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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04 415 West Sixth StreetITEM #4 svlv- DATE: ("I- MARCH 24,2009 Inter -Com TO: PLANNING COMMISSION FROM: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT SUBJECT: TUSTIN HISTORIC REGISTER NOMINATION — 415 W. SIXTH STREET RECOMMENDATION That the Planning Commission approve the nomination of 415 West Sixth Street to the Tustin Historic Register Plaque Designation Program and select the most appropriate historical name and date of construction for the property. BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION Owners of historic homes or commercial buildings in Tustin are eligible to participate in the City's plaque designation program, called the Tustin Historic Register. The purpose of the voluntary program is to recognize Tustin's historic properties, educate the public, increase public interest in historic properties, and promote community pride. The bronze plaques purchased through the program may be mounted or set on metal stakes. Property owners who would like to participate are responsible for the cost, installation, and maintenance of the plaques. The plaques display the construction date of the building, up to two lines of text, and are identified with the words "Tustin Historic Register." Nomination forms are obtained from the Community Development Department. Anyone, including the Commission, may nominate properties. Tustin residents and property owners Jeff and Cherie Thompson submitted the attached nomination and supporting materials (Attachment A) for their residence at 415 West Sixth Street. Pursuant to the procedures approved by the City Council on November 6, 2007, the nomination was forwarded to the presidents of the Tustin Preservation Conservancy and Tustin Area Historical Society. The two groups were requested to collaborate and/or review the nomination, research the history of the property, and to note the most appropriate historical name and date of construction. The Preservation Conservancy transmitted the attached information (Attachment B) to the Community Development Department on March 10, 2009. The Historical Society has not provided any information pertaining to the nomination. The Victorian Italianate residence was built sometime between 1875 and 1880. The exact date of construction is unknown. However, the Thompsons estimate that the construction Planning Commission Report Tustin Historic Register -415 W. Sixth St. March 24, 2009 Page 2 was completed in 1878. The residence was built at 640 West First Street and was moved to its current location at 415 West Sixth Street in 1990. Based on information from various sources, it appears that James Morehead was the original builder and occupant of the home. Prominent residents have included William W. Martin, Charles and Alice Albee, and Orville Northup. Attorney Norman Schmeltzer converted the residence to law offices in 1977. The Thompson family orchestrated the 1990 move and have made many significant improvements to the home and property since that time. According to the City's 1990 Historical Survey, the house was commonly known as the Albee Mansion due to its long association with Charles and Alice Albee. However, appropriate historical names for the property may include "Thompson -Morehead House," W.W. Martin -Thompson House," or "Thompson-Albee House." It is recommended that the Planning Commission select one of these three names as the most appropriate historical name for the property. The date on the plaque should be "circa 1878." " (�fu, � t K1 , Z, = 7 ..-,� Scott Reekstin Senior Planner Attachment A — Nomination Form and supporting materials Attachment B — Information from Preservation Conservancy S:\Cdd\PCREP0RT\20MTustin Historic Register 415 W Sixth Street.doc January 26, 2009 Scott Reekstin Community Development City of Tustin 300 Centennial Way Tustin, CA 92780 Re; Tustin Historic Register Plaque Designation Program Nomination Form for 415 W. 6th Street, Tustin Dear Scott: This letter is to submit the Nomination Form for the Tustin Historic Register Plaque Designation Program for our home at 415 W. 6'h Street in Old Town Tustin. Enclosed with this letter are the following items for your review: 0 Nomination Form, referenced above 0 City of Tustin Historical Survey, except for the structure 0 The History of the Thompson -Morehead House, presentation We recommend the name of the house to be the Thompson -Morehead House in recognition of our family's collective effort over the last 20 years to relocate and restore the home to most of the original architecture (Thompson) and the original builder of the home (Morehead), based on historical documents we have been able to recover. If the City is interested, we would be available to present at a future Planning Commission for approval. Also, after review and consideration of this nomination, we would like to further explore recognition by the County and/or State Historic Register programs and would appreciate your guidance. Should you have any questions, please contact us at 714-231-6270. Sincerely, 9�6? Jeff R. Thompson 090111 Tustin Town Center Cmnmentsdoc t, Cherie A. Thompson 415 6th Street, Tustin, CA 92780.714/231-6270 CITY OF TUSTIN Community Development 300 Centeimial Way Tustin, CA 92780 (714) 573-8140 (714) .573-3113 For Office Use Only Case No._ Date Rnd� Rn•d. By �-�-----�� TU9M HISTORIC REGISTER PLAQUE DESIGNATION PROGRAM Thank you for nominating a property to die City's plaque designation program. The purpose of die plaque designation program is to recognize Tustin's historic properties, educate die public, increase public interest in historic properties and promote community pride. All properties listed in die Tustin Historical Resources Survey are eligible for nomination to die program. Owners of properties that are selected by the City's Planning Commission for the program are not obliged to purchase and/or display a plaque. Participation is completely voluntary. 7lie Planning Commission will consider the nomination in approximately six weeks. NOMINATED HISTORIC PROPERTY Historic Property Address: 415 W. 6th Street, formerly 640 W. 1" Street, Tustin Thompson -Morehead House (named atter the original builder Historic Structure Name (If any) 2url th, fam6iy Haat saved & restored the home) O of Historic l to (i(l�n�M) James Y. Morehead, purchased the lot in 1875 and so``i�le home in r Specify your reasons for the nomination (e.g. age of structure, architectural details, place in Tustin's history, former resident(s) were significant in Tustin history, etc.): The home dates back to the original subdivision of the City of Tustin, by founder Columbus Tustin. Also, the structure is one of the oldest remaining structures in the City today. The architecture provides one of the finest examples of Victorian a nano e, whicfi comprises a small group of less than 25 to Orange County. The home was also owned by noteworthy individuals of Tustin's history: 1887 William W. Martin, a builder; 1916 Charles and Alice Albee, iongEerm residence; 1944 Henry C. woliert, an interior ecora or; Orville Northup, Supermtenclent of Tustin Union High School; 1954 Henry Eastman, a local medical doctor; and 1977 Norman Schmeltzer, an architecture and home use. (see City of Tustin Historic Survey excerpt and The History of the Thompson - Your Jeff & Cherie Thompson Your Residence or Business Address 415 W. 6u' Street, Tustin CA Telephone Number (7 14 ) 731_6770 Your Signature C) IALN �Date t 1 75 / 09 CT -6 Be Completed by City Historic Designation: []Local State nNaUonal Listing in Historical Survey; []A LIB []C []D Location: []Within District []Outside Disuict ADDRESS: 640 1ST ST (W.) DATE: ca 1874 STYLE: VICT. - ITALIANATE SOURCE: RATING: E B ALTERATIONS: F HISTORICAL DISTRICT: ND COMMENT: DESCRIPTION: CITE ©1F TUSTIN H187ORKAL SURVEY One of Tustin's very fine Nor ltalianam structures, the two-story building shown here is now an office building. It still retains its basic elegance and architectural elements, even though much of the original trim has been removed. The hipped roof ends in a heavy cornice of enclosed wvcs. That is a hexagonal tower roof above the two-story slanted bay. Wide shiplap siding, trimmed with quarter -round at the comers, covers the exterior. The house is ell -shaped, with a single -storied porch occupying the entire ell, and the two-story slanted bay and m%vT;r roof projecting from the front wing of the ell. The windows arc ranked, with those on the first floor directly below and matching those on the second floor. Matching pairs an: used on she first and second floors now the cast end of the front facade, while each slanted bay contains three identical double -hung windows. Heavy wood cornices top well lintel and carved decoration accents the window sills. The windows on the front facade we all arched at the top, while those on the sides and back have rectangular tops. The shed -style porch roof is supponcd by square columns trimmed in molding. The frieze, also trimmed in molding, is no longer has its original brackets and paneled ornamentation- A two-story addition on the back features rows of multi -paned windows on the east side and a second story open balcony on the west side. There are less than 25 IWianwe homes remaining in all of Orange County. Preceding the Qucen Annc homes, most were built in the 1870's and 80's and deserve special recognition as the first major architectural style used in the settlement of Orange County. SIGNIFICANCE: Barbara Ann Lewis, sister of Columbus Tustin, sold the property to lames Y. Morehead for $700. on December 14, 1871. Morehead sold the property to Almon Goodwin for $3,500, on December 29, 1881. Goodwin may have built the house; he sold the 7.26 acre property in January, 1887 for 510,000 to William W. Mardn.The house pictured in an 1887 publication as the residcnoe of W. W. Martin. However, she house is commonly known as the 'Albee Mansion' due To its long association with Charles and Alice Alba. They are both listed as living at this address in the 1916 directory. Mrs. Albee was involved in deed transactions on pieces of the extensive property (once covered by avocado and orange trees) as late as 1943. Henry C. Wollers, an interior decorator, owned the house from 1944 to 1946. Orville Nonhup owned the house from 1947 to 1954, and was the Superintendent/Principal of Tustin Union High School from 1941 to 1961. Dr, Henry Eastman acquired the house in 1954 and made it into three apartments. His office nurse for nearly 20 years. Dorothy Deering, this address for nearly 20 years, believes that the house was built about 1874. In 1977. Attorney Norman SchmeliznT, converted the house to law offices and continues to use the building for office space. Two of the early owners of this house, W.W. Martin and the Charles Albus played a nujor sole in the primary settlement period of Tustin- Both owned large parcels of property which they sold to individual families for development. The Albers were significant to the citrus and avocado industries, major economic forces in the Tustin arca. Orville Northrop, as the principal of Tustin 1JIgh for 20 years, had considerable influence within the community. Dr Eastman served the community as a fansily physician for over 20 years. The house in its original halianam form was of National Register quality. The rather noticeable alterations which detract from the original integnty could be revasah The History of the Thompson -Morehead Hou Research Journey •Determination of Initial Construction • History of Changes •Nouse Move • Renovation Work 1874 - Present Researchjourney -KNIM a . Q h JO) (ow nt 1i a CITY OF TUSTIN HISTORICAL RESOURCES SURVEY REPORT uane� M meninx nna.ran.m, m.. "77w )rouse in its origiaal forin was of national register quality. Die rather noticeable alterations which detract frorn the original integrity could he reversed." • County of Orange Historic Courthouse - Records from 1.865-1874 and 1889 + (714) 834-2536 • First American Title Archives (714) 800-4724 • LA City Archives (213) 485-3510 • LA County Archives (213) 974-3429 • LA County Assessment Rolls (888) 807-2111 • LA County Museum (323) 857-6118 • LA Library (213) 763-3466 • USC Library (213) 740-4039 • LA County History Departulent (213) 763-3358 • Patricia Bumiing -Census Survey (buiu-dngp@IXahoo.com) The Original Subdivision - 1874 by Columbus Ttr>Iiu ....0 r Courtesy of Fi"t Ameriewt Title 4 Property Transfer History: 1874 - Present • 1874 - Subdivision by Columbus Tustin • 1875 - James Y. Morehead's $700 purchase • 1881 - Almon Goodwin's $3,500 purchase • 1887 - William W. Martin's $10,000 purchase • 1916 - Charles & Alice Albee • 1944 - Henry C. Wollert • 1947 - Orville Northup • 1954 - Dr. Henry Eastman, M.D. • 1977 - Norman Schmeltzer, Esq. • 1990 - David Melleli to Jeff & Cherie Thompson Book Publishing: History of Santa Ana, Los Angeles County 1887 ♦S—fh... : Uifernl. PP..M., 1i1STO NY GTY AND YALLET. MI h4MdulYl�ulMM1m. Early Historical Owners 1874 - Columbus Tustin (land only) 1875 - James Morehead $700 Original Construction 1881 - Almon Goodwin $3,500 1887 - William Martin $10,000* 'Typical increase in property values in 1880's Census Survey History - 1870 �aqr aQ_�-t: �'�mY�Y.IL LLW U��YYy\��Am� W..W�M4m 4YAt.YWm�QQSEW W.N Bemiou 1. I•c:. m /%�/a... :na-., gA�'_�Y%fothe Ceoghd_�Bww °E�mvmva4d 6ymv y ".: L�a/Iei0. a• A;,. d+�ewr. Residency by Columbus Tustin Courtesy of Patricia Bunning Census Survey History - 1880 A. [ONE IrWA.tiullw .�—��4y.,F.f__•e uea... �... 4�vw._.swk a.5 _e ..... m.o..edy16.4Jm, JMA �•-1, �1 �1 I � it � I — _._ ...._. to�v x 3. — Residency by Janes Morehead ---7777 Courtesy of Patricia Bunning Lot Purchase by fames Morehead 1875 Completion of house construction estimated at 1880 Residency by Jaines Morehead in census List of Transformations 1874 - Lot 1878 - Single Family Home 1954 - Apartments (3) 1977 - Law Office 1990 - House move & renovation The Deal The little house on First Street had to be demolished for the Historical Victorian House move... I W F Wii Prep Work Tuorder to male room }or the Victorian house, the house at 415 West fide Street had to be renaaved.,. Building from the Ground Up The basement had to he excavated and built before the house could be moved. Building from the Ground Up Talk of the Day F-TM1v nomv or eno.w one Jen rnomacan maxea u<.rry mne EI UWdk;.' pl MOVING DAY: A Tustin cou, Wpl soon will talars Ne he a .t io woke homefor Ne Grstl end Cherie NEN their century -old mansion, cha,Ya<.y ; a '. 'ove HistorEPGM Z '. M1 J e..<,Jala<: wlou lbs wM1,. , nli,.e ,nem ,h<mdl°M1 m Un W<M<ad.Y. crtw.Irvm Gll .w1 u I,L'I,I Imb w We <uth <ay' II Ilwu r G.Nmn 11.dCrewe pnl Ne realo naw, vro,Jery ryb ..e It as Theiniaetlh�ee JMlme ilm ,a�lnk a Mro,^w mvJ=,;tleo,la nub. c, m. ;mnm Dose moving °IJ nN Ieo<Ipy Wao hall 1. �. W. FlWSI, WSjouke,o gvNg 1 dW.Sitlb SI.. a.,;u« ns hlwolk dhvkl. <enc>dy Iwx ng�e nl tS I j b� non N IjyA I.W a d N yJ„t= p TUSTI c<himmn I mtaf AM1d<r Ndbr<ne1,<e iu"n Y' N if Ready, Set, GO! Moving Day TEMPORARY �)ARKING HOUSE MOVING 11I.M. - 7:AM. - TOW AWAY 11/0-20 YC224YI 0 I r ,11.. f - , 'I F bl u LI [1 u �1 U lJ - jr i .. hi OWEN= .. ,... .a„ 4• , fit I , _ � �'� • � I'C � ,:.µA!`_, \ Witp Summary of Costs (1990) Feature 640 West 1st / 415 West 6th Street Historical House Move feature Initial Coat Final Cost House move $25,000 $28,000 Pac Sell $2,000 $20,000 Cable TV $1,200 $5,500 SCE $500 $500 City Pees & Permits $16,000 - Traffic cigna Grading -liee trimming - Electrical, Gas/Phone - Night time permits - Water, Sewer, & HVAC - rmpeny move permlle - Garage -Arborist report - Roofing - Plate theck ices (est.) Subtotal $70,000 Summary of Costs (1990), cont. Feature Cost Potential Fees -Rchual district $25,000 - Sewer cnnnectlan $2,500 -%Vote, rafter $7;500 -Roadway lees $5,000 - Litigation (cable "FV) nut detsmrined Subtotal $34,500 Building Engineering/Geotech - Demolition (both lots) Grading - foundation & Basementundetemvned - Electrical, Gas/Phone - Water, Sewer, & HVAC - Repairsl - Garage - Roofing Summary of Costs (1990), cont. But the house was FREE! Re vati'o . Ren n Work or Integrated Rain Gutter and Roof Restoration i Before Victorian Landscape Architecture with concept design by Keith Rattaq, Designer of Ninon Library Promenade �I Front Door Restoration n r. Before h Front Door Restoration ME of J 1( of Cornice Brackets Restoration N f �I h Dentals Renovation - Pending E.rmnple: i i Frrrr�rr�r�� A Rear Porches Construction Guest Room Restoration >; Before i . 7 Transitioning Colors Color recommendation by Haus Aaderle / Bassenian-Lagoni Architects L and Katie Olsen / Wait Disney Irnagineering Ol m 1 11�leu - - �_m, Special Thanks to Lauren Thompson Photosbyloxom Special Event Photograph - For Photos & Presentation - Board of Dircctors Lindafenrtings, Preodeat 1881 Brcnt A. rerdig 1887 Scot Lewis - Iauta Sinani 1944 up Srniti, 1947 Heidi Brown Tustin Preservation Conservancy MA&b Brown 350 South B Street 1'i"db"rg1't"f`Ph"s°° Old Town Tustin, California 92780 torn UcBcncdctt. March 10, 2009 Scott Reekstin Senior Planner City of Tustin 300 Centennial Way Tustin, CA 92780 RE: HISTORIC REGISTER NOMINATION — 415 WEST 6TH STREET Dear Mr. Reekstin, The following are my research findings in regards to the property located at 415 West 6h Street: • Architectural Style: Victorian Italianate • Year Built: 1874 The primary period for Victorian Italianate was 1840 to 1890 and drew from the style of country villas in the Old World. The early use of the Italianate style was first introduced in England and became popular in the United States. Among the Victorian house styles, Italianate is one of the most common. The style emphasizes balance and proportions. The most common features of an Italianate building are a low, hipped roof, with brackets along the eaves. Windows are an important element of the Italianate house. Most of the windows in this style were tall and are curved along the top. One or two story bay windows are a common feature. The house on 415 West 6th Street reflects these common Italianate features. This home was built during the real estate boom of the 1880's. Instead of the few "settlers' shacks" that were part of the 1870's, this was one of the several elegant Victorian houses that was built during the 1880's and 1890's. This is an important structure as it reflects a change in the community and the residents in Tustin City at the end of the 19th century. Early Ownership of the House Currently Located on 415 West 6th Street 1875 James Y. Morehead 1881 Almon Goodwin 1887 William W. Martin 1916 Charles Albee 1944 Henry C. Wollert 1947 Orville Northup 1954 Dr. Henry Eastman, M.D. Making his home in Tustin City in 1880, Almon Goodwin and his family were one of the early settlers. Mr. Goodwin lived in Tustin City until his death in 1885. His wife, Amantha Goodwin owned the home until it was sold to W. W. Martin in l 887. W.W. Martin was also an early settler of Tustin City. Per a Historical Sketch of the Tustin District by C.E. Utt, he states "I remember among those resident in the neighborhood (1874), besides the Tustin family were: Silas Ritchey, G.W. Freeman, Tom Vestal, C.W. Wilcox, Andrew Mills, I. M. Liehy, W.W. Martin and A. McNaughton". From this account, "Wash" W. Martin was one of the earliest settlers of Tustin. Martin was a driving force in the Tustin Land & Improvement Company. It was incorporated in 1886 and immediately started buying up property to subdivide and develop as part of the real estate boom of the 1880's. Mr. Marin was also involved in another enterprise resulting from the boom of the eighties, the Bank of Tustin. The Bank of Tustin was organized and capitalized by many of the shareholders of the Tustin Land and Improvement Company. Mr. Martin served on the first Board of Directors when the bank was established in 1888. Other early owners of the home were involved in the history of Tustin. Charles Albee was in the citrus and avocado industries in the Tustin area. Orville Northup served as principal of Tustin Union High School from 1941 to 1962. Dr. Henry Eastman served the Tustin community as a family physician for over 20 years. The Thompson family is responsible for "saving" this important historic resource. With its original location at 640 West 1" Street, the home would have been tom down for development. The Thompson's invested their time and financial resources to move the historic home to West 6° Street in Old Town Tustin. The improvements that were made to the original structure were done in the Victorian Italianate style. Based on the research of this property and the owners of the house, I feel the most historic name for this property would be W.W. Martin -Thompson House Brent A. Ferdig Board of Director Tustin Preservation Conservancy References: City of Tustin Residential Design Guidelines- August 15, 1994 City of Tustin Historical Survey- June 1990 Tustin: A City of Trees An Illustrated History, Carol Jordan -1996 History of Orange County, Volumel, Mrs. J.E. Pleasants-1931 Architecture & Sculpture -A Review of Victorian Architecture Styles-erasofelegance.com European Influence -The ltalianate style claims a big place in Victorian architecture -Roby Sekula- Hillhousepubl ishing.com