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cm\historic\templates\North Park 2351 (Spencer House)
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NAME Spencer House REF. NO. 233
ADDRESS 2351 North Park Boulevard
CITY Santa Ana ZIP 92706 ORANGE COUNTY
YEAR BUILT 1927 LOCAL REGISTER CATEGORY: Key
HISTORIC DISTRICT N/A NEIGHBORHOOD Floral Park
NATIONAL REGISTER CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION C NATIONAL REGISTER STATUS CODE 4S
Location: Not for Publication Unrestricted
USGS 7.5” Quad Date: T R ¼ of ¼ of Sec : B.M.
Prehistoric Historic Both
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: Italian Renaissance
DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND RELATED TO PERIOD ARCHITECTURE:
The Italian Renaissance style is one of the revival styles that flourished between 1890 – 1935. The style is found in early 20th century
houses throughout the country. Primarily a style for architect-designed landmarks in major metropolitan areas prior to World War I,
vernacular interpretations spread widely with the perfection veneering techniques; most of these date from the 1920’s. The style
steadily declined in popularity through the 1930’s, and post-1940 examples are rare. The architecture tended to mimic more closely
their Italian predecessors than did the free interpretations of the preceding Italianate style. Among the most characteristic are recessed
entry porches and full-length first-story windows with arches above. The roof, except when flat, commonly has broad overhanging
boxed eaves. Common decorative details include quoins, roofline balustrades, classical door surrounds, molded cornices, and belt
courses. Stucco, masonry, or masonry-veneered walls are universal.
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CONSTRUCTION HISTORY: (Construction data, alterations, and date of alterations)
Year Built: 1927
Reroof: 1938
Kitchen
Remodel: 1957
Reroof: 1988
RELATED FEATURES: (Other important features such as barns, sheds, fences, prominent or unusual trees, or landscape)
Original detached garage located at the rear of the property.
DESCRIPTION: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, settings, and
boundaries.)
The asymmetrical two-story, low-pitched hipped roof house with wide projecting eaves and decorative cornices is centered with a
front facing platform porch which forms a recessed front entry. The one-story platform porch is supported by small-paired columns
and topped with a wrought iron railing. Full-length arched windows are located at the front and partial side elevations of the
first-story with less elaborate casement windows placed symmetrically throughout the remaining house. A second entrance is located
under a porte-cochere supported by small columns. The left, one-story wing has a third entrance with full-length arched double doors.
The house also has a second story patio supported by small columns. The wooden wall cladding of the exterior of the house
exemplifies earlier period Italianate style influence. The placement of plywood over beams and the addition of two skylights have
altered the porte-cochere.
HISTORIC HIGHLIGHTS:
The original owners of this home were Harry and Ella La Venia Spencer. Ella was the oldest child of Thomas J. and Susan H.
Mullinix. The Mullinix family moved from Texas and settled in Santa Ana in 1895. Harry Spencer was from England. He managed
the large bean warehouse for the Irvine Ranch and later was the warehouse foreman for the San Joaquin Ranch. Ella, after the death
of her husband in January 1951, transferred the property to her daughter and son-in-law, C. Kingsley Tuttle and Adelaide E. Tuttle.
Shortly thereafter, the property was transferred to Thomas C. and Alice M. Powell who resided in the home until 1971.
RESOURCE ATTRIBUTES: (List attributes and codes from Appendix 4 of Instructions for Recording Historical Resources, Office
of Historic Preservation.)
(HP2) Single-family property
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RESOURCES PRESENT:
Building Structure Object Site District Element of District Other
MOVED? No Yes Unknown Date: Original Location:
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: (Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme,
period, geographic scope, and integrity.)
This example of residential architecture is located in an elegant old Santa Ana neighborhood that has been informally been called
Floral Park since the mid-1920’s, when the first of its homes were built on the site of an orange grove. The area very quickly
established itself as one of the premier neighborhoods in the country, attracting wealthy residents who included the prominent
Segerstrom family and Maharajah Sir Yeshwant Ras Hokar – said to be the wealthiest man in the world at the time. The house is in
excellent condition and on its original site. Built in 1927, the house embodies the Italian renaissance style in the use of broad
overhanging eaves, a front facing single-story porch supported by columns and topped with an iron railing at the roofline forming a
recessed entry, and full-length first-story windows.
SUMMARY/CONCLUSION:
The building is characteristic of a significant period in the history of the City of Santa Ana and has a distinctive architectural style and
quality.
OWNER AND ADDRESS: Gary L. and Loretta Graham
2351 North Park Boulevard
Santa Ana, CA 92706
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RECORDED BY: (Name, affiliation, and address)
Irma Hernandez
City of Santa Ana, Planning Division
20 Civic Center Plaza, M-20, Santa Ana, CA 92702
DATE RECORDED: March 1, 2001
SURVEY TYPE: (Intensive, reconnaissance, or other)
Reconnaissance
REPORT CITATION: (Cite survey report and other sources)
City of Santa Ana Building Division Records
Orange County Assessor’s Office
REFERENCES: (List documents, date of publication, and page numbers. May also include oral interviews.)
Santa Ana Architectural Style Guide; Taking a Close Look at Historic Santa Ana
EVALUATOR: DATE OF EVALUATION:
EXPLANATION OF CODES:
• National Register Criteria for Evaluation: (From Appendix 7 of Instructions for Recording Historical Resources, Office of
Historic Preservation)
C: that embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or that represent the work
of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose
components may lack individual distinction.
• National Register Status Code: (From Appendix 2 of Instructions for Recording Historical Resources, Office of Historic
Preservation)
4S: The architectural integrity of the property is restored.