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<br /> State of California - The Resources Agency Primary #
<br /> DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
<br /> CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial
<br /> Page 3 of 3 Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) Was House
<br /> 'Recorded by Leslie J. Neumann, Peter C. Moruzzi, SAIC "Date February 1, 2003 IM Continuation ? Update
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<br /> "133a. Description (continued):
<br /> A concrete driveway near the north side of the property leads to an original two-car detached garage with roof form, roof
<br /> pitch, and cladding similar in style to the residence. Landscaping consists of low shrubs, a large pine tree, several young
<br /> trees, and an expansive front lawn. The house appears original and is in good condition.
<br /> `B10. Significance (continued):
<br /> The Was House is located in Floral Park, a neighborhood northwest of downtown Santa Ana bounded by West Seventeenth
<br /> Street, North Flower Street, Riverside Drive, and Broadway. Groves of oranges, avocados, and walnuts and widely
<br /> scattered ranch houses characterized this area before 1920. Developer and builder Allison Honer (1897-1981), credited as
<br /> the subdivider and builder of a major portion of northwest Santa Ana, arrived in Santa Ana from Beaver Falls, New York in
<br /> 1922 (Talbert, pages 353-356). "Before nightfall on the day of his arrival, Mr. Honer purchased a parcel of land. And that
<br /> month, he began building custom homes in Santa Ana" (Orange County Register. September 15, 1981). The parcel chosen
<br /> became the Floral Park subdivision between Seventeenth Street and Santiago Creek. "When built in the 1920s, the Floral
<br /> Park homes were the most lavish and expensive in the area. They sold for about $45,000 each" (Orange County Register.
<br /> September 15, 1981). Revival architecture in a wide variety of romantic styles was celebrated in the 1920s and 1930s and
<br /> Floral Park showcased examples of the English Tudor, French Norman, Spanish Colonial, and Colonial Revival. The Allison
<br /> Honer Construction Company went on to complete such notable projects as the 1935 Art Deco styled Old Santa Ana City
<br /> Hall, the El Toro Marine Base during World War 11, and the 1960 Honer Shopping Plaza. Honer lived in the neighborhood
<br /> he had helped to create, at 615 West Santa Clara Avenue.
<br /> In the late 1920s and 1930s, another builder, Roy Roscoe Russell (1881-1965), continued developing the groves of Floral
<br /> Park. An early Russell project was his 1928 subdivision of Victoria Drive between West Nineteenth Street and West Santa
<br /> Clara Avenue. The homes were quite grand and displayed various revival styles, including Russell's own large, Colonial
<br /> Revival mansion at 2009 Victoria Drive. In the early post World War ll years, Floral Park continued its development as
<br /> numerous, smaller, single-family houses were built. Continuing in the Floral Park tradition, they were mostly revival in style.
<br /> In the 1950s, low, horizontal Ranch Style houses completed the growth of Floral Park. Today (2003) Floral Park maintains
<br /> its identity as the premier neighborhood of Santa Ana, historically home to many affluent and prominent citizens.
<br /> The Was House appears eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and the California Register of
<br /> Historical Resources. It also qualifies for listing in the Santa Ana Register of Historical Properties under Criterion 1 for its
<br /> exemplification of the Colonial Revival style. Characteristic features in this regard include the symmetrical massing and
<br /> composition of the house, the dignified portico, and the fenestration. The house also contributes to the historic character of
<br /> the Floral Park neighborhood through its age, style, scale, and historic association with members of the local business
<br /> community. Additionally, the house has been categorized as "Landmark" for its unique architectural significance as an
<br /> example of the Colonial Revival style that contributes to the historic streetscape of North Victoria Drive. All original exterior
<br /> features of the Was House are considered character defining and should be preserved. These features include, but may not
<br /> be limited to: materials (wood); roof configuration and treatment, massing and composition; porch; doors and windows;
<br /> chimney; architectural detailing (stick work, pilasters, brackets), and original garage.
<br /> '1312. References (continued):
<br /> Harris, Cyril M. American Architecture: An Illustrated Encyclopedia. New York, WW Norton, 1998.
<br /> Marsh, Diann. Santa Ana. An Illustrated History. Encinitas, Heritage Publishing, 1994.
<br /> McAlester, Virginia and Lee. A Field Guide to American Houses. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1984.
<br /> National Register Bulletin 16A. "How to Complete the National Register Registration Form." Washington DC: National
<br /> Register Branch, National Park Service, US Dept of the Interior, 1991.
<br /> Office of Historic Preservation. "Instructions for Recording Historical Resources." Sacramento: March 1995.
<br /> Whiffen, Marcus. American Architecture Since 1780. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1969.
<br /> "Alison Honer Dies at 84," The Santa Ana Journal, September 21, 1981.
<br /> Builder of Honer Plaza Dies," Orange County Register. September 15, 1981.
<br /> "History of Floral Park." http:IAvww.tioral-park.com/page2.html
<br /> Talbert, Thomas (editor-in-chief). Historical Volume and Reference Works Including Biographical Sketches of Leading
<br /> Citizens. Volume 1. Whittier, Historical Publishers, 1963.
<br /> Armor, Samuel. History of Orange County. 1921.
<br /> Orange County Directories, 1930-1941, 1945.
<br /> DPR 523L
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