the northeast corner of the cemetery to a creek that forms its eastern border. The Palo Alto
Times (11 April 1904) described it as follows: "Its name, Alta Mesa, indicates that it is a high point and the ground slopes
beautifully and gently, leaving no depressions to become boggy or fill with stagnant water. It is in plain view from the county
road and a fine view of the bay can be had from all points of the tract."
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP40 Cemetery
*P4. Resources Present: a Building ® Structure a Object ® Site 0 District ❑ Element of District ❑ Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
695 Arastradero Rd: view southeast:
09/21/99; by B. Vahev: roll BRV-87,
neg #4A
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
1904; Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
Alta Mesa Memorial Park
695 Arastradero Rd Palo Alto CA
94306
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
May 6, 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore. 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE 0 Location Map ❑ Sketch Map ® Continuation S
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record ❑ Milli
0 Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
Packet Pg. 443
DPR 523A (11951/ ARAS695.F1
*Required information.
State of California -- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #_
HRI/Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 2 of 7 Resource Identifier: 695 Arastradero Rd
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date May 6. 2000 a Continuation 0 Update
Description (continued)
On this site, the landscape architect, Otto Niedermuller, designed the cemetery so that, "This plan follows the main design of
Cypress Lawn cemetery." (26 April 19041. Cypress Lawn in Colma was the most fashionable and prestigious cemetery on the
San Francisco Peninsula at that time. Cypress Lawn was designed in two parts: the first 47 acres was designed by Hamden
Noble in 1892; an additional 100 acres was purchased in 1900 and may have been designed by B.J.S. Cahill. Like Cypress
Lawn, Alta Mesa was laid out, "with beautiful winding avenues offering an ideal scheme for ornamentation." (8 July 1904).
"All the grewsome [sic] features of the old-time cemeteries have been discarded and an effort has been made to make the burial
plots and avenues as parklike and attractive as possible." (Alta Mesa, 1905). The plan itself indicated groves of trees, especially
at the intersections of the avenues. Existing and newly planted groves of trees were separated by lawns which were divided
into plots. The buildings were situated within the grounds to provide picturesque views. The Mission Revival style of the
buildings was an effort to adapt an approach to landscape planning that developed in England and the eastern United States
to the particular conditions of California.
The approach to design is in the same tradition that includes picturesque cemeteries, parks, and suburbs. Among earlier
American cemeteries in this tradition are Mt. Auburn Cemetery of 1835 in Cambridge, Massachusetts and cemeteries in
Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Baltimore, St. Louis, and Oakland (Mountain View Cemetery) built from the 1830s to 1860s. The
tradition also includes Central Park in New York and Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.
Especially in those areas of the cemetery that are closest to the gate, monuments include family mausoleums and a variety of
types of headstones, many elaborately carved.
Columbarium, Crematorium, Mausoleum. The cemetery was expanded to the south by the 1930s, when new structures were
built that added new services and resulted in a new name — Alta Mesa Memorial Park. This new area was laid out with curving
roadways and picturesquely sited buildings in the spirit of the original cemetery. In accordance with new trends in the funeral
business, a mausoleum was built with 50 crypts. Incorporated in the same building was a chapel, a crematorium, and a
columbarium to store ashes. This building was designed by Birge Clark in 1933 in the Moderne style. In this part of the
cemetery, there are clusters of Japanese graves, apart from the rest.
1952 Expansion. Along with the most recent expansion of the cemetery, new walls were built along Arastradero Road of adobe -
style cement blocks and iron railings.
DPR 523L (1/95) ARAS695.F1
Packet Pg. 444
*Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
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Page 3 of 7 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 695 Arastradero Rd
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Cemetary
*B5. Architectural Style: Mission Revival. Moderne
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1904: Built (Palo Alto Times)
1930s: Expansion
1933: Mausoleum
1952: Expansion
*B7. Moved? ® No 0 Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: Otto Niedermuller (1904) landscape; Alexander F. Oakley (1904). Gate house and chapel; Biroe Clark (1933)
b. Builder: Gustav Laumeister (1904)
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Development of Palo Alto: C: Picturesque style cemetary, work of Otto Niedermuller, work of
Alexander F. Oakley Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1904-1952 Property Type Cemetery Applicable Criteria A anc C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: According to the "Alta Mesa Cemetery Minutes" of 3 March 1904, a meeting to consider the question of a public cemetery
was held at the Bank of Palo Alto on that date. Officers were elected and nine subscribers were enlisted to purchase the
twenty-five acres below Mayfield known as the Huff property for a price of $5,000. The Palo Alto realtor J.J. Morris, one of
the original subscribers for the Alta Mesa Cemetery, was authorized to close the deal. On 22 March 1904, the minutes recorded
that the deed for those twenty-five acres had been secured.
According to the article "Alta Mesa firm buys land for expansion of cemetery" that appeared in the Palo Alto Times on 1 October
1952, the owner of the cemetery, the Alta Mesa Improvement Company, had just acquired nearly twenty-five more acres
fronting on Arastradero and immediately adjoining the existing cemetery on the northeastern side. The price was $100,000.
While this land was purchased for eventual expansion, the seller, Joseph E. Galantine, continued to operate his orchard on it
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: May 6. 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 445
DPR 523B (1/95) ARAS695.F1 *Required Information
Item 2
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary # Attachment A 2023 -11 -
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS��t AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial 09 HRB Nomination
CONTINUATION SHEET ` Package -FULL J
Page 4 of 7 Resource Identifier: 695 Arastradero Rd
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date May 6. 2000 0 Continuation 0 Update
History (continued)
under lease. The cemetery consisted of 47.80 acres according to the Santa Clara County MetroScan of 1993. According to
the article "The Business of Dying" that appeared in the Los Altos Town Crier on 29 October 1986, Warren Peters, the general
manager and secretary of the cemetery, said that in 1986 the Alta Mesa Improvement Company owned seventy-two acres,
forty-two of which were developed. Thirty acres that were reserved for future use were being cultivated as an apricot orchard.
Structures: According to the article "New Cemetery Grounds" which appeared in the Palo Alto Times on 11 April 1904, the
directors of the Alta Mesa Cemetery Association commissioned the San Francisco landscape architect Otto E. Niedermuller to
design the grounds of the new cemetery. Nothing more is currently known about Niedermuller. The plan of his design was
printed in a pamphlet published in 1905 by the Association. According to the current Assessor's Parcel Map provided by
MetroScan, Mr. Niedermuller's plan remains largely intact, being that section of the cemetery to the north of Mulberry Drive.
It appears, however, that some alterations have been made. A new road has been introduced, the paths of some roadways have
been adjusted and at least some of them seem to have been widened. According to the notices in the Palo Alto Times, "the
well-known San Francisco architect," Alexander F. Oakey designed two buildings — a gate house and a chapel. These were
both wood frame, stucco clad buildings in the "modified mission" style. According to the article "Contracts for building let"
which appeared in the Palo Alto Times on 8 July 1904, the Palo Alto builder Gustav Laumeister won the $17,355 contract.
The gate house, located at the site of the present entrance gate to the cemetery on Arastradero Road, was in three parts: a
narrow arched gateway with a one-story office on the west and a 75 -foot tower on the east. The tower incorporated a three-
story residence for the superintendent at its base. The tower rose in three square tiers of decreasing size and culminated in a
dome on a drum with a lantern (a shorter precursor of the Hoover Tower). This building was removed at an unknown date,
possibly as early as 1906 in the earthquake. On 7 May 1906, the directors of the Alta Mesa Cemetery discussed the damage
to the gatehouse caused by the earthquake. On 20 September 1906, they described it as "unfit for occupancy." The
superintendent, who had lived in the gatehouse moved to a rented house. It is not known if the gatehouse was demolished at
that time. The directors authorized construction of new gates at the entrance to the cemetery on 14 January 1936. A
photograph of these gates was shown on the cover of a 1938 Alta Mesa Cemetery brochure. These gates are still in place
today (2000).
The chapel was described in November 1904 as follows: "A short way down the main avenue is the mortuary chapel and
receiving vault . . . The nave has a domed ceiling and the apse and transepts are arched recesses. On one side is the receiving
vault, with fourteen compartments." The structure is still standing.
Alexander Forbes Oakey was born in New York about 1848. He worked for Richard Norman Shaw, the leading architect in
England, and in New York for Richard Morris Hunt, described as "the most eminent architect in the United States." (Baker, p.
436). He worked for A. Page Brown in New York and relocated with him to San Francisco about 1889 along with Willis Polk
and Albert C. Schweinfurth who would become leaders in the profession in California. According to Longstreth (1982, p. 292),
"Brown and his chief draftsman A.C. Schweinfurth pioneered in developing a regional mode derived from California's Franciscan
missions and other Hispanic sources." In 1893, in association with C.J. Colley and Emil S. Lemme, Oakey submitted a proposal
for a "Moorish" ziggurat for the California Midwinter International Exposition in Golden Gate Park. In 1897, he formed a
partnership with Henry Jordan in San Francisco. In 1898, he was one of only three Californians to enter the International
Competition for the Phoebe Hearst Architectural Plan for the University of California. From research in published building
notices, several houses designed by Jordan have been identified in San Francisco — all of which have been substantially
remodeled or demolished. The only building outside of Alta Mesa cemetery which was designed by Oakey and which remains
generally as it was built is a 4 -story mansion built in 1902 at the northwest corner of Sutter and Gough streets in San Francisco
for Milton Schmitt who made a fortune in railroads and served in the state legislature. One story was added to the original when
it was converted to a hotel at an unknown date (1906?I. Oakey was listed as an architect in San Francisco city directories from
1895 to 1908.
The notice "New mausoleum at Alta Mesa Memorial Park" which appeared in the Mayfield News on 10 January 1933, said that
the Palo Alto architect Birge Clark was designing a new building to house columbarium, chapel, and crematory. In 1947, Birge
Clark and Walter Stronquist designed a $50,000 addition to the mausoleum, to be built by Wells P. Goodenough: Interior and
Packet Pg. 446
DPR 523L (1/95) ARAS695.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
HRI/Trinomial
Page 5 of 7 Resource Identifier: 695 Arastradero Rd
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date May 6. 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
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Package -FULL J
History (continued;
exterior of the 3,100 square foot addition will conform with the present design." The Daily Pacific Builder reported on 1 January
1949 that a $5,000 addition was being made to the columbarium. According to the record in the Assessor's documents the
crematory was altered and two new mausoleums added and subsequently expanded in the 1960s. The twenty-five acres bought
in 1952 seem to have been developed in the mid -1970s. There was a $200,000 addition to an existing building in 1978 and
another 1,300 square foot addition costing $60,000 in 1979. There were a number of other additions of and to service
buildings in the same period.
Use: The Palo Alto Times printed on 22 July 1902 a short article, "A Municipal Cemetery," in which it makes clear that, as Mrs.
Stanford would no longer permit interments in the arboretum, the citizens of Palo Alto were discussing the city's need for a
public cemetery. On 3 March 1904, nine city fathers, most of them significant local businessmen, met, decided to buy the Huff
property below Mayfield for the creation of a cemetery and contributed $500 each toward the purchase price of $5,000. These
city fathers were G.R. and J.F. Parkinson, T.S. Crandall, Marshall Black, W.S. Vandervoort, J.S. Lakin, D.L. Sloan, J.W. Roller,
and J.J. Morris. By November of 1904, while work on the first buildings continued, there had already been 15 burials. The
Palo Alto Weekly published on 13 April 1994 an Alta Mesa Memorial Park advertisement which stated that descendants of the
founders continue to operate it,
Evaluation
Alta Mesa Cemetery appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The period of
significance runs from 1904, when it was built, to 1952, when it was expanded.
While additional research is necessary to clarify various aspects of its history and significance, it appears significant under
criterion A as the only local burial ground from 1905 to the present. It is also significant for its representation of local social
values in the segregation of Japanese graves,
Under criterion C, it is significant as an example of a picturesque cemetery in the Bay Area designed by Otto Niedermuller. It
is characterized by lawns, winding roadways, groves of oaks, and carefully sited buildings. The buildings are also of interest,
especially the original Mission Revival style chapel which is one of only two buildings left by the San Francisco architect,
Alexander F. Oakey.
The cemetery has changed in significant ways, notably the loss of the gate house and the construction of new walls along
Arastradero Road. Nevertheless, the essential features of the early cemetery are sufficiently in place to maintain the integrity
of the site in relation to the NRHP.
References
Alta Mesa Cemetery. Minutes, 3 March 1904, 7 May 1906, 20 September 1906, 14 January 1936.
Alta Mesa Cemetery. Pamphlet. 1905.
Alta Mesa Cemetery. Folder. 1938.
Baker, Paul R. "Richard Morris Hunt." In Macmillan Encyclopedia of Architects, vol. 2, pp. 436-444. New York: The Free Press,
1982.
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Daily Pacific Builder. 9 January 1947.
Packet Pg. 447
DPR 523L (1/95} ARAS695.F1 *Required information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 6 of 7 Resource Identifier: 695 Arastradero Rd
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date May 6. 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
References (continued)
Goss, Gary. Research on Alexander F. Oakey in published building sources. Personal communication with Michael Corbett.
3 May 2000.
Hill, Ward. Personal communication with Michael Corbett regarding Cypress Lawn Cemetery. 5 May 2000.
Kleffman, Sandra. "The Graceful and Unique Aspects of Alta Mesa Memorial Park." Peninsula Times Tribune. 31 January 1981.
Longstreth, Richard. "A. Page Brown." In Macmillan Encyclopedia of Architects, vol. 1, pp. 292. New York: The Free Press,
1982.
Longstreth, Richard. On the Edge of the World: Four Architects in San Francisco at the Turn of the Century. Cambridge: The
Architectural History Foundation and MIT Press, 1984.
Lowell, Waverly, Mary Hardy, and Lynn A. Downey. Architectural Records in the San Francisco Bay Area: A Guide to Research.
New York: Garland Publishing, 1988.
Palo Alto. Building Records. 1966, 1968, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1979.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto (Cal.) Mayfield News. "New Mausoleum at Alta Mesa Memorial Park." 10 January 1933,
Palo Alto Times. "A Municipal Cemetery" 22 July 1902. "New Cemetery Grounds" 11 April 1904. "Cemetery Plans" 26 April
1904. "Contracts for Building Let" 8 July 1904. "Contract Filed" 15 July 1904. "Work at Alta Mesa Cemetery" 4 November
1904. "Dedication at Alta Mesa" 5 October 1905. "Mausoleum at Alta Mesa to be Enlarged" 12 April 1947. "Alta Mesa Firm
Buys Land for Expansion of Cemetery" 1 October 1952. "$225,000 Mausoleum being built at Alta Mesa Park," 1 July 1963.
"Alta Mesa Mausoleum Planned," 29 May 1965. "Alta Mesa Memorial Park (advertisement) 13 April 1994.
Potter, Elisabeth Walton and Beth M. Boland. Guidelines for Evaluating and Registering Cemeteries and Burial Places. National
Register Bulletin 41. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of the Interior. National Park Service. Interagency Resources Division.
National Register of Historic Places. 1992.
Resorts and Great Hotels. "Where to Stay in the Year 2000: The Majestic, San Francisco, California." Reprint. n.d.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1960. 1965, 1967, 1968.
Smith, Patricia. "The Business of Dying" Los Altos Town Crier. 29 October 1986.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Weitze, Karen J. California's Mission Revival, California Architecture and Architects No. 3. Los Angeles: Hennessey & Ingalls,
1984.
Packet Pg. 448
DPR 523L (1 /95) ARAS695.F1
"Required Information
State of California -- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary*
HRf# . ..
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page _L. of . 7 "Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 695 Arastradero Rd _
"Map Name: Palo Alto Planning Dept. GIS "Scale: 1":300'
DPR 523J (1 /95)
"Date of Map: 1999
Packet Pg. 449
PAGE &TURNBULL
720 WAVERLEY STREET
APN: 120-16-061
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1911-1924
Summary of Significance: 720 Waverley Street was found significant under Criteria A and C. Under
Criterion A, the building is associated with an early large-scale residential development in Palo Alto
that aimed to build -out the 700 -block of Waverley Street with a series of "first class" bungalows.
Under Criterion C, the building is an excellent example of a builder's interpretation of a Craftsman
style bungalow.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1911,
consisting of the year of the building's construction.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 1 (The structure or site is identified with the lives of historic people or with
important events in the city, state, or nation)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓
Packet Pg. 450
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
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• Criterion 6 (The structure or site contains elements demonstrating outstanding attention to
architectural design, detail, materials, or craftsmanship)
Statement of Significance: 720 Waverley Street is significant both as an excellent example of a
builder's interpretation of a Craftsman style bungalow and is an intact surviving building that is
associated with an early speculative residential development in Palo Alto that built -out the 700 -block
of Waverley Street with "first class" bungalows.
Period of Significance: 1911
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 451
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 720 Waverlev St
P1. Other Identifier: 720 Waverlev St
P2. Location: ❑ Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto CA _. Date 1991 T ; R _Y. of _'A of Sec . B.M.
c. Address 720 Waverlev St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _ mE/ mN
`e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 16 061
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
This house, at 720 Waverley Street, is a 11/2 -story, wood -frame structure clad in shingles and covered by a gable roof. Because
the Sanborn map of 1924 recorded this as a one-story structure and the Sanborn map of 1949 recorded it as a 1'/2 -story
structure, it appears that the attic space was originally unfinished but, like many early Palo Alto buildings, built with enough
space that it could be finished when the need arose or the money was available. The expansion into the attic was made prior
to the conversion of the building to a duplex which did not occur until 1953. The expansion into the attic was anticipated in
the original design of the house. It is also possible that the attic was finished when the house was first built but was recorded
imprecisely on the 1924 Sanborn map. One source that might indicate how many bedrooms were in the house is the 1920
census. Because there is only one bedroom downstairs, the number of people residing in the house in 1920 — and their
relationships — could indicate the likelihood of additional bedrooms upstairs at that time. Whatever the case, the expansion of
living space into the attic did not represent a significant change in the budding. The conversion to a duplex in 1953 represented
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
"P4. Resources Present: a Building ❑ Structure 0 Object ❑ Site 0 District ❑ Element of District ❑ Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
720 Waverley St: view southwest;
09/13/99; by B. Vahev; roll BRV-76,
nee #31
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: & Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
1911; Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
Lucy Cabrera
704 Waverley St Palo Alto CA 94301
•P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
March 24, 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE ® Location Map 0 Sketch Map ® Continuation Sh
0 Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record ❑ Milli
❑ Artifact Record ❑ Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
set
® Building. Structure and Object Record
d
Packet Pg. 452
DPR 523A {119511 WAVE720.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 2 of 5 Resource Identifier: 720 Waverley St
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date March 24, 2000 0 Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
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Package -FULL J
Description )continued)
a significant change in use, but, as it was accomplished at a cost of $500,00, does not appear to have involved substantial
changes to the fabric of the building.
The footprint of the house is rectangular — the inside space on the ground floor is nearly square, and there is a full porch across
the front. The 1949 Tax Assessor's report recorded a living room, dining room, one bedroom, bath, kitchen, and service porch
on the ground floor. Upstairs there were three bedrooms and a bath.
In appearance, this is a classic builder's Craftsman bungalow with shingled siding, a gable roof with overhanging eaves and
exposed rafters and braced beams. Most importantly is the single arch of the porch that shelters space for outdoor living and
provides a simplified image of a house (in contrast to the more complex forms recently popular). Decorative details include
beveled glass in the front door and iron hardware.
Packet Pg. 453
DPR 523L (1/95) WAVE720.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 3 of 5
Item 2
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Package -FULL
*NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 720 Waverley St
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Craftsman Bungalow
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1911: Built (Palo Alto Times)
*B7. Moved? 0 No 0 Yes ❑ Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: John Dudfield (materials); George Mosher (contractor)
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Pattern of development in Palo Alto; C: Craftsman Bungalow Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1911-1924 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
{Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The house at 720 Waverley is located in Block 23 as it appeared in the original subdivision of University Park in 1889.
Structure: In an article headlined "Ten New Homes to be Built in One Block," the Palo Alto Times reported, on 20 January 1911,
that "Building was given a great impetus in Palo Alto today when the announcement was made that not less than ten modern
up-to-date bungalows" were to be erected on the open block of land between Homer and Forest on Waverley. This development
was undertaken by a consortium of capitalists from San Francisco and Palo Alto that included the local builders John Dudfield
and George Mosher, with Mosher functioning as contractor and Dudfield providing the materials from the Dudfield Lumber
Company. The development as described in the paper was somewhat different from what was actually built. Instead of ten
buildings, which would have occupied forty foot lots, eight buildings were built on fifty foot lots. This was a more spacious
plan, more typical of the time, and more in keeping with the promotional language in the newspaper: "Buildings will be First
Class: Every home that is erected will be a first-class bungalow having all the modern up-to-date improvements that go to make
up the 1911 residence. Statements were made today by interested parties that the buildings will surpass any similar structures
in this city and that special pains are being taken to put up model homes. They will cost no less than $4,500 each." This
house, occupied in 1912, was among the first of the group to be built. The houses were not built all at once — 704 Waverley
was built in 1913. The 1924 Sanborn map showed the completed row of eight bungalows. Each bungalow was set back the
See continuation sheet
B11, Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: March 24, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 454
DAR 5238 (1/95) WAVE720.F1 *Required Information
tate of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
HRI/Trinomial
Page 4 of 5 Resource Identifier: 720 Waverley St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date March 24, 2000 ® Continuation o Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
same distance from the street but otherwise had different features. They were of different widths and the footprints were all
different — 704 and 720 Waverley were both square with full front porches, but 704 was larger. Some had bay windows, some
had projecting wings. All houses except 744 Waverley had porches but they varied in size, type, and relation to the house.
Six of the houses, including 720 Waverley, had garages, 704 Waverley had a rear building with no use indicated on the Sanborn
maps, and 734 Waveriey had no out buildings. This was an early if not the first example in Palo Alto of a large scale residential
development.
The Palo Alto City Directory first listed 720 Waverley as a single family residence in 1912 as the home of William S. Slade, the
manager of the Slade Cigar Company, located at 183 University. The Sanborn map of 1924 identified the building as one-story
while that of 1949 has it at one and a half stories. The Assessor's records note the alteration in 1953 from a single family
dwelling to a duplex, which is reflected in the City Directory. The Assessor's records further note $500 worth of improvements
made to the residence in 1954.
Use: According to the record in the Palo Alto City Directory, 720 Waverley was built as a single family residence and served
as such from 1912 until 1953. Ten family names were listed as residents during this period, only one of which, Edward and
Katherine Latimer, lived at the address for an extended length of time. Mr. Latimer was identified as a Iinotypist and printer who
with his wife occupied the house from 1923 to 1946. After the conversion of the house to a duplex in 1953, it was the site
of the Downtown Nursery School 11954-1958), of the Southern Peninsula Community Center 11967-1969) and of the Church
of Scientology 11970). The second unit was listed as 724 Waverley.
Evaluation
This house, at 720 Waverley Street, appears individually eligible to the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of
significance. The period of significance is 1911 to 1924, during which time the 700 block of Waverley was built.
Under criterion A, this house represents the early development of a large scale residential development in Palo Alto.
Under criterion C, this house is a classic example of a builder's version of a Craftsman bungalow.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1912-1970.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 20 January 191 1 .
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1954, 1955, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 455
DPR 523L (1/95) WAVE720.F1 *Required Information
State of California -- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary #
HRI#
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
L
Page of ; . *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 720 Waverlev St
*Map Name: Palo Alto Plannintt Newt. GIS "Scale: 1":80'
*Date of Map: 1999
120-66-10
120-66-11
12046-12
120-66-13
120.66.14
120-66-15
120.88.18
120-66-17
120-48-1
120-48-2
12048-3
120-484
120-48-5
120484
120-48-7
126488
120-48-9
120-48-10
120-48-11
120.4812
120-48-13
DPR 523J (1/95)
This docurrNra is s graphic rsprasfWbn ony of bMt Miabls mum. The Cy d Pib Alb affiunss no otiOrgibIlAy tor any srmrs.
*Required Informatk)n
Packet Pg. 456
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL J
CRITERIA 4 & 6 NOMINATIONS
Properties proposed for designation under Palo Alto Criteria 4 and 6:
• Criterion 4 (The structure or site is connected with a business or use which was once common,
but is now rare)
• Criterion 6 (The structure or site contains elements demonstrating outstanding attention to
architectural design, detail, materials or craftsmanship)
Address
Criteria
Category
132 Hamilton Avenue
4, 6
2
260 Homer Avenue
4, 6
2
Page & Turnbull 170 MAIDENLANE,5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO,CALIFORN
Packet Pg. 457
PAGE &TURNBULL
132 HAMILTON AVENUE
APN: 120-27-003
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1924-1950
Summary of Significance: 132 Hamilton Avenue was deemed significant under Criterion A for its
association as a local ice company, a now vanished industry; and under Criterion C as a purpose-
built Revival -style commercial building that adapted the practical needs of the ice factory typology.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: An awning was removed, and windows were most likely replaced. No other
alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1924-1930,
the years in which buildings were constructed and expanded for the use of the ice factory (the left
portion of the building was constructed first (1924) and right portion followed (1930).
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 4 (The structure or site is connected with a business or use which was once
common, but is now rare)
• Criterion 6 (The structure or site contains elements demonstrating outstanding attention to
architectural design, detail, materials, or craftsmanship.)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓ I .Y+
Packet Pg. 458
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
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Package -FULL
Statement of Significance: The subject building is significant for its association as a local ice
company, a now vanished industry and rare typology. It is also significant as a purpose-built Revival -
style commercial building that adapted to the practical needs of the ice factory typology and was
designed to blend in with the Spanish Revival character of downtown Palo Alto.
Period of Significance: 1924-1930
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 459
I J- JUL-, I J�1
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Item 2
Attachment A 2023 -11 -
Primary #
HRI # 09_HRB Nomination
Trinomial ` Package -FULL J
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 4 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 132-136 Hamilton Ave
P1. Other Identifier: 132-136 Hamilton Ave
P2. Location: 0 Not for Publication IN Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto. CA Date 1991 T ° R • _Y4 of ]/. of Sec : B.M.
c. Address 132-136 Hamilton Ave City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 27 003
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The property at 132-136 Hamilton Avenue is occupied by a small complex of one-story structures designed to accommodate
several functions of an ice company: manufacturing, delivery, retail sales, and business office. It was built in two
indistinguishable phases in a six -year period from 1924 to 1930. Two parallel structures facing Hamilton Avenue are provided
with an architectural finish where the public will do business with the company. The office and ice house at 132 Hamilton
Avenue were built first in 1924. This building is recessed from the building line (for parking or walk-up business?). The adjacent
building at 136 Hamilton Avenue was built in 1930. At the rear is an L-shaped garage with a utilitarian appearance. The
structure is reinforced concrete with hollow clay tile infill walls. The facades of the two buildings on Hamilton Street are clad
in stucco. These buildings are decorated with Spanish and Mediterranean details including red -tiled coping and false roof and
turned mullions in the transom windows.
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP6 1-3 story commercial building
*P4. Resources Present: a Building ❑ Structure 0 Object ❑ Site 0 District 0 Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
132-136 Hamilton Aye: view
southeast: 09/20/99: by B. Vahev:
roll BRV-84, nec #17
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
❑ Prehistoric ❑ Both
1924-1930: Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
Zacharia Inc
2917 24Th St San Francisco CA
94110
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett. Dames & Moore
221 Main Street. Suite 600
San Francisco. CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
May 19, 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE El Location Map 0 Sketch Map Continuation S,ppt 6a Idinn Striirt.irp And r)hie t Record
0 Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record ❑ Milli. Packet Pg. 460 "d
❑ Artifact Record ❑ Photograph Record ❑ Other (List)
DPR 523A (1/95)1 HAMI132.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL J
Page 2 of 4 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 132-136 Hamilton Ave
B1. Historic Name: Palo Alto Ice Delivery Company
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: 1-3 story commercial building
*B5. Architectural Style: Spanish and Mediterranean Revival
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1924: 132 Hamilton (office, garage and ice house) built (Palo Alto Times)
1930: 136 Hamilton (ice house) built (Palo Alto Times)
1964, 1971, and 1984: Interior alterations
1984: Roof replaced
*B7. Moved? ® No o Yes Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: R.W. Folmer
*B10. Significance: Theme A and C: Local ice company Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1924-1950 Property Type commercial Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity,(
History
Site: The Map of the City of Palo Alto (ca. 1916) showed that the site of the commercial building at 136 Hamilton Avenue was
the site of a residence situated on a 50 -by -100 -foot lot. The boundaries of this lot have not changed.
Structure: The Palo Alto Times printed two building permit notices for 136 Hamilton Avenue, on 1 April 1924, for the Palo Alto
Ice Delivery Company. The first notice was for an office and ice house (132 Hamilton Avenue) at a cost of $2,500. The other
notice was for a $500 garage at the same site. The same newspaper printed another building permit notice on 10 January 1930
for an ice house at the same site (136 Hamilton Avenue) for Palo Alto Ice Delivery built by R.W. Follmer. The Palo Alto City
Directory first listed Palo Alto Ice Delivery at 136 Hamilton Avenue in 1927. In 1915, it was listed at 540 High Street, in 1918,
it was listed at 542 High Street, and from 1920 to 1925, it was listed at 560 High Street. The Assessor's documents recorded
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
813. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: May 19, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
DPR 523611/95) HAMI132.F1
Packet Pg. 461
*Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRIlTrinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL J
Page 3 of 4 Resource Identifier: 132-136 Hamilton Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date May 19, 2000 0 Continuation ❑ Update
History (continued)
interior alterations in 1964, more interior alterations in 1971, and the demolition of all of these alterations in 1984 at which time
the roof was replaced.
Use: According to an article published in the Palo Alto Times, of 30 December 1922, Palo Alto Ice Delivery was acquired by
Union and National Ice Companies, Inc. of California at that time. The sellers, Frank E. and J.D. Woodward, continued to
operate the business under the original name. The Palo Alto City Directory listed Palo Alto Ice Delivery at 136 Hamilton Avenue
from 1927 to 1944. From 1946 to 1950, the address was listed as the location of Union Ice Company. In 1953 a mortgage
company was located in the building.
Evaluation
This property, at 132-136 Hamilton, appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The
period of significance is from 1924 when it was built to 1950 when it ceased serving as an ice business.
Under criterion A, this property represents a vanished but once essential business — the local ice company. Under criterion C,
this property is a surprisingly complete plant for all aspects of a local ice business in a downtown location.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Palo Alto. Fire Run Maps. 1997.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1915-1953.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 30 December 1922, 1 April 1924, 10 January 1930. 3 December 1932, 13 October 1938.
Map of the City of Palo Alto. ca. 1916.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1960.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1965, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 462
DPR 523L (1/95) HAMI132.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary #
HRl#
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 4 of *Resource Name or # lAssigned by recorder) 132-136 Hamilton Ave
Map Name: Palo Alto Planning Dept, GIS *Scale: 1":80'
*Date of Map: 1999
DPR 523J11/95)
This document es a graphic repreaemaiisn only Wheat a+aiede souroes, The City q Paq Alto assumes no responstility for any errors.
•F3quired Information
Packet Pg. 463
PAGE &TURNBULL
260 HOMER AVENUE
APN: 120-27-003
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
&T
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1931-1989
Summary of Significance: 260 Homer Avenue (originally the Cardinal French Laundry) was found
eligible under Criterion A as a representative of the laundry industry in Palo Alto, and represents a
period in the laundry industry when mechanization and capital investment were important elements
of a business' success. Under Criterion C, 260 Homer Avenue was found eligible as a good example
of the urban laundry building type that housed industrial equipment while architecturally blending
into its surrounding residential and low -scale mixed -use setting.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: Projecting sign removed; building rehabilitated as part of adjacent project.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: None.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 4 (The structure or site is connected with a business or use which was once
common, but is now rare)
• Criterion 6 (The structure or site contains elements demonstrating outstanding attention to
architectural design, detail, materials or craftsmanship.)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDENLANE,5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO,CALIFORNIA94108 TEL415-3
Packet Pg. 464
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL J
Statement of Significance: 260 Homer Avenue is significant for its historic use as the Cardinal
French Laundry, an urban laundry business. The building is also significant for its Mediterranean
Revival stylistic influences that architecturally blend into the surrounding residential and low -scale
mixed -use setting of the neighborhood.
Period of Significance: 1931-1989
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDENLANE,5THFLOOR SAN FRANCISCO,CALIFORL...
Packet Pg. 465
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
NRHP Status Code
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 6 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 260 Homer Ave
P1. Other Identifier: 260 Homer Ave
P2. Location: o Not for Publication B Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary,)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T • R _; _A of ''/ of Sec , B.M.
c. Address 260 Homer Ave City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _ mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 28 013
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The Cardinal French Laundry at 260 Homer Avenue is a one-story, reinforced concrete structure on a mid -block lot. It is
rectangular in plan and has a flat roof with a parapet that steps up toward the front. The side and rear walls are exposed
concrete with the marks of wood form boards visible. The front wall is clad in stucco. Described in the building permit notice
in the Palo Alto Times as a "class C laundry," the interior structure that supports the roof and mezzanine or loft levels
presumably consists of columns and beams or trusses of wood. (In California building codes of the period, class C denoted a
fireproof building envelope of brick or concrete with an interior structure of wood.) The roof is pierced by ten steel skylights
with wireglass, by an iron chimney over the boiler, and by fans and ventilating equipment. The front and the northeast side
are pierced by openings filled by pivoting steel industrial sash with wireglass for windows lighting the laundry machinery and
work spaces, and by windows and doors that include wood and clear or obscured glass for areas used only for customer service
or offices.
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP6 1-3 story commercial building
*P4. Resources Present: ® Building ❑ Structure n Object ❑ Site o District ❑ Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #1
260 Homer Ave; view southeast:
09116199; by B. Vahey: roll BRV-83,
neg#12
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
o Prehistoric 0 Both
1931; Building Permit
*P7. Owner and Address:
Louis Grandona
268 Homer Ave Palo Alto CA 94301
*1313. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
November 16, 1999
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: n NONE ® Location Map ❑ Sketch Map ® Continuation Sleet ® Building.. Structure and Object Record
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record ❑ Milli; Packet Pg. 466
o Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
DPR 523A (1/95)/ HOME260.F1
*Required information.
Item 2
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary # Attachment A 2023 -11 -
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomlal 09 HRB Nomination
CONTINUATION SHEET ` Package -FULL J
Page 2 of 6 Resource Identifier: 260 Homer Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date November 16, 1999 ® Continuation o Update
Description (continued)
The plan of the interior is indicated by the fenestration on the street front of the building which consists of an irregular series
of wide and narrow openings at the ground level below a symmetrical arrangement of three horizontal mezzanine level windows
above. At the ground level, doors lead to the large work space at the rear, into the storefront space for interaction with retail
customers, and presumably into office and accounting space with stairs to the mezzanine. A wide vehicle opening, with a
wooden roll -down door, provides access for delivery trucks. In the rear corner (the easternmost part of the building) is a boiler
room enclosed by two hollow tile partition walls and the concrete exterior walls of the building.
In appearance, this structure, which is primarily industrial in its use, is similar to commercial buildings in the nearby downtown
area and is intended to be compatible with its mixed surroundings of residences, commercial buildings, and other laundries.
Several features of the building combine to create a Spanish or Mediterranean character — white stucco walls, red tile parapet
coping, and classical references in the moldings on the inside facings of ground level columns and the moldings across the top
of the parapet. The tiled bulkhead at the base of the street -front office window (the tile on a second bulkhead in the storefront
appears to have been removed), the tiled paving in the vestibule of the storefront entry, and the hardware (including door
handles, a mail slot, and a vestibule light fixture) add touches of color, texture, and craftsmanship that contribute to the
domesticated character of this industrial building. Despite the irregular pattern of its ground level, the building has an orderly
character established by the symmetrical composition of its mezzanine windows and reinforced by the placement of a
cantilevered metal sign at its center.
Packet Pg. 467
DPR 523L (1/95) HOME260.F1 *Required Information
State of Califomia — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL J
Page 3 of 6 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 260 Homer Ave
B1. Historic Name: French Cardinal Laundry
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: 1-3 story commercial building
*B5. Architectural Style: Mediterranean
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1931; Built (Building Permit)
*B7. Moved? 0/ No ❑ Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: Erwin Reichel b. Builder: W.P. Goodenough
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Laundry industry: C: Urban lanudry building Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1931-1989 Property Type Commercial building Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: In 1908, two one-story houses were built at 262 and 268 Homer Avenue (Palo Alto Times 24 December 1908). In the
late 1920s, the house at 262 (260) Homer was the site of services conducted by the Japanese Methodist Mission. The Cardinal
French Laundry, built in 1931, replaced the 1908 house at 262 (260) Homer. Since 1949, the separate parcels for 260 and 268
Homer have been merged into a single parcel.
A laundry, with the address of 270, was built at the rear of 268 Homer Avenue in 1923. This laundry, called the French
Laundry and run by the Candevans, is listed at 270 Homer in the city directories until 1930. This building, a wood structure
clad in galvanized iron, is still standing.
Building: A building permit for construction of this building was reported in news sources in March 1931. The building was a
one -floor, class C laundry designed by Erwin Reichel and built by Wells P. Goodenough. The cost was $7,000 to $7,200. Under
various owners, the Cardinal French Laundry operated in this building from 1931 until 1989 when it was closed to comply with
a 1974 zoning law. The building was vacant in the early 1990s. Since that time it has been leased for storage by the Palo Alto
Medical Foundation.
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: November 16 1999
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 468
DPR 523811/95) HOME26o.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomlal
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 4 of 6 Resource Identifier: 260 Homer Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date November 16, 1 999 ® Continuation D Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
Use: The original owners of the Cardinal French Laundry were Alfred E. Daimon and Leopold Berdoulay. Both men were born
in France. Daimon came to California in 1912 and previously owned the University French Laundry with Leon Arrouzet. Daimon
lived next door at 268 Homer from 1932 until 1971. Berdoulay, who was known as Frenchy, came to Palo Alto in 1923 and
lived at 268 Homer from 1933 to 1941. A newspaper advertisement in November 1931 promoted the Cardinal French Laundry
as "The Laundry That Knows How," proved by washing a Roos -Manhattan broadcloth shirt 52 times.
In the mid 1940s, Daimon and Berdoulay sold the business to Beverly Davis and Stanley Blois, Sr. Since 1924, Davis had been
a driver for the Stanford laundry, which was owned by J. Byron Blois, who was mayor of Palo Alto from 1934 to 1948. Stanley
Blois was the brother of J. Byron Blois. In 1974, the business was sold to Louis Grandona who continued to run the Cardinal
French Laundry until it closed in 1989 and who still owns the building (1999). An article about the company in 1987 discussed
the two parts of the business — one which catered to individual customers and one which catered to more profitable commercial
customers.
Evaluation
The Cardinal French Laundry building at 260 Homer Avenue appears to be eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the
local level of significance. The period of significance is 1931 to 1989.
Under criterion A, the building represents the laundry industry in Palo Alto. The laundry industry was an important if not very
glamorous local industry that employed cheap workers and is associated with the social history of the area including issues of
women workers, racial prejudice, and labor struggles. The laundry industry was concentrated in this neighborhood along Homer,
Ramona, and Emerson streets, near black, Chinese, and Japanese residents. The term "French Laundry" originated as a code
for a business that did not hire Chinese workers. This building represents a period of the industry when mechanization and
capital investment were important elements of a businesses' success.
Under criterion C, this is a good example of a particular building type — the urban laundry. This was a building type which had
to accommodate an industrial function near its customers. The competing demands of these functions produced buildings that
housed big, noisy machinery in fire-resistant structures and that looked like they belonged next door to houses and neighborhood
businesses. Significant features of the building include both those associated with its function (e.g. concrete walls, industrial
windows, roof top skylights, and fans) and with its compatibility with nearby commercial and residential buildings (e.g. stucco
front, red tile roof, and details of paving, hardware, and decoration).
Among many laundries built in Palo Alto, this is among the best preserved. In relation to the NRHP, it possesses a high degree
of integrity.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Building and Engineering News. 14 March 1931.
Donnelly, Kathleen. "The Cardinal Laundry has been washing Palo Alto's dirty linen since 1925. But for Lou Grandona and the
Cardinal crew, a 1974 land use decision means that today the laundry's on the line. Palo Alto Weekly. April 1, 1987.
Haines Criss Cross Directory. 1988-1992.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1914-1976.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Historical Association. Subject file on laundries.
Packet Pg. 469
DPR 523L (1/95) HOME260.F1 *Required Information
Item 2
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary # Attachment A 2023 -11 -
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRIITrinomial 09_HRB Nomination
CONTINUATION SHEET ` Package -FULL ,
Page 5 of 6 Resource Identifier: 260 Homer Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett 'Date November 16. 1999 ® Continuation 0 Update
References (continued)
Palo Alto Telephone Book. 1978.
Palo Alto Times. "Japanese Mission Founder Passes." 14 January 1928.
Palo Alto Times. "Building Permits." 11 March 1931.
Palo Alto Times. "52 Washings . . . Cardinal French Laundry." 18 November 1 931 .
Palo Alto Times. "Palo Alto Couple Wed 50 Years." 23 September 1969.
Palo Alto Times. "Stanley Blois, Sr." 6 December 1971.
Palo Alto Times. "Alfred Daimon." 24 January 1972.
Palo Alto Times. "Leopold Berdoulay Dies in SF." 17 September 1973.
Peninsula Times Tribune. "Beverly Davis." 11 January 1982.
Peninsula Times Tribune. "Beverly Davis." 13 January 1982.
Peninsula Times Tribune. "Ruby Blois." 8 July 1982.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1908.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1962.
Santa Clara County Assessor. Property data for 260 Homer. 1997 microfiche edition.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Winslow, Ward and the Palo Alto Historical Association. Palo Alto: A Centennial History. Palo Alto: Palo Alto Historical
Association, 1993.
Wolff, Emily. "Looking into the Laundry Industry." California Chronicle. vol. 10:4 (Fall 1999).
Wolff, Emily, California Historical Society Curator of Photography. Telephone conversation with Michael Corbett. September
15, 1999.
Packet Pg. 470
DPR 523L {1195) HOME260.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP Trinomial
Page 6 of �f _ *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder} 260 Homer Ave
*Map Name: Palo Alto Planninu Deot. GIS *Scale: 1":80. *Date of Map: t1999
Primary #
HRI#
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
TN 0117 •r
Pa to Alto
R 523J (1/95)
260 Homer Ave
120-28-013
Mb prockx3 sus r. /�\
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Packet Pg. 471
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL J
CRITERIA 2 & 4 NOMINATIONS
Properties proposed for designation under Palo Alto Criteria 2 and 4:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of life
important to the city, state or nation)
• Criterion 4 (The structure or site is connected with a business or use which was once common,
but is now rare)
Address
Criteria
Category
212 Emerson Street
2, 4
2
Page & Turnbull 170 MAIDENLANE,5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO,CALIFORN11
Packet Pg. 472
PAGE &TURNBULL
212 EMERSON STREET
APN: 120-25-033
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1904-1919
Summary of Significance: 212 Emerson Street was deemed eligible under Criterion A as an early
example of multi -unit housing in Palo Alto. Under Criterion C, it was deemed eligible as an early
example of an apartment house.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: No alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1904, the
year of the building's construction.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of
life important to the city, state or nation);
• Criterion 4 (The structure or site is connected with a business or use which was once
common, but is now rare)
Statement of Significance: 212 Emerson Street is significant as an excellent and early example of
the Foursquare house type with Colonial Revival and Prairie characteristics. It is also significant as an
early example of duplex multi -family housing in Palo Alto.
Period of Significance: 1904
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL ✓IJ.f
Packet Pg. 473
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
NRHP Status Code
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
3S
Other Listings
Review Code. Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 4 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 210-216 Emerson St
P1. Other Identifier: 210-216 Emerson St
P2. Location: ❑ Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T ; R , _'/4 of _/ of Sec . B.M.
c. Address 210-216 Emerson St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _ mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 25 033
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The apartment building at 210-216 Emerson Street is a two-story, wood -frame structure clad in two -lap siding and covered by
a hip roof. There is a full porch across the ground floor at the front, with a deck above. There is also a one-story porch
extension at the rear. The building is rectangular in plan, with two apartment units or flats on each floor stretching from front
to back.
In each unit there is a living room, dining room, bedroom, bath, and kitchen. Each unit has a separate entry on the front porch.
In appearance, this building mixes imagery from different sources. Its size, box -like shape, and symmetry are features associated
with a traditional house type for single family dwellings with a room in each corner and usually with a central corridor. The
horizontality of the design and the overhanging eaves with paneled soffits are associated with the Prairie Style. The symmetry
of the design, the two -lap siding, the porch posts and railings treated like classical columns, and the frieze under the eaves are
derived from the Colonial Revival Style.
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP3 Multiple family Drooertv
*P4. Resources Present: s Building ❑ Structure 0 Object ❑ Site ❑ District 0 Element of District ❑ Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
210-216 Emerson St: view southwest;
09/20/99: by B. Vahev: roll BRV-84,
nea #6
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
o Prehistoric ❑ Both
1905: Assessor's Records
*P7. Owner and Address:
Oleo D Sherby
428 Sherman Ave #100 Palo Alto CA
94306
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco. CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
May 10, 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE ® Location Map 0 Sketch Map ® Continuation Sheet in Building, Structure and Object Record
o Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record 0 Millir Packet Pg. 474
❑ Artifact Record o Photograph Record o Other (List)
DPR 523A 11/95►/ EMER210.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #..
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 2 of 4 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 210-216 Emerson St
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Multiple family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Prairie and Colonial Revival
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1905: Built (Assessor's Records)
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
*B7. Moved? ® No ❑ Yes ❑ Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Development of Palo Alto: C: Apartment house Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1905-1945 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The four -unit dwelling numbered 210, 212, 214 and 216 Emerson Street is situated on a 50 -by -112.5 -foot lot in Block
2 of the 1889 subdivision of University Park.
Structure: The Palo Alto City Directory first listed 210, 212 and 214 Emerson in the edition dated January 1906. This
corroborates the Assessor's records which date the construction of the building to 1905. The building does not appear on the
Sanborn map of 1904 but does appear in 1908.
Use: According to the record in the Palo Alto City Directory, the four apartments numbered 210, 212, 214, and 216 have each
been occupied by working people, often listed as living singly and very seldom listed at the address for more than one year.
Among the occupations represented by tenants in the building between 1906 and 1944 were salesman, carpenter, barber,
confectioner, dressmaker, driver, seamstress, teacher, steamfitter, clerk, engineer, telephone repairer, electrolygist, nurse, teller,
waiter, and auto lubricator. Howard J. Canine, a real estate man, was first listed at 210 Emerson in the directory of 1934 and
continued there, usually sharing the apartment through the 1940s. He was identified as the owner of the property on Assessor's
records prepared in 1949.
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: May 10, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 475
DPR 523B (1!951 EMER210.F1 •Required Information
State of California --- The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 3 of 4 Resource Identifier: 210-216 Emerson St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date May 10, 2000 0 Continuation 0 Update
i
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Evaluation
This building, at 210-216 Emerson Street, appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance.
The period of significance is from 1905, when it was built, to 1945, when multiple -unit housing began to be designed in very
different ways.
Under criterion A, this building is an early example of multi -unit housing in Palo Alto.
Under criterion C, it is an early example of an apartment house — or flat building.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Dorfman, Sonia. "Boarding Houses and Apartment Houses in Palo Alto: 1893-1945." Historical context statement prepared
for Palo Alto Historic Building Survey. 1999.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1905-1944.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1904,
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1908.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 476
DPR 523L (1/95) EMER210.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATIONMAP
Page _4_ of
*Map Name: Palo Alto Mannino Dent. GIS *Scale: _1":89' *Date of Map: 1999
Primary i
HRI#
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 210-216 Emerson St
DPR 523J (1/95)
Thy doorman * * 9rap►ic roproa*Maban only of boor avab *moot The Cl y of Fab Alb aeaun.a no roupons* illy for wry aroma
*Required Inbrrnoflon
Packet Pg. 477
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL J
CRITERIA 1, 5 & 6 NOMINATIONS
Properties proposed for designation under Palo Alto Criteria 1, 5, and 6:
• Criterion 1 (The structure or site is identified with the lives of historic people or with important
events in the city, state, or nation)
• Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important)
• Criterion 6 (The structure or site contains elements demonstrating outstanding attention to
architectural design, detail, materials or craftsmanship)
Address
Criteria j
Category
555 Forest Avenue
1, 5, 6
2
Page & Turnbull 170 MAIDENLANE,5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO,CALIFORN
Packet Pg. 478
PAGE &TURNBULL
555 FOREST AVENUE
APN: 120-04-031
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
&T
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1940-1948
Summary of Significance: 555 Forest Avenue was found eligible under Criterion A as a symbol of the
impact that automobiles had on architecture through the building's association with the excitement
generated by the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge in 1937, and under Criterion C as a building
that utilizes humor in paying homage to the Golden Gate Bridge toll plaza.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: Garbage enclosure constructed at Forest Avenue facade; no other
alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1940,
consisting of the year of the building's construction. The statement of significance for listing on the
Palo Alto historic Inventory includes mention of the original owner -designer -builder William F. Klay,
who was a prominent local builder.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 1 (The structure or site is identified with the lives of historic people or with
important events in the city, state, or nation)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE,5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO,CALIFORNIA94108 TEL415 3
Packet Pg. 479
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
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Package -FULL J
• Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important)
• Criterion 6 (The structure or site contains elements demonstrating outstanding attention to
architectural design, detail, materials, or craftsmanship)
Statement of Significance: 555 Forest Avenue is significant as a rare example of a building designed
to celebrate the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge through the application of a design inspired
by the bridge's toll plaza to a small apaitment building. The building is a unique product of the ethos
of the era that celebrated this regional accomplishment of spanning the Golden Gate and
memorializes a time when the automobile and automobile infrastructure inspired Moderne design.
The building is further significant as the work of William F. Klay, a prolific and important local builder,
who owned, designed, and built the building.
Period of Significance: 1940
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE,STH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO,CALIFO
Packet Pg. 480
1,1,41,410 li.LYl YJV_ t1lY
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code. 3S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 555 Forest Ave
P1. Other Identifier: 555 Forest Ave
P2. Location: ❑ Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T • R _• _%4 of _'14 of Sec B.M.
c. Address 555 Forest Ave City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone -' mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 04 031
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
This highly unusual building at 555 Forest is an apartment house designed to look like the toll plaza at the Golden Gate Bridge.
Designed in 1940, three years after the bridge was completed, this building was associated with the excitement generated by
the bridge and with the rapidly growing use of automobiles by Americans. This building was designed with seven parking spaces
separated by round bays, all covered by a flat roof. The parking spaces correspond to the drive -through lanes at the to)I plaza,
and the round bays, each with windows and a door, correspond to the toll booths. These features and the flat roof with curving
ends were the three basic elements of the toll plaza. Turning a toll plaza into an apartment house required walls, windows,
rooms, and other features. These were provided as follows. The building was designed as a long, narrow rectangle on a deep
lot, so that units were entered parallel to the street from a driveway the length of the building. In its footprint, the building
consisted of two attached, parallel rectangles, one slightly larger than the other. The larger rectangle houses the covered parking
spaces and the toll booth entries. The slightly smaller rectangle houses seven nearly identical units, each with an interior patio,
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP3 Multiple family property
*P4. Resources Present: ® Building ❑ Structure ❑ Object ❑ Site 0 District 0 Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
555 Forest Ave: view northwest:
09113199: by B. Vahew roll BRV-76,
ne�c #20
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
1940' Daily Pacific Builder
*P7. Owner and Address:
Katrina Woodworth
301 Addison Ave Palo Alto CA
94301
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
March 24, 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE a Location Map ❑ Sketch Map s Continuation Sleet ® Building, Structure and Ohje t Record
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record 0 Milli i Packet Pg. 481
❑ Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
DPR 523A (1/95)/ FORE555.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 2 of 5
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date March 24. 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL
Resource Identifier: 555 Forest Ave
Description (continued)
a living room, two bedrooms, a bath, and a kitchen. The end wail facing the street is articulated by engaged fluted columns
or pilasters at the corners and at the junction between the two rectangles. These are bridged by scored horizontal bands which
are interrupted only by a vent opening and a tall, narrow, glass -block window. These details continue the Moderne detailing
on the Golden Gate Bridge and its toll booth. This building is a wood -frame structure clad in stucco and covered by a flat roof.
The Sanborn map of 1949 noted "13 Apts." However, this seems to be an error for the following reasons: the 1949 Tax
Assessor's report included a site plan and identified seven units with a total of 13 bedrooms (perhaps this is the source of the
error); and with seven parking spaces, it makes sense that there would have been seven living units.
Packet Pg. 482
DPR 523L (1 /95) FORE555.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 3 of 5
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL
*NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 555 Forest Ave
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use:
*B5. Architectural Style: Moderne
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1940: Built (Daily Pacific Builder)
B4. Present Use: Multiple family property
*B7. Moved? ® No ❑ Yes ❑ Unknown Date: Original Location:.
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: W.F. Klay
*B10. Significance: Theme A: relationship of automobiles to architectural design,
C: Moderne style apartment building Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1904-1948 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The Map of the City of Palo Alto ca. 1917 indicates that 555 Forest Avenue was at that time the site of a residence. The
present boundaries of the property had been determined by the time of the preparation of the Map of the City of Palo Alto dated
1 January 1921. It was then as it has remained a 75 -by -200 -foot lot in Block 39 of the original University Park.
Structure: The Daily Pacific Builder printed, on 17 September 1940, a notice that William F. Klay was the owner and builder
of an apartment building at 555 Forest costing $18,000. The Palo Alto City Directory first listed the address in 1941 as the
Klay Apartments. The Daily Pacific Builder reported, on 31 July 1945, that the owner, G.S. Paddleford, had hired the builder
Mark Mcingraham to undertake repairs required by fire damage and that the cost of the repairs was to be $6,000. The
Assessor's records make no note of alteration.
Use: Called the Klay Apartments until the 1960s, the builder and original owner, William F. Klay, had sold the property by 1945
when the Palo Alto Times (27 July 1945) printed a building permit notice that the owner was George S. Paddleford. Paddleford
lived in one of the apartments at 555 Forest after he separated from his wife, Constance, in about 1942 and continued living
there with a new wife named Dorothy. Paddleford owned the Palo Alto Cadillac -Oldsmobile dealership for over 50 years.
See continuation sheet
B1 1. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: March 24. 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 483
DPR 523B (1/95) F0RE555.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRllTrdnomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 4 of 5 Resource Identifier: 555 Forest Ave
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date March 24, 2000 Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
According to a 1991 profile in the Times -Tribune, when he "retired in 1987, Paddleford was a patriarch of General Motors and
his Oldsmobile franchise was the oldest under the same ownership in California." He was also the co-founder and organizer
of the Palo Alto Concours d'Elegance, an antique car show established as a charity event. As the owner and sometime resident
of this building, he was associated with the ultimate car building of Palo Alto — fitting for someone described as, "the car man
of Palo Alto." The other occupants of the apartments were identified by the Palo Alto City Directory in working class
occupations.
Evaluation
This building, at 555 Forest Avenue, appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance. The
period of significance is from 1940, when it was built, to at least 1948 (as long as George Paddleford owned it).
Under criterion A, this building represents in the most literal way the relationship of automobiles to architecture, one of the most
powerful forces to affect building in the 20th century.
Under criterion C, this building is an original and striking design that utilizes humor, a rare characteristic in architecture, in
combining a powerful image of 20th -century design to everyday purpose — a small apartment building. While there are many
apartments and other buildings in the Bay Area designed and built in the Moderne style in the period between completion of the
Golden Gate Bridge and the beginning of World War II (1937 to 1941), no others have been identified that take the toll plaza
as a model.
It may also be significant under criterion B for its association with George Paddleford, "the car man of Palo Alto." Further
research would be necessary on Paddleford's residences and ownership of this property to determine this area of significance.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Crowe, Michael F. Deco by the Bay: Art Deco Architecture in the San Francisco Bay Area. New York: Viking Studio Books,
1995.
Daily Pacific Builder. 17 September 1940, 31 July 1945.
Dillon, Richard. High Steel: Building the Bridges Across San Francisco Bay. Millbrae: Celestial Arts, 1979.
Palo Alto Community Book. c. 1952.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 17 September 1940, 25 July 1945.
Peninsula Times Tribune. 27 August 1991.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 484
DPR 523L (1/95) F0RE555.F1 'Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary #,
HRI#
Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 5 of 5 *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 555 Forest Ave
*Map Name: Palo Alto Planning Debt, GIS *Scale: 1" :80' *Date of Map: 1999
120-4-5
120-4-33
1204-34
120.43.1
120-43-2
120-43-3
120-43-4
120-43-5
120-43.8
120437
120-43-8
120-43-9
120-43-10
120-55-1
120-55-2
12055-3
120-55-4
120-55-5
120.55-s
120-55-7
120-55-8
12040
120-40
120-40
DPR 523J (1/95)
Th docurnart Is a OrIPfc r.P+seeraafbn only of boot ova WiM mosroa. The City of Polo Alb afsunsa no rosponsibilly for any .rrom
*Required information
Packet Pg. 485
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL J
CRITERIA 3 & 5 NOMINATIONS
Properties proposed for designation under Palo Alto Criteria 3 and 5:
• Criterion 3 (The structure or site is an example of a type of building which was once common,
but is now rare)
• Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important)
Address
Criteria
Category
334 High Street
3, 5
2
Page & Turnbull 170 MAIDENLANE,5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO,CALIFORN
Packet Pg. 486
PAGE &TURNBULL
334 HIGH STREET
APN: 120-25-107
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination ���777�+
Package -FULL J}
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1899-1927
Summary of Significance: 334 High Street was deemed eligible under Criterion A as an early
example of a single-family house built in the original grid of Palo Alto. Under Criterion C, it was
found eligible as a distinctive example of the typical square cottage type with Queen Anne
characteristics. It is also significant as the work of important early builder H.L. Upham.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: There is a new front entrance to the garden; no other alterations were
identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: The period of significance has been revised to 1899, the
year of the building's construction. The significance of the property under Criterion A, for being
constructed within the original street grid of Palo Alto, has also been omitted, as many extant
properties express this development context and this significance may be better expressed through
the survey and potential identification of a historic district.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 3 (The structure or site is an example of a type of building which was once
common, but is now rare)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415 3
JL-✓ I .Y+
Packet Pg. 487
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
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Package -FULL
• Criterion 5 (The architect or building was important)
Statement of Significance: 334 High Street is significant as an excellent example of a square cottage
with Queen Anne characteristics and as the work of important early builder H.L. Upham.
Period of Significance: 1899
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFOR
Packet Pg. 488
N., —,— I— YIJ-JUL-J IJ�1
State of California -- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRI #
PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
NRHP Status Code 3S
Other Listings.
Review Code: Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 334 Hiah St
P1. Other Identifier: 334 High St
P2. Location: o Not for Publication ® Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto. CA Date 1991 T _; R _• _'A of 'A of Sec B.M.
c. Address 334 High St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _ mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 25 107
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The house at 334 High Street is located on a mid -block lot on the southwest side of High Street between Everett and Lytton
avenues. It is located on a 50 -by -112% -foot lot, typical of suburban lots of its day. When it was first shown on the Sanborn
map of 1901, there were no other structures on the lot. In 1904, there was a very small wood structure behind the house at
the south corner of the lot. This structure had two open sides. By 1924, the structure had been removed. By 1949, a wood
garage was built near the south corner of the lot.
The main house is a stud -frame structure on a brick wall foundation. It is covered by a hip roof with gabled roofs over a
projecting wing and a bay window on the front and northeast sides. The stud frame is clad in V -groove siding. Inside, the
basement has an earth floor and the main floors are pine and walls are plastered. In 1949, there was no heating system.
Fenestration consists primarily of double hung windows and paneled doors.
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Sinale family_property
*P4. Resources Present: ® Building o Structure o Object o Site o District ❑ Element of District ❑ Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
334 Hiah St: view southwestz
09120199: by B. Vahev: roll BRV-84.
nea #10
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
❑ Prehistoric 0 Both
1899; Palo Alto Times
*P7. Owner and Address:
Carlyle Wilson
3 Victoria Vale Monterey CA 93940
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett, Dames & Moore
221 Main Street, Suite 600
San Francisco. CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
February 23, 2000
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore. 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE sl Location Map o Sketch Map ® Continuation S
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record ❑ Milli
❑ Artifact Record ❑ Photograph Record ❑ Other (List)
ieQt ®Ruddmrl Struntura and flhia^t Record
d
Packet Pg. 489
DPR 523A (1/951/ HIGH334.F1
*Required information.
Item 2
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary # Attachment A 2023 -11 -
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION MI/Trinomial 09_HRB Nomination
CONTINUATION SHEET ` Package -FULL J
Page 2 of 5 Resource identifier: 334 High St
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date February 23, 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
Description (continued)
In plan, this is a square cottage with a projecting wing and half porch at the front and angled bay window on the southeast side.
A small entrance vestibule is built into the otherwise rectangular space of the front porch. By 1924, a room was added at the
rear in the corner diagonal from the front projecting wing. In 1949, the Tax Assessor identified an 18 -by -20 -foot basement area
and on the main floor, a living room, dining room, den, two bedrooms, one bath, a kitchen, and a service porch. The 1999
MetroScan data identified seven main rooms including four bedrooms and a living room. While the arrangement of the interior
is unknown, the central front door is often associated with a central hall plan, opening to rooms on either side. While the high
attic space was probably intended as an area that could be finished as living space, it remains unfinished.
In appearance, this is a variation of the common early Palo Alto house type, the square cottage (see context of building types
in final survey report). This example was built with a projecting gabled wing and a main hip roof that covers a two-thirds porch
at the front. Unlike most examples of this type that survive, this has the look of a Queen Anne cottage of the 1890s. It is more
irregular in plan, with its entrance vestibule on the front porch, the bay window at the end of the projecting front wing, and the
angled side bay window. It has a higher roof and its siding is characteristic of many earlier houses. Finally, its decorative detail,
notably the richly profiled turned porch posts and the jigsawn brackets are characteristic of houses built in the 1880s and
1890s. Although these details could be original to this house, there have been alterations — the porch railing has been replaced,
and it appears that spindles or other decorative features may be missing at the top of the porch.
Packet Pg. 490
DPR 523L (1/95) HIGH334.F1 'Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Primary #
HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
Page 3 of 5 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 334 High St
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: B4. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Queen Anne
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1899: Built (Palo Alto Times)
1914: Sleeping porch addition
*B7. Moved? la No ❑ Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: H. L. Upham
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Pattern of development in Palo Alto, C: square cottaiae Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1899-1927 Property Type residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The Plat of the Town of Palo Alto ca. 1894 shows Block 3 yet to be subdivided into parcels and with no building on it.
The Sanborn map of 1901 shows the lot at 334 with its present borders.
Structure: The Palo Alto Times printed, on 24 November 1899, a notice that a new cottage was being built for James and
Catherine Brophy on High Street in Block 3. The builder of the cottage was reported in the same notice to be H.L. Upham and
the cost $1,500. The Palo Alto City Directory listed the Brophys at this address until 1927. The Palo Alto Times mentioned
the address again, on 2 January 1919, in relation to a building permit for the addition of a sleeping porch. 334 High Street first
appeared on the Sanborn maps in 1901. The 1924 Sanborn map showed the sleeping porch at the rear of the building. The
1949 Sanborn map showed no further additions or alterations. The Assessor's records have no indication of alteration.
Use: James and Catherine Brophy arrived in Palo Alto in 1898. Mr. Brophy worked as a butcher, and with his wife had the
house on High Street built, raised their two children, sending at least one of them to Stanford University, and were instrumental
in the establishment of the Catholic community in Palo Alto. The Palo Alto City Directory listed a foreman in the city's gas
construction department, Raymond J. White, and his wife Lillian at the address from 1930. Mrs. White continued to reside there
See continuation sheet
811. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: February 23, 2000
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
DPR 523B (1/95) HIGH334.F1
Packet Pg. 491
*Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRIlTrinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 4 of 5 Resource Identifier: 334 High St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date February 23. 2000 ® Continuation 0 Update
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
History (continued)
after her husband's death in 1940 until 1949. The four bedroom house has never been used as anything but a single family
residence.
Evaluation
This house at 334 High Street appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance for the period
1899 to 1927.
Under criterion A, this house represents the characteristic construction of single family houses in Palo Alto in its first decade.
Under criterion C, this house is a distinctive example of a common early Palo Alto house type, the square cottage. This house
has the look of a Queen Anne style house of the 1890s. In addition, this house was built by the important early builder, H.L.
Upham. Although there appear to be some changes to the decorative detail on the porch, the house is largely intact and retains
integrity.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1904-1953.
Palo Alto Community Book, ed. Guy Miller.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Times. 24 November 1899, 2 January 1919, 22 July 1940.
Plat of the Town of Palo Alto. ca. 1894.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1901.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1904.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Packet Pg. 492
DPR 523L (1/95) HIGH334.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP Trinomial _
Page 5 of _ *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 334 Hob St
*Map Name: Palo Alto Plannino Dept. GIS *Scale: r:80' *Date of Map: 1999
Primary #
HRI#
Item 2
Attachment A 2023-11-
09 HRB Nomination
Package -FULL
T►. Olrl .f
Pa to Al to
Th6 document I$ a {awhile rvpraenlinbn only of bul amiable soarcae. The Gly d Palo Ate assm•e no responsIbRay for erg moron,
334 High St
120-25-107
RN prodfile&br /j1
CitydfPubAlmdil8 ('fir/)
UF'tl 523.1(1/95)
*Required Information
Packet Pg. 493
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Attachment A 2023-11-
09_HRB Nomination
Package -FULL J
CRITERIA 1, 2 & 4 NOMINATIONS
Properties proposed for designation under Palo Alto Criteria 1, 2, and 4:
• Criterion 1 (The structure or site is identified with the lives of historic people or with important
events in the city, state, or nation)
• Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of life
important to the city, state or nation)
• Criterion 4 (The structure or site is connected with a business or use which was once common,
but is now rare)
Address
Criteria
Category
437 Kipling Street
1, 2, 4
2
Page & Turnbull 170 MAIDENLANE,5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO,CALIFORN
Packet Pg. 494
PAGE &TURNBULL
437 KIPLING STREET
APN: 120-15-020
1997-2001 SURVEY UPDATE SUMMARY
Item 2
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&T
Identified National Register Criteria of Significance: Criteria A (Events) and C (Architecture)
Identified Period of Significance: 1902-1947
Summary of Significance: 437 Kipling Street was found eligible under Criterion A for representing
early urban patterns of development in Palo Alto that were characterized by large buildings on
narrow lots and short-term occupancy by boarders and/or lodgers. Under Criterion C, the property
was deemed eligible as an example of an early purpose-built Palo Alto boarding house.
2023 RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY SUMMARY
Alterations Since 2001: Exterior repairs; no other alterations identified.
Status in 2023: Extant, retains historic integrity.
Recommended Revisions to Significance: None.
Figure 2: 2023 Reconnaissance Survey photograph.
Figure 1: 1997-2001 Survey Update photograph.
RECOMMENDATION FOR LISTING IN THE PALO ALTO HISTORIC INVENTORY
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Criteria for Designation:
• Criterion 1 (The structure or site is identified with the lives of historic people or with
important events in the city, state or nation)
• Criterion 2 (The structure or is particularly representative of an architectural style or way of
life important to the city, state, or nation)
• Criterion 4 (The structure or site is connected with a business or use which was once
common but is now rare.)
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE,5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO,CALIFORNIA94108 TEL415 3
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Palo Alto Historic Inventory Designation
Page 2 of 2
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Statement of Significance: 437 Kipling Street is significant for its use as a boarding house with a
converted dress shop on the first floor. It is also a unique building type that combines stylistic
elements of Queen Anne, Foursquare, and Colonial Revival.
Period of Significance: 1902-1947
Palo Alto Historic Inventory Category: Category 2
PAGE & TURNBULL 170 MAIDEN LANE,STH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO,CALIFO
Packet Pg. 496
1,1,41,410 li.LYl YJV_ t1lY
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
NRHP Status Code 3S
Item 2
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Package -FULL
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) 437 Kipling St
P1. Other Identifier: 437 Kipling St
P2. Location: 0 Not for Publication 0 Unrestricted *a: County Santa Clara
and (P2c,P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad Palo Alto, CA Date 1991 T • R _'Y4 of _'/4 of Sec B.M.
c. Address 437 Kiplinq St City Palo Alto Zip 94301
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone _` mE/ mN
*e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) APN 120 15 020
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
The following description addresses the building in terms of its structure, plan, and appearance. The structure and plan are
described using three sources of information (1949 Assessment Record prepared by the Tax Assessor, Sanborn maps, and
current survey information — photographs, Field Notes form, and site visits from 1998 and 1999). The description of the
structure and plan is presented for two phases in the building's history. The building is presented as it was built, or as it was
at the earliest time warranted by the information available. Second the building is presented as it has changed, up to the present
(1999).
The house at 437 Kipling is a two-story balloon or platform frame building on concrete foundation walls that is covered by a
hip roof. The frame is enclosed on the exterior by V -groove siding without sheathing. Fenestration consists of double -hung
windows and paneled doors. Inside, the Tax Assessor identified pine and linoleum floors and plaster walls in 1949. There was
a single gas floor furnace.
See continuation sheet
*P3b Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single family property
*P4. Resources Present: ra Building 0 Structure 0 Object 0 Site 0 District 0 Element of District 0 Other (isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo:
(View, date, accession #)
437 Kipling St; view northeast;
09/20/99: by B. Vahev: roll BRV-83,
neg #27
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Source: ® Historic
❑ Prehistoric ❑ Both
1902; Metroscan
*P7. Owner and Address:
Thoits Bros Inc
PO Box 21 Palo Alto CA 94302
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Michael Corbett. Dames & Moore
221 Main Street. Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94105
*P9. Date Recorded:
December 27, 1999
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
P11. Report Citation*: (Cite survey
report and other sources, or enter "none".) Palo Alto Historic Survey Update (Corbett and Bradley for Dames & Moore, 2000)
*Attachments: 0 NONE 0 Location Map 0 Sketch Map 0 Continuation S eet o Buildin . Structure and Ohje t Record
0 Archaeological Record 0 District Record 0 Linear Feature Record 0 Milli Packet Pg. 497 fd
o Artifact Record 0 Photograph Record 0 Other (List)
DPR 523A (1/951/ KIPL437.F1
*Required information.
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI/Trinomial
CONTINUATION SHEET
Page 2 of 5 Resource Identifier: 437 Kipling St
Recorded by Michael Corbett *Date December 27, 1999 ® Continuation 0 Update
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Description (continued)
In plan, as built this house was a generally square building consisting of two stories at the front and a narrow one-story
extension across the rear. The second story originally overhung a half porch at the front in the south corner. Between 1904
and 1924, there were changes at the rear of the building. The 1924 Sanborn map shows that the one-story rear extension had
been enlarged to two stories. In addition, there was an additional two-story projection in the center of the rear and a rectangular
two-story addition in the north corner. There was also a tile chimney in the main part of the house. These changes were made
while the first known owner, Mrs. Wilson, was still residing in the house. When the Tax Assessor recorded the building in 1949,
as noted, the ground floor was converted to a dress shop. On the ground floor, one storage room and three living rooms were
recorded (presumably three existing rooms occupied by public areas of the dress shop). Upstairs, there were three bedrooms,
a bath, and a kitchen.
In appearance, this house, like many buildings in working class neighborhoods of cities like Oakland and San Francisco, was built
for large families or as boarding or lodging houses. Its ground floor is in the familiar style of a square cottage with a projecting
wing, an angled bay window, and a half porch. The upstairs is a simple rectangle. Ornamental features are the shingled gable
above the bay window on the front facade, paneled soffits, pendants in the two corners above the angled faces of the bay
window, and round porch columns. These are minimal gestures to the Queen Anne style of the 1890s. The building can be
characterized primarily by its form, use of standard materials, and lack of ornamentation.
Packet Pg. 498
DPR 523L (1195) KIPL437.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
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Page 3 of 5 *NRHP Status Code 3S
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) 437 Kipling St
B1. Historic Name:
62. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: 84. Present Use: Single family property
*B5. Architectural Style: Queen Anne
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations)
1902: Built (Metroscan)
ca. 1904-1924: Two-story addition to rear
*B7. Moved? 0 No D Yes 0 Unknown Date: Original Location:
*BB. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: b. Builder: unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme A: Pattern of development; C: Early Palo Alto boarding house Area Palo Alto
Period of Significance 1 902-1 947 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria A and C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
History
Site: The parcel at 437 Kipling is located in Block no. 30 of the Original Map of the University Park of 1889. Between the
publication of that map and the Plat of the Town of Palo Alto in 1894, Block no. 30 was bisected by Kipling. The lot appears
with its present dimensions on the Sanborn map of 1904. The lot measures 36 by 95 feet, an unusual size that was somewhat
wider than a standard city lot of the time.
Structure: The Palo Alto City Directory first lists 437 Kipling in 1902, and the dwelling first appears on the Sanborn map of
1904. The Santa Clara County MetroScan lists the year built as 1902. At some time between the preparation of the Sanborn
map of 1904 and that of 1924, a two-story wing was added to the rear of the structure. The 1924 footprint is unchanged on
the Sanborn map of 1949. The Assessor's records bear no evidence of later alterations.
Use: The Palo Alto City Directory named six people with three family names living at 437 Kipling in 1902. One of the six is
identified as Mrs, M.F. Wilson, wife of the confectioner T.H. Wilson, in 1908's directory; as Mrs. Matilda F. Wilson in 1916-17;
and as Mrs. T.W. Wilson in 1917-18. She was listed alone at the address from 1915 to 1927. The Wilsons may well have
been the first owners. There was a Wilson's Confectionery at 151 University in 1904. No business seems to have been
See continuation sheet
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References:
See continuation sheet.
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Michael Corbett
Date of Evaluation: December 27, 1999
(This space reserved for official comments)
(Sketch map with north arrow required)
Packet Pg. 499
DPR 523E (1/95) KIPL437.F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
HRIITrinomial
Page 4 of 5 Resource Identifier: 437 Kiolina St
Recorded by Michael Corbett/Steve Hardy (history) *Date December 27, 1999 ® Continuation ❑ Update
Item 2
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History (continued)
conducted out of the house prior to the establishment there, in 1948 or thereabouts, by Irma Schwabe! of her notions shop
which operated at the address at least into the 1980s. The Student's Boarding House Directory of 1904-1905 lists Mrs. Wilson
at 437 Kipling: "Good rooms for young men. Excellent location." No boarders were listed with Mrs. Wilson between 1908 and
1927. Beginning in 1930, again there were several people listed in most years until Mrs. Schwabe! arrived in 1948. Residents
between 1930 and 1948 included a salesman, printer, painter, student, gardener, laborer, carpenter, and janitor.
Evaluation
This building, at 437 Kipling Street, appears eligible for the NRHP under criteria A and C at the local level of significance for the
period 1902 to 1947, when it was last occupied as a boarding house.
Under criterion A, this represents the brief period in Palo Alto when there was an urban pattern of development characterized
by large buildings on narrow lots and occupancy by frequently changing boarders or lodgers.
Under criterion C, this is an example of an early Palo Alto boarding house, apparently built for the purpose.
References
California Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Nominating Historical Resources to the California Register of Historic
Resources. Sacramento, CA. August 1997.
Dorfman, Sonia. "Boarding Houses and Apartment Houses in Palo Alto: 1893-1945." Historical context statement prepared
for Palo Alto Historic Building Survey. 1999.
Original Map of the University Park. 1889.
Plat of the Town of Palo Alto. 1894.
Palo Alto City Directory. 1902-1953.
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update. Property File.
Palo Alto Weekly. 4 November 1998.
Revised Map Showing the City Limits on January 1, 1921. 1921.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1904.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924.
Sanborn Map Company. Insurance Maps of Palo Alto. New York: 1924; revisions to 1949.
Santa Clara County. Tax Assessor. Assessment Record. 1949, 1966, 1967.
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register
Criteria for Evaluation.
Y,M,C.A. and Y.W.C.A. Student's Boarding House Directory: Approved List. 1904-1905.
Packet Pg. 500
DPR 523L {1/95) KIPL437,F1 *Required Information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OP PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary #
HRi#
Trinomial
Page � of
*Map Name: Palo Alto PIannina Debt. GIS *Scale: 1 ":8O'
Item 2
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*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder} 437 Molina St
*Date of Map: 1999
DPR 523J (1/951
This document is a graphic npmentgior cagy of best avala is sources. The CRy a deb Alb assures no rasponsbiiry for any mon.
'Required Ink:motion
Packet Pg. 501
Item 2
Attachment B 243-245
Webster Street Palo Alto
PAGE &TURNBULL
243-245 WEBSTER STREET
HISTORIC RESOURCE EVALUATION
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA
[16252B.22]
PREPARED FOR THE PALO ALTO PLANNING DEPARTMENT
October 2, 2023
Historic Resource
Evaluation 2
T
Item 2
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Webster Street Palo Alto
Historic Resource
Evaluation J
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Project Number 162526.22
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item 2
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Webster Street Palo Alto
Historic Resource
Evaluation
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o, CA
I. INTRODUCTION 1
Methodology 2
Summary of Findings 3
II. EXISTING HISTORIC STATUS 4
National Register of Historic Places 4
California Register of Historical Resources 4
California Historical Resource Status Codes 4
Palo Alto Historic Inventory 5
Palo Alto Historic Survey Update 6
III. ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION 7
Main Residence (243 Webster Street) 7
Accessory Residence (245 Webster Street) 15
Surrounding Neighborhood 16
IV. HISTORIC CONTEXT 18
Palo Alto History 18
University North Neighborhood 20
Eastern Shingle Cottage Style 21
V. SITE HISTORY 25
Site Development 25
Ownership and Occupant History 30
Brief Owner and Occupant Biographies 33
VI. EVALUATION 36
California Register of Historical Resources 36
Criterion 1 (Events) 36
Criterion 2 (Persons) 37
Criterion 3 (Architecture) 37
Criterion 4 (Information Potential) 38
Integrity 38
Character -Defining Features 41
VII. CONCLUSION 42
VIII. REFERENCES 43
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Project Number 162526.22
I. INTRODUCTION
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Historic Resource
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This Historic Resource Evaluation (HRE) has been prepared at the request of the City of Palo Alto for
the property at 243-245 Webster Street (APN 120-02-033). The subject property is located on a 5,625
square -foot parcel along the north side of Webster Street between Hawthorne Avenue and Everett
Avenue in the University North neighborhood of Palo Alto (Figure 1).1 This area is zoned as
residential two-family (R-2). The property includes two freestanding buildings —a main residence at
the middle of the parcel (addressed as 243 Webster Street), and rear accessory residence
(addressed as 245 Webster Street) (Figure 2).
f
/
f t f ...,
f �f f
4.1 /
Figure 1: City of Palo Alto parcel map. Subject property at 243-245 Webster Street indicated by blue outline.
Source: City of Palo Alto, Online Parcel Reports, 2023.
'The subject block is oriented northwest of true north, but for the purposes of this report northwest will be referred to as
north, and so on. Therefore, the primary facade of 243 Webster Street will be referred to as the west facade, etc.
PAGE & TURNBULL 1
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Historic Resource Evaluation
Project Number 162526.22
Webster Street Palo Alto
Historic Resource treet
Evaluation Jo, CA
Figure 2. Bird's-eye view of the property at 243-245 Webster Street, indicated by red dashed outline.
Source: Google Earth, 2023
Methodology
This report follows a standard outline used for Historic Resource Evaluation reports, and provides a
summary of the current historic status, a building description for all four structures located on the
property, and a historic context for the development of the subject property. The report includes an
evaluation of the property's individual eligibility for listing in the California Register of Historical
Resources (California Register).
Page & Turnbull prepared this report using research collected at various local repositories, including
the Palo Alto Development Services and the Palo Alto Historical Association (PAHA), Ancestry.com,
and Newspapers.com. Key primary sources consulted and cited in this report include Palo Alto
building permit applications, city and county directories, and historical newspapers. All photographs
in this report were taken by Page & Turnbull during a site visit in July 2023, unless otherwise noted.
PAGE & TURNBULL 2
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Historic Resource Evaluation
Project Number 162526.22
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Summary of Findings
This Historic Resource Evaluation finds that the main residence at 243 Webster Street appears to be
eligible for the California Register under Criterion 3 (Architecture) as an excellent example of an
Eastern Shingle Cottage style residence erected in 1904.
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Historic Resource Evaluation
Project Number 162526.22
II. EXISTING HISTORIC STATUS
Item 2
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Historic Resource
Evaluation
The following section examines the national, state, and local historic status currently assigned to
243-245 Webster Street.
treet
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National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (National Register) is the nation's most comprehensive
inventory of historic resources. The National Register is administered by the National Park Service
and includes buildings, structures, sites, objects, and districts that possess historic, architectural,
engineering, archaeological, or cultural significance at the national, state, or local level.
243-245 Webster Street is not currently listed in the National Register.
California Register of Historical Resources
The California Register of Historical Resources (California Register) is an inventory of significant
architectural, archaeological, and historical resources in the State of California. Resources can be
listed in the California Register through a number of methods. State Historical Landmarks and
National Register -listed properties are automatically listed in the California Register. Properties can
also be nominated to the California Register by local governments, private organizations, or citizens.
The evaluative criteria used by the California Register for determining eligibility are closely based on
those developed by the National Park Service for the National Register of Historic Places.
243-245 Webster Street is not currently listed in the California Register.
California Historical Resource Status Codes
Properties listed or under review by the State of California Office of Historic Preservation are listed
within the Built Environment Resource Directory (BERD) and are assigned a California Historical
Resource Status Code (Status Code) of "1" to "7" to establish their historical significance in relation to
the National Register of Historic Places (National Register) or California Register of Historical
Resources (California Register).2 Properties with a Status Code of "1" or "2" are either eligible for
listing in the California Register or the National Register, or are already listed in one or both of the
registers. Properties assigned Status Codes of "3" or "4" appear to be eligible for listing in either
register, but normally require more research to support this rating. Properties assigned a Status
Code of "5" have typically been determined to be locally significant or to have contextual
2 California Office of Historic Preservation, Built Environment Resource Directory (BERD), Santa Clara County, updated August
2022.
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importance. Properties with a Status Code of "6" are not eligible for listing in either register. Finally, a
Status Code of "7" means that the resource has not been evaluated for the National Register or the
California Register, or needs reevaluation.
243-245 Webster Street is not currently listed in the BERD database for Santa Clara County with a
status code. The most recent update to the BERD database was in August 2022.
Palo Alto Historic Inventory
The City of Palo Alto's Historic Inventory lists noteworthy examples of the work of important
individual designers and architectural eras and traditions as well as structures whose background is
associated with important events in the history of the city, state, or nation. The inventory is
organized under the following categories:
Category 1: An "Exceptional Building" of pre-eminent national or state importance. These buildings
are meritorious works of the best architects, outstanding examples of a specific architectural style,
or illustrate stylistic development of architecture in the United States. These buildings have had
either no exterior modifications or such minor ones that the overall appearance of the building is in
its original character.
Category 2: A "Major Building" of regional importance. These buildings are meritorious works of the
best architects, outstanding examples of an architectural style, or illustrate stylistic development of
architecture in the state or region. A major building may have some exterior modifications, but the
original character is retained.
Category 3 or 4: A "Contributing Building" which is a good local example of an architectural style
and relates to the character of a neighborhood grouping in scale, materials, proportion or other
factors. A contributing building may have had extensive or permanent changes made to the original
design, such as inappropriate additions, extensive removal of architectural details, or wooden
facades resurfaced in asbestos or stucco.
243-245 Webster Street is not currently listed in the City of Palo Alto Historic Inventory.
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Palo Alto Historic Survey Update
Between 1997 and 2000, a comprehensive update to the 1979 Historic Inventory was undertaken by
historic preservation firm Dames & Moore.3 The goal of this update was to identify additional
properties in Palo Alto that were eligible to the National Register. This effort began with a
reconnaissance survey of approximately 6,600 properties constructed prior to 1947. The
reconnaissance survey produced two Study Priority lists. Approximately 600 properties were
identified as Study Priority 1, indicating they appeared individually eligible for listing in the National
Register under Criterion C (Architecture). Approximately 2,700 properties were identified as Study
Priority 2, representing those properties that did not appear individually eligible to the National
Register under Criterion C (including common local building types) but retained high integrity.4
The reconnaissance survey was followed by an intensive -level survey of all Study Priority 1 and 2
properties. Historic research was conducted on the owners, architects/builders, and past uses of the
Study Priority 1 properties. Research also informed the preparation of historic context statements
on topics such as local property types, significant historical themes, and prolific architects and
builders, in order to identify any potential significant associations of Study Priority 2 properties.
In January 1999, Dames & Moore prepared an interim findings report that listed preliminary
evaluations of the National Register and California Register eligibility of Study Priority 1 and 2
properties. In the report, 291 properties were found potentially eligible as individual resources to
the National Register and California Register, and 1,789 further properties were found potentially
eligible to the California Register only. Because the survey focused on determining National Register
eligibility, the project did not finalize the preliminary evaluations regarding potential California
Register eligibility.
243 Webster Street was deemed potentially eligible for the California Register for its architecture
under Criterion 3. The rear building at 245 Webster Street is not specifically listed in the Palo Alto
Historic Survey Update.
3 Dames & Moore, Michael Corbett, and Denise Bradley. "Final Survey Report - Palo Alto Historic Survey Update: August 1997 -
August 2000." Prepared for the City of Palo Alto Planning Division, February 2001.
4 Ibid., 2-5.
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III. ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION
Item 2
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Historic Resource
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The subject parcel at 243-245 Webster Street contains two wood -frame buildings, a main residence
(243 Webster Street), and an accessory residence at the rear (245 Webster Street). The front yard is
landscaped with gravel, sparse bushes, low plantings along the edge of the main residence and
north property line, a metal fence, and a concrete path leading from the sidewalk to the primary
entrance. A gravel driveway is located along the south property line. The rear of the parcel contains
some plantings and trees, but consists largely of a dirt courtyard between the accessory residence
and the rear facade of the main residence interspersed with the broken concrete and brick remains
of what may once have been a pathway or separator between different landscaping elements.
Figure 3. Bird's Eye View of the property containing 243-245 Webster Street. The subject parcel is shown in
the dashed red line. 243 Webster Street is outlined in red. 245 Webster Street is outlined in yellow.
Main Residence (243 Webster Street)
The main residence at 243 Webster Street is a two-story building designed in the Eastern Shingle
Cottage style with horizontal wood drop siding below the first story, wood lap siding at the first
story, and wood shingle siding within the gable ends. The building's details include wood dentils,
brackets, and basecourse, and it features a steeply pitched gable roof with a wide multi -window
shed dormer on each slope. All gables and rooflines feature a molded fascia trim and wide enclosed
eaves with molded brackets. The roof is clad in composite shingles. The building is largely
rectangular in plan, with slightly protruding one-story additions at the center and north end of the
rear facade. Typical fenestration includes original one -over -one double -hung wood sash windows
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Historic Resource Evaluation
Project Number 162526.22
Webster Street Palo Alto
Historic Resource treet
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Evaluation J
with ogee lugs along all facades. This window type is referred to as a "typical window" throughout
the following description. All additional windows at the main residence are also original wood sash
windows, except those on the one-story rear additions.
u;,lllifintot4
Figure 4. Oblique view of 243-245 Webster Street. Looking northeast.
1111\\11111
1111
111111111111111
Primary (West) Facade
The primary (west) facade is asymmetrical at the first story and symmetrical within the gable end.
On the north half of the first story is a box bay window featuring an original leaded -glass -over -one
double -hung window flanked by original narrow one -over -one double -hung windows. The box bay
window is supported by brackets below, and extends upward to the eaves, where the row of wood
dentils wraps around the box window (Figure 5). On the south half of the first story is an entry
porch with square wood posts and a wood railing, featuring a wood panel partially glazed door to
the north (left) and an original wood -frame fixed window to the south (right) (Figure 6). The second
story features two typical windows, each separately surrounded with a narrow trim (Figure 7). At
the second story, the primary facade's gable end is clad in wood shingle siding, which curves out
from the wall of the facade to become flush with the outside edge of the enclosed eaves separating
the first and second story. Above the second story, within the peak of the gable end, the facade
projects outward, becoming flush with the fascia trim, and features an original louver vent, carved
brackets beneath the overhang, and rustic wood shingle siding in a staggered overlap pattern with a
sawtooth starting course at the base.
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Historic Resource Evaluation
Project Number 162526.22
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Figure 5. Detail view of box bay window at the first
story of the primary facade. Looking east.
Figure 6. Detail view of entry porch at the first story
of the primary facade. Looking east.
Figure 7. Second story of the primary facade. Looking east.
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i. L 1 - ,S to , k E.. y_ _.
South Facade
The south facade is set back from the property line and is separated from the adjoining parcel by a
gravel driveway. At the first story, the south facade features an original wood -frame fixed window to
the west (left), an angled bay window at the center consisting of a typical window on each wall, and a
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typical window to the east (right) (Figure 8). At the second story, the south facade features a
centered wide shed dormer featuring a set of three typical windows, wood lap siding, dentils, and
wood shingle siding on the west- and east -facing walls under the shed roof. Those side walls curve
out at the base to become flush with the outside edge of the cornice.
Figure 8. Oblique view of the south facade. Looking northeast.
Rear (East) Facade
The rear (east) facade of 243 Webster Street, including the south -facing walls of the enclosed
porches, faces a dirt courtyard between the main residence and the accessory residence (Figure 9).
The rear facade features two one-story additions that project eastward from the facade: the larger
at the north (right) end is a sleeping porch, and the smaller at the center is an enclosed entry porch
(Figure 10). The sleeping porch features a non -original aluminum sliding window flanked by two
non -original wood -frame fixed windows (Figure 11). On the south -facing wall of the sleeping porch,
at the basement level, is a non -original wood plank door and concrete steps to the partial basement
(Figure 12). South of the sleeping porch, at the center of the rear facade, is the enclosed entry
porch, featuring a non -original wood -frame three-lite fixed window flanked by three-lite casement
windows (Figure 13). On the south -facing wall of the enclosed entry porch is a non -original wood
partially glazed door and concrete steps, and south of the enclosed entry porch is an original wood -
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frame one -over -one double -hung window. At the second story, on the north end of the rear facade
is a roof deck built over the sleeping porch, featuring wood railings with decorative carvings (Figure
14). Behind the deck is a wood partially glazed multi-lite door and a non -original wood -frame one -
over -one double -hung window to the north (Figure 15). South of the second story deck is a typical
window, and an additional typical window is set within the gable end.
Figure 9. View of the rear (east) facade. The sleeping porch is outlined in red. The enclosed entry porch is
outlined in yellow. Looking west.
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Figure 10. Oblique view of the rear facade. The
sleeping porch is outlined in red. The enclosed entry
porch is outlined in yellow. Looking northwest.
Figure 11. Detail view of the non -original windows at
the rear facade. Looking west.
Figure 12. Detail view of basement entrance at rear
facade. Looking northwest.
Figure 13. Detail view of the non -original multi-lite
windows on the rear facade. Looking west.
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Figure 14. Detail view of railings at second -story
balcony. Looking west.
North Facade
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Figure 15. Detail view of door and window at second -
story balcony. Looking west.
The north facade is set back from the property line and accessed via a gravel walkway along the
north footprint of the building. At the first story, from east (left) to west (right), the north facade
features a pair of two non -original typical windows, a single typical window, and a tripartite window
consisting of a central one -over -one double -hung window flanked by narrow one -over -one double -
hung windows (Figure 16 through Figure 18). At the second story, the north facade features a
centered wide shed dormer identical to the dormer on the south facade, and a wood shingle clad
internal chimney to the east (Figure 19).
Figure 16. Detail view of non -original windows at east
end of north facade. Looking southeast
Figure 17. Detail view of non -original window on
north facade. Looking southeast.
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Figure 18. Detail view of tripartite window on north
facade. Looking southeast.
Figure 19. Oblique view of second story of north
facade. Looking southeast.
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Accessory Residence (245 Webster Street)
The accessory residence (addressed as 245 Webster Street) is a one-story wood -frame building clad
in vertical wood board -and -batten siding and wood shingle siding, and features a low gable and
shed roof clad in composite shingles with exposed rafter tails (Figure 20). The building has an L-
shaped footprint and features a covered entry stoop with a shed roof and metal post supports.
Fenestration on the accessory residence consists of non -original fixed and sliding windows in a
variety of shapes, sizes, and materials.
Figure 20. Oblique aerial view of the accessory residence addressed 245 Webster Street. Looking southeast.
The primary facade of the accessory residence includes the westernmost wall clad in wood shingles
and the west- and north -facing walls on the interior of the L-shaped footprint. The west -facing wall
on the interior of the L-shaped footprint, from north (left) to south (right), features two full -height
wood fixed picture windows, a jalousie window over a fixed window, a pair of aluminum glazed
sliding doors, a full -height aluminum fixed picture window, and a plywood maintenance door
(Figure 21). The north -facing wall on the interior of the L-shaped footprint, from east (left) to west
(right), features vertical wood board -and -batten cladding and two wood -frame fixed windows. The
westernmost wall features wood shingle cladding with two rows of scalloped wood shingles, and a
wood -frame multi-lite door with multi-lite sidelights. The south facade is clad in vertical wood board -
and -batten siding and features, from west (left) to east (right), an aluminum sliding window, a wood
sliding window, and an aluminum sliding window (Figure 22). The east facade is built to within a foot
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of the property line, is clad in vertical board -and -batten siding, and has no openings. The north
facade is clad in vertical board -and -batten siding and has no openings.
Figure 21. Detail view of the west facing wall at the
interior of the L-shaped footprint. Looking east.
Figure 22. Oblique view of the south facade. Looking
northeast.
Surrounding Neighborhood
The surrounding neighborhood is characterized by single-family, duplex, and multi -family residential
buildings that are largely one to two stories (Figure 23 through Figure 28). Buildings in the
neighborhood appear to date from the 1900s to the 2000s. The architecture of the older housing
stock includes styles popular in the early decades of the twentieth century such as Spanish Colonial
Revival, Craftsman, and Colonial Revival styles. Additionally, some contemporary infill development
has occurred since the neighborhood's primary period of development in the 1900s through the
1920s. All of the buildings are set back from the street behind front yards with lawns, trees, and
shrubbery.
Figure 23: 259 Webster Street. Looking east.
111111111111111110011 1101111111101111111r
Figure 24: 576 Everett Avenue. Looking south.
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Figure 25: 579 Everett Avenue. Looking north.
Figure 26: 218-222 Webster Street. Looking west.
Figure 27: 209 Webster Street. Looking east.
Figure 28: 227 Webster Street. Looking east.
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IV. HISTORIC CONTEXT
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Palo Alto History
The earliest known settlement of the Palo Alto area was by the Ohlone people. The region was
colonized in 1769 as part of Alta California. The Spanish and Mexican governments carved the area
into large ranchos which contained portions of land that became Palo Alto including Rancho Corte
Madera, Rancho Pastoria de las Borregas, Rancho Rincon de San Francisquito, and Rancho Riconada
del Arroyo de San Francisquito.5 These land grants were honored in the cession of California to the
United States, but parcels were subdivided and sold throughout the nineteenth century.
The current city of Palo Alto contains the former township of Mayfield, which was located just
southwest of Alma Street, and was established in 1855. Starting in 1876, the railroad magnate and
California politician Leland Stanford began to purchase land in the area for his country estate, and in
1882 he purchased an additional 1,000 acres adjacent to Mayfield for his horse farm.6 Stanford's
vast holdings became known as the Palo Alto Stock Farm. On March 9, 1885, Stanford University was
founded on land of the Palo Alto Stock Farm through an endowment act by the California Assembly
and Senate.
Originally looking to connect Stanford University as a part of the already established town of
Mayfield, Stanford asked residents of Mayfield to make the town a temperance town. Their refusal
in 1886 caused Stanford to found the town of Palo Alto with aid from his friend, Timothy Hopkins of
the Southern Pacific Railroad. Hopkins purchased and subdivided 740 acres of private land, that was
known initially as University Park (or the Hopkins Tract) (Figure 29).' This land was bounded by the
San Francisquito Creek to the north and the railroad tracks and Stanford University campus to the
south. A new train stop was created along University Avenue and the new town flourished in its
close connection with the university. University Park, under its new name of Palo Alto, was
incorporated in 1894.
In its early years, Palo Alto was a temperance town where no alcohol could be served. The residents
were mostly middle and working class, with a pocket of University professors clustered in the
neighborhood deemed Professorville. The development of a local streetcar in 1906, and the
interurban railway to San Jose in 1910, facilitated access to jobs outside the city and to the
5 Ward Winslow and Palo Alto Historical Association, Palo Alto: A Centennial History (Palo Alto, CA: Palo Alto Historical
Association, 1993), 12-17.
6 'bid, 35.
City of Palo Alto, Comprehensive Plan 2030 (adopted by City Council, November 13, 2017), 16, accessed November 10, 2020,
https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/fileban k/documents/62915.
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University, encouraging more people to move to Palo Alto.8 In July 1925, Mayfield was officially
annexed and consolidated into the city of Palo Alto.9
Figure 29: Detail of "Official Map of Santa Clara, California" by Herrmann Brothers, 1890. Note that
University Park on this map is present day Palo Alto. Source: Library of Congress.
Like the rest of the nation, Palo Alto suffered through the Great Depression in the 1930s and did not
grow substantially. World War II brought an influx of military personnel and their families to the
Peninsula; accordingly, Palo Alto saw rapid growth following the war as many families who had been
stationed on the Peninsula by the military, or who worked in associated industries, chose to stay.
Palo Alto's population more than doubled from 16,774 in 1940 to 52,287 in 1960.10
Palo Alto's city center greatly expanded in the late 1940s and 1950s, gathering parcels that would
house new offices and light industrial uses and lead the city away from its "college town" reputation.
Palo Alto annexed a vast area of mostly undeveloped land between 1959 and 1968. This area, west
of the Foothill Expressway, has remained protected open space. Small annexations continued into
the 1970s, contributing to the discontinuous footprint of the city today. Palo Alto remains closely
tied to Stanford University; it is the largest employer in the city. The technology industry dominates
8 Dames & Moore, 1-4.
9 City of Palo Alto, Comprehensive Plan 2030, 16.
70 "City of Palo Alto, Santa Clara County," Bay Area Census, accessed November 10, 2020,
http://www.bayareacensus.ca.gov/cities/PaloAlto50.htm.
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other sectors of business, as is the case with most cities within Silicon Valley. Palo Alto consciously
maintains its high proportion of open space to development and the suburban feeling and scale of
its architecture."
University North Neighborhood
The current University North neighborhood is located in the northern portion of the original
University Park tract platted by Timothy Hopkins. It was the core part of the early city, along with
today's University South neighborhood. The neighborhood is bounded by Alma Street to the south,
San Francisquito Creek to the west, Middlefield Road to the north, and University Avenue to the east.
University Avenue, which has historically been the main commercial corridor in Palo Alto, divides the
University North and University South neighborhoods. The 1895 Sanborn Fire Insurance Company
map illustrates that stores were located along University Avenue and were particularly concentrated
at its southwestern end, near the railroad, where a large lumberyard stood (Figure 30). Residences
were scattered along the street just east and west of University Avenue on Hamilton and Lytton
Avenues. A few churches, hotels, and boarding houses also stood among many vacant lots.
In the post -World War II period, Palo Alto's population boomed and the city annexed more land,
resulting in the construction of additional smaller commercial hubs which dissipated some of the
concentration of commercial activity on University Avenue and University North. During this period,
some of the commercial development along University Avenue spread out onto perpendicular
streets toward Lytton, replacing earlier residential buildings.
" City of Palo Alto, Comprehensive Plan 2030, 11-20.
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Figure 30. 1895 Sanborn Fire Insurance Co. map of Palo Alto showing the street layout within the core of the
city. The future location of the subject property is marked by the red star. Source: Digital Sanborn Maps, San
Francisco Public Library.
The subject property was built during an intermediate period of development of University North in
1904 as the neighborhood slowly filled in with residential buildings. By the 1920s, the University
North neighborhood was largely built out, and commercial uses slowly spread north and east from
University Avenue to adjacent streets.
Eastern Shingle Cottage Style
The Eastern Shingle Cottage style is an expression of the Eastern Shingle and Colonial Revival styles,
utilizing both colonial and neoclassical details. The Eastern Shingle Cottage style was endemic to
parts of Northern California, especially the East San Francisco Bay Area, between 1895 and 1910.12
The first known Eastern Shingle Cottage in the Bay Area was a building designed by Hugo W. Storch
in 1895 at 2354 East 23rd Street, Oakland.13 The style was then popularized by prolific Oakland
architect Alfred William Smith, who erected several dozen residences in the style in the Oakland area
between 1898 and 1900.14 The requirements for an Eastern Shingle Cottage's form are strict,
combining a typical Neoclassical Rowhouse or Queen Anne Cottage style asymmetrical first story
with a massive symmetrical A -frame second story with wide multi -window dormers on each slope.15
Although the form is simple, Eastern Shingle Cottage style details feature a combination of formal
12 City of Oakland Planning Department, Rehab Right, 1978.
13 Daniella Thompson, "High -Peaked Colonial Revival, a Bay Area Phenomenon," Berkeley Architectural Heritage Society,
March 14, 2006. Accessed September 14, 2023. http://berkeleyheritage.com/eastbay_then-now/highpeak_colonial.html.
14 Thompson.
15 City of Oakland Planning Department, 1978.
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detailing from the Colonial Revival and Classical Revival styles with informal wood shingle cladding,
usually confined to the second story and above, referencing the shape's East Coast Shingle style
origins.
Figure 31. Drawing of a typical Eastern Shingle Cottage.
Source: City of Oakland Planning Department, Rehab Right, 20.
Design Discussion of 243 Webster Street
Although there are possibly several hundred buildings in the Eastern Shingle Cottage style in
Northern California, they are heavily concentrated in Oakland and Berkeley, rarely appearing more
than a handful of times in any other city.16 This is because the style is a confluence of several
disparate influences, a specific combination of which coalesced into a recognizable Eastern Shingle
Cottage style; therefore, with little change to an overall design, a building is easily pulled into an
expression of the Shingle or Colonial Revival style. Another local example of a building with this
mixed stylistic expression in Palo Alto is 1125 Ramona Street, built in 1902. Although it features a
prominent A -frame second story with wide dormers, it also includes a cross -gable, and the first story
does not bear a significant resemblance to the Neoclassical Rowhouse or Queen Anne Cottage roots
of the Eastern Shingle Cottage stye (Figure 32). 321 Cowper Street, built in 1903, has a first story
t6 Thompson.
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more like that of the Eastern Cottage Style, but it features a secondary gable over the entryway and
a moderate roof pitch (Figure 33).
Figure 32. 1125 Ramona Street, built in 1902.
Source: Google Street View.
Figure 33. 321 Cowper Street, built in 1903. Source:
Google Street View.
Palo Alto does have a few expressions of the Eastern Shingle Cottage style, including the subject
building's neighbor at 251 Webster Street built ca. 1904, 250 Cowper Street built ca. 1905, 1139
Ramona Street built ca. 1903, and the subject building's twin at 719 Webster Street built ca. 1905
(Figure 34 through Figure 37).
Figure 34. 251 Webster Street, built ca. 1904.
Figure 35. 250 Cowper Street, built ca. 1906. Altered
1990. Source: Palo Alto Stanford Heritage.
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Figure 36. 1139 Ramona Street, built ca. 1903.
Source: Palo Alto Stanford Heritage
Figure 37. 719 Webster Street, built ca. 1906. Altered
ca. 2014, including first and second story additions.
Source: Google Street View.
243 Webster Street clearly and fully expresses the Eastern Shingle Cottage Style through its
Neoclassical and Queen Anne Cottage inspired first story, steeply pitched A -frame second story,
numerous formal details including molded wood dentils, brackets, fascia trim, and enclosed eaves,
and its variety of formal and rustic wood cladding including wood drop siding, wood lap, and wood
shingle siding. Additionally, compared to other examples of the style in Palo Alto, 243 Webster Street
is a highly faithful expression with high integrity, whereas the other examples have sustained
alterations.
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V. SITE HISTORY
Site Development
Prior to the erection of 243 Webster Street, the property was undeveloped. Surrounding
development was concentrated on University Avenue and blocks closer to the core of Downtown
Palo Alto, slowly creeping outward as parcels were filled in. The Santa Clara County Assessor's Office
records a build date of 1904, although the first listing in city directories is in 1907, and the building
first appears on the 1908 Sanborn Map Company map instead of the 1904 map (Figure 38). The
original owner and architect or builder are unknown.
Figure 38: Sanborn Map Company map of Palo Alto, 1908. Page 4. The subject property is outlined in dashed
red line. Source: San Francisco Public Library. Edited by Page & Turnbull.
Records on file at the Palo Alto Historical Association (PAHA) include the Building Permit Index which
contains records of early permit information (pre -1950) transcribed by researchers from past
editions of the Palo Alto Times. Between 1908 and 1924, a one -car detached garage was constructed
at the rear of the parcel (Figure 38). In 1923 and 1924, permits detailing alterations to the living
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room and the addition of a sleeping porch are likely responsible for the larger of the one-story rear
additions to the main residence."
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Figure 39: Sanborn Map Company map of Palo Alto, 1924. Page 20. The subject property is outlined in dashed
red line. Note that the sleeping porch, the larger of the two rear additions, is not shown. Source: San Francisco
Public Library. Edited by Page & Turnbull.
The subject property is visible in a 1941 aerial photograph by Fairchild Aerial Surveys, and shows the
existing L-shaped footprint of the accessory residence, which appears to have been converted from
a garage to additional living space ca. 1926 (Figure 40).18
""Building Permits Issued," The Peninsula Times Tribune, April 24, 1923, 3; "Building Permits Issued," The Peninsula Times
Tribune, July 12, 1924, 3.
t8 Dames & Moore survey form, on file at the Palo Alto Historical Association.
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Figure 40: Aerial photograph of the subject property in April 1941. Fairchild Aerial Surveys, Flight C-7065, Frame
24. Dashed red line shows approximate parcel boundary. Source: University of California Santa Barbara
FrameFinder. Edited by Page & Turnbull.
In 1957, Sanborn Map Company maps label the main residence of 243 Webster as "2 Apartments,"
meaning the building was subdivided internally by this time (Figure 41). The map also shows that
the extension of the footprint of the accessory residence along the rear edge of the parcel was a
partially enclosed porch or carport at this time, while the original garage portion was used as a
dwelling.
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Figure 41: Sanborn Map Company map of Palo Alto, 1956. Page 20. The subject property is outlined in the
dashed red line. Note that a portion of the accessory residence was a partially enclosed porch or carport at this
time, and not living space, at the red arrow. Note that the sleeping porch, the larger of the two rear additions, is
not shown. Source: San Francisco Public Library. Edited by Page & Turnbull.
In 1968, permits discuss rectifying various unpermitted alterations to the accessory residence,
generally involving the conversion of the partially enclosed porch or carport into additional living
space.19 These alterations likely are responsible for the existing full -height windows and sliding glass
door on the accessory residence.
Observed alterations include the enclosure of the rear porch, the addition of a second -story deck
over the sleeping porch at the rear facade, and the construction and removal of a wood staircase to
facilitate direct access to the second story from the exterior, including the addition of a deadbolt
lock on the wood door behind the deck railing (Figure 42 through Figure 44). This staircase likely
dated to before 1956, when the Sanborn Map Company maps label 243 Webster Street as "2
Apartments."
19 Permit No. 27991, on file at the City of Palo Alto Development Services.
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Figure 42: Detail view of the concrete foundation
block of the non -original former stairs.
Figure 44. Detail view of non -original former stairs probable outline, shaded in red, on the rear facade.
Looking west.
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Figure 43: Detail view of the door at the second -story
balcony, showing deadbolt at the red arrow.
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Table 1 includes known construction and alteration activities undertaken at the subject property and
includes permits on file at Palo Alto Development Services, material from PAHA's Building Permit
Index, newspaper records, and the 1998 Dames & Moore survey form.
Table 1. Permit History for Subject Property
Permit #
Date
Owner
Builder
Description
Not Iisted20
04-24-1923
Homer G.
Berry
Not listed
"Living room"
Not listed21
07-12-1924
Homer G.
Berry
Not listed
"Sleeping porch"
Not Iisted22
Ca. 1926
Not listed
Not listed
"4 room dwelling added to garage"
27991
11-12-1968
Mrs. Walter
C. Peterson
Mrs. Walter C.
Peterson
Finished plywood installed on existing walls of
accessory residence, installed sliding glass door.
01-3388
12-14-2001
Taylor
Vandertip
Redwood
Plumbing Inc.
Install 30 -gallon water heater.
Ownership and Occupant History
The tables below provide a summary of the ownership and occupancy history of the main residence
243 Webster Street (Table 2) and the occupancy history of the accessory residence at 245 Webster
Street (Table 3), beginning with the first year each building was listed in city directories. Research
was not able to uncover who occupied which unit during the period in which the main residence at
243 Webster Street contained two units. Due to inconsistent usage of 245 Webster Street to refer to
occupants of the accessory residence, some listed occupants of 243 Webster Street may have lived
at 245 Webster Street. Ownership and occupancy information was compiled from building permit
applications, city directories, historic newspapers, and the 1998 Dames & Moore survey form.
Research was unable to uncover the names of occupants of the main building between 1976 and
2001, and occupants of the accessory residence between 1961 and the present.
Table 2. Owner and Occupant History for Main Residence at 243 Webster Street (known owners in
bold)
Date(s)
Occupant(s) / owner(s), if known
Occupation
1907-1908
Roy P. Thorpe
Hannah R. Thorpe
Corbaley-Thorpe Auto Co., garage & auto sales
Not listed
1910-1913
Clarence Martinie
Della Martinie
Real estate
Not Listed
20 "Building Permits Issued," The Peninsula Times Tribune, April 24, 1923, 3.
21 "Building Permits Issued," The Peninsula Times Tribune, July 12, 1924, 3.
22 Dames & Moore survey form, on file at the Palo Alto Historical Association.
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Table 2. Owner and Occupant History for Main Residence at 243 Webster Street (known owners in
bold)
Date(s)
Occupant(s) / owner(s), if known
Occupation
James Martinie
William C. Martinie
Catherine Martinie
Winfred Martinie
Student
Student
Student
Wire chief, Pacific Telegraph & Telephone
1915-1916
H. V. Rehm
Margaret Rehm
Baker
Not listed
1916-1919
Edward T. Brown
M. L. Brown
Donald C. Brown
Carpenter
Not Listed
Chauffeur
1919-1921
A. C. Hobart
Verner C. Hobart
Real Estate
Employee, Standard Oil
1921-1923
Marie A. Crawford
Albert Crawford
Keeping house, subject building
Student
1923
George W. Patterson
Gladys Patterson
Student
Not listed
1923-1925
Homer G. Berry
Guinevere Berry
Driver, Stanford Laundry
Not listed
1924-1928
D. C. Skutt
Nettie Skutt
Laborer
Not listed
1926
S. G. Wagoner
L. A. Crane
M. A. Hawkins
Not listed
Not listed
Not listed
1927
Lymen H. Daughtry
Helen Daugherty
H. A. Pierce
Not listed
Not listed
Not listed
1928
F. A. Hunt
R. Davey
Not listed
Not listed
1929
Mrs. Bremer
George F. Collyer
Etta Collyer
Not listed
Driver, P. A. Bookshop
Not listed
1930
J. G. Lawson
Melvin Lawson
Not listed
Not listed
1932
Mrs. Jennie Adams
Not listed
1933
Robert Forrest
Norma Forrest
Not listed
Not listed
1935
Donald Lesh
Not listed
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Table 2. Owner and Occupant History for Main Residence at 243 Webster Street (known owners in
bold)
Date(s)
Occupant(s) / owner(s), if known
Occupation
1936
W. E. Hammond
V. V. Johnson
Bert Luman
Blacksmith
Tinsmith
Not listed
1938
Roger Cowger
Wilma Cowger
Richard E. Keeble
Mary A. Keeble
Clerk, Purity Store
Not listed
Photo finisher
Not listed
1940
Truman W. Dennis
Gail Dennis
Mrs. Roseworth
Laborer
not listed
Not listed
1942-1945
Vernon E. McClanahan
Not listed
1946
C. C. Wren
Not listed
1948
R N Barnett
Henry Thompson
Emily VonBergen
Not listed
Not listed
Not listed
1948-1949
Herbert Beckman
Doris Beckman
Not listed
Not listed
1951-1961
Lora Kelly
Truman Russel
Clerk, Walgreen Drugs
Cook and taxi driver
1962-1968
Marie T. Sayers (Not resident)
Not listed
1962-1966
Akex D. Buenufe
Elanor Buenufe
Patricia Smith
Not listed
Not listed
Not listed
1968
Patty Kearns
Helen Shelby
Student
Student
1969
Tim Vidal
Gordon Strauss
Student
Student
1972
Danielle Dossier
Paul H. Berdahl
Scott Ramsay
Dennis 0. Miyake
Student
Student
Student
Student
1974
David Shallenberger
L. Shallenberger
Student
Student
1976
G. Gwilliam
L. Lawrence
Not listed
Not listed
1994-2022
Taylor P. Vanderlip
Scott A. Vanderlip
Not listed
Not listed
2022-2023
Current owners
Not listed
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Table 3. Occupant History for Accessory Residence at 245 Webster Street
Date(s)
Occupant(s)
Occupation
1930
Leonard Crane
Driver
1938
Birney Clark
Not listed
1941
Clara Della Adams
Henry Ullarich
Not listed
Not listed
1942-1945
George H. Hinds
Not listed
1944
Lavinder Wallace
Mrs. Lavinder Wallace
Not listed
Not listed
1961
Pearl Woody
Microbiologist, Stanford Research Center
The earliest known owner was Alva C. Hobart in 1919-1921, detailed below. The property was sold to
Marie Crawford in 1921, and to Homer Berry in 1923. By 1946 it was owned by C. Wren, by 1951 it
was owned by Lora Kelley, and by 1962 it was owned by Marie Sayers. By 1994 it was owned by
Taylor and Scott Vanderlip, and in 2022 it was purchased by the present owners. Little information
about the ownership history between 1968 and 1994 could be found through research. Few
confirmed owners lived at the subject residence, and all or portions of the property were rented to a
large variety of short-term tenants from a very early date, at least as early as 1921 when Marie
Crawford owned, occupied, and maintained the subject property as a source of income.23
Brief Owner and Occupant Biographies
Alva C. Hobart
Alva Hobart (1860-1934) owned and occupied the subject property between 1919 and 1921.24
Hobart grew up on a farm in Royalton, Wisconsin, and moved with his family to Cherokee Iowa in
1870.25 Hobart graduated from the State University of Iowa in 1885, began studying law, and was
elected clerk of the District Court of Cherokee County in 1886.26 In 1895, Hobart campaigned for,
and won, a state senatorial seat in Iowa at the age of 36 (Figure 45).27 He was reelected in 1899, and
was a candidate for the Iowa Secretary of State in 1900.28
23 Palo Alto city directories.
24 Ancestry.com census records, 1920.
25 Ancestry.com census records, 1880.
26 Iowa Legislative Services Agency, "Senator Alva C. Hobart," lowa.gov. Accessed September 25, 2023.
https://www.legis. iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=27& person) D=3575.
27 "Senator Elect Hobart," Sioux CityJournal, November 7, 1895.
28 "Senator Hobart's Candidacy," Sioux CityJournal, June 6, 1900.
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Figure 45. Alva C. Hobart, ca. 1895. Source: iowa.gov legislators index.
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Evaluation J
By 1910, Hobart had moved with his wife, Hattie, son, Verner, and two daughters, Louise and
Bernice, to Fremont, California, and worked as a fruit farmer on his own land there.29 By 1919, he
and his family moved to the subject property in Palo Alto, where he owned and operated a real
estate agency.3° In 1921, the same year Hobart sold the subject property to Marie Crawford, he was
elected to the Palo Alto City Council, and in 1926 he was elected mayor of Palo Alto.31 Hobart also
served as a member of the Bay Shore Lands committee, and is credited with for negotiations that
led to the acquisition of a thousand acres of land along the San Francisco Bayshore from Cooley's
Landing in San Mateo County to Wilson's Landing in Santa Clara County.32 After leaving 243 Webster
Street, Hobart moved to 441 Cowper Street, where he died in 1934.33
29 Ancestry.com census records, 1910.
3o Ancestry.com census records, 1920.
31 'Tax Rate is Set by City Council; Hobart Praised," Peninsula Times Tribune, August 28, 1934, 3.
32 "Tax Rate is Set by City Council; Hobart Praised."
33 "Hobart," Redwood City Tribune, August 25, 1934.
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Lora R. Kelly
Lora Kelly(1893-1973) owned and lived at the subject property between 1951 and 1961.34 She lived
there with her husband, Emanuell Kelly, and worked as a clerk for Walgreens during her occupancy.
Little information was uncovered through research on the rest of Kelly's life or work.
34 Ancestry.com death index; Palo Alto city directories.
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VI. EVALUATION
CALIFORNIA REGISTER OF HISTORICAL RESOURCES
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The California Register of Historical Resources (California Register) is an inventory of significant
architectural, archaeological, and historical resources in the State of California. Resources can be
listed in the California Register through a number of methods. State Historical Landmarks and
National Register -listed properties are automatically listed in the California Register. Properties can
also be nominated to the California Register by local governments, private organizations, or citizens.
The evaluative criteria used by the California Register for determining eligibility are closely based on
those developed by the National Park Service for the National Register of Historic Places.
In order for a property to be eligible for listing in the California Register, it must be found significant
under one or more of the following criteria.
• Criterion 1 (Events): Resources that are associated with events that have made a significant
contribution to the broad patterns of local or regional history, or the cultural heritage of
California or the United States.
• Criterion 2 (Persons): Resources that are associated with the lives of persons important to
local, California, or national history.
• Criterion 3 (Architecture): Resources that embody the distinctive characteristics of a type,
period, region, or method of construction, or represent the work of a master, or possess
high artistic values.
• Criterion 4 (Information Potential): Resources or sites that have yielded or have the
potential to yield information important to the prehistory or history of the local area,
California, or the nation.
The following section examines the eligibility of the main residence at 243 Webster Street and the
accessory residence addressed as 245 Webster Street for individual listing in the California Register.
Criterion 1 (Events)
243-245 Webster Street does not appear to be individually eligible for listing in the California
Register under Criterion 1 (Events), as the property does not appear to bear association with any
significant events or broad patterns of history in Palo Alto, the state, or the nation. The property is
one of many residences constructed in the University North neighborhood during a period of rapid
development which occurred in the 1900s and 1920s, and is not individually associated with or
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demonstrative of University North's development patterns. Therefore, the building does not appear
to be significant for its role in local development trends. Additionally, no significant events were
found to have occurred at the property.
Criterion 2 (Persons)
The property does not appear to be individually eligible for listing in the California Register under
Criterion 2 (Persons). The original owner is unknown. The earliest known owner of the property, Alva
Hobart, occupied numerous local political offices in the Midwest and in Palo Alto, separated by a
brief period of fruit farming in Fremont. Although Hobart may have significance connected to his
political offices, he never held an office while occupying the subject property, and therefore such
significance would not be meaningfully connected to the property.
Available documentation on the additional former owners of the subject property does not suggest
that these individuals were particularly significant to local, state, or national history in any way
directly associated with the subject property.
A number of families and individuals have rented the buildings, including many students who likely
attended Stanford University, and research into the occupants of 243-245 Webster Street did not
uncover any substantial connection between the professional or personal accomplishments of the
residents that would be connected to the property such that it would be individually eligible for the
California Register under Criterion 2.
Criterion 3 (Architecture)
The main residence at 243 Webster Street appears to be individually eligible for listing in the
California Register under Criterion 3 (Architecture) at a local level of significance, as a building that
embodies the distinct characteristics of an Eastern Shingle Cottage style residence. Though the
architect or builder is unknown, the subject building is characteristic of the Eastern Shingle Cottage
style design and provides a very intact example of this type within the City of Palo Alto, particularly in
the University North neighborhood. The period of significance for this criterion is 1904,
corresponding to the subject building's year of construction.
The Eastern Shingle Cottage style was popular during the late 1890s and 1900s in the East Bay. The
subject building provides an excellent local example of the regionally specific Eastern Shingle
Cottage style residential design through characteristic features, form, and materials. The building
remains unaltered at the primary facade since its construction in 1904. Characteristic features of
Eastern Shingle Cottage design represented at 243 Webster Street include an asymmetrical first
story, a steeply pitched A -frame second story, numerous formal details such as molded wood
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dentils, brackets, fascia trim, and enclosed eaves, and its variety of formal and rustic wood cladding
including wood drop siding, wood lap, and wood shingle siding. As a good and representative
example of the Eastern Shingle Cottage style, a regionally specific residential style that is unusual to
find outside of Berkeley or Oakland, and rare to find as a faithful and intact expression of the style
as it developed there, the main residence at 243 Webster Street appears to be individually eligible
for the California Register under Criterion 3 (Architecture) at a local level of significance.
The accessory residence at 245 Webster Street does not appear to be eligible for listing in the
California Register. It was constructed by an unknown builder between 1908 and 1924 as a detached
garage, and was modified over time to serve as an additional living unit. The building does not
demonstrate a particular style and is not the known work of a designer of merit.
Criterion 4 (Information Potential)
The "potential to yield information important to the prehistory or history of California" typically
relates to archeological resources, rather than built resources. When California Register Criterion 4
(Information Potential) does relate to built resources, it is relevant for cases when the building itself
is the principal source of important construction -related information. The analysis of the property at
243-245 Webster Street for eligibility under Criterion 4 is beyond the scope of this report.
INTEGRITY
In order to qualify for listing in any local, state, or national historic register, a property or landscape
must possess significance under at least one evaluative criterion as described above and retain
integrity. Integrity is defined by the California Office of Historic Preservation as "the authenticity of
an historical resource's physical identity evidenced by the survival of characteristics that existed
during the resource's period of significance," or more simply defined by the National Park Service as
"the ability of a property to convey its significance."35
In order to evaluate whether the subject property retains sufficient integrity to convey its historic
significance, Page & Turnbull used established integrity standards outlined by the National Register
Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation. Seven variables, or aspects, that
define integrity are used to evaluate a resource's integrity —location, setting, design, materials,
workmanship, feeling, and association.36 A property must possess most, or all, of these aspects in
3s California Office of Historic Preservation, Technical Assistance Series No. 7: How to Nominate a Resource to the California
Register of Historical Resources (Sacramento: California Office of State Publishing, 4 September 2001) 11
36 U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the National Register Criteria
for Evaluation (Washington, D.C.: National Park Service, 1995) 44.
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order to retain overall integrity. If a property does not retain integrity, it can no longer convey its
significance and is therefore not eligible for listing in local, state, or national registers.
The seven aspects that define integrity are defined as follows:
Location is the place where the historic property was constructed or the place where the historic
event occurred;
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Setting addresses the physical environment of the historic property inclusive of the landscape and
spatial relationships of the building(s);
Design is the combination of elements that create the form, plan, space, structure, and style of the
property;
Materials refer to the physical elements that were combined or deposited during a particular period
of time and in a particular pattern or configuration to form the historic property;
Workmanship is the physical evidence of the crafts of a particular culture or people during any given
period in history or prehistory;
Feeling is the property's expression of the aesthetic or historic sense of a particular period of time;
and
Association is the direct link between an important historic event or person and the historic
property.
LOCATION
243 Webster Street retains integrity of location. The main residence has remained situated at its
location of original construction since 1904.
SETTING
243 Webster Street retains integrity of setting. The main residence continues to be located within
the residential neighborhood of University North. The building retains its freestanding quality, with
separation between it and the other buildings on the property. It retains its connection to its
neighboring buildings through a consistent setback along the block with front gardens.
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DESIGN
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243 Webster Street retains integrity of design. The main residence has undergone minimal
alteration since its construction in 1904. The building's massing and overall form have remained
unchanged, and alterations to the building are limited to minor additions and alterations at the rear
facade that are not visible from the street. The original design of the residence remains intact, and
the materials, decoration, craftsmanship, and massing of the building have remained largely
unchanged since 1904. Therefore, the building retains integrity of design.
MATERIAL S
243 Webster Street retains integrity of materials. The main residence retains its original wood
cladding, its original wood frame windows on its north, west, south, and most of its east facades,
and its wood decorative features which include dentils, brackets, and fascia trim.
WORKMANSHIP
243 Webster Street retains integrity of workmanship. Features providing evidence of period
workmanship and construction methods include wood lap and wood shingle cladding, wood
decoration including dentils and brackets, original wood sash windows, the steeply pitched roof, bay
windows, and enclosed eaves. These features remain extant and demonstrate the building's Eastern
Shingle Cottage style.
FEELING
243 Webster Street retains integrity of feeling. The main residence retains the feeling of a 1900s
single-family residence as its design, materiality, and workmanship remain highly representative of
the Eastern Shingle Cottage style.
ASSOCIATION
243 Webster Street retains integrity of association. The main residence is not considered significant
for its association with a period of development, an event, or a past owner or occupant. Its
association instead is with the Eastern Shingle Cottage style, and this association continues to be
represented through its retention of its architectural characteristics.
Therefore, the main residence at 243 Webster Street retains all seven aspects of integrity such that it
conveys its significance under Criterion 3 (Architecture) of the California Register, with a period of
significance of 1904.
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CHARACTER -DEFINING FEATURES
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For a property to be eligible for national or state designation under criteria related to type, period,
or method of construction, the essential physical features (or character -defining features) that
enable the property to convey its historic identity must be evident. These distinctive character -
defining features are the physical traits that commonly recur in property types and/or architectural
styles. To be eligible, a property must clearly contain enough of those characteristics to be
considered a true representative of a particular type, period, or method of construction, and these
features must also retain a sufficient degree of integrity. Characteristics can be expressed in terms
such as form, proportion, structure, plan, style, or materials.
The character -defining features of the main residence at 243 Webster Street consist of those
features which date to the building's period of significance, which is 1904, the year in which the
building was completed, and represent the Eastern Shingle Cottage style. These features include,
but are not limited to:
• Asymmetrical first story including an angled bay window and integral entry porch similar to
Neoclassical Rowhouses and Queen Anne Cottages
• Massive steeply pitched A -frame second story with symmetrical openings
• Molded wood brackets, dentils, fascia trim, and enclosed eaves
• Wide multi -window dormer on each roof slope
• Original wood sash windows
• Orderly distribution of a variety of cladding types, including wood drop siding, wood lap
siding, and different sizes and arrangements of wood shingle siding
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VII. CONCLUSION
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The property at 243-245 Webster Street was developed by an unknown architect or builder in the
Eastern Shingle Cottage style in 1904. The property was owned and occupied by a number of short-
term owners and occupants.
The accessory residence at 245 Webster Street does not appear to be eligible for the California
Register under any criteria.
The main residence at 243 Webster Street appears to be eligible for the California Register under
Criterion 3 (Architecture) with a period of significance of 1904, which corresponds to the year in
which the building was completed. The main residence is an excellent example of the Eastern
Shingle Cottage style as it was expressed in Northern California through its asymmetrical first story;
steeply pitched A -frame second story; numerous formal details such as molded wood dentils,
brackets, fascia trim, and enclosed eaves; and its variety of formal and rustic wood cladding
including wood drop siding, wood lap, and wood shingle siding. The main residence remains largely
unaltered as visible from the street and retains its integrity as an early twentieth century example of
the Eastern Shingle Cottage style in Palo Alto.
Therefore, the main residence at 243 Webster Street appears individually eligible for listing in the
California Register, while the accessory residence (245 Webster Street) is a non-contributing building
on the property. As a result, the main residence at 243 Webster Street appears to be a historic
resource for the purposes of CEQA review.
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VIII. REFERENCES
Building Permit Index. "243 Webster Street." Palo Alto Historical Association.
California Office of Historic Preservation. Built Environment Resource Directory (BERD). Santa Clara
County. Updated August 2022.
California Office of Historic Preservation. Technical Assistance Bulletin No. 7: How to Nominate a
Resource to the California Register of Historical Resources. Sacramento: California Office of
State Publishing, September 4, 2001.
City of Oakland Planning Department. Rehab Right. 1978.
"City of Palo Alto Assessment Record: 243 Webster Street." On file at the Palo Alto Development
Services.
City of Palo Alto. Comprehensive Plan 2030 (adopted by City Council, November 13, 2017). Accessed
November 10, 2020, https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/62915.
Dames & Moore, Michael Corbett, and Denise Bradley. "Final Survey Report - Palo Alto Historic
Survey Update: August 1997 -August 2000." Prepared for the City of Palo Alto Planning
Division, February 2001.
Department of the Interior, National Park Service. National Register Bulletin 15: How to Apply the
National Register Criteria for Evaluation. Washington, D.C.: National Park Service, 1995.
"Hobart." Redwood City Tribune. August 25, 1934.
Iowa Legislative Services Agency. "Senator Alva C. Hobart." lowa.gov. Accessed September 25, 2023.
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=27&personlD=3575.
McAlester, Virginia Savage. A Field Guide to American Houses. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2013.
Peninsula Times Tribune, The. Various issues.
"Senator Elect Hobart." Sioux CityJournal. November 7, 1895.
"Senator Hobart's Candidacy." Sioux CityJournal. June 6, 1900.
Thompson, Daniella. "High -Peaked Colonial Revival, a Bay Area Phenomenon." Berkeley Architectural
Heritage Society, March 14, 2006. Accessed September 14, 2023.
http://berkeleyheritage.com/eastbay_then-now/highpeak_colonial.html.
Winslow, Ward and Palo Alto Historical Association. Palo Alto: A Centennial History. Palo Alto, CA: Palo
Alto Historical Association, 1993.
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PAGE &TURNBULL
Imagining change in historic environments through
design, research, and technology
170 MAIDEN LANE, 5TH FLOOR SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94108 TEL 415-362-5154
523 WEST 6TH STREET, SUITE 1013 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, 90014 TEL 213-221--
2600 CAPITOL AVENUE, SUITE 120 SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA, 95816 TEL 916-930-
75 EAST SANTA CLARA STREET, SUITE 900 SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA 95113 TEL 408 32j -,ii 1
290
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CITY OF
PALO
ALTO
Item 2
Attachment C 2023
Reconnaissance Survey
Notification Letter
CITY OF PALO ALTO
Planning and Development Services
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Nomination Notice of the 2023 Reconnaissance Survey Project
Presented by the City of Palo Alto, Historic Resource Board
2023 Hlstorlc Resources
Reconnaissance Survey Project
DATE: October 2023
TO: All property owners nominated in the 2023 Historic Resources Reconnaissance Survey
Dear Property Owner,
The City of Palo Alto Department of Planning and Development Services and the Historic
Resources Board (HRB) are excited to present the 2023 Historic Resources Reconnaissance
Survey nominations! Directed by City Council with guidance from the HRB, this survey reviewed
approximately 165 buildings and structures that were identified as "eligible for the National
Register of Historic Places" during the 1997-2001 Palo Alto Survey Update or have been found
individually eligible for the California Register of Historical Resources and identified whether the
properties remain eligible as historic resources.
You are receiving this nomination notice letter because your property was included in the 2023
Reconnaissance Survey Project and was found eligible for the Palo Alto Historic Inventory. To
review your property's nomination and eligible association(s), and determine which day your
property will be presented to the HRB, please review the city's project webpage and its online
document named "Property Groupings for HRB Nomination Hearings."
Your property will be heard on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at 8:30am.
Visit the city's project webpage for more information about the 2023 Reconnaissance Survey,
Historic Registers, and Preservation Incentives. Mail notices will also be sent out to the
individual property owners prior to scheduled meetings with the Historic Resource Board and City
Council. To speak with city staff, a webpage link and a QR code are provided below for direct
access.
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Notification Letter
The project's community outreach will continue throughout the property's nomination process,
which includes HRB meetings for recommendations to City Council and the City Council meeting.
Public comments can be provided for both the HRB and City Council meetings. In advance of the
HRB meetings and the City Council meeting, the following opportunities are available to you.
1. Review of the project documents, located on the project website, including the "Revised
Draft Reconnaissance Survey Report," the "Nomination Memos," and the "Property
Groupings for HRB Nomination Hearings."
https://bit.ly/2023ReconSurvey
2. Contact city staff or consultant by email (Amy French at amy.french@cityofpaloalto.org or
Isabel Castellano at icastellano@m-group.us), or submit a "Contact Form" on the project
webpage to answer and complete the following:
• To schedule a consultation meeting to discuss your property's preservation incentives.
• Specific questions related to the survey project and your property.
• Request a digital copy of your property's Nomination Memo.
• Request a digital copy of your property's 1997-2001 Department of Parks and
Recreation (DPR) Form or Historic Resource Evaluation.
3. Visit the Development Center, located at 285 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 100, Palo Alto, CA
94301, if you would like to speak with planning staff or request a printed copy of your
property's Nomination Memo and DPR Form or Historic Resource Evaluation.
4. Submit a letter to city staff, by email or to the Development Center, to express your support
or clear objection to your property's nomination for the HRB and City Council's review
and consideration.
Sincerely,
City of Palo Alto's Department of Planning and Development Services
and the Historic Resources Board
2023 Historic Resource Reconnaissance Survey Project Webpage:
https://cityofpaloalto. org/Departments/Planning-Development-Services/Historic-
Preservation/2023 -Reconnaissance-Survey
Webpage supports translation to Spanish and Chinese.
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Staff Report
CITY 0
PALO
ALTO
Historic Resources Board
Staff Report
From: Jonathan Lait, Planning and Development Services Director
Lead Department: Planning and Development Services
Meeting Date: November 9, 2023
Report #: 2310-2156
TITLE
Approval of Historic Resources Board Draft Minutes of August 24, 2023
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Historic Resources Board (HRB) adopt the attached meeting minutes.
BACKGROUND
Attached are minutes for the following meeting(s):
• August 24, 2023
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: HRB 8.24 Minutes
AUTHOR/TITLE:
Amy French, Chief Planning Official
Item No. 3. Page 1 of 1
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CITY OF
PALO
ALTO
Call to Order/Roll Call
HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD MEETING
DRAFT MINUTES: August 24, 2023
Council Chamber & Virtual Zoom
8:30 A.M.
Present: Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz; Vice Chair Samantha Rohman; Board Members Gogo
Heinrich, Michael Makinen, Christian Pease, Caroline Willis and Margaret Wimmer
Absent:
Public Comment
Darlene Yaplee requested that the Board remember to ask for comments for items on the agenda, since it
has been left out at times.
Agenda Changes, Additions and Deletions
City Official Reports
1. Historic Resources Board Schedule of Meetings and Assignments
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz asked if anyone had planned absences or schedule suggestions. She noted
that they will be having some evening meetings.
Ms. French responded that this is the case, although they have not targeted those yet. There is one
anticipated evening meeting for the fall, which will be the community meeting, but the date has not been
set yet.
Board Member Heinrich reported that she will be absent on September 14th. Board Member Wimmer will
be absent on September 28th. Board Member Rohman will be absent on October 12th.
Study Session
2. Review Historic Resources Reconnaissance Survey Report
Ms. French presented the staff report with regard to the Historic Resources Reconnaissance Survey. It was
last discussed at the Board's retreat on the evening of July 28th. She noted the two -page summary of notes
from the discussions at the retreat. The consultant was not at the retreat. The current goal was to discuss
the report included in the packet. One of the items that the consultant and staff are interested in, and will
be seeking input from the Board on, is how the categories are not fully aligned with the criteria for
designation to the local inventory. There will be HRB meetings in September and October, through
December, and cover letters are being prepared to each property owner whose property appears in the
survey. Also on an evening this fall there will be a community meeting. HRB meetings in the fall will include
discussion of categories for nominations. The Council will be the decision point on each property.
Ms. French discussed the criterion for designation to the local inventory and explained that the second and
fourth criteria are broader in the types of resources that they cover than the actual Historic Inventory
Categories, 1-4, which are very narrowly phrased to prioritize architectural quality. The future concept
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would be for the HRB to revisit the categories more broadly. She said this is the topic on which she and
the consultant would primarily like to hear from the Board.
Ms. French presented a slide on the status of the inventory update, including a summary of the findings of
the 2023 Reconnaissance Survey of 167 properties, of which 154 were determined eligible at the time for
the National Register. An additional 13 properties were identified as eligible for the California Register.
Further detail which was presented at the prior meeting was also available for the Board's discussion.
Consultant, Christina Dikas, addressed the Board and explained that the topic of categories came up
because the next step in the Reconnaissance Survey is to align the properties that were found to retain
integrity, eligible for the National and California Registers, with the Palo Alto inventory categories, and to
prepare cover letters that explain how the National Register"reasons for significance," or California Register
can translate to the Local Inventory, so that these properties can be considered for addition to the
inventory. They found that, though the criteria for designation aligned generally with National and
California Register criteria, including not only criterion for architecture or recognition of a known architect,
artist value, but there are also criteria for association with important events, broad patterns or specific
events, as well as important people that are directly connected. The reason that they are important is
directly connected to a particular property. The criteria includes structures or sites identified with the lives
of historic people or important events, representative of an architectural style or way of life, example of a
type of building, a business or use which was once common, another one about architecture building was
important. Yet, while the intent was to align these National Register eligible properties with Criterion 1 or
2, they do not totally align, so they were interested to hear the Board's feedback before continuing forward
with a methodology. She asked if the Board agreed with the approach they were considering, or if they
had other suggestions.
Ms. Dikas noted that under Category 1 — Exceptional building — in the Palo Alto Register, this refers to
preeminent national or state importance, the work of the best architects, or outstanding example of specific
architectural style. The thought was to include architect -designed buildings, recognized known architects,
for the properties surveyed under Category 1. This could include prominent builders and architects that
were previously identified in the 1997 to 2001 survey. However, few if any buildings will be Category 1 due
to "National/State importance." Most of these properties are significant within a local context, and when
Dames and Moore surveyed them, they did note this, that there can be a property that is eligible for the
National Register, but at the local level. That particular focus in Category 1— of National or State importance
— means that not many of those properties will fit in the category.
Under Category 2, "Major building of regional importance," the description is very architecture- and
architect -focused. There is nothing that incorporates some of the criteria about the lives of historic people,
important events or businesses. So, the thought was to associate this category with properties identified
for the National or California Register that are good examples of a style, or a rare building type, and that
all associations with a significant person would be included under this category. There are several of these
properties that were surveyed 20 years ago that were identified as significant under a "significant person."
Despite the fact that none of the category definitions include this, their proposed methodology would
explain their feeling that significant people can be considered as"major building." Ms. Dikas said this is one
point for discussion.
Categories 3 and 4 in the Register are "contributing buildings," good local examples, but the idea is more
about contextualization, such as the character of a neighbor grouping. They would potentially categorize
some of the properties that are modest and also have been altered but still have good enough integrity to
represent their significance, or those associated with a general trend in Palo Alto, such as illustrating
densification or an important period of growth, as worded in the survey from 20 years ago. A little lower
threshold of integrity would distinguish between 3 and 4. Properties that were not felt to retain integrity
were excluded in the survey process. There are some that retain enough integrity, but not quite as high as
others, so they would use that to distinguish and put some of them into Category 3 or 4.
Ms. Dikas concluded her summary stating that they would like to hear from the Board before moving
forward with the next step of taking their proposed methodology and applying it to the properties, creating
a rationale for which category is appropriate for each.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz invited comments or questions from the Board members.
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Board Member Willis asked about use of the word "register," and said when they proposed an ordinance
20 -some years ago, that was the intent. She wondered if there is some distinction between "register" and
"inventory." Ms. Dikas said that different cities use different words, and she said she has a habit of using
the wrong word depending on the city. It depends on the city and how they define it. Cities that use the
term "inventory," may mean the same thing as "registry," or cities that use the term "inventory" where
their definition is a little different and may be a long list of identified properties which may not have the
same type of requirements under an ordinance as a "register." Basically, they can mean the same thing,
or they can mean something different.
Board Member Willis said she wasn't sure where they are going with their inventory with regard owners'
preferences, but she wondered if perhaps between Categories 3 and 4, one could be a category that is
merely an inventory entry and has no additional repercussions. They would be properties identified as
historic by the survey. There may be some CEQA considerations, or advantages, but if people do not wish
to add any additional designated significance to their property, she wondered if it might be useful to have
a category of purely inventory.
Board Member Wimmer asked her to further explain.
Board Member Willis stated that they do not really distinguish between 3's and 4's. She said she's been
working with the inventory long enough that she doesn't really see any difference. She that when they go
to homeowners and say they want to put them on the inventory, they are opposed. She thought there
could be a "holding category" that is just an inventory entry. Even if current property owners don't want to
be on it, possibly the next owners would. She thought there might be some psychological difference for
owners who are strongly opposed, to just know that their property is on an inventory. She said they can't
go back — the properties have been surveyed and identified so they are going to be subject to CEQA and
some regulations. They can't just say that they're not historic because the current owner doesn't want
them to be, in her understanding. She asked for clarification if this was incorrect. She advocated "pre -
thinking" what they want to do with properties in which the owner does not want to be on the inventory.
Board Member Wimmer responded that this was her thought when they discussed Categories 3 and 4. The
descriptions seem very generalized, and she wondered how that would impact someone who owns one of
the properties and might want to do some future development. She said every property is unique and does
have to go through the CEQA step to determine what it all means. She felt that Categories 3 and 4 have
always been somewhat vague, but at least they serve as a place to group these properties into, so they at
least have some sort of classification.
Board Member Willis advocated that perhaps those that are now Category 3's and 4's become a Category
3. Her vision would be that a Category 4 would become something else.
Board Member Wimmer said she always thought the ones that are "potentially eligible," such as on the
parcel reports, were maybe what Category 4's were.
Board Member Wimmer indicated that is a category she would like to scrap. She said she wished they
could take it off of the radar, and if they want to identify actual historic properties in that one, but she was
opposed to having that huge holding tank.
Ms. French clarified that the ordinance as it stands is the same one they've had for a long time, where
Category 3 and 4 homes, unless in Professorville or Downtown, are not protected by the Ordinance. If, in
going forward with the inventory, there is an opportunity to consider when a home is placed on the
inventory as a Category 3 or 4, that it does not have a significant consequence. If an owner says they don't
want to be on the inventory and/or it's clear to them that a Category 4, for instance, is not subject to any
mandatory registrations, it could be of interest to the owner. Currently, unless it's Downtown or in
Professorville, there is not anything in the way of regulation for those homes. She doesn't like to say this
in a public hearing, because the people that are currently in Category 4 homes may not be aware of that
and they may think that Category 4 is an encouragement to keep their home, which it is perhaps, but it
carries less weight as far as regulations.
Board Member Willis said she understood this, but since the properties are already identified as historic,
there are still some CEQA consequences.
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Ms. French said the "potentially eligibles," as mentioned by Board Member Wimmer are the Priority 1 and
Priority 2 windshield surveys which are basically unevaluated. They just happen to be built before 1948.
When the word "potentially eligible" appears in a parcel report it means that they were appearing on the
windshield survey, but there was no further study. The same could be said about properties that are now
50 years old, and older. Those are also potentially eligible. They haven't been studied either, so the word
"potentially" can refer to the ones deemed eligible back in 2000 and some continue to remain so because
they have integrity.
Board Member Willis said she is only referring to the 145 that have been identified. She asked if there are
regulations outside of being on the inventory that would affect them because they are identified as historic
properties.
Ms. French responded that properties deemed eligible are not protected under the current ordinance. If
someone does come through with a discretionary application, certainly for commercial, ARB applications,
they do require CEQA.
Board Member Heinrich asked the consultant, regarding Attachment B, Table 5, under "Significance
Criteria," whether those designations are only for the National and California Registers, or if there is a
column for Palo Alto categories.
Ms. Dikas thought it was the criteria for the National Register and California, and not all of the properties
have as yet been connected with the local categories, because of the conversation about how best to do
that, since the categories are defined so narrowly, but the significance of the properties as identified using
National or California criteria are more broad. They are looking to create a methodology to expand each of
the categories, particularly 1 and 2 — especially 2, which they really want to focus on — so that they can
include significant people under 2, even though the category definition does not include that. Once they
are able to establish that this is an appropriate approach, they will then associate the local categories with
the properties. This will be the next step, in which they will prepare a cover letter for each one that will
provide a rationale.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz agreed that there is a gap in the categories in that associations with
significant people is not discussed. She felt that a place to put those properties is needed. She asked Ms.
French if a formal revision would need to be done in order to establish that.
Board Member Rohman said she wondered about this as well, if they all agree with the analysis and support
it, whether they need to actually change the ordinance.
Ms. French stated that it is one of the work program items, because it is in the Comprehensive Plan to
"review the current Chapter 16.49 of the Municipal Code for its effectiveness." What does this mean? Does
this mean it's effective at allowing people to demolish their homes? Is it effective at allowing preservation?
It is an analysis that is out there waiting. She said they have started the survey effort first, but they have
not started the next item, which is to evaluate the effectiveness of the ordinance.
Board Member Rohman said her question is whether they have the authority as the HRB to direct Page and
Turnbull to go ahead and basically do a very liberal interpretation of each of the categories in the code.
Ms. French said they are asking for HRB's input. If all on the survey are qualified as Category 2, if they still
have integrity, does the HRB agree that this is the approach that they should initially take? She suggested
the Board could take a straw poll on that question. They would still be coming with individual properties
throughout multiple HRB meetings to bring batches of homes forward.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz said she understood that the question is, for the purpose of moving forward
with the survey, do they want to include associations with significant people in a Category 2, at least for
now, as a very limited discussion of what is going on with categories, simply or the purpose of the survey.
There is a longer -range discussion of categories that is broader and an ongoing item that's included in the
work plan.
Board Member Rohman said her understanding is, for the purposes of moving forward, they give Page and
Turnbull the license to Category 1, 2 and 3 or 4, as needed which will allow them to come back at a later
date, and recommend them to Council for listing in the inventory. This would be the first step before moving
forward.
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Ms. French said they haven't discussed how they might bring in the four batches, but they could come back
with the Category 2's for association, for one meeting. Another meeting could address Category 2's for
architecture. She suggested they could talk about how the Board would like to see the batches come
forward, or Page and Turnbull might have an idea of this.
Board Member Rohman said she wanted to see them move a project forward, so she was definitely in favor
of having some license with the categories.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz asked to get a sense from the Board members in providing some direction
on whether they are okay with Page and Turnbull's proposal.
Board Member Willis thought they should start out broadly, and if they need to narrow it down, if Council
was opposed, then they could backtrack. She thought as long as the reasons they are identified as historic
are documented, then she felt they were fine, assuming they could change the ordinance to match the
survey results.
Board Member Heinrich asked how to define "significant people." For instance, would Jerry Garcia's
bandmate's house, or the Grateful Dead be significant? To some people those would be very significant,
but to others it would not be. She wondered if there is a definition for "significant." She noted another
example, Alan Cranston's house and asked if he would be considered "significant."
Board Member Rohman asked Ms. Dikas what criteria she is using.
Ms. Dikas said the National Register and California Register have bulletins for how to analyze and evaluate
a property for association with an important person. Her recommendation was, if the HRB wants to make
some adjustments to the definitions of the categories at some point, to try to align them with the National
and California Register as benchmarks, which most cities use currently. They could use the guidance from
those registers. She said in terms of people, typically a person who is recognized for contributing to their
business or their community, and that this property is the best representation of the reason why they are
significant. It is not that, "George Washington slept here," but that there is a direct connection to an
important person. It could be an early community member or a few things like that. She thought that in
the Dames and Moore survey they were somewhat liberal with that, and they have not questioned the
definitions of significance from that survey, so they decided to use the reasons that they identified and try
to connect them to these categories, but there are a number that are identified for the original or an early
owner.
Board Member Rohman read the definitions which were included in the packet. For National Register,
Criteria B is "Person," and it is properties associated with the lives of persons significant in the past — very
broad. For the California Register, Criterion 2 — resources that are associated with the lives of persons
important to local, California or national history. She said she felt that they had some creative license with
the categories.
Ms. Dikas agreed that the definitions are stated quite broadly and that there is a National Parks Service
Bulletin that provides guidance for how to interpret each of the criteria and provides more information. But
there is still, based on the wording of the criteria, some room for interpretation.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz asked if they plan to do further research on any of the properties that have
historical figures that may or may not rise to that level of significance. She said there were a couple of
other open homeowner questions that may require research.
Ms. Dikas said this is not in their scope. She thought they might do a little spot research if there is one that
they are questioning, to find a little more information. They have received some historical information from
owners after the first community meeting, and they did consider that, but it is not technically part of their
scope, so they're trying to keep time for additional research to a minimum.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz said on packet page 21 there is a reference to some additional research
that was done on certain properties. It was hard to tell which properties these were, so maybe they could
also find out for next time.
Ms. Dikas said they sometimes took pictures and looked at the properties from the street, but for a few it
was unclear what had been changed about the properties, so they looked at some Sanborn maps and
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photos over time to compare and better understand how the building had changed and what the true
integrity was, so the comment about research may have been focused on alterations.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz invited comments from the public.
Carlyle "Lad" Wilson addressed the Board, and commented that he owns two of the properties on the list.
They are 334 High Street and 342 High Street. He has been a resident of Palo Alto since 1960 when his
parents first came to Palo Alto and bought Dahl Plumbing and Heating. He said all of their plumbers lived
in Palo Alto, but those days are long gone. He said he was there to request that they remove — or hearing
their frustration with the categories — establish perhaps a category of what could potentially happen with
his houses. He said what Page and Turnbull did not unveil was that his two parcels are part of six parcels
that are contiguous. The six parcels are the core of that block. He has been a landlord since taking them
over from his parents. The properties have been in their hands for 63 years. The two houses are examples
of co -habitation, which is very rare in Palo Alto, and they have been that way since the 1960s. He has ten
individuals, employees of companies in Silicon Valley, that have affordable living. Mr. Wilson said he takes
pride in trying to be under market with his rentals and he has very few transitions, with most people staying
with him for a long time. One person has been with him for over 30 years. He asked that if the houses are
not removed from the list, they should be designated or recognized as potential houses that could be part
of a redevelopment of that area. He said he has been considering this for some time, and he will finish all
of his leases in the future. He said he also felt that the historical standards of Page and Turnbull are in
conflict with the Housing Element of Downtown Palo Alto. He said his six parcels are really the epicenter
for development for worker affordable housing, being right across from the train station. He felt there
should be a category that allows those buildings to be torn down in lieu of creating worker housing for
Downtown Palo Alto. He said he also lives on that property — 344 High Street — his primary residence since
2014. He lives, breathes and walks on that block, and he foresees that as housing developments are done
that they're good at building expensive studios and one -bedrooms, and it is not really affordable. Two of
his three kids had to move out of state because they couldn't afford to live here. The one left is, fortunately,
very well established. His consideration is for in the future if a redevelopment is done, to be more focused
on exactly what he does now — co -habitation. He is looking to put in five bedrooms with one common
kitchen and two bathrooms throughout the development. He said it creates the kind of suite living that he
had at the University of California as a student. He said he encouraged the City to look at putting housing
on top of the Palo Alto Fire Department, either incorporating or moving it, to provide housing for their
employees. Mr. Wilson concluded by asking the Board to consider allowing a type of category that does
not give a handicap of a historical standard that will drive people like him away from trying to develop.
Darlene Yaplee commented on terminology. She said she believes she is on the inventory list, confirmed
through the survey that she could continue to be on the list, and that she is not bound by the ordinance.
She asked if this means she is on the historical list or not. She said she is asking because there is a lot of
language used that is confusing for the resident to be able to be precise in their feedback and to read and
understand the minutes and understand what their comments should be. Secondly, she said she does not
see the slide set in the packet. In 2022, there were links to minutes and attachments. In 2023, there is
only the agenda, and she does not see the minutes, so she wondered how the public can comment on the
minutes. She encouraged posting information to allow the public to go through the materials and make
comments. Thirdly, she urged the Board to look at a category that has people on the inventory but do not
want to be historical and do not fit Category 1 or 2. Finally, she said she does want to make comments,
but it is hard to do so based on verbally was is heard and a subset of slides they see. She urged more
transparency and minimizing confusion and working on clarification before the upcoming meetings.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz asked for additional questions or comments.
Board Member Rohman commented that her understanding was that the HRB can make a recommendation
based on the ordinance categories for structures to be preserved. However, their recommendations are,
unfortunately, discretionary.
Ms. French said that the HRB is a recommending body to the City Council so after this process concludes,
after many months, if the HRBs recommendations/nominations go to Council, the Council can decline any
or all of them. The way the ordinance is written anyone can propose nominations of a structure, even if
that person is not the owner. If the property owner disagrees, it is the decision of the Council.
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Board Member Rohman asked, if a property is designated on the local inventory as Category 1, 2, 3 or 4,
if there is anything that prohibits the property owner from doing what they would like with it.
Ms. French clarified that Category 1 and 2 properties that are on the existing inventory have some
protection under the existing ordinance. Category 3 and 4 properties only have some protection if they are
located in Downtown or Professorville.
Board Member Wimmer said she appreciated the public coming to speak to the Board because it is
important to hear their perspective and the issues they see being presented in the future. She said, as a
Board, they are just trying to protect and preserve because it is sad to see resources lost and replaced with
a big, impersonal glass box that is out of scale for what was a charming downtown and city. She also felt,
however, that it is important for the public to not see these as something that will prevent them from doing
something in the future. It is simply the HRB's effort to preserve Palo Alto, because they all love Palo Alto.
She hates to have people perceive these preservation efforts as a negative thing when the HRB exists as a
positive thing. She felt that for the people that come through the process of having projects reviewed by
the HRB it ends up being a better project overall for them. She has heard for the most part positive feedback
from those who have had their project reviewed and supported by the Board. In terms of public perception
of what they do, she said they need to be mindful of this.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz asked if a motion was needed.
Ms. French thought a straw poll would be sufficient. She addressed the comment regarding the availability
of minutes and noted that there are minutes for June 8th and June 22nd in the packet, to act on. Online,
she sees that the minutes are posted from May 25th and prior. She invited Ms. Yaplee to reach out to her,
and she would provide links to all of the minutes and to have a conversation about her home.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz asked for a straw poll regarding having Page and Turnbull move forward
as proposed. This was affirmed by a voice poll by all Board members present. Boardmember Makinen was
not present at the time of the straw poll.
Approval of Minutes
3. Approval of Historic Resources Board Draft Minutes of June 8, 2023.
Motion by Board Member Heinrich to approve the minutes of June 8, 2023. Seconded by Board Member
Pease, the motion carried (4-0-3), by voice vote.
4. Approval of Historic Resources Board Draft Minutes of June 22, 2023.
Motion by Board Member Heinrich to approve the June 22, 2023, minutes as corrected. Seconded by Board
member Rohman, the motion carried unanimously, by voice vote.
Board Member Questions, Comments, Announcements or Future Meetings and Agendas
Board Member Willis commented that since there will likely be some new Board members within the year,
they should perhaps think about a Board orientation. She felt they need to do some foundation work. They
have depended upon PAST to keep their inventory in the public eye, and she mentioned not knowing how
long Caroline George would be there.
Board Member Heinrich advised that Caroline George will be passing the maintenance of the web pages to
another member.
Board Member Willis was happy to hear this, but asserted that it is still a mistake for the HRB to be totally
dependent upon PAST to keep up their inventory. She also said she thinks there is a difference between
PAST having a readable, friendly presentation and HRB as the keyholders to Palo Alto's Heritage. She felt
that people should be able to go online and see the DPR sheets for the properties on the inventory. She
felt strongly that Palo Alto's inventory should be online instead of in print only, and if they can't get funding
through a grant or Council, she is willing to search for independent funding for this, although she didn't
think that is the best response. She feels it is a civic responsibility and would like to see their inventory
accessible to the public online by the time they start adding properties to it, because it would be a much
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smoother process. She commented that in this day and age in Palo Alto it is strange to not focus on this
basic building block to their preservation efforts.
Board Member Rohman agreed that it should be digital archival basics, and as they refer to these and they
affect homeowners' decisions, they need to be made easily accessible. She agreed that PAST is a wonderful
partner, but it is not responsible to rely on them to do what the City should be maintaining.
Ms. French responded that certainly the list of the inventory addresses is on the website. The 1970's, black -
and -white forms is what is being referred to.
Board Member Rohman agreed and said basically anything that, when Page and Turnbull brings the
properties for designation on the local inventory, all of the data comes from the DPR.
Ms. French said for the current effort for the ones not on the listed inventory, properties that are online
but the DPRs are not, those will be posted online. They can also post the old forms from the 1970s that
don't have as much information as modern day DPRs.
Board Member Rohman asked if this is in process.
Ms. French responded that they have not been put online for the existing Category 1 through 4 homes. If
that's what is being requested, she can do that. She said it pales on comparison to what PAST has, because
they have color photos of the homes, nicely laid out. What she could do is just scan the existing paper
forms and have them online such as they are.
Board Member Rohman thought that would be fine.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz agreed.
Board Member Willis thought it should be possible to add some color pictures as they are able to.
Ms. French thought it would involve more effort, but they could discuss it further.
Board Member Willis thought if they could, for starters, get some decent scans online it would be a great
start. She wondered if it could be indexed by address.
Ms. French said she wasn't aware that Board Member Willis had a binder containing the inventory.
Board Member Willis said she bought it from the City for $20 in 1987.
Ms. French said she would like to have the opportunity to provide hard copies of what she has in her office
to each Board member, and then go through the process of scanning and putting the documents online.
She could not commit to photos of home in their current condition.
Board Member Willis clarified that was not her intent, only a baseline scan of DPRs that in the future could
possibly be re -typed and have photos added. She felt they needed a starting point and could then get
volunteers to supplement the initial scans. She felt the originals are now historic documents and there is
an advantage to keeping them online in their current state.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz thought having a scanned version of the DPR forms attached to the
properties as a linked record sounded like a good idea.
Ms. French added that they will keep a link to the PAST webpages, because they do a nice job of indexing
and presentation.
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Board Member Rohman said she meant no negative against PAST, she simply felt the HRB needed to do
their part as well.
Board Member Willis said she also had a thought about HRB members having a card with their email
address and/or a few brief points/introduction to be able to pass out to the public. She was interested in
Board members' opinions on this. She said she thought there were times, such as at the public meetings,
when it might be useful to have something like a professional calling card.
Ms. French said she would look into this. She thought those were perhaps only for paid employees of the
City. Perhaps Council as well, because they do get a stipend. She wasn't aware of any board or commission
that has City of Palo Alto business cards, but she can raise the question.
Board Member Willis says she still has plenty and would not need anymore.
Adjournment
Motion by Board Member Willis to adjourn. Seconded by Board Member Heinrich, the motion carried
unanimously by voice vote.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:32 a.m.
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Staff Report
CITY 0
PALO
ALTO
Historic Resources Board
Staff Report
From: Jonathan Lait, Planning and Development Services Director
Lead Department: Planning and Development Services
Meeting Date: November 9, 2023
Report #: 2310-2157
TITLE
Approval of Historic Resources Board Draft Minutes of September 14, 2023
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Historic Resources Board (HRB) adopt the attached meeting minutes.
BACKGROUND
Attached are minutes for the following meeting(s):
• September 14, 2023
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: HRB 9.14 Minutes
AUTHOR/TITLE:
Amy French, Chief Planning Official
Item No. 4. Page 1 of 1
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CITY OF
PALO
ALTO
Call to Order/Roll Call
HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD MEETING
DRAFT MINUTES: September 14, 2023
Council Chamber & Virtual Zoom
8:30 A.M.
Present: Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz; Board Members Caroline Willis; Michael Makinen, and
Margaret Wimmer
Absent: Vice Chair Christian Pease, and Board Members Gogo Heinrich and Samantha Rohman
Public Comment
Agenda Changes, Additions and Deletions
City Official Reports
1. Historic Resources Board Schedule of Meetings and Assignments
Action Item
2. PUBLIC HEARING/QUASI-JUDICIAL. 340 Portage [23PLN-00226]: Request for Historic
Resources Board (HRB) Recommendation on Resident's Request for Historic Designation
of the Cannery Building located at 200-404 Portage Avenue as a Category I or II Resource
on the City's Local Historic Inventory. Environmental Assessment: Exempt from the
Provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) In Accordance with CEQA
Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3). Zoning District: RM-30 (Multi -family Residential). For More
Information Contact the Project Planner, Claire Raybould at
Claire.Raybould@cityofpaloalto.orq.
Ms. Raybould gave a brief background on the request, including Page and Turnbull's evaluation as part of
the North Ventura Coordinated Area Plan process, to determine eligibility for the California Register. In the
spring of 2019 the Cannery Building at 200 — 380 Portage and the Ash Building at 3221 — 3225 Ash Street
were designated as eligible for the California Register under Criterion I. The HRB held a study session in
July of 2019 to receive information regarding eligibility of the site and provide feedback on the HRE. At that
meeting the Board concurred with the findings of the HRE. Ms. Raybould gave a brief synopsis of actions
related to the property since then. In November of 2020 Sobrato filed an SP 330 preapplication followed
by a formal application for a 91 -unit townhome development in 2021. Staff requested Council interpretation
of the Code. Council stayed interpretation and formed an hoc committee which met from December 2021
though Mary 2022 to negotiate broad terms of the development agreement. In June 2020, Council held a
closed session supporting the concept being presented at the time. In August 2022, Council held a study
session to kick off the public review process for the proposed development agreement. On September 12,
2023, Council approved the development agreement, making overriding considerations for a significant
impact to the Cannery Building — a historic resource eligible for the California Register.
Ms. Raybould explained that the project before the HRB was a request for designation as a Category I or
Category II Historic Resource on the city's local Historic Inventory in accordance with Palo Alto Municipal
Code Section 16494. She reiterated that the building is eligible for local designation under Criterion I — the
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structure or site is identified with lives of historic people or with important events in the city, state or nation,
primarily the agricultural history of the Palo Alto region.
Ms. Raybould stated that the applicant has asked for the project to be designated as either Category I or
Category II building. She shared language from the Code which spoke to the two categories. She said the
HRE evaluated the project for the California Register, so it did not include a conclusion as to which category
it may be eligible for in the Local Register, so she said there would need to be some discussion by either
the HRB or a historic architect about what it would be eligible for, since there have been modifications to
the building. Much of the original character is retained in the existing structure; however, there have been
a number of modifications to the building over time making it unclear whether it would be eligible for a
Category I or Category II. However, given the Council's action on September 12th, the City's
recommendation is that the Council deny the request to designate the Cannery Building as a Category I or
II resource on the City's Local Historic Inventory. The Council's decision to approve the development
agreement allowing partial demolition of the historic resource was unanimous. Ms. Raybould said they
would not, therefore, want to ask the Council to place it on the Local Register as it currently exists, given
that they have already approved partial demolition of the structure. Ms. Raybould said, however, consistent
with the HRBs recommendation to Council, and as was included in a Condition of Approval of the
development agreement, staff was asking the HRB to reaffirm the recommendation to evaluate the
remaining building for local designation following the completion of the approved modifications to the
structure.
Terry Holzemer, applicant, addressed the Board and began by stating that his application has nothing to
do with the development agreement. His request is that the HRB decide whether they believe that 340
Portage, otherwise known as the Bayside Cannery, deserves to be on the City's Historic Inventory. He
stated that this should have been done four years ago when it was discovered that it was eligible for the
California Historic Register. He stated that since no City staff or representative came forward at that time,
he launched a campaign himself. Unfortunately, when the HRB reviewed the cannery on May 25th, 2023,
they were not given the opportunity to make their viewpoints known regarding whether the cannery
building is historically significant or worth preserving, as the Page and Turnbull report of April 2019
indicated. He said the HRB's mission at that time was to look at the development agreement and give a
viewpoint on whether the site was historic or not. Mr. Holzemer wanted to make the case that the site is
historically significant and worthy of preservation for not only what occurred there over 100 years ago, but
also for the individual who built it, Thomas Foon Chew. Mr. Holzemer encouraged the Board to review a
poster and information on Mr. Chew as well as the era in which he made his contributions. He shared a
video featuring Dr. Amy Ellison of Los Altos Historical Museum, highlighting the history of innovation in the
region. Mr. Holzemer shared further history and points about Mr. Foon Chew, who was a Chinese immigrant,
his building of the Cannery and the growth of his business, as well as his compassion and caring for his
workers and his contributions to overcoming racial and discrimination barriers.
Mr. Holzemer expressed that he wanted the Board members to understand why he filed the application
under consideration. He said it was because he believes the Cannery to be an important historical site not
only for the city, but also for the nation. He said the Chinese American communities experienced great
discrimination and should be recognized for what they did, and the physical structures like the Cannery
offer opportunities for future generations to see how early immigrants survived and flourished. He said Mr.
Choo set an example, coming to America with nothing and accomplishing great things that helped others
and made a difference in people's lives. He reiterated his desire for the HRB to give their viewpoint on
whether the Cannery is a historically significant building. He said it was very important for them to
acknowledge that, because of the evidence is in the Page and Turnbull report he had provided. He said
what had occurred the past Tuesday was immaterial, and he urged the Board to set a precedent with their
recommendation back to the Council that there is value in a building such as the Cannery because of the
history and sense of place that it represents. Mr. Holzemer also asked Board to address in a future meeting
the office building next to the Cannery that should be historically protected, and its modification should not
go forward.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz invited public comments.
Dennis Backlund, former Palo Alto HRB member and former Historic Preservation Planner, addressed the
Board. He expressed that his experience in this area gives him a helpful perspective in reviewing this
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complex project. He said the Page and Turnbull report noted that the building was significant for events,
but they concluded, not for persons. He said Page and Turnbull was technically correct in saying the building
was significant because of the canning and as far as persons, Thomas Foon Chew and the Chinese workers.
Page and Turnbull was looking at the entire building, and other than the 1918 original structure, the reset
of the building, put up in the 30s and 40s, occurred after Mr. Chew's death, so the building as a whole
could not be considered significant for persons. He made refence to the response in the Council meetings
from the Chinese community which he described as overwhelmingly powerful in recognizing the Chinese
American heritage associated with the building. Mr. Backlund said he sees the 1918 section as more
important than the rest of the building, and that he feels it is not diminished by the fact that 40 percent of
the later additions would be demolished, as approved by the Council. He referenced the monitor roof
sections and said he was happy to hear that the HRB had reviewed and approved the window patterns
presented in the proposal.
Yugen Lockhart, resident of Olive Avenue, addressed the Board. He stated he had been attending many
of the meetings and thought there were a lot of sentiment expressed over saving the building, whether in
whole or in part. He personally felt that removing the later additions would be appropriate, and that saving
and preserving the remaining older portion would be celebrating it more in actually being able to approach
it instead of having to walk all the way to the end of the block and all the way back and seeing a portion
of the building. He thought the renovations would be appropriate. He noted that the comments he has
heard regarding public art mention having a mural which he thought was a little short term, or placing a
boring plaque, which is also somewhat boring. He felt that having a series of images, archived into brass
or bronze and placed outside of the building once it is remodeled would be quite nice.
Lotus Yee Fong commented to the Board that all of Chinese American history has been erased, and part
of the history is how the immigrants from Ellis Island and Agnel Island were treated very differently. She
referred to a Lu Hing [44:38], who would have known Thomas Foo Chew and Thomas' father, because
his Pacific Coast Cannery was in Oakland and is where most of the Chinese from San Francisco Chinatown
ended up after the earthquake. She said history occurs within a context, and one reason this Palo Alto
structure exists compared to the Oakland one, which shuttered down much earlier, is Herbert Hoover.
When the Chinese railroad workers accomplished the impossible, going through the Sierra Mountains to
get away from working at Stanford — because that history is not told. The original gold spike is in the
Nathan Lane Room, but the history is not only not told, it is incorrect. She said right now they are going
through a period of labor activism. She said they are not learning history by putting a name on a street
sign or a park. The Chinese have done much that is not recognized, and that is why the violence is recurring.
She said for children to have a sense of what their history was and what they can become is perfect for a
museum of Chinese heritage in California. She referred to a book by Malcolm Harris, A History of California
Capitalism in the World, and said unless they deal with this and look at the school boards now that are
having culture wars, they will not progress as a country. She said coming up to the election next year, they
will continue with the polarization unless they start learning to talk and listen to each other, and learn the
correct history, go to Berlin and see how Germany has dealt with their difficult history. Japan has not. China
has. She concluded by saying Menlo Park history has the history of how the Chinese were mistreated in
Menlo Park when they worked for the Stanfords.
Rebecca Sanders addressed the Board via Zoom. She said she knew that the Historic Resources Board did
not want to be known for anything shocking or out of the ordinary, and the last thing historic
preservationists want to do is to do anything shocking, because they are all about tradition. She said the
fact that this meeting is occurring after the final meeting of the City Council is somewhat outrageous. She
applauded all of her friends who are history buffs and care about preserving something more than a plaque,
more than a token, but something to last for generations. She said the last thing the HRB wants to do is
to do anything to step out of line, get in trouble, or have people yell at them about voting to advance the
cause of this amazing structure. She suggested they could step well out of the box and just send a message.
Though they don't have ultimate authority, they could say, "Hey, let's take a second look at this and not
rush to demolish." She felt they have a moral obligation to slow the process down and take a good look at
the best use of the Cannery. She questioned that the best use of it is to tear down 40 percent of it, making
it ineligible for so many glorious and beautiful things that could be done. They could still having housing
and office there. She felt the whole situation had been handled badly and was incomprehensible to her,
starting with the NVCAP process, which she felt was window-dressing. She said the members worked hard
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to design a wonderful neighborhood, and then were given the shaft by the City, the City planners and were
completely ignored, with their work swept away. She said she was angry and frustrated, and that the HRB
was their last resource. She felt the Board needed to say no to this, and slow this down. She wanted the
Board to advocate giving the Cannery and the people a little more time.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz invited questions from the Board.
Mayor Kou was in attendance, and addressed the Board. She appreciated the public comments and also
the application to reconsider the historic factors at the building. She said there is absolute evidence that it
is historic, but the unfortunate thing is that it is a private property, and it was never registered. She said it
is a little bit late to do so. Based on the facts that the applicant and the development agreement has shown
is that they will be preserving the monitor roofs and keeping the majority of the building. However, it is
still a private building that will be rented out by the owners. The City was able to get 2,500 square feet for
retail space, so that there is a way to look at the monitor roofs. She said the demolition will make the
building ineligible for the National Register and the California Register, but maybe could be on the local
register. She did not know if there will be any remnants but she hoped the HRB would continue to monitor
to see that as much as possible is listed on the local registry. Mayor Kou stated that the applicant has asked
to look just at the building. Given what the Council decided the prior Tuesday, she said there is a possibility
of considering the person, in making the area a historical district. She wasn't sure how that would work,
but referred to the comment about Oakland's historical areas, stating perhaps Palo Alto could have its
historic district and this could be something for the Board to consider. The building across from the Cannery
might be considered within that historic district.
Mayor Kou added that there is a large contiguous area for parkland that came along with the negotiations
and also affordable housing. They do not know yet if the developer will build the 74 units of townhouses
or not. However, they also want to take into consideration all of the other development being proposed,
including at the Fish Market, a McDonalds site that is very high density. The former Mike's Bikes, 3001 El
Camino, is also a low-income and very deep affordable housing that is also quite dense, not far from this
site. Behind that will be another batch of townhouses at the back parking lot of the former Fry's site. There
is the teacher housing, the academy, that was pre-screened at Council. She said potentially the parking lot
at the former CPI site might also be dense housing. There is also housing proposed at the corner of El
Camino and Page Mill, two tall buildings called Palo Alto Square. She concluded that there are quite a few
high -density projects being proposed for the area along El Camino, and she advised the Board to take the
whole perspective into account. She referenced the small amount of parkland they got — the two acres —
and said they might be at a deficit again on parkland after all of the development. She said this is why they
need to look at the situation as a whole and suggested that instead of addressing just the cannery, perhaps
thinking about a district.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz invited questions and discussion from the Board.
Board Member Willis asked what difference it would make if the building was designated as a Category Ii
as opposed to simply identifying it as it is — California Register eligible.
Ms. Raybould replied that this is where staff would say that these considerations are not independent, and
what's happening with the development agreement approval is important to the Board's discussion. The
bottom line is that it would not make a difference. She said the HRB could make a recommendation to list
the building on the local register, and Council could put it on the local register, but essentially it would
create confusion, because the development agreement has already been approved. A portion of the building
will be demolished, and it will lose its eligibility for the California Register in the process. This is what the
Environmental Impact Report was prepared for and disclosed the impact. Council made overriding
consideration, not lightly but with understanding what they were doing, including consideration of how to
help convey the history of the site to the public even though the resource would be impacted to the point
that it will no longer be a historic resource, but still preserving the important history for the public. She said
if the issue had come forward in the past, well before starting the EIR process, then the evaluation for the
EIR would have also noted that it was on the local register. The conclusion would have been the same,
except that the findings of overriding consideration would have also noted that it was also on the local
register. It would have the same protections under CEQA and would not have had further protections for
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the historic resource because it is outside the Downtown area and Chapter 16.49 would not protect it from
demolition in any case.
Board Member Willis said when she hears that demolishing a section of the building will make it ineligible
for the register, she understands that the entire building will no longer eligible. However, because the
building was built in sections, she firmly believes that the monitor roof section would stand alone as a
historic resource. She asked if there is documentation that says that is not true.
Ms. Raybould responded that the Historic Resource Evaluation does not support that conclusion. However,
consistent with the HRB's recommendation, they have included a Condition of Approval to evaluate the
structure for eligibility for the California Register, the National Register and the local register following
completion of the work. If that evaluation concludes that it would still be eligible, the condition states that
the developer would be asked to nominate it for that register.
Board Member Willis asked if, under the current circumstances, they nominated the central roof portion for
the inventory as it stands connected to the other building, if there was evidence that it would not be a
historic resource.
Ms. Raybould said their analysis concluded that it would not. It was treated as a whole structure.
Board Member Willis said she understood that it was analyzed as an entire structure but asked if it was
ever looked at as pieces. She said it is a lot structures with a lot of additions in between that connect them.
She said there are many ways of looking at the building. The fact that it is looked at an entire building she
thought was amazing over the years. She didn't understand how, if it has never been analyzed as a stand-
alone section, then there is no evidence one way or the other.
Ms. Raybould said the HRB had asked staff to go back and do an evaluation of especially the Ash building
and whether it would be individually eligible for the California Register without the Cannery building. The
conclusion of that analysis was that you can't evaluate the structure as it exists today. You can't look at
something at how it might look in the future and then say they are evaluating it based on that, or nominate
it based on that. It has to be evaluated in its current condition, which is currently the entirety of the
structure. She added that they could come back following whatever work that has been approved for the
site has been completed, and determine if it is eligible, and nominate it in that condition.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz said what she hears is that changes to the structure are an inevitability at
this point. So, listing it based on its current condition would lead to a listing that is not aligned with its
future condition.
Ms. Raybould responded that this was correct.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz said her understanding was that there would be an opportunity to re-
evaluate the structure for listing it once the changes have taken place, and this opportunity was already
built in.
Ms. Raybould responded that this was added as a condition of approval for the project that the Council
approved.
Board Member Wimmer congratulated the applicant and said they need more of this spirit in the city of
Palo Alto. She acknowledged and thanked Mr. Backlund for his contributions to the city. She noted that it
is a struggle because of the circumstances in which they are discussing this at a point where the City
Council has already taken action. She felt it was sad when such resources are loss and they always wonder
why wasn't something done about it in time to save these things. She said this is the challenge of historic
preservation and the challenge of the community. She felt that, because of where they were in the process
and that they know the building will be severely altered and may lose its historic significance, there is still
a significance of place and person. She believes that there is still opportunity, if not on the National Register,
but to be on the local register as a historic place because of what occurred there. Also, she wondered if
they could require Sobrato to do something like an art installation that honors Thomas Foon Chew, the
cannery chapter in the city of Palo Alto. There could be information and plaques. There could be a Thomas
Foo Chew Day. She asked, why not celebrate the history in ways that are not necessarily attached to a
building that's been demolished and altered, but not losing the fact that the place still exists, so focusing
on the place and what happened there. She thought it was also great that the design of the building,
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although not what it was originally, there is a at least a nod to what there originally. The monitor roof echo
the building that was there. She felt this was a positive thing, because they weren't obligated and could
have wiped it out and placed a big square box there. She thought Sobrato was trying to be sensitive along
with their other motivations. She said she would support the City making it simply a historic place, just
within the City of Palo Alto's Historic Inventory. Since they have been discussing their categories, perhaps
one of the categories could be simply a historic place where something historically significant has happened.
And when people go to that place, they can learn about it through plaques, or a monument there to
celebrate it. She felt this would be fair in honoring what was there, what happened there, and Mr. Chew's
story. She felt Mr. Chew's story would even make a great movie. She hoped the City of Palo Alto would
continue to tell his story.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz added that in a previous HRB meeting they had discussed the potential for
this site to be eligible for something like a Point of Historical Interest or California Landmark designation.
She thought it sounded like it did retain eligibility for those, potentially.
Ms. Raybould responded that they don't know if they will, but part of the condition was that an evaluation
for a broad range of things such as California Landmark, National Register, California Register, local register,
would be done and then nomination for anything that it is eligible for.
Board Member Wimmer noted that packet says that because a development agreement has been approved
by City Council, 340 Portage is already protected as an historic resource in accordance with CEQA. She
asked how they could make that work for them and how they are protecting it.
Ms. Raybould explained that the Code section that is being used currently for local designation they
essentially wrote in the allowance that to get something to the HRB quickly and to allow someone to
designate something if there is an ongoing application that includes demolition of the historic resource,
staff has a certain time period to get it to the HRB and then make a recommendation to Council. The point
of including that is that there are structures in the city that may not be protected under CEQA or a
demolition permit may only be needed for certain structures. There are some loopholes that have been
utilized in the past, in the Code. She thought they cleaned up some of that in the past year, to help protect
in other ways. She said in any case that provision in the Code was put there to help give Council discretion
is those scenarios, bring it to their attention and allow for discretionary action which then require evaluation
under CEQA for that discretionary action. For some single-family residences not on a register, it creates
protection where an EIR process is required. If it is determined that it does have some historic character it
creates an opportunity for the City to make a decision. In this case, it was already protected in the sense
that it required public disclosure, a full EIR process and findings of overriding consideration. Council, in
their deliberations did not make the decision to demo the resource or partially demolish the resource
without that public disclosure and understanding. This being a unique situation in which putting it on the
local register would suddenly require additional work on behalf of the City and for Council to be able to
make their determination, the determination has already been made with full understanding. She said the
word "protect" doesn't stop demolition of a resource, but it requires the full disclosure and public process,
and to make overriding considerations, which the Council did.
Board Member Wimmer said, based on the discussion and the history of the project, she felt the solution
was to make it a historic place, memorialized with some kind of monument or physical piece of information
where people can go and learn about what happened there. She asked how to make that happen. She said
the City has an Art Commission, so it could perhaps be an art installation. Her question was how to prevent
the history of the place from being lost.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz believed that there is an art plan for the site incorporating this.
Ms. Raybould spoke to the question of public art. There was discussion about this at Council, and there is
about $850,000 in public art for the project which will come from the art required for the Cannery
restoration. This triggers the art in private development. Approximately half of it comes from the Cannery
building and is being used on the site. She said their understanding is that they are expecting to install
some form of mural. She thought it was scheduled to go to the Public Art Commission on September 21,
but may have been pushed back due to some changes in their concept, which has not been released to
staff as yet. It will be coming before the Public Art Commission soon. She said for the Cannery site there
is also a mitigation measure included that requires an interpretive display. They specifically made this an
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interpretive display versus a plaque to give more flexibility, and it might include more than just wording,
but might include pictures or something along those lines. She said the developer, Sobrato, is already
working with a historic group that specifically prepares such things, to come up with a concept. Her
understanding is that they are using some of the public art funds to do something on the interior, as well,
of the publicly accessible area. The remaining funds from the townhomes, is going to be paid in lieu, so it
basically will go into a fund which is in the Public Art Commission's discretion to decide how those funds
are used. The Council's motion asks for that to come before the Council. She thought, the way it is written,
the Council does not have the discretion to say what the public art must entail, or even where it is located,
but gives discretion of agendizing it for Council's consideration and feedback. So that is what they would
intend to do with the in -lieu art. She said anytime they do a public project it includes a public art component,
so in re -designing a public park they would certainly be looking to place some public art on the site. She
thought, while they can't specifically state what that must entail, there is certainly an understanding and
the City has discretion in what that might entail, and she thought there was an expectation that it would
convey the history of the site.
Board Member Willis thanked the public speakers and said it is nice to see community interest in
preservation. She offered encouragement and said they have been remiss regarding buildings that are
California Register -eligible and have not been placed on their inventory. There are around 160 of them out
in the community, and she hoped they will soon be having public meetings and getting them on their
inventory. She encouraged everyone to pick their favorites and lobby for them. She thought there was a
need in Palo Alto to rejuvenate interest in its history, its public buildings and their preservation. She said
she would like the Board to look at the monitor roof section as separate. Although they are all on one
property with no property lines. However, the monitor roof section is identifiable in historic photos. It has
been added onto and it is not a traditional interpretation of a building, but she would like to see the HRB
make a statement that the monitor roof section of the building is eligible for the local inventory. She didn't
think there was anything specifically in their inventory definition that says they cannot designate a portion
of a building as historic. She encouraged the Board to nominate the monitor roof section for the local
inventory. She commented generally that the townhouse housing is probably set, but in the future she
would like to see a little more land planning in the region and also, when there is a project up against a
historic resource, that it would be nice if there was some effort from the developer to respect that resource.
She acknowledged that in some ways there is, but she personally felt like the townhouses look like they
were cut out of some other environment and placed on a land plan. Hearing about all of the development
that will be happening in the region, she felt they needed to make an effort in Palo Alto to do some better
comprehensive land planning. She understood that they don't have the staff in Planning to do that, but
said that they need to seriously focus on how to develop Palo Alto over the next ten years. She said it is
upsetting that it is being done piecemeal. She reiterated her thanks to the public for showing up and hoped
they will continue to have interest in preservation in Palo Alto. She begged the Board to step out of the
box and designate the roof section to their inventory.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz thanked everyone for their participation, for acknowledging and caring
about historic preservation and said it is appreciated and wonderful to see in the community. Regarding
the project under consideration, she said the situation is already what it is. Decisions have already been
made, so she did not think they could designate based on a hypothetical look for the structure. If they
were to designate anything in its current state, it would not indicate the final disposition, appearance,
significance of the building. However, they have some provisions to look at how it could be eligible and
how the resource could be acknowledged once the modifications have been made. There is an opportunity
to look at the monitor roof section, when it becomes the monitor roof section in its totality in the future. It
is written in the agreement that there is a time and a place to do that. She felt that, because the structure
is going to change she would like to see it evaluated once it is in the form that it will remain in. Knowing
that a change is going to occur, she did not think designating at this point would be accurate for how it will
exist in the long term.
Board Member Wimmer said they have discussed many times what is original and historic and what mimics
historic. She said one of their rules is that they don't want to confuse people, and she worried that if they
designated the monitors as historic, people would think that it was the original structure, when in fact it is
nowhere near the original structure. This is why she leans toward designating the site as a historic place.
She said through the history they have retained some key photos that show what was historically there,
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and she felt that all of that information should come out in the art installation, in a presentation or
monument type of depiction of the history. She felt they needed to wait until completion and have the
historic review done at that time. She thought she already knew what the historic report will say. She said
they can't confuse people and need to make it clear that there were historically these roof monitors that
are echoed in the current building as a nod to the history of the building and the site. She felt that makes
the most sense. However to nominate them as historic could be confusing and misleading. She loved the
idea and the effort, however, to push forward the history in that way.
Board Member Willis did not agree that it would be confusing even though the monitors will have been
altered. She thought they have a lot of flexibility in what they put on their local inventory. She agreed with
analyzing it as California Register and National Register eligible after the construction, but she felt putting
on the local inventory now as a section of the building would make a statement to the current or future
owners, the occupants, the people designing the park and the affordable housing. It would be a statement
that says that they care about this particular symbol of this particular activity that happened at this point
in their history. She was concerned about waiting, pointing out that the townhouses were designed before
the Board had commented, and if they wait longer, the park will be designed before the Board makes a
statement and the affordable housing will be as well. Building will occur before they are able to make a
statement.
Board Member Wimmer asked if Board Member Willis was referring to nominating the structure in its
existing condition, or nominating with acknowledgment that it is going to be different.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz noted that nominating it after completion is the hope, and that evaluation
could absolutely happen. Nominating now, she felt would create confusion and problems and concerns.
Board Member Willis wished she had brought the picture showing the monitor section as a prominent stand-
alone section.
Board Member Wimmer said she was sure it could be nominated and start that procedure. It could go
through the process.
Ms. Raybould said that the HRBs recommendation would go before the Council, recommending it, and then
Council's decision would be final as to whether to designate it or not. She said, from the discussions related
to the development agreement, the architect told them that they can't nominate and designate something
in a condition that it doesn't exist in today. So it either needs to be designated based on its existing
condition, which they have the evaluation for based on the Page and Turnbull report, or it needs to be
nominated and evaluated based on its condition once work is completed on the project. So, nominating it
based on piece of it that is in a condition that it doesn't currently exist in, they don't have an evaluation for
that piece to support that nomination and designation.
Board Member Willis clarification that the historic architect's position is that without a property line there is
no definition between the buildings. She said the monitor roof building was a building and it was added
onto with other buildings the way things are in an urban environment such, such as University Avenue, a
different property, different property line. She asked, since these buildings are on the same property, if
therefore is no ability to separate them out.
Ms. Raybould responded that it is all part of the same building and all developed during the period of
significance.
Mayor Kou asked whether, along the way when they are working on the monitor roof section, if it would
come back to the HRB for oversight, to make sure that it keeps some of its integrity.
Ms. Raybould responded that it will not come back to the HRB during the process, but they are required to
develop it consistent with what they have said they're going to do in their plans, which is keeping the
structure. She said it would not be an easy process for them. They will have to have things on the interior
to hold up the walls while they make modifications to the roof, but they are committed to doing that. One
part of the plan includes restoration of the monitor roofs in which the windows are currently boarded up.
They are restoring all of those windows to their original condition, so it will be quite a process, and it is the
City's role to provide oversight. Part of that is in reviewing the building permits and making sure that what
they are saying they will do is what they are proposing in their building permit, and then oversight during
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the construction process to oversee how they are doing this. There is a standard process in which building
inspectors going out at multiple points in the process, doing inspections of the work. It is a complete seismic
retrofit of the building as part of the process.
Mayor Kou said she was just wondering if the HRB has any oversight through the process, through the
replacement or repairs of the monitor roof, so that they can at least assure its integrity to some degree,
and that it can be perhaps later registered as Board Member Willis said.
Ms. Raybould said there is no HRB oversight during the process. They hope that in plan set that they have
prepared and that staff has approved, more detail of which would be provided as part of the building
permit, that they are preserving enough to maintain its integrity. The full EIR concluded that they don't
believe it will be eligible for the California afterward, but it will still be evaluated again to determine that.
Regarding the local register, they have much more broad discretion in determining whether they want to
put it on that register. It is more of an honorific component and doesn't do much in terms of preserving it
any more than the Historic Maintenance Covenant which is required would preserve it. However, honorific
status of the building would serve to identify its status within the community.
Mayor Kou questioned with regard to the materials to be used in replacing the windows on the monitor
roof. She asked if they are in alignment with Secretary of the Interior standards, or at what point it is that
they are no longer constructed with original materials.
Ms. Raybould said it will be in accordance with Secretary of the Interior standards and their plan is to
evaluate what windows can be used, if any. If they can be used, it would involved repairing them. If not,
it would be replacing in kind. Either way, the Secretary of the Interior standards requires repair where
feasible, or replacement in kind where not feasible.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz invited Board Member Makinen to comment since he was participating
remotely.
Board Member Makinen offered the comment that the building should be recognized in its current state as
a local resource. He said he disagreed with comments stating that they had their chance to speak up before.
He said they really did not get the issue properly surfaced until today when it finally came to a head. Some
of the decisions that were made should have been made after the HRB had a chance to weigh in with a
more appropriate decision.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz asked if they are required to make a motion.
Ms. Raybould stated that given the way the wording of the Code is stated, Planning would like to have a
motion from the HRB to bring forward to the Council for a decision.
Board Member Willis asked if staff had a recommendation for what the Board should do at that point.
Ms. French responded that they were welcome to make a motion along the lines that Board Member Willis
was thinking and see if it was seconded. Alternatively, they could choose to use staff's recommended
motion.
Motion by Board Member Willis to recommend that the central portion of the Cannery building with the
monitor roof be designated as a Local Landmark under Category II of the local Historic Inventory. The
motion was seconded by Board Member Makinen
Board Member Willis added that the period of significance would need to be adjusted, but she could not
remember the dates for that.
Ms. Raybould said the period of significance relates to its use as a cannery, which is why it has been
determined to be historic. It is related to the events and the cannery's role in the agricultural industry in
the region, which makes it historic. She was not clear on what the reassessment of the period of significance
would be based on.
Board Member Willis referred to a photo in which the monitor portion of the building was very prominent.
She was not sure of the date of the photo, but thought it was very clear that this was a major part of the
cannery business and structure.
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Board Member Wimmer suggested they make the wording broader to say that the HRB encourages the
City Council to consider the monitor roof portion of the Cannery as a historic structure. She felt the Board
Member Willis's motion was too narrowly focused on the monitors, which was not the gist of the applicant's
request.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz was unsure whether the Board could designate a partial structure or that
they could designate the building knowing that it is going to be modified. She said she was fully supportive
of re-evaluating the site after the inevitable changes had occurred, and designating it to the greatest extent
possible.
Ms. Raybould supported Board Member Wimmer's comment that the applicant's proposal is what the Board
needed to respond to, and the question refers to designating the structure as it exits today.
Mr. Holzemer, applicant, commented that that is the element that is most significant to not only the Chinese
community but to everyone, so that people can see how the cannery was actually built and how the
manufacturing process went. He said preserving at least the monitor roof section is critical and an important
part of the future of the city.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz pointed out that the monitor roof section is the part of the portion of the
building that would remain.
Board Member Willis asked what the projected timeline would be for the project to be finished.
Ms. Raybould said the development agreement is over a ten-year period. She thought it would be
approximately two years before the demolition could occur on the Cannery portion.
Board Member Willis remarked that there would then be two years in a holding pattern, and in the
meantime, there would be planning on the park or on the affordable housing. She said she thought these
things would be happening concurrently. The total site would be looked at and re-evaluated and plans
made for how the park is oriented, and the housing is oriented. She said she felt that regarding the central
part that is very symbolic of the history of the way factories were constructed, with natural light, and the
size and scale, she felt strongly about the opportunity to alert those planning the park and the affordable
housing and other modifications that this is the part of the building that is considered symbolic of the whole
history of the site. She remarked that at this point they do not have a chance at maintaining the whole
building. She said she feels the monitor roof section of the building is the most legible part of the building
that conveys the history they want to convey, even with the modifications to the windows. It would probably
not be eligible for the National Register, but having it on the local register would preserve the story. She
hoped that people would go to the local inventory and read the history of it. Even if some buildings are
lost, they could stamp "demolished" across them, but without wiping out the history and leaving the stories.
She did not see any downside to designating the site for the local inventory.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz raised the issue that the Board is currently talking about nominating some
other properties for the inventory, and she thought they should make sure that they have a consistent
process. She wasn't sure they should be looking at this project in isolation of that process, but more
holistically.
Ms. French pointed out that the Board had departed from the applicant's actual request with the motion
made by Board Member Willis. She noted that the Board would need to address what has been requested
and have a vote on it for Council. Someone would need to make a motion to designate the structure as it
is currently as a Category I or II. She said they needed to take a vote on the motion that has been made
and seconded or offer a substitute motion. The Board could vote on the motion on the table, but it was
not what the applicant requested, so there should also be a motion on the applicant's request to designate
the structure as a Category I or II.
A friendly amendment was made by Board Member Wimmer to nominate the structure as a Category II
building, specifying the monitor section of the building as the character -defining feature.
Board Member Willis felt it would be difficult for the Council to approve this. She said she would have a
hard time asking Council to nominate the whole structure as it currently stands. She said she was not
looking at it as one building but as little historic parts.
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Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz suggested recommending evaluation of the property after it is developed.
She wondered if it would be possible to include language that addresses the monitor roof specifically.
Board Member Willis thought the best they could do would be to designate the part that they think is the
strongest historic building element and make it clear to the developers around it that this is what they care
the most about. She felt if they waited until construction was completed that other planning would go on
in the meantime. She felt that the Board's mission should be to make a point to those developing parcels
and parkland and affordable housing that this portion is what the Board is going to take a stand on. She
said she believes that is really the only thing they will get out of the process. She thought it might be
effective, or might not, but said they needed to try.
Board Member Wimmer added that she thought, then, that they should also include the secondary building
that the applicant is asking for.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz thought that would speak to something like a historic district, but thought
it was beyond their scope at that point, although it could be something potentially considered at the end
of construction when the property could be evaluated for multiple things. A district designation or something
like it could include a property like the Ash property.
Board Member Willis wasn't strongly in agreement with the idea of a historic district. She reiterated that
the visual evidence, the monitor roofs, and the known history of the site supports designation of the what
was the central portion of the building.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz wondered if this fully responded to the question at hand.
Ms. Raybould noted that staff was looking for recommendation one way or another on the whole building,
so she asked that the start of the motion include a recommendation to either approve or deny the whole
building. However, she said they were not precluded from adding additional portions to the motion.
Board Member Willis remarked that she would like to make such a motion but would need to see a picture
of the building with dates of the different modifications.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz wondered about something suggesting that they would like to stand by
their original recommendation to evaluate the structure following construction but also to consider as part
of that the designation of the monitor roof structure.
Ms. Raybould reiterated that the first part of the motion should be approval or denial of the entire structure,
but that they may add other portions to the motion.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz thought it sounded like there was not currently support for designating the
entire building.
Board Member Wimmer thought the motion could be worded to say, in response to the applicant they
would like to designate the entire building but more specifically they would like to designate the character -
defining feature of the building, which is the monitor roof.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz did think they could designate a partial structure. The question was how
to incorporate that component into the motion when it refers to a future state of the building.
Ms. French restated the friendly amendment under discussion — "We would like the remaining structure
reevaluated after completion of construction, and in the interim, designate the monitor portion of the
building as a..." she added that they have never designated a portion of a building's character -defining
features as the structure itself.
Board Member Willis stressed that because the monitor portion was originally a separate structure, they
should accept that it won't be on the National Register, but they can still identify the early portion of the
building as a separate structure.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz felt that it will actually be more in that form after the construction.
Board Member Willis responded that she would be fine with it if there was a promise that nobody will do
any planning for the site in the meantime.
Ms. Raybould remarked that they would certainly be starting the planning process.
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Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz noted that for the developer to change the monitor roof section it would
require a significant additional process, since that design has already been approved, and it has been
decided that that portion would remain.
Board Member Willis remarked that the developer of the parcel was not designing the park.
Ms. Raybould responded that it is the City that is designing the park.
Board Member Willis questioned if the designer for the park and the affordable housing would be responsive
to the Board's preferences.
Board Member Wimmer commented that they may not have all the information they need to craft the
motion in a sensible way. She wondered about stating that the Board recommend that the whole site be a
historic district.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz thought they could stand by their original recommendation but emphasize
that the recommendation involved a reevaluation of the structure post construction, for inclusion on the
National Register, the State Register, Point of Interest, Local Register. She wondered about adding the
historic district category in the future.
Board Member Willis suggested that Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz call a vote on the motion because she
did not have support.
Ms. French asked for clarification on which motion currently was on the floor.
Board Member Wimmer wondered if they could re-agendize the item at a time when more Board members
were present.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz said they were required to respond.
Board Member Willis acknowledged that they could reevaluate the subject later. She stated that they should
vote on her original motion, seconded by Board Member Makinen, and go on from there.
Ms. French restated the original motion as, "...the central part of the building with the monitor roof, to be
placed on the Local Inventory as a Category II structure." This was seconded by Board Member Makinen.
The vote was taken. The motion carried (3-1).
Ms. French said the next step was to address what the applicant proposed for a recommendation to Council.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz moved to not advance the nomination of the either 340 Portage or 3225
Ash Street as Category I or II to the Local Historic Inventory. Seconded by Board Member Willis.
Board Member Wimmer asked for the reasoning behind the motion.
Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz explained that designating the entire building under current circumstances
will lead to confusion and problems down the road, and a it would be a designation that doesn't match the
eventual disposition of the building, which cannot be changed at this point.
Ms. French clarified the motion to state: "not to advance the nomination of either 340 Portage, as an entire
building, or 3225 Ash, as a Category I or Category II resource on the Local Historic Inventory."
Board Member Willis accepted the clarification, as the seconder.
The vote was taken. The motion carried, (3-1).
Approval of Minutes
Subcommittee Items
Board Member Questions, Comments, Announcements or Future Meetings and Agendas
Ms. French said the September 28th meeting has been cancelled. The next meeting will be October 12th.
Vice Chair Rohman will be absent. They have planned an evening community meeting at 6 p.m. on October
24th, to take up again the Historic Reconnaissance Survey and next steps, which is to discuss the
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nominations to the local inventory, and categories. The meeting scheduled for two days later, on the 26th,
will be cancelled.
Board Member Willis asked if the Board members could get a summary of how the meeting will play out
prior to the meeting.
Ms. French said there will be a staff report in the packet a week before the meeting. If they would like,
they could agendize discussion of it at the October 12th meeting.
Mayor Kou asked the Board to consider looking at some of the commercial properties that might have
historic significance and identify them ahead of time so that this process doesn't happen again.
Adjournment
Motion by Board Member Wimmer to adjourn. Seconded by Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz, the motion
carried unanimously by voice vote.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:18 a.m.
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Staff Report
CITY O
PALO
ALTO
Historic Resources Board
Staff Report
From: Jonathan Lait, Planning and Development Services Director
Lead Department: Planning and Development Services
Meeting Date: November 9, 2023
Report #: 2310-2164
TITLE
Approval of Historic Resources Board Draft Minutes of October 12, 2023
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Historic Resources Board (HRB) adopt the attached meeting minutes.
BACKGROUND
Attached are minutes for the following meeting(s):
• October 12, 2023
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: HRB 10.12 Minutes
AUTHOR/TITLE:
Amy French, Chief Planning Official
Item No. 5. Page 1 of 1
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CITY OF
PALO
ALTO
Call to Order/Roll Call
HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD MEETING
DRAFT MINUTES: October 12, 2023
Council Chamber & Virtual Zoom
8:30 A.M.
Present: Chair Alisa Eagleston-Cieslewicz; Board Members Caroline Willis; Michael Makinen, and
Margaret Wimmer, Gogo Heinrich, and Christian Pease
Absent: Vice Chair Samantha Rohman
Agenda Changes, Additions and Deletions
Public Comment
City Official Reports
1. Historic Resources Board Schedule of Meetings and Assignments
Ms. French advised the Board about meetings for the remainder of 2023. There will be a special community
meeting on Tuesday, October 24th, 6 p.m. It will be held in the Community Room and will be a presentation
by the consultant and staff. If interested, HRB members may participate. Ms. French said she has had initial
discussions with the Chair and Vice Chair regarding roles of the HRB members in the community meeting.
She said it will be an opportunity to fully understand the Historic Reconnaissance Survey. Owners of the
properties included in the survey will be receiving notice letters inviting them to the meeting.
Ms. French noted there will be meetings on November gth and December 14th. These meetings will be
focused on nominations of batches of properties. There will also be a regular meeting in January and a
special community meeting at the end of January or early February, which will be another evening meeting.
Board Member Willis asked when the notices would be going out.
Ms. French replied that it will be soon.
Board Member Heinrich asked to whom the notices will be going.
Ms. French replied they will be going to the owners of the properties for every address that they have on
record for the eligible properties. There will also be a notice in the newspaper regarding the community
meeting.
Board Member Heinrich asked if this would be in the Week/y.
Ms. French responded that they will be advertised in the Daily.
Mayor Kou commented that she is glad the HRB members will be part of the community meeting and she
hoped that they will have a bigger role than they did in the first meeting she attended. She hoped that
there would be discussion about their involvement in the community meetings moving forward.
Ms. French noted that one of the goals will be quarterly evening meetings of the HRB as part of the outreach
goal for the HRB work plan.
Board Member Willis asked if the DPR sheets associated with the properties will be sent out along with the
letters.
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Ms. French responded they could perhaps talk about that later, as she did not have that information on
hand.
Study Session
2. Study Session to Discuss Work Plan Goal 4, Including Timeline and Steps to Implement
Comprehensive Plan Policy L7.1.2 to Reassess Palo Alto Municipal Code Chapter 16.49,
Historic Preservation
Ms. French stated that the Board's mission for the meeting was to discuss Work Plan Goal 4. She noted
that the HRB had requested that all of the DPR forms for each property on the City's inventory be uploaded.
She reported that this has been done. Board members received a document containing the photos of the
properties in batch format. The actual forms have been uploaded, but not the photos.
Ms. French noted that, as part of their outreach, quarterly evening meetings are planned, and if the Board
wished to continue with these, it should be addressed in their bylaws. Regarding the review process Bulletin,
she has made the changes discussed by the Board at the retreat. Another work plan item was to review
incentives for rehabilitation. This is an item still to be completed. Another important item which has been
brought up in discussions of the survey is how the existing Ordinance applies. The Board is tasked with
reviewing the Ordinance with regard to its effectiveness, per Comprehensive Plan Policy L7.1.2.
Ms. French referenced the Bulletin, established in 2016, pointing out Group A and Group B as a group of
properties that are reviewed through different processes. Group A processes are properties Categories 1
and 2, plus Categories 3 and 4 when they are in Downtown or a locally -designated historic district. After
the HRB reviews modifications to properties, compliance with their recommendations is voluntary. The HRB
also reviews other significant properties.
Ms. French noted that part of the discussion for the Board was to consider the timing of the task of
Ordinance review as it relates to the upcoming survey meetings in addition to reviewing the Ordinance's
deficiencies and considering outreach and the process for amending the Code. One situation recently
encountered involved an application submitted to nominate someone else's property. The Code does not
address a situation in which the owner does not want to be listed. She said the State has a policy on this,
but Palo Alto does not have an explicitly stated policy. Ms. French said this is a question that Council will
have to deal with as they review nominations of properties. This would be an example of one issue that
should probably be changed and clarified in the Code.
Ms. French presented details on incentives and the webpage which explains them. She noted that many in
the community may not be aware of this page. The incentives are for rehabilitation of historic resources
per the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation. She suggested one approach for the HRB
would be to consider a simpler, clearer process for voluntary listing of a property for owners who may want
to place their property on the City's inventory. Other concepts could be discussed, such as workshops
addressing how property owners can take advantage of the incentives, or exploring additional ones through
use of a focus group. The tailored Mills Act program is also a potential incentive, including a financial benefit
for owners of listed properties.
Ms. French shared the Ordinance in its current form, including its standards for review. She presented a
slide detailing changes to the Ordinance made in the late 1990s. including a document provided by an
HRB member, who asked that it be distributed. She suggested that it is helpful to understand what
happened the last time there were changes to the City's Historic Preservation Code. She felt it would be
good for the Board to discuss potential timelines for this goal, especially concerning outreach and
community input on such things as procedures and criteria; what to do about National and California listed
resources that are not called out in the Ordinance and may not be on the local inventory; and discussing
pros and cons about enhancing protections. Currently, per the Code, Category 3 and 4 resources outside
the Downtown and Professorville are not protected. Demolition delay is only for Category 1 and 2 resources.
Ms. French suggested that the Board might want to talk about future surveys for older properties that
become eligible and what the process would be to add them if the Ordinance was clarified.
Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz invited questions from the Board.
Board Member Heinrich asked to go back to the slide, "Late 1990s Ordinance Change Process."
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Ms. French noted that Board Member Willis had provided this documentation from the past process.
Board Member Willis asked what the process is for amending the current Ordinance.
Ms. French responded that, ideally, the process would include outreach for public input. It would involve
the HRB. It could include an environmental assessment, including an environmental impact report.
Board Member Willis wondered about piecemeal changes, such as amending or adding definitions of
categories. She asked if minor changes would need approval and wondered if the process would require
them to evaluate the entire Ordinance at once.
Ms. French said that there would be a range of options. The Code has been amended in bits and pieces
over time. However, when it impacts property owners, she said she wouldn't advise piecemeal changes,
but instead to be very transparent and clear as to changes and their impacts.
Board Member Willis wondered if changes such as adding definitions or redefining categories would be any
different process. For example, Category 1's becoming "Landmark" or "Heritage," not involving any change
in effect, but a change in name only.
Ms. French thought that may seem less impactful, but reiterated the importance of transparency and
making sure the community understands why this was happening and whether it had any effect on any
properties involved.
Board Member Pease wanted to understand what the product of their work plan was to be. His
understanding was that they would be making a set of recommendations.
Ms. French agreed, stating that the HRB is a recommending body to the City Council.
Board Member Pease asked if they could address all of the questions in their set of recommendations.
Ms. French responded that the Board's latitude on recommendations is not constrained.
Board Member Pease asked what the next step would be after a document of recommendations was
completed by the Board.
Ms. French said the HRB's recommended changes to the Ordinance would be annotated. The Council would
review them. She added that the last time changes were made there was involvement with Title 18, and
this required review by the Planning and Transportation Commission which has purview over changes to
Title 18.
Board Member Pease wondered if they could make recommendations for new types of preservation
incentives.
Ms. French replied that yes, any incentives recommended by the HRB could be discussed with respect to
Chapter 16.49, the Historic Preservation Ordinance. However, if they have an effect on Title 18 with regard
to what an owner can do with their property, this would involve the Planning and Transportation
Commission.
Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz observed that any modification to the Ordinance is an extensive process
involving multiple commissions and the City Council.
Ms. French agreed.
Board Member Pease asked if they are free to determine the scope of what the Board wants to recommend.
Ms. French said they were, but added that it is not a quick and easy process.
Board Member Pease remarked that no one is expecting it to be quick and easy. The history presented
demonstrates that there is evidently no quick, easy process; however, being informed by that process may
help in reducing the complexity of the task currently at hand.
Ms. French agreed. She said one of the cautionary tales provided by the history was that multiple processes
were happening at the same time. People were being told their property was historic. Additionally, they did
not know which Ordinance was being referenced or what would be the effect. There was too much change
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all at once. An advantage of having a "stale" Ordinance was that they know what it is. It is when the
Ordinance is changed that people get confused as to what it means for them.
Board Member Pease commented regarding going through the inventory review process at the same time
as reviewing the Ordinance and wondered how to do it in an efficient way so that the inventory process
doesn't turn out to be irrelevant.
Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz asked for clarification of the State's position about listing a property against a
property owner's wishes.
Ms. French responded that the when there is a nomination to the State register, the property will not
actually be listed over the objections of the property owner. She said that would be the model for Board
and for the City Council when they consider nominations, although it is not stated in their Code.
Board Member Pease asked how a property owner is notified by the State that their property has been
nominated.
Ms. French said she didn't know but imagined it would be similar to what the Palo Alto does.
Board Member Heinrich if they would be breaking down into subcommittees to address the work plan tasks.
Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz thought they could, potentially, but the current item was to begin the discussion,
particularly within the context of the inventory update.
Board Member Heinrich said at the PAST meeting the previous evening they identified volunteers who
would be willing to work with the HRB on some of the work plan tasks.
Mayor Kou commented that as the Board worked on the Ordinance, they might want to engage with some
of the insurance agents, because many of the historical properties, based on their designation, may impact
insurance.
Hearing no further comments from the Board, Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz invited comments from the public.
John Bard [phonetic spelling], Palo Alto resident, says his wife, Maureen and he own one of the properties
on the eligible list. They are excited about living in an historic home and have put a lot of work into
preserving the character of the home. They purchased it from the previous owner, who had renovated it
and made improvements that were recognized as outstanding restoration work. They have been pleased
to live in the historic property for 23 years. They are concerned that being on the designated list may cause
a decrease in the value of their property because of the restrictions for potential future buyers who may
want to make alterations to the property and don't understand the complexities of the process and the
potential impact it might have on their flexibility to add new features or to upgrade the property. He said
there were many deficiencies in the design of their house in 1904. Some were addressed in the previous
renovation, but not all have been addressed. They want to make sure they have the flexibility to do those.
He said he felt the Board is headed in the right directions. The topics he is hearing about in the discussion
are the right ones to be considering. He felt it was important to look at the history, and it would be important
to have the public outreach, but to make sure that it is clear what the process is, what the impact could be
to the value of property owner's home going forward, and to also make sure they have good communication
of the incentives. He said he has been following this in the Week/yand also attended the previous workshop,
and it is still not clear to him what the incentives are for a homeowner to say, "Yes, I want to be on the
list." He realized this is the central issue the Board is trying to address. He said he and his wife live on a
very mixed block. Their home and the home next door would be on the list, but all of the surrounding
properties would not. Many of them are multifamily apartment buildings, with newer construction. Some
are older construction and would not be protected and could then be torn down. Some of the new designs
that have been approved encroach on setbacks and are too big, so he wanted to make sure that the policy
affects homeowners evenly.
Darlene Yaplee addressed the Board and said she attended the original meeting. She said there has not
been any outreach since the first meeting, so people have not been aware of the reconnaissance survey
results pertaining to their homes. She said they have not received a letter regarding the October meeting,
and if the letter went out that day, there would be less than 10 days for people to find out that their house
is on the results of the survey and to do some research in order to ask formal questions. She agreed with
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the previous speaker that it is important to answer some of the questions that were not answered at the
first meeting, as well as the current questions, such as what the incentives really are, what the implications
would be if the current Ordinance is changed and whether that would impact the current eligible or TBD
eligible houses. She has offered to help in the process, and she has not been taken up on her offer. She
said her offer is still available because she feels they should try to reduce the gap between what is shared
and what residents want to know. As an example, she referred to the slide regarding the Palo Alto Register
of Historical homes and said the register was initially intended to list no new properties until interested
owners began to nominate their properties. She asked how that intent relates to the process that will be
before the Board and how it should be interpreted.
Simon Firth, homeowner, commented he has a house that will potentially be listed as historic. He said he
sent a message to the Board the previous evening with some questions. He agreed with the previous
speakers. He said he was somewhat agnostic at present as to whether he would want his house listed, but
he would like to be asked. He said in their particular situation their house is listed as potentially unable to
be registered, because on the last survey it was listed as potential under the "historic persons" category in
the National Register, but not in the California Register. He explained that it was listed because of the man
who married one of the sisters who built the house — Jack Alby [phonetic spelling] — who was the local
constable. His wife, who built the house, was a local schoolteacher in Mayfield. Mr. Firth remarked that he
didn't understand why he gets privileged over her. His encouraged the Board to explore the historic persons
category and study who the people are and why they are picked out, whether it's just because they happen
to know about them. He gave another example — the house across the street from him and built by the
same builder as his own house. It is not listed either currently or as proposed, and it was built for a Stanford
professor. He said in his opinion a Stanford professor would be "as cool as a constable". He said one street
away from them is the house where Birge Clark's father lived, another Stanford professor, and thought to
be where Birge Clark grew up. It is not listed under either existing or proposed. He wondered if this is
because it was not known that he lived there, or some other reason. He felt that the "persons" category is
somewhat arbitrary and he wondered what the rules are for deciding why someone is important. He felt
they should eliminate that category and designate on architectural merit only, which would be more
straightforward. He suggested that one alternative would be to say that every building built before 1945,
for example, is bound to have had someone who was important in some way. His question was why register
some peoples' houses and not others under the "historic persons" category.
Ms. French informed the Board members that the email sent by Mr. Firth was sent to them the previous
day, close to 9:00.
Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz opened the conversation for discussion. She commented that, based on what
they just heard, and touching on a subject discussed with the consultants, the "historic persons" category
needs some clean-up. She agreed with the previous speaker that there may be some variability in how
people of importance have been selected. She thought since the time of the last historic survey that there
has been some evolution in the thinking of who may qualify. She felt it is important to re-evaluate that
particular type of designation both in terms of how it interacts with the Ordinance in formalizing the place,
but also in terms of how they view who is historically significant. She acknowledged that there is a move
to telling a diversity of stories that was perhaps not present in previous surveys that is an active part of
the discussion now.
Board Member Heinrich felt that the historic persons category is arbitrary, and she felt that unless
something significant happened in a building with the significant person, then that would qualify the
building to be registered. For example, the HP Garage. She said just because someone lived there, is too
arbitrary. Someone could have simply visited a friend, or composed a song while they were there. She
asked, would that make the building significant? She did not believe it would.
Board Member Willis said in regard to historic persons, part of what came up in the comments was one
building over another building. She said there is a house on the Stanford campus, an A.B. Clark house, and
it is the representation of his house. She said that they tend to pick the most significant house associated
with that person, so because someone lived there, there might be another property associated with them
that is more worthy of recognition. She felt that they should remember that the buildings are about their
history and stories and not repeating past mistakes. They should be about where they've been and how
far they've come. She said people that lived there are very much a part of that fabric. Most of them were
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not well-known, significant people, but were ordinary people, the kind that make the world go around. She
said in Palo Alto they are privileged to have had a lot of people who pushed the world pretty fast, more
than most communities. They have had some strong players in their history, and she felt it is important to
maintain those buildings as symbols of their past. They may not be architecturally significant but are
definitely historically significant.
Board Member Wimmer expressed appreciation for the members of the public who commented. She said
people being willing to speak to them is valuable to them, because it is direct feedback from people who
are impacted by what the Board is discussing. Hearing about their experience is very valuable. She noted
that they are collecting information from a subgroup, and she wondered if they could refer back to them
to continue the dialogue, which is what public outreach is all about. She wondered about having a specific
group of people who are willing to interact with them to share their responses and thoughts about how
they will be impacted. She observed that some have a more positive outlook on this, although there is still
a lot of negative input on the impacts. However, she felt this would be an important subgroup of people
that they could collect feedback from, if they are willing. Board Member Wimmer also commented on the
continued struggle with the incentives. She said they just don't have many. There may be better incentives
for owners of commercial buildings, but that does not apply to the homeowners that the Board is specifically
targeting in their current efforts. She said, for people who have a house that's on the potentially -eligible
list, before they are able to move forward with any permitting for architectural remodeling projects they
have to have an Environmental Impact Report done, which can cost around $7,000, because they have to
hire Page and Turnbull to do a report. She suggested that that could be an incentive — to eliminate the
owner having to absorb the cost of having their house looked at by a professional firm like Page and
Turnbull. Her thought was to have someone internal, like a specifically historic planning staff member who
could assist in assessing some of the properties. The incentive to the property owner would be avoiding
the high fees for getting more information about their property.
Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz thought this also spoke to the idea of making it easy for people who wish to list
their properties voluntarily. Currently the process is challenging and expensive. Finding a way to mitigate
the cost and the process for those who are raising their hand saying, "I would like to preserve my home,"
making it an easy and affordable process for them as well.
Board Member Wimmer said they did have a prior member, Debbie Shepherd, who owned a Category 2
historic home. Debbie had wanted to put her house on the register, but the cost was somewhere around
$15,000, and she didn't want to have to pay that much to go through the process. She said it's not so
much about getting something like a reduction on property taxes, but is more about being able to go
through the process without the exorbitant fees. She said that would be an incentive unto itself.
Board Member Willis wanted to clarify that the example Board Member Wimmer spoke of was to list the
property on the National Register, not the local inventory. It was a Category 2 on the local inventory.
Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz asked, when the City had a staff member in the Historic Preservation position,
was this process was something that they had been able to assist with.
Ms. French remarked that fees charged by private consulting firms with expertise, as noted by Board
Member Wimmer, is in the range of $4,000 to $7,000, because it is intensive work, requiring time to
research, prepare and review. The historic planner that the City previously employed would take a cursory
look at things, but did have the ability to develop an entire report that following all of the Secretary of the
Interior Standards guidelines. The historic planner had qualifications to look at certain things, like Mid -
Century Modern buildings or others not requiring as much research, and somewhat easier tasks than some
of the older buildings having more history and more associated persons and events.
Mayor Kou asked if the conversation about buildings included residential as well as commercial. She pointed
out that one of the public commentors said that they are willing to engage in helping review the Ordinance.
She agreed with Board Member Wimmer that it would be good to reach out to them. She said the Council
is coming up to a mid -year budget review in January or February. She thought it was perhaps a good time
to make a request for the costs associated with hiring a staff member dedicated to looking at the Historic
Ordinance and helping the Board in reviewing it. This could be proposed to Council for their review.
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Ms. French responded that they did have an ad posted to find a senior level historic planner, someone with
actual qualifications. So there will be staff if they are able to find them and hire and keep them.
Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz asked if the position requisition was open currently.
Ms. French thought it was about to be posted, but wasn't sure. She has not seen any results of the posting.
She said she will check on it and report back to the Board.
Board Member Wimmer thought that now is the time to have such a person, when embarking on this
possibly game -changing endeavor. She added that Ms. French has been doing an amazing job in the
meantime. In the absence of an actual historic planner, Ms. French has stepped for a number of years.
Ms. French noted that the last historic planner left in March of 2018.
Board Member Wimmer reiterated her appreciation for Ms. French's efforts in the meantime.
Board Member Pease remembered that when he was first on the Board the only thing he experienced was
very specific questions about very specific projects passed to the HRB from the Architectural Review Board.
He said it seems to him that the Historic Resources Board, and historic resources, includes a lot of things.
For example, they now have a museum in development. Also, there are other ways of preserving things
without physically preserving them. There are ways to create a historic record which is much more detailed
than they would otherwise have been, and this should be also part of what they consider an incentive.
Allowing such things in a way that is not as costly and is acceptable in terms of privacy and where they
wish to take their property.
Board Member Willis felt that it would be important to rephrase the incentives and put them in a better
context for people to be able to pick out which ones apply to them. They are in so many different locations
that it becomes a sort of puzzle. She thought they could save people time and frustration by rephrasing
and putting some of them in a different place on the webpage. She suggested grouping them more
according to who they apply to, while still referencing their location in the Code. Also in regard to the
webpage, she said she was disappointed to find the DPR sheets all grouped together. She said that scrolling
through them to find one you're interested in is not a great experience. She hoped it was not the end
result. She thought they could possibly apply for a state grant to help in such an endeavor, but she would
like to see them individually listed, with the ability to search for a property.
Board Member Heinrich said in regard to the incentives list that the PAST members are willing to help. They
already have their own document, but would be willing to make it more user-friendly and to post it on their
site if it can't be placed on the City's site in a timely manner.
Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz said she has heard that people have questions about what their responsibilities
are as an owner of a historic home on the registry. She said it is hard to pin down when searching the
website. Part of it is because it is situational, and also in some cases it is entirely voluntary. It is important
to conveying to people the fact that it doesn't impact their ability to renovate their kitchen or bathroom,
that improvement of their property is possible. Finding a way to make that very clear in the context of a
home that has a historic designation is important.
Ms. French acknowledged the labyrinth of webpages. She shared her screen and guided the group through
the steps in finding historic preservation information and incentives on the City's website. The initial path
is through Departments/Planning & Development/Historic Preservation. The Historic Preservation page has
numerous links under "Areas of Work." These links lead to entry points and details regarding the various
incentives and can further link to where they are found in the Municipal Code.
Ms. French commented that the question is how best to promote these and expand these incentives. She
agreed that people tend to get lost in the web pages despite efforts to help, including workshops,
community meetings, pamphlets, and using partners such as PAST. She offered the suggestion of a
potential subcommittee to focus on visibility and how and where to present things on the web pages, and
how to best partner with PAST.
Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz felt that outreach would be a good subcommittee. She added that this is an
interest of Vice Chair Rohman, so perhaps they could discuss it when she is in attendance. Chair Eagleston-
Cieslewicz also mentioned the Mills Act and noted that the Board has done a lot of work in developing that
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proposal, and it is something that could be of interest to homeowners and something that could be offered.
She wondered if it could simply go to Council without entailing a change to the Ordinance.
Ms. French responded that there is no Mills Act referenced in the Ordinance.
Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz wondered if Council could grant a Mills Act contract if they approved a Mills Act
program.
Ms. French pointed out that there is one Mills Act contract in the City, which they granted, extended, and
changed, in the past. She thought it could happen, but ideally they would have a more structured program
within a Code, or referred to in a Code, such as Chapter 16.49 or Title 18, although perhaps it could happen
without a Code amendment.
Board Member Heinrich wondered about getting started with subcommittees to get things rolling. She
envisioned one for outreach, one for developing the incentives list, perhaps one for the Mills Act.
Board Member Pease agreed but thought they should wait until the Vice Chair is in attendance.
Ms. French said they will plan to put formation of subcommittees for Mills Act, outreach and incentive
development on the agenda for the next meeting.
Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz asked if there were any other areas of interest that Board members wanted to
address.
Board Member Willis was interested in the Ordinance updates. She asked if there would be a problem with
her reaching out to some community members to start setting up an ad hoc committee.
Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz deferred to Ms. French as to whether such communications with the public is
permitted.
Ms. French thought that any member of the public could communicate to other members of the public. The
caution would be to not get ahead of themselves. Nominations would be brought forward at the very next
HRB meeting, so a buzz about changes to the Ordinance may be detrimental to the process they are in.
Board Member Willis said she thought the changes would evolve out of a conversation, as opposed to being
instantly obvious. She felt it was going to be a big project, and getting some input from the community as
well as some understanding of where they are presently would be a plus. She said she was not looking to
decide where the Ordinance goes in the next couple of months, but more looking at getting people to start
thinking about where they are and what they might want.
Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz commented that they do have the two public meetings coming up, focusing on
the inventory update, but they might be a great place to try to actively engage the community on what
they would like to see regarding any sort of changes to the Ordinance. She advocated at the public meeting
having people come and tell them what they think.
Board Member Heinrich noted that in regard to the meeting on the 24th, if PAST and the HRB could come
up with a simplified incentives list for the homeowners, handing it out at the meeting would be very
beneficial for people to understand what it will mean for them. She stated that going through the resources
herself, she couldn't figure out the process. She said the PAST members also have their list of what they
tell people. She suggested coming come up with one comprehensive page to hand to everyone explaining
the process currently to be on the list.
Ms. French suggested starting with the message, "It's okay to modify your house" — definitely anything
inside is not subject to review other than building permits. She thought the handout was a good idea. She
said she thought the plan was to send the notices for the October 24th meeting out 12 days in advance,
which is not well in advance, but they do expect to receive a lot of comments in the 10 to 12 days after
the notices go out.
Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz thought it was a great idea to have a handout available for attendees to be able
to look at that is a bit more condensed with everything in one place.
Board Member Willis thought, due to the short timeframe, it could just come from PAST. She said she
would be willing to help work on it.
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Ms. French asked Board Member Heinrich to reach out to her, and she could provide links to more details
that could be presented in a more general, FAQ -type, approach.
Board Member Pease thanked Ms. French for passing along Mr. Firth's letter the previous night and added
that he was sorry she was working at 9:00 until midnight. He said in the past he has used the general list
for communicating to the City Council and it seemed to pass directly through to them, because he
sometimes got responses. He wondered if there was a way if someone addresses the Board if it could just
be forwarded to their emails rather than having to have someone, Ms. French, make an intervention to
pass it along.
Ms. French said they could look into that and find out how it's done for other boards and commissions. She
said Mr. Firth sent his message in the evening, so it was forwarded right away, but it is a good question
whether those emails could go directly to the HRB members rather than to the staff, who then forwards it.
Board Member Wimmer referred to the community outreach meeting on the 24th. She asked if it was to be
in the same format as the first meeting and if the Board needed to do anything in preparation for the
meeting or in anticipation of what might occur. She wondered if Page and Turnbull would be there to field
questions. She wondered if it would be similar in format to the first meeting's question -and -answer, open -
to -the -public format.
Ms. French replied that they are developing an agenda for the meeting. It will be a combination of her
presenting, the consultant presenting, and being available for questions, and then having a role for HRB
members. She has communicated the agenda to the Chair and Vice Chair for discussion about roles of at
least the Chair and Vice Chair.
Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz invited all members who wished to come to be there. If there are those that are
interested in participating, whether simply to listen or to potentially respond to questions where they have
knowledge, she asked that they let her know. She said participation is encouraged.
Board Member Pease wondered how many people on the Board were planning to attend.
Chair Eagleston-Cieslewicz thought most were.
Board Member Wimmer recalled at the last meeting she attended by Zoom, which was fine because there
was nothing for her to respond to, no direct questions to the Board. But she was at least informed as to
what happened during the meeting, so that is also an option.
Ms. French noted that because it is a full Board invite and likely a quorum of members will be present, it
will be considered an HRB meeting as well as a community meeting. It will be held in the Community Room
which has the option to open up into the larger lobby area in the event of a large group.
Approval of Minutes
3. Approval of Historic Resources Board Draft Minutes of July 28, 2023
Motion by Board Member Willis to approve the minutes of the July 28, 2023, HRB meeting as amended.
Seconded by Board Member Pease, the motion carried (6-0-1) by voice vote.
Board Member Questions, Comments, Announcements or Future Meetings and Agendas
Board Member Heinrich reported on PAST activities. She noted that the HRB had talked about PAST
expanding their tours to reach all of the community, and she said they are more than willing to do that.
They do have a walking tour of Barron Park of historic homes. They will also look at doing the Mid -Century
Modern tours again. The Boyce Ashby tour will take place On Saturday, October 14th, meeting at 1001
Forest Avenue at 10:00. The College Terrace tour will be held On Saturday, October 215t, meeting at 2310
Yale, at 10:00. Board Member Heinrich reported that PAST is also willing to collaborate with the HRB on
whatever is needed, such as web pages, the inventory, outreach and the welcome packet for new
homeowners.
Adjournment
Motion by Board Member Pease to adjourn. Seconded by Board Member Heinrich, the motion carried
unanimously by voice vote.
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