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HomeMy WebLinkAbout000504_Template-Alexander_1116NFrench.pdfPage 1 of 4 LL\HRC\category alexander 06-19-00 NAME Alexander House REF. NO. 127 ADDRESS 1116 North French Street CITY Santa Ana ZIP 92701 ORANGE COUNTY YEAR BUILT 1912 LOCAL REGISTER CATEGORY: Landmark HISTORIC DISTRICT French Park NEIGHBORHOOD French Park NATIONAL REGISTER CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION B, C NATIONAL REGISTER STATUS CODE 1D Location: Not for Publication Unrestricted USGS 7.5” Quad Date: T R ¼ of ¼ of Sec : B.M. Prehistoric Historic Both ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: Craftsman Bungalow DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND RELATED TO PERIOD ARCHITECTURE: The architectural style terminology is adapted from the National Register Bulletin 16A. The Craftsman Bungalow architectural style is an early 20th century American movement, developed by Charles and Henry Greene of Pasadena, California. The height of the movement is between 1900 and 1920’s. The Craftsman Bungalow is characterized by the use of natural wood for exposed massive beams and rafters and exterior siding. Some of the most prominent features are: low pitched gabled roof with wide overhangs and projecting brackets; the emphasis on horizontal shapes informally arranged; the use of shingles as exterior finish; broad, gabled entry porches; no applied ornament; creek rock foundations and porches. Many houses include Japanese and Swiss influences in their exterior detailing. Page 2 of 4 LL\HRC\category alexander 06-19-00 CONSTRUCTION HISTORY: (Construction data, alterations, and date of alterations) Year Built: Alterations: Repairs: Reroof: Reroof: Garage replaced: Reroof: 1912 July 8, 1927 November 20, 1928 June 2, 1930 December 2, 1943 February 8, 1991 September 6, 1994 RELATED FEATURES: (Other important features such as barns, sheds, fences, prominent or unusual trees, or landscape) None identified DESCRIPTION: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, settings, and boundaries.) This two story, single family dwelling is topped with low-pitched gabled roofs with wide eaves accented with triangular-shaped knee braces, horizontal lath venting, and exposed rafter tails. Neat rows of alternating long and short wood shingles cover the second story of the house. Original stucco cladding covers the first story. Double-hung windows, with some having vertical muntins in the top half are used throughout the second floor. The single storied wrap-around porch features a front-facing open gable resting on a single beam which supports the gable and forms the top of the pergola to the north of the porch. Pairs of square posts, resting on stucco-clad piers, support the Oriental influenced porch. Carved beams extend from the front façade of the house to the crossbeam at the front of the porch. Single four by sixes form the railings between the piers. A large plate glass window is located to the north of the wide front door, accented with three narrow vertical beveled glass windows. Sidelights flank the door. The wide front steps are made of concrete and bordered with stucco-clad piers. The original garage was replaced in 1991. No records exist of the freestanding entry trellis located in front of the garage. HISTORIC HIGHLIGHTS: Thomas Jefferson and Mary Alexander are believed to be the first occupants of the house, along with their son James. Thomas was the postmaster, and later his son James was appointed assistant postmaster in 1899. Records indicate that James later lived at 1112 N. French. He served as assistant postmaster for over 30 years. Sidney and Josephine Druce later purchased the house. Sidney was a partner in the Druce Bros. Poultry Ranch, widely known for its production of white leghorn chickens. Josephine was the Alexander’s daughter. RESOURCE ATTRIBUTES: (List attributes and codes from Appendix 4 of Instructions for Recording Historical Resources, Office of Historic Preservation) (HP2) Single Family Property Page 3 of 4 LL\HRC\category alexander 06-19-00 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 during the City of Santa Ana’s early formation years is located in French Park Historic District. This two-story single family dwelling was built during the height of the development of French Park, a residential district advertised as the “Nob Hill” of Orange County. French Park was home to many prominent businessman, doctors, bankers, attorneys and civil servants from 1880 to the early 1940’s. This house is in excellent condition, in an unaltered state, and on its original site. One of the best examples of Craftsman bungalow architecture in the City, it embodies fine features of the Craftsman movement. Horizontal lines are accentuated by low pitched roofs, detailing around the fenestration, wood shingle cladding on the second floor, grouped casement windows, and picture windows on the first floor. SUMMARY/CONCLUSION: This is an exceptional example of a Craftsman Bungalow and has a unique architectural significance. Oriental influences present in the detailing of the building include low-pitched gable roofs, a large porch, and a pergola with carved beam-ends. This building has a historic significance to the City of Santa Ana because of its association with the Alexander family, an influential family during the formative years of the City.. OWNER AND ADDRESS: Janice and Jon Gothold 1116 North French Street Santa Ana, CA 92701 Page 4 of 4 LL\HRC\category alexander 06-19-00 RECORDED BY: (Name, affiliation, and address) Lucy Linnaus City of Santa Ana, Planning Division 20 Civic Center Plaza M-20, Santa Ana, CA 927-2 DATE RECORDED: May 4, 2000 SURVEY TYPE: (Intensive, reconnaissance, or other) Reconnaissance REPORT CITATION: (Cite survey report and other sources) National Register of Historic Places Application for French Park Historic District Santa Ana Historic Register Application Form REFERENCES: (List documents, date of publication, and page numbers. May also include oral interviews.) City of Santa Ana Building Division Records Orange County Assessors Office 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) B: that are associated with the lives of persons significant to our past 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) 1D: Contributor to a listed district.