25D - AGMT - HISTORIC PROPERTIES

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CONSTRUCTION HISTORY: (Construction data, alterations, and date of alterations) Main Residence: Reroof Residence Judy 21, 1927 Alterations July 26, 1933 Reroof June 25, 1943 Convert residence to offices and historic restoration February 9, 1982 Reroof September 11, 1992 Garage: Addition to garage January, 1923 Chimney Repair June 8, 1933 Demolish garage April t3. 1982 RELATED FEATURES: (Other important features such as barns, sheds, fences, prominent or unusual trees, or landscape) Water Tower DESCRIPTION: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, settings, and boundaries.) The two story Minter house was built by Henry C. Berry in 1877. This house originally faced Third Sheet but was turned around to face Birch Street in 1900 so that the front window could face Birch Park. The house is an "L"-shape plan and an elongated, vertical volume, R has a gabled roof with gable ends treated in a classical manner, common to the Greek Revival architectural influences of the tine. 'file detail around the gables includes a modified Greco -Roman cornice containing crown and bed molds, a fascia, derails and frieze. Wood quoins covering the ship lap siding on the building are placed on the corners. Long narrow double hung, foil], paned windows (except the casement windows oil the northwest portion of the house) with hood moldings adorn the home. Two angular bays, one facing Birch St and the other facing Third St extend off the fagade at the first level. 'The northeast corner of the house by all appearances was added on subsequent to the original construction, probably in 1933. The side door and small bay windows on the north have colored glass details often used in later architectural styles, further supporting the concept that the northeast corner on the house is a later addition. Over the main entrance Racing Bitch Street is a neo- classic architrave supported by side brackets. The brackets are ofthe kind which were popular during and after the Civil War. The roof ofthe side porch facing Third Street is supported on wood Columns. The porch rail is of wood supported by turned bnlust'et's. The house is built on a brick Foundation with substantial ooncrete stabilization in the cellar. The defining features which give this building its hallanate style, include the emphasis on vertical volumes and details, such as elongated windows and doors with hood moldings, and the low- pitched roofs, with wide overhanging eaves which are detailed with a Greco -Roman cornice. The tune of angular bays at the first level, the balustraded balconies, its areaded porch and the use of ship lap siding and corner quoins, further define the Italianate style. The water tower cast of the house is of the same shiplap siding as the house and is of a height comparable to the house. The water tank is two stories with an exterior stairway leading to the top floor. The First Floor includes a small unused studio -type apartment with inoperative tub and sink. HISTORIC HIGHLIGHTS: George W. Minter arrived in Santa Ana In 1874 and involved himself in many profitable ventures. As a younger man, Ile was a successful walnut grower and in his later yens concerned himself will) real estate, banking and civic offices. On October 9, 1879 he married Elizabeth Berry. George Minter resided at this house for 47 years. During the early part of his residence he was employed as the Deputy Assessor of Los Angeles County, prior to the creation of Orange County in 1882 He was it primary leader in promoting the separation of Grange County from Los Angeles County. In addition, lie started the First street oar I ine in the county, and was active in many real estate ventures. As an active civic leader in 1910, he served on the Santa Ana Park Commission which raised funds for the completion of the original Town Park (presently Birch Park). Elizabeth's older sister Louisa was married to Albert W. Birch who died in 1872. In 1897, his children, Emma and Otis Birch donated the land across the street from the Mints' House to the City of Santa Ana per the creation of Birch Park, in honor of their rather. Page 2 of'4 LL1nr2C�emegni9ee:minier ur -c; -nn 25D -33