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Home My WebLink AboutBIG BASIN WAY 144217 6 July 13, 1988 o� o oOOo 13777 FRUITVALE AVENUE . SARATOGA. CALIFORNIA 95070 (408) 867 -3438 Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Sullivan et al 14421 Big Basin Way Saratoga, CA 95070 Dear Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan: 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 commercial building at 14421 Big Basin Way 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 restrictiong 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 Commission through Valerie Young, our staff person at City Hall (867- 3438). One of the Commissioners will be happy to meet with you to discuss the Inventory and answer any questions you may have. Sincerely, Members of the Heritage Preservation Commission Elizabeth Ansnes Roy Cameron Norm Koepernik Sharo ndsness Barb Ara( Voester Warren Heid, Chairman w • HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY ( #4 ) IDENTIFICATION 1. Common name: The Bank 2. Historic name: Saratoga Bank Building 3. Street or rural address: 14421 Big Basin Way City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 County: Santa Clara 4. Parcel number: 503 -24 -005 5. Present Owner: L. & L. Sullivan et al Address: 14421 Big Basin Way City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 Ownership is: Public: Private: X 6. Present Use: Commercial Original Use: Commercial DESCRIPTION 7a. Architectural style: Classic Revival 7b. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or structure and describe any major alterations from its original condition: This well preserved building typifies the Classic Revival style of architecture. The one and a half story brick building has two different brick patterns. The intricate brick detailing of the front facade creates its own soffits, columns, and ledges above the granite base. The windows are inset from the brick. There are dentils along the first soffit above the windows and the entry door, which appear to be original. The entry walk is inset with small square hexagon ceramic tiles which spell out the word, BANK. The entry door area is oak paneled and the roof cornice is boxed. The frieze contains dentils and an egg- and -dart embossed molding and crown molds. The two side windows are double hung and protected by heavy iron bars. I. 8. Construction date: Estimated: 1913 Factual: 9. Architect: Unknown 10. Builder: John Rodoni 11. Approx. prop. size Frontage: 25.13' Depth: 76' approx. acreage: 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: Densely built -up: X Residential: Industrial: Commercial: X 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 classic brick building was the first bank in Saratoga and an early example of solid brick wall construction in the area. It was built by a group of local men who formed a company, sold.stock and managed the bank. It was bought in 1917 by the Garden City Bank of San Jose. Louis G. Heid was one of the early managers, traveling from the Willow Glen area of San Jose by Peninsular Railroad each day. Garden City Bank sold the building to American Trust, who then closed this branch. The Bank of America occupied the building until 1958, when they moved into a new building at another location on Big Basin Way. It was then occupied by real estate firms, including Duane Muth, and became a cocktail lounge in the mid - 1970's. The original vault remains and is part of the interior decor. The lounge is now known as The Bank Bar. 20. Main theme of the historic resource: (If more than one is checked, number in order of importance.) Architecture: 2 Arts /Leisure: Economic /Industrial: 1 Exploration /Settlement: Government: Military: Religion: Social /Ed.: 21. Sources (List books, documents, surveys, personal interviews and their dates). Santa Clara County Heritage Resource Inventory, 1975, 1979; Butler, Valley of Santa Clara, 1975. 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 N 3 s z 4 r M V3 r G r d � Sf�RATa 6k v \,4AX GV- I E �da aril Iris ve j hohda y at The Bank } By Laramie Trevino ' p - ; A •; , r -Merelant _profile` St. ,'Patrick 's Day, comes mound once a year but try telling that to The Bank: ,; %; `in 4front9" �Sulhvan said thee; w� For every 'day-o1, .'.the =year before St Patrick's I)ay'� � memorabilia running „`'the 'gamut I;ocatedon•the site 6f Sari from -_liquor: decantors ;to:. -.match- fir§t bank; the barafiows.the;ouU `;. b'ooks remind tavern patrons ,they woildL stained' glass _windows 'w = . Now _ in ,its .14th-. year ; as a Big itsown panel n s Basin Way business, -The •Bank is hanging tough as stronghold of Irish But wh- ' - bar patrons a e ri directing' most . of ..their`: nerg i enthusiasts .toward preparations for the.tavei i And' as Patrick's` Day. St - 1) proaches, . the` countdown, in the, most celebrated;, event, °Tbe`•Baz can provide a= festive atmosphere form of numbered reminders on a �3 "lye gaudy decor,.'can be likenE wall, is onr m "It's the busiestdayof ttie year; ', to :interiors of 19th cent salooi `mod booths.: said Len Sullivan, owner of the-W.: ' bordellos ;, -From two the rear of ,the bar h red velvi Corned beef -and a cabby will be g curtains that-w henpulled togeme. the fare'-for that Holiday, weekend; and as always,•'Irish coffees and. c.wshut out the rest of the roorii s � " r Iitish whiskeys will be'available `.'But they; always stay open; Irish.music will blare -from the` Sullivan is quick to point out: "It' jukeboxin the comer but wliefhei its. !C (Alcoholic; -- Beverage�Cot Pun chy u ds will inspire a dancing trol)_ `law and..niling that the`:lia� marathon, remains to be seen.'..). 'tender has to see .evergthing. tha 'You can, hardly move. inhere," goes on in Sullivan', his. blue.- eyes:.twinkUng�' said of the overIloW in he 49- " �x {�'i -§u p They re 'suppose to see,' every person capacity' building ' " ,.. �„ he atressed = "But ,he's ac A flag .of Ireland is prominently.,,,.'' PPOSe to tell everything ” splayedagamst'the:ornately wall - A..;mahogaiiy :aad''cheny_ woo • papered.wall'onabe east side of tfie baf and back bar. dating back;to tb former bank building.. "Starting mid -Ms runs the length of the we Monday I'll fly one out side wall 4 , F.,