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Home My WebLink AboutBELLA VISTA 20021HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY ( #2 ) IDENTIFICATION 1. Common name: None 2. Historic name: Rancho Bella Vista 3. Street or rural address: 20021 Bella Vista City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 4. Parcel number: 397 -20 -091 County: Santa Clara 5. Present Owner: John K. & Susan Kraft Address: 20021 Bella Vista City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 Ownership is: Public: Private: X 6. Present Use: Residence Original�Use: Residence DESCRIPTION 7a. Architectural style: Italian Villa 7b. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or structure and describe any major alterations from its original condition: This is a two - story, stucco Italian villa with a third -story bell tower. It contains nearly 20 rooms and features many different styles of windows, covered porches and walkways, and a Spanish tile roof. The residence is in a setting surrounded by numerous California live oaks. (photograph here) 8. Construction date: Estimated: Factual: 1917 9. Architect: Willis Polk 10. Builder: Unknown 11. Approx. prop. size Frontage: Depth: approx. acreage: 5.0 12. Date(s) of enclosed photograph(s): 1988 13. Condition: Excellent: X Good: Fair: Deteriorated: No longer in existence: 14. Alterations: 15. Surroundings: (Check more than one if necessary) Open land: Scattered buildings: X Densely built -up: Residential: X Industrial: Commercial: Other: 16. Threats to site: None known: X Private development: Zoning: Vandalism: Public Works project: Other: 17. Is the structure: On its original site? X Moved? Unknown? 18. Related features: SIGNIFICANCE 19. Briefly state historical and /or architectural importance (include dates, events, and persons associated with the site).. This house was designed by Willis Polk and was built on the site of the old Frank Farwell ranch. Farwell was a Saratoga pioneer who first arrived in 1856, then mined for gold in the Sierra Nevada,and was a San Francisco businessman. He then became a Saratoga rahchei� and community leader, involved with the Congregational Church, Improvement Club, a school trustee, Madronia Cemetery, Blossom Festival and Saratoga Missionary Settlement. Mr. and Mrs. Charles D. Blaney, cousins of the Farwells, bought a portion of the ranch. Mr. Blaney was chairman of the State's first highway commission. The Blaney's gave generously of their time and money to community programs, and were involved in politics, philanthropy and cultural activities. Mrs. Blaney was her own landscape gardener and her gardens became a Saratoga showplace. She was also one of the first suffragettes. The property was later the home of Mrs. Blaney's sister, Edith Kirkwood and then Mrs. Kirkwood's son, Robert, a California Assemblyman and later the State's Controller. 20. Main theme of the historic resource: (If more than one is checked, number in order of importance.) Architecture: 1 Arts /Leisure: Economic /Industrial: 2 Exploration /Settlement: Government: 3 Military: Religion: Social /Ed.: 21. Sources (List books, documents, surveys, personal interviews and their dates). Butler, Valley of Santa Clara, 1975; F. Cunningham, Saratoga's First Hundred Years, 1967; Santa C1ara.County Heritage Resource Inventory, 1979; Showcase Mansion pamphlet, 1979; Times - Observer, April 10, 1979. 22. Date form prepared: 4/88 By (name): SHPC Organization: City of Saratoga Address: 13777 Fruitvale Ave. City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 Phone: 867 -3438 Locational sketch map (draw and label site and surrounding streets, roads, and prominent landmarks): NORTH 1 \. 4*�-Iv CITY OF,SARATOGA PLANNING DEPARTMENT IDENTIFICATION CULTURAL RESOURCES INVENTORY INVENTORY # CQ� PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN (date) Street Address n)OO 'zi f3e ila Vi S +ci 0our -L APN 2O -09 Historic Name , Mono r) 11 Present Owner _ T(+n J`, CLnd .6l,igCl.Vl 11krc4 Covv)rrk.atUq F"oundcL_�Lor) of -5&nta C aY-a- Couv,b8. Address 142-D )OLL�h P'Irc6t- 6+, gan J'05e.'rA g611.1 Present Use ��d�hCe_ Original Use Other Past Uses DESCRIPTION.. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or structure.and describe any major alterations from its original condition: `�1�5 arGJ2r r2 S C can �� i S m ck_cl�. D f ' 'S%-� C(_0' cLn & �' i m �m-e c,�L. %r 2U.oL�, ✓C►ne s� cc. o 'i5 L?2-� cl`Y� car, 6 ;neecks tO be. r_Pa i 4e_CL, e roo� Is Mack -of re cl Approximate property size: Lot size (in feet) Frontage Depth or approximate acreage Condition (check one): Excellent ( ) Good ( *) Fair ( ) eriorated ( ) No longer in existence ( ) Is the feature: Altered? , (. ) Unaltered? (Y() Location sketch map (draw and label site and, surrounding streets, roads, and pro - minent landmarks) 2 '�� IV ins �p RVF r Threats to site: None known ( ) Vandalism ( ) Private Development ( ) Other ( ) Primary exterior building material: Stone ( ) Brick ( ) Is the structure: Zoning ( ) Public Works Project ( ) Stucco * Adobe ( ) Wood ( ), Other ( ) On its original site? (yJ Moved? ( ) Unknown ( ) Year of initial construction Iq I'1 This date is: Factual (X) Estimated ( ) Architect (if known) Builder ( if known) Related features: Barn ( ) Carriage House ( ) Outhouse ( ) Watertower /Tankhouse ( ) Other ( ) SIGNIFICANCE Shed(s) ( ) Formal garden(s) ( ) Windmill None Briefly state historical and /or architectural importance (include dates, events, and persons associated with the site when known): This_ I�o� was butl� oh 4 _ -of 016 i -rcL* 'P&rwel` �Lr� �a�er \Na5 4,-c 1,orne o� Rober4 i rk�1 o6 d, c k 's5e�-nblyrncv o ar\o� a &c6e C(DnAy-0 �Ief -, Source (books, documents, surveys, personal interviews, and their dates): Clore. �oun�\, 1 4er�kaC, , eMcrce Tin \1 en -roy- U, � °��1�� 1179 UCc��PQ O� 1C Florence, C��nv��ngham, le Form prepared by: - (X1(1 ) �Q�� L4 Date: �Azi IS( J ° HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY ( #60) IDENTIFICATION 1. Common name: None 2. Historic name: Rancho Bella Vista 3. Street or rural address: 20021 Bella Vista City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 County: Santa Clara 4. Parcel number: 397 -20 -091 5. Present Owner: John K. & Susan Kraft Address: 20021 Bella Vista City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 Ownership is: Public: Private: X 6. Present Use: Residence Original Use: Residence DESCRIPTION 7a. Architectural style: Italian Villa 7b. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or structure and describe any major alterations from its original condition: This is a two - story, tower. It contains styles of windows, co- roof. The residence California live oaks. stucco Italian villa with a third -story bell nearly 20 rooms and features many different vered porches and walkways, and a Spanish tile is in a setting surrounded by numerous ll r pia V�� 8. Construction date: Estimated: Factual: 1917 9. Architect: Willis Polk 10. Builder: Unknown 11. Approx. prop. size Frontage: Depth: approx. acreage: 5.0 12. Date(s) of enclosed photograph(s): 4/88 13. Condition: Excellent: X Good: Fair: Deteriorated: No longer in existence: 14. Alterations: 15. Surroundings: (Check more than one if necessary) Open land: Scattered buildings: X Densely built -up: Residential: X Industrial: Commercial: Other: 16. Threats to site: None known: X Private development: Zoning: Vandalism: Public Works project: Other: 17. Is the structure: On its original site? X Moved? Unknown? 18. Related features: SIGNIFICANCE 19. Briefly state historical and /or architectural importance (include dates, events, and persons associated with the site). This house was designed by Willis Polk and was built on the site of the old Frank Farwell ranch. Farwell was a Saratoga pioneer who first arrived in 1856, then mined for gold in the Sierra Nevada and was a San Francisco businessman. He then became a Saratoga rancher and community leader, involved with the Congregational Church, Improvement Club, a school trustee, Madronia Cemetery, Blossom Festival and Saratoga Missionary Settlement. Th CIF ,4nV rs. Charles D. Blaney, were cousins of the Farwells B ey was chairman of the State's first highway commission. The Blaney's gave generously of their time and money to community programs, and were involved in politics, philanthropy and cultural activities. Mrs. Blaney was her own landscape gardener and her gardens became a Saratoga showplace. She was also one of the first suffragettes. The property was later the home of Mrs. Blaney's sister, Edith Kirkwood and then Mrs. Kirkwood's son, Robert, a California Assemblyman and later the State's Controller. 20. Main theme of the historic resource: (If more than one is checked, number in order of importance.) Architecture: 1 Arts /Leisure: Economic /Industrial: 2 Exploration /Settlement: Government: 3 Military: Religion: Social /Ed.: 21. Sources (List books, documents, surveys, personal interviews and their dates). Butler, Valley of Santa Clara, 1975; F. Cunningham, Saratoga's First Hundred Years, 1967; Santa Clara County Heritage Resource Inventory, 1979; Showcase Mansion pamphlet, 1979; Times - Observer, April 10, 1979. 22. Date form prepared: 4/88 By (name): SHPC Organization: City of Saratoga Address: 13777 Fruitvale Ave. City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 Phone: 867 -3438 Locational sketch map (draw and label site and surrounding streets, roads, and prominent landmarks): NORTH o � O Db w COS I% _ ''h`1v SHOWCASE MANSION 79 Bella Vista, Willis Polk's California masterwork designed for Charles Blaney in 1917, was the site of San Jose Symphony Auxiliary's second Decorator SHOWCASE MANSION. This lovely Mediterranean inspired home was "loaned" to the Auxiliary by its then owner, Jean Kirkwood Kuhn. FOR CASUAL OR FORMAL TABLEWARES China • Silver - Crystal • Linens - Gifts Visit ROBERT SAWYER 1322 Lincoln Ave. San Jose 292 -1501 47- HISTORY OF THE HOUSE Built in 1917 for the Charles Blaneys, Bella Vista was instantly hearlded as an architectural achievement of the first rank. Architectural Record featured it as Willis Polk's newest California masterwork and other publica- tions followed suit. Great Peninsula country homes were a specialty for Polk who also designed Filoli (Woodside), Le Petite Trianon (DeAnza College, Cupertino) and nearby Montalvo. Bella Vista was purported to be his favorite residence of this type because of its humor and liveability. Fascinating details to look for in the house are the Donatello relief sculpture (in the entry); the secret passage in the living room with its mischievious book titles; the bell tower built for Mrs. Blaney, an amateur astronomer, to mount her telescope; the clustering of architectural detail to offset stark simplicity as in the office door area and the kitchen gate; the mismatched capitols on the redwood pillars of the loggia; the ''play- room" made for theatricals not billiards; the Ralph Stackpole sculptures (the mermaid sits atop the old Farwell ranch well); and the exquisite Italianate gardens planned by Mrs. Blaney. But Bella Vista has been an interesting home too. Its many occu- pants all linked by family ties. The Farwells who claimed the original 117 acres that became Bella Vista Ranch with its vinyard and orchards in 1856 were cousins to the Blaneys. The original yellow Victorian ginger- bread farm house stood where today's structure is — at the head of the long garden staircase, tucked in amid the century old (even then) oaks. Mr. Blaney was California's first State Highway Commissioner and planned California's road system. Mrs. Blaney was a pioneer suffragette and their home was the center of political and social life of the area. On the Blaney's deaths, the property passed to nephew Robert Kirkwood who continued the tradition of government service as State Comptroller. The house con- tinued to be a hub of Saratoga's life with meetings of the Volunteer Fire Department, village chartering committees and innumerable fund raisers for "all good causes" through the years. Mr. Kirkwood's widow, Jean Kirkwood Kuhn, is the present owner and benefactress who has opened her home to this SHOWPLACE MANSION '79 decorator event for San Jose Symphony Auxiliary. BELLA VISTA (Blaney- Kirkwood Home) 22VL121 I 14 • 2� 6 I■..1 1 7 _ 1 • l8 - IS e SCCONO 16L002 PLAN �n . *_._1 111 10 12 R 2 6 �� ■ 2 7 1 ~i+� Y2 X24 l 2 - 1 J0 34 35 •i•c - 1 ou lcc • 29 320 • r 31 33 Fie .5 r FLOOe PLAN .t.T 0j I•q. '. ■ ■ y Fj• 6 -a i LT ■ E L FLOOR PLANS, HOME OF MR. ROBERT C. KIRKWOOD SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA u .'ILLIS POLK6CO.,A,,hBRir One of Willis Polk's most outstanding structures, the Blaney villa on Rancho Bella Vista. Rancho Bella Vista —The Blaney Villa On a Private Road, Saratoga Seldom does a house, or a mansion, live up to one's expectations, but the Medi- terranean villa the versatile Willis Polk created for the Charles Blaneys certain- ly does. One easily agrees with the critic who in The Architectural Record (Feb- ruary 1918) exclaimed, "It strikes me as the most enchanting structure I've ever seen, and therefore may not be there when I go back." By 1917 when the house was built, the architect, Willis Polk, was at the height of his career. He had developed a successful formula for creating suitable residences for the rich, usually by in- terpreting a period style —in this case late Renaissance and 16th century villa architecture —in a free and highly per- sonal way. The buff pink tone of the exterior and the muted grey roof tiles are extremely effective in conveying timelessness to the villa. Unlike many of their neighbors whose country estates were merely weekend showplaces, the Blaneys lived full time in their home, which helps explain one of the more remarkable things about the interior of the house - -its human proportions. It is eminent- ly livable in spite of its size of nearly 20 rooms and a floor plan that is rambling and complicated. The Blaneys personal room requirements were constantly considered as well as the natural fea- tures of the site —the view of the sur- rounding countryside, the slope of the land, the old trees, an old well from the days when a frame ranch house belong- ing to Mrs. Blaneys pioneer relatives had occupied the site. Her cousins, the John Farwell family, who had originally called the place "Rancho Bella Vista" came to Saratoga in 1856 and located on 160 acres of gov- ernment land. After John Farwell died Rancho Bella Vista's original house shown here in the 1870's, belonged to the John Farwell family, relatives of the Charles Blaneys. in 1866 his son Franklin and daughter Jennie, ran the ranch until 1905 when Blaney purchased it. When Governor Hiram Johnson was elected, he appointed Charles Blaney, a personal friend, to the first State High- way Commission in 1911. Blaney and the other two commissioners conducted a 6,000 -mile tour of the state and were largely responsible for establishing Cal- ifornia's road system. Mr. Blaney re- tired because of ill health the same year the villa was completed. Later residents included his nephew Robert Kirkwood, prominent civic official and California State Controller at the time of his death in 1964. S a 6I. O� July 13, 1988 13777 FRUITVALE AVENUE • SA- RATOGA. CALIFORNIA 95070 (408) 867 - 3438 Mr. and Mrs. John K. Kraft 20021 Bella Vista Saratoga, CA 95070 Dear Mr. and Mrs. Kraft: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Karen Anderson Martha Clevenger Joyce Hlava David Moyles Donald Peterson The Saratoga Heritage Preservation Commission has recently completed a comprehensive Inventory of historic resources in our community. We are pleased to notify you that your residence at 20021 Bella Vista meets the criteria for being included on this list. The purpose of the Heritage Resource Inventory is to establish a list of documented historic properties in Saratoga. The Heritage Preservation Commission was assigned the responsibility for preparing the Inventory by the City Council in 1982. Each property on the list has been identified as reflecting and being a part of the unique history of Saratoga. The Inventory has been prepared in accordance with guidelines established by the State Office of Historic Preservation, with data gathered from a variety of sources, including historic documents and books, interviews with local citizens, and existing county and state inventories that contain information on Saratoga properties. Being listed on the Inventory does not carry any form of special requirements or restrictions' affecting the use, improvement, alteration or even the demolition of your property. As an Inventory property, however, you will be able to make use of the State Historic Building Code, an alternative set of building regulations that are intended to facilitate the rehabilitation and preservation of historic buildings. In addition, your property may qualify for designation as a Saratoga Heritage Landmark, a special category of outstanding and exemplary historic properties that are identified in the community by a handsome bronze plaque. We have enclosed the entire Inventory list and the individual Inventory form for your property, which gives information about the building, the property and its history. We would appreciate your review of this form to let us know if there are any changes or additions to the form you wish to include. We also anticipate that there are additional historic resources in the community that we may have overlooked or have not fully documented yet; if you know of any that are not on the list, please let us know. If you have any questions, please direct them to the through Valerie Young, our staff person at City Hall One of the Commissioners will be happy to meet with you the Inventory and answer any questions you may have. Sincerely, Members of the Heritage Preservation Commission Elizabeth Ansnes Roy Cameron Norm e ernik Sharo ,A Andsness BarbArgY Voester Warren Heid, Chairman 14„ , Commission (867- 3438). to discuss SHOWCASE MANSION 79 Bella Vista, Willis Polk's California masterwork designed for Charles Blaney in 1917, was the site of San Jose Symphony Auxiliary's second Decorator SHOWCASE MANSION. This lovely Mediterranean inspired home was "loaned" to the Auxiliary by its then owner, Jean Kirkwood Kuhn. FOR CASUAL OR FORMAL TABLEWARES China • Silver - Crystal • Linens - Gifts visit ROBERT SAWYER 1322 Lincoln Ave. San Jose 292 -1501 47. HISTORY OF THE HOUSE Built in 1917 for the Charles Blaneys, Bella Vista was instantly hearlded as an architectural achievement of the first rank. Architectural Record featured it as Willis Polk's newest California masterwork and other publica- tions followed suit. Great Peninsula country homes were a specialty for Polk who also designed Filoli (Woodside), Le Petite Trianon (DeAnza College, Cupertino) and nearby Montalvo. Bella Vista was purported to be his favorite residence of this type because of its humor and liveability. Fascinating details to look for in the house are the Donatello relief sculpture (in the entry); the secret passage in the living room with its i mischievious book titles; the bell tower built for Mrs. Blaney, an amateur astronomer, to mount her telescope; the clustering of architectural detail to offset stark simplicity as in the office door area and the kitchen gate; the mismatched capitols on the redwood pillars of the loggia; the "play- room" made for theatricals not billiards; the Ralph Stackpole sculptures (the mermaid sits atop the old Farwell ranch well); and the exquisite G Italianate gardens planned by Mrs. Blaney. But Bella Vista has been an interesting home too. Its many occu- pants all linked by family ties. The Farwells who claimed the original 117 acres that became Bella Vista Ranch with its vinyard and orchards in 1856 were cousins to the Blaneys. The original yellow Victorian ginger- bread farm house stood where today's structure is — at the head of the long garden staircase, tucked in amid the century old (even then) oaks. Mr. Blaney was California's first State Highway Commissioner and planned California's road system. Mrs. Blaney was a pioneer suffragette and their home was the center of political and social life of the area. On the Blaney's deaths, the property passed to nephew Robert Kirkwood who continued the tradition of government service as State Comptroller. The house con- tinued to be a hub of Saratoga's life with meetings of the Volunteer Fire Department, village chartering committees and innumerable fund raisers for ''all good causes" through the years. Mr. Kirkwood's widow, Jean Kirkwood Kuhn, is the present owner and benefactress who has opened her home to this SHOWPLACE MANSION '79 decorator event for San Jose Symphony Auxiliary. ' 9 BELLA VISTA (Blaney-Kirkwood Home) . 2 2 L'., 2 1 rM, r16 -17 18 - 15 14 5CCONO OLOOR PLAN 2 6 s•- -*OVR I 27 Y ►24 28 _ l 25 1 _ 30 34 35 2 r • 31 33 F i e 3 r FLOOE PLAN 01 1nllr___1 '' o 4��4 8 9 ■. 17 ■ ■ 14 F1. 6 -� LT-17; I"-- 1111 FLOOR PLANS, HOME OF ,NR. ROBERT C. KIRKWOOD SARATOGA, CALIFORNIA VILLIS POLK 6 CO., Arrbiur,r