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HomeMy WebLinkAbout030201_Template-RussellHouse_2009NVictoria.pdfState of California  The Resources Agency Primary #______________________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #__________________________________________________ PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial______________________________________________ NRHP Status Code_____________________________________ Other Listings_____________________________________________________________________ Review Code________ Reviewer________________________ Date_______________ Page _1_ of _4_ Resource name(s) or number (assigned by recorder) Russell House P1. Other Identifier: *P2. Location: Not for Publication Unrestricted *a. County Orange County *b. USGS 7.5’ Quad TCA 1725 Date: *c. Address 2009 North Victoria Drive City Santa Ana Zip 92706 *e. Other Locational Data: Assessor’s Parcel Number 002-151-13; ORANGE GROVE TR LOT S 130 FT N 277.6 FT E 293.5 FT, EX 3 13 FT W 173.5 FT & ST. *P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries.) One of the most impressive houses on North Victoria Drive, this is a two and one-half story brick residence in the Neo- Classical Revival style. The house consists of a two-story, symmetrically composed, center block that is five bays wide, a one-story, one-bay wing set back on the south, and a two-story, one-bay wing set back on the north. A side-gabled roof with shallow, bracketed eaves caps the two story sections while a flat roof with a parapet balustrade tops the one-story wing. The central block is framed by large brick chimneys which emerge from the roof at either end of the ridgeline. Two front-gabled dormers are evenly spaced on either side of the two-story portico that is the focal point of the design. Supported by four fluted, Tuscan columns, the portico entablature consists of an architrave, frieze, bracketed horizontal cornice, and pediment containing a lunette vent. Two-story piers frame the entry, a six-panel door and sidelights surmounted by a fanlight, and a (See Continuation Sheet 3 of 4.) *P3b. Resource Attributes: (list attributes and codes) HP2. Single-family Property *P4. Resources Present: Building Structure Object Site District Element of District Other P5b. Photo: (view and date) West elevation January 2003 *P6. Date Constructed/Age and Sources: historic 1927 / Source: City of Santa Ana building permits. *P7. Owner and Address: Dale E & Margaret R Quayle 2009 North Victoria Drive Santa Ana, CA 92706 *P8. Recorded by: Leslie J. Heumann, Peter C. Moruzzi SAIC 35 S. Raymond Ave. # 204 Pasadena, CA 91105 *P9. Date Recorded: February 1, 2003 *P10. Survey Type: Intensive Survey *P11. Report Citation: (Cite survey report and other sources, or enter “none”) None. *Attachments: None Location Map Sketch Map Continuation Sheet Building, Structure, and Object Record Archaeological Record District Record Linear Feature Record Milling Station Record Rock Art Record Artifact Record Photograph Record Other (list) DPR 523A (1/95) *Required information P5a. Photo 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 #: Russell House B1. Historic Name: Russell House B2. Common Name: Same B3. Original Use: Single-family Residence B4. Present Use: Single-family Residence *B5. Architectural Style: Neo-Classical Revival *B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations): August 20, 1927. Residence and garage. Owner, Roy Russell. $20,000. April 10, 1933. Rebuild two brick chimneys. $20. June 24, 1976. Private pool and spa for David Ure. $8,550. November 12, 1986. Add 14’ x 16’ storage shed. August 16, 1988. Metal fence, 7’9”. *B7. Moved? No Yes Unknown Date:__________ Original Location:_____________________________ *B8. Related Features: Detached garage, mature redwood and pine trees in front yard. B9a. Architect: Unknown b. Builder: Unknown *B10. Significance: Theme Residential Architecture Area Santa Ana Period of Significance: circa 1888-1953 Property Type: Single-family Residence Applicable Criteria: B, C (Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity) The Russell House is architecturally distinguished as an outstanding example of the Neo-Classical Revival style. Its period revival design, substantial scale, and generous setback contribute to the elegant and distinctive streetscape on North Victoria Drive. It is also notable for its historic associations, as this was the first house that developer Roy Russell constructed on North Victoria Drive. Built in 1927, the house cost $20,000, a significant sum at the time and more than Russell spent on the other houses he constructed and sold on the street. This was Russell’s own residence from 1927 until 1934, according to City of Santa Ana Building Permits and Orange County Directories. According to his grandson, also Roy Russell (Junior), his grandmother, Maurine Russell, wanted a “southern” style home (personal communication, February 22, 2003). From 1935 until at least 1956, the house was owned by Hugh A. and Ethel B. Gerard. Mr. Gerard was President and General Manager of Alpha Beta Food Market, Inc., the food market chain that was founded in Santa Ana. (See Continuation Sheet 3 of 4.) B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) *B12. References: City of Santa Ana Building Permits Santa Ana History Room Collection, Santa Ana Public Library Sanborn Maps (See Continuation Sheet 4 of 4.) B13. Remarks: *B14. Evaluator: Leslie J. Heumann *Date of Evaluation: February 1, 2003 DPR 523B (1/95) *Required information Sketch Map (This space reserved for official comments.) Russell House 2009 North Victoria Dr. State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # _____________________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # ________________________________________________ CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial _____________________________________________ Page 3_ of 4_ Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) Russell House *Recorded by Leslie J. Heumann, Peter C. Moruzzi, SAIC *Date February 1, 2003 ⌧ Continuation Update DPR 523L *P3a. Description (continued): French door opening onto a wrought iron balcony that is centered above the entry. A wrought iron lantern hangs from the portico ceiling. On each side of the portico, pairs of identical bays contain six-over-six double-hung sash windows flanked by wood shutters. Similar windows are located in the side wings. Lintels are marked by soldier brick courses while sills consist of projecting headers. A brick pathway bisects the front lawn, leading to shallow porch stairs, also of brick surrounds. Mature redwood and pine trees accent the lawn on either side of the path. Near the north edge of the property, a concrete driveway leads to an original three-car garage with a roof and cladding similar to the residence. The house appears original and is in excellent condition. *B10. Significance (continued): The Russell House is located in Floral Park, a neighborhood northwest of downtown Santa Ana bounded by West Seventeenth Street, North Flower Street, Riverside Drive, and Broadway. Groves of oranges, avocados, and walnuts and widely scattered ranch houses characterized this area before 1920. Developer and builder Allison Honer (1897-1981), credited as the subdivider and builder of a major portion of northwest Santa Ana, arrived in Santa Ana from Beaver Falls, New York in 1922 (Talbert, pages 353-356). “Before nightfall on the day of his arrival, Mr. Honer purchased a parcel of land. And that month, he began building custom homes in Santa Ana” (Orange County Register, September 15, 1981). The parcel chosen became the Floral Park subdivision between Seventeenth Street and Santiago Creek. “When built in the 1920s, the Floral Park homes were the most lavish and expensive in the area. They sold for about $45,000 each” (Orange County Register, September 15, 1981). Revival architecture in a wide variety of romantic styles was celebrated in the 1920s and 1930s and Floral Park showcased examples of the English Tudor, French Norman, Spanish Colonial, and Colonial Revival. The Allison Honer Construction Company went on to complete such notable projects as the 1935 Art Deco styled Old Santa Ana City Hall, the El Toro Marine Base during World War II, and the 1960 Honer Shopping Plaza. Honer lived in the neighborhood he had helped to create, at 615 West Santa Clara Avenue. In the late 1920s and 1930s, another builder, Roy Roscoe Russell (1881-1965), continued developing the groves of Floral Park. An early Russell project was his 1928 subdivision of Victoria Drive between West Nineteenth Street and West Santa Clara Avenue. The homes were quite grand and displayed various revival styles, including Russell’s own large, Neo- Classical Revival mansion at 2009 Victoria Drive. In the early post World War II years, Floral Park continued its development as numerous, smaller, single-family houses were built. Continuing in the Floral Park tradition, they were mostly revival in style. In the 1950s, low, horizontal Ranch Style houses completed the growth of Floral Park. Today (2003) Floral Park maintains its identity as the premier neighborhood of Santa Ana, historically home to many affluent and prominent citizens. The Russell House appears eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and the California Register of Historical Resources. It also qualifies for listing in the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties under Criterion 1 for its embodiment of the distinguishing characteristics of the Neo-Classical Revival style. It is a particularly harmonious example of the genre, and showcases the signature features of the style: a two-story portico defined by classical columns and entablature, brick cladding, shuttered six-over-six windows, fanlight topped entry, side-gabled roof accented by dormers, and overall symmetry. The Russell House also qualifies for listing in the Santa Ana Register under Criterion 4b as the original home of Roy Russell, an important figure in the development of Santa Ana in general and of Victoria Drive, possibly the most prestigious street of large residences in the City, in particular. The house also contributes to the historic character of the Floral Park neighborhood through its age, style, scale, and historic association with prominent members of the local business community. Additionally, the house has been categorized as “Landmark” for its unique architectural significance as an example of the Neo-Classical Revival style that contributes to the historic streetscape of North Victoria Drive. All original and restored exterior features of the Russell House are considered character defining and should be preserved. These features include, but may not be limited to: materials (wood and brick) and finishes (brick and clapboard); roof configuration and treatment, including dormers; massing and composition; portico; doors and windows; architectural detailing (columns, pilasters, fanlight, wrought iron lamp, etc.); brick chimneys, and original garage. State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # _____________________________________________ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # ________________________________________________ CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial _____________________________________________ Page 4_ of 4_ Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) Russell House *Recorded by Leslie J. Heumann, Peter C. Moruzzi, SAIC *Date February 1, 2003 ⌧ Continuation Update DPR 523L *B12. References (continued): Harris, Cyril M. American Architecture: An Illustrated Encyclopedia. New York, WW Norton, 1998. Marsh, Diann. Santa Ana, An Illustrated History. Encinitas, Heritage Publishing, 1994. McAlester, Virginia and Lee. A Field Guide to American Houses. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1984. National Register Bulletin 16A. “How to Complete the National Register Registration Form.” Washington DC: National Register Branch, National Park Service, US Dept. of the Interior, 1991. Office of Historic Preservation. “Instructions for Recording Historical Resources.” Sacramento: March 1995. “Alison Honer Dies at 84,” The Santa Ana Journal, September 21, 1981. “Builder of Honer Plaza Dies,” Orange County Register, September 15, 1981. “History of Floral Park.” http://www.floral-park.com/page2.html Talbert, Thomas (editor-in-chief). Historical Volume and Reference Works Including Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens, Volume I. Whittier, Historical Publishers, 1963. Armor, Samuel. History of Orange County. 1921. Orange County Directories, 1929-1941, 1945. “2001 Floral Park Home and Garden Tour,” April 28 and 29, 2001. Floral Park Neighborhood Association.