Laserfiche WebLink
HRCA No. 2024-11, HRC No. 2024-09, HPPA No. 2024-13 — Halsell House (2424 N. <br />Oakmont Avenue) <br />January 29, 2026 <br />Page 3 <br />a few areas of "high class residence construction" in the city (Santa Ana Daily Register <br />November 8, 1923). Halsell remained at the subject property until his death in 1954. Upon <br />his passing, Halsell's estate was transferred to the Halsell Foundation, which he <br />established "for the cultural and religious benefit of the people of Orange County" (The <br />Register October 26, 1954). The Halsell Foundation remains in operation to this day. <br />City directories and newspaper articles show that by 1960, F.H. Schroeder lived at this <br />address, followed by David Schroeder. Gordon and Maureen Bricken acquired and <br />moved into the property by 1973, living there into the 21 st century. Gordon had a two - <br />decade career in local politics, serving on the City's Planning Commission from 1964 to <br />1974, on the City Council in the 1970s and 1980s, and as mayor from 1981 to 1983. <br />During his tenure as mayor, his leadership was linked to such projects as the Orange <br />County World Trade Center, Santa Ana Train Station, and more generally, the <br />"revitalization" of the Civic Center area (Los Angeles Times June 28, 2013). City planning <br />records show the property's current owners and residents Tilly Gurman Lance and <br />Uradomo took ownership of the property in 2023. <br />The Halsell House is a highly intact example of a one -to -two-story, Colonial Revival -style, <br />single-family residence with two detached ancillary buildings. The residence is <br />characterized by a rough L-plan, hipped roof with asphalt shingles and slight eaves, and <br />principally stucco exterior cladding, augmented with wood lap siding on the second story <br />of the primary (east) fagade. Architectural detailing is concentrated on the primary fagade, <br />as typified by the recessed main entrance. At that location, a Classically inspired molded <br />surround features fluted pilasters appearing to support a broken pediment with prominent <br />dentils and a finial. Within the recess the walls are embellished with a simple rectangular <br />molding, while operable sidelights flank the wood -panel front door and a wrought iron <br />lamp is suspended from the ceiling. Other details include Classically inspired molding on <br />the bay window to the left of the entrance, a small balconet on the wood -clad second <br />story, and a fluted belt course. Windows on the primary fagade are varied; in addition to <br />the aforementioned bay window, the main exterior includes a multi -light porthole window, <br />segmental arch multi -light window with ornamental shutters, and multi -light double -hung <br />wood sash and casement windows. <br />The rear and side elevations are comparatively restrained in appearance. These areas <br />are characterized by stucco cladding and multi -light double -hung wood -sash windows. At <br />the rear court, a trio of non -original glazed double doors opens from the west fagade of <br />the single -story mass. The adjacent patio is enclosed with a four -foot -high stuccoed wall <br />with wood -plank gates at three locations. <br />There are two buildings at the rear of the property, the original detached garage and a <br />shop building constructed circa 1991. The detached garage was constructed in a style <br />similar to the residence (Figure 8). It has a rectangular plan, hipped roof with asphalt <br />shingles and slight eaves, and stucco siding. A non -original metal roll -up garage door is <br />located on the main (east) fagade, opening toward a concrete -paved driveway leading to <br />