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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBROOKWOOD LANE 20601�! 1 A July 13, 1988 13777 FRUITVALE AVENUE. • SARATOGA. CALIFORNIA 95070 (408) 867 -34:38 Mr. John Kahle 20601 Brookwood Lane Saratoga, CA 95070 Dear Mr. Kahle: 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 residences at 20601 Brookwood Lane and 14421 Saratoga- Sunnyvale Road meet 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 Koepernik Sharory Lpndsness Barb ra /Voester rren Heid, Chairman Commission (867- 3438). to discuss HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY ( #17) IDENTIFICATION 1. Common name: None 2. Historic name: F. B. Willard House 3. Street or rural address: 20601 Brookwood Lane City: Saratoga 4. Parcel number: 503 -23 -022 5. Present Owner: John Kahle City: Saratoga Ownership is: Public 6. Present Use: Residence Zip: 95070 County: Santa Clara Address: 20601 Brookwood Lane Zip: 95070 Private: X Original Use: Residence DESCRIPTION 7a. Architectural style: California Craftsman 7b. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or structure and describe any major alterations from its original condition: This large two - story, multi - gabled residence faces a driveway and is surrounded by extensive gardens on a spacious lot. The walls are clad in wood overlap siding with multi -paned windows on both floors. The first floor windows on the west side have awnings. The roof is of slate shingles. The porches on the south and east sides have French doors opening from first floor. A small barn, carriage house and shed on the property are well maintained, as is a gazebo in the rear garden and an arbor in the front garden. There do not appear to have been any major alterations or additions to the house and it is in excellent condition. (photograph here) 8. Construction date: Estimated: Factual: 1916 9. Architect: Unknown 10. Builder: Unknown 11. Approx. prop. size Frontage: Depth: approx. acreage: 1.468 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: Small barn, carriage house SIGNIFICANCE 19. Briefly state historical and /or architectural importance (include dates, events, and persons associated with the site). Built in 1916, this was the principal residence of F.B. Willard, an executive of the "City of Paris" department store in San Francisco. In the 1950's Dr. McKuen, a dentist, purchased the house from the Willards. John Kahle, the present owner, acquired the house in 1959. Although the architect is unknown, the style and situation of the house is similar to a nearby residence that was designed by Julia Morgan, the prominent Bay Area architect who designed a number of buildings in Saratoga. 20. Main theme of the historic resource: (If more than one is checked, number in order of importance.) Architecture: 1 Arts /Leisure: Economic /Industrial: Exploration /Settlement: Government: Military; Religion: Social /Ed.: 21. Sources (List books, documents, surveys, personal interviews and their dates). John Kahle, 1986. 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 ti i �J '1% 3v The Kahle House The Kahle House was built in 1916 by Mr. Willard, then owner (or son of the owner) of San Francisco's elegant City of Paris department store. The home was part of the fashionable trend of such city dwellers as Fremont Older, Senator Phelan, and the Blaneys to move out of the city into the clean air of the "country ". Willard lived here with his family, but maintained an a p a r t m e n t i n t h e c i t y. 1,K)4 �,ro, Ulm c e 1VLUMd.5 ham► qya �U,, The architect of the house is unknown. In style and situation the house is similar to one very close by that we know was designed by Julia Morgan, architect of the Hearst mansion at San Simeon, and also the architect of the Foothill Club in Saratoga. A letter exists from Morgan to the owner of that house asking for payment for the design -- apparently they were friends for the fee was only $25. That house happens to also belong to the Kahles. The massing, roof - lines, materials and architectural detail are very similar, although the -one documented to be by Morgan is somewhat more rustic in flavor than the house being displayed during this house tour. The house exemplifies the trend to utilize native building materials and natural landscape settings to create a warmth and character promoted as the "California spirit ". The structure and interior of the house are almost entirely original, and hence preserve the character of redwood construction, interior wood craftsmanship, intimate spaces and simple window detailing typical of the style known as "California Craftsman ". From 1901 until 1916 a furniture manufacturer named Gustav Stickley published an art, architecture and home periodical called "The Craftsman," in which values based on the English "Arts and Crafts" movement were promulgated. One of my architecture books puts it this way: "the craftsman's movement posited a comprehensive approach to house design, from the furnishings inside to the garden outside .... the craft orientation implied that the architect would be substantially responsible for the design of furnishings and fixtures, built -in wherever possible. These and all architectural detailing depended for their esthetic qualities on the properties inherent to materials, construction methods, and functional purpose rather more than on a priori design elements lifted from one or another of the great design traditions.... Finally, buildings inspired by the craftsman's movement reveal an intense concern for nature: specifically, for the garden as a planned extension of the house...." (William H. Jordy in American Buildings and Their Architects, vol. 3, "Progressive and Academic Ideals at the Turn of the Twentieth Century," Anchor Books, 1972, p. 219.) Among other things popularized by Stickley was the "bungalow," generally a one- storied cottage with wide spreading roof and eaves, deep porches with often massive posts and brackets, with walls and roof usually shingled. Many types of bungalow were built in many areas; one architectural commentator of the time 1 described nine different types of bungalow. The Kahle house is not strictly speaking a bungalow because it has two stories, but the elaboration of bungalow features is obvious. The adherence of its designer, whoever it may have been, to the precepts given above is also clear. Other architects working within this tradition in California at this time besides Julia Morgan are the brothers Greene in southern California and Bernard Maybeck in the Bay Area. Some architectural historians have actually referred to a Bay Region style. We feel that "California Craftsman" is both more descriptive and more comprehensive than the latter term. The home was a showplace from the start, with ample room for entertaining and the finest in furnishings - -much of it from the City of Paris. (Some items are still in the house.) The Willards remained in the home until approximately 1950 when Dr. McKuen, a dentist, purchased it as a summer house. In 1959 the Kahle family bought it. During their extensive travels with the state department the house was leased, but they have been home now long enough to impress their own very special character on the house and its furnishings. The dining room, living room, and music room are panelled in solid mahogany of beautiful workmanship. The flooring in these rooms is also original, although sanded and refinished recently. The textiles in these rooms include draperies of silk from Thailand in the living room and of Indonesian batik in the music room. Many of the furnishings are Oriental, both Indonesian and Chinese. One of the most important pieces is an opium bed, raised slightly for use as a coffee table. In the music room are Mrs. Kahle's collection of puppets used in the shadow plays popular in Java. Some of the puppets are antique. There is a batik painting in the music room, also one by a now well -known primitive painter from E1 Salvador. Other hangings and objects are from Central America. In the breakfast room is Mrs. Kahle's bird collection; these include carved birds from India, Bali, Guatemala, Sweden, and Mexico. Also in the breakfast room is a wicker set that came from the home of Olivia de Havilland's mother. 2 LEI-? . -�Q a e -tee i�fz o Yn e tr �a p n [ L f LS .9 �l g 0 9 C A L 1 F O R N I A H I S To R Y C E N T E R F O U N D A T I O N = SARATOGA HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION S Welcome... We want to take this opportunity to thank you for your support and participation in today's Saratoga Heritage Home Tour. We hope that you will enjoy yourselves and come away with a new, or renewed, enthusiasm for historic preservation in Saratoga. For.years, Saratoga's fine heritage homes have hosted various fund - raising activities by outside organizations. Today, in a joint venture with the California History Center Foundation at De Anza College, you will be the guests of the City of Saratoga for the express purpose of promoting historic pres- ervation projects both here and in the Santa Clara Valley at large. As you read about the homes you visit, try to imagine what the town was like when they were built and the gracious lifestyle they represent. We invite you to go back in time with us to a simpler, more agricultural,era, when fruit trees grew where families are now being raised. At the Spanish Colonial home on Glen Una Drive, where you will be served refreshments, we would welcome your comments and suggestions on how we can all work together to preserve our architectural heritage. This is a task that needs the help and support of the entire community, not just the efforts of a few. There will also be literature available on the California History Center and its many educational tours and programs dealing with state and regional history. We want to thank the owners of our four heritage homes, as well as the members of the Saratoga Historical Foundation at the Museum, for their generous co- operation. This entire enterprise has been a volunteer effort for the sake of a town we all love - a town whose heritage we feel is worth saving. Without the help of these homeowners, today's Tour could not have taken place. Sharon Landsness Seonaid McArthur Chair - Saratoga Director - California Heritage Preservation History Center & Commission Saratoga Heritage Commissioner Jean Kvamme Saratoga Heritage Preservation Commissioner A note before you start... Last - minute tickets will be on sale at the Saratoga Historical Museum. We hope that those of you who are able will take advantage of the spacing of the four sites around Saratoga Village and WALK! This old- fashioned method of transportation will not only give you a better feeling for the historic core area of Saratoga and lots of exercise, but it will greatly relieve traffic congestion and take the burden off our limited parking spaces! m to CIO 42 or,o H g• � n no f 3 1• � a 05 Saratoga -Los Gatos Rd. s a,. 4 • 'eo9 a April 14, 1985 loam -4 pm 1. Saratoga Historical Foundation Park & Museum 20450 Saratoga - Los Gatos Rd. 2. 14605 Big Basin Way 3. 20601 Brookwood Lane 4. 14280 Saratoga Avenue 5. 19490 Glen Una Drive *We ask that you please refrain from using the bathroom facilities in these homes. The town of Saratoga is blessed with several gas stations and we request that you utilize them for your needs. Please visit the homes on the Tour in any order you wish. 11111111_ �_r-- • 14605 Big Basin Way • E RWIN T. KING HOUSE A stage -stop hostel, an elegant residence, a respectable hotel for local school teachers and even a brief existence as a house of ill repute - this "grand dame" of the Saratoga village has had a life at least as varied and as colorful as the town itself. Although known to many as the "Erwin T. King House ", we know from the Santa Clara County records that this wealthy co- founder of the Saratoga Paper Mill never actually owned the property. It was, in fact, owned by local wagonmaker and blacksmith, Mr. John Chisholm, at the time of Mr. King's residence there from 1876 until 1893, when the paper mill burned to the ground. The actual date of construction is somewhat vague, but educated conjecture places it rather early in the life of the town - about 1850 or a bit later - because of the hand -hewn redwood foundation timbers and the low - ceilinged floor plan. Other references use the date of Mr. King's tenancy there as the date of construc- tion. After Mr. King's departure, John Chisholm apparently reclaimed the house and added saloon keeping to his other endeavors. It was at this period (1883 -1893) that the house got its unsavory reputation as a brothel and gam- bling den, with Mr. "Pegleg" Anderson, barkeep, running a lottery. In 1893 the house returned to respectability once again, this time as a stage -stop called the Oriental Hotel, under the management of Mr. M.E.Pettis. His relative, Mr.. W.W.Pettis, ran the Santa Clara Stage Line and used the wonderful old barn at the rear of the property to shelter his stock. Today this barn is referred to as the Pettis Livery Stable. In 1958, the house, neglected and in "eyesore" condition, was purchased and restored by Mrs. Barbara Caldwell. The old house, even after the removal of the dilapidated front porch, still retained the lines of classic simplicity and the charm of age. However it took the persistence, hard work and clever designer's eye of Mrs. Caldwell to bring this grand old home back to its present form as a prized Saratoga landmark. This was accom- plished at a time when prevailing attitudes made restoration difficult at best, encourag- ing developers to raze buildings rather than preserve them. The "Caldwell House ", or the "Erwin T.King House ", was sold to its present owners in 1984. We are delighted to report that this new owner is following in Mrs. Caldwell's conscientious footsteps as steward of an important part of Saratoga's heritage. We two kept house, the Past and I, The Past and I; I tended while it hovered nigh, Leaving me.never alone. Thomas Hardy Yes, yes; I am old. In me appears The history of a hundred years. London Observer, 1926 A new house has no sense of the has - beens. Thomas Hardy • 1, ,T'. ' I jf. • 14280 Saratoga Avenue - LUTHER CUNNINGHAM'S STONE HOUSE The multifaceted Mr. Luther Cunningham was a Saratoga rancher, inventor of farm machinery, and founder of the 'firm of Cunningham and Barngrover, a predecessor of F.M.C. Developing his father's farm acreage into residential lots, called "Cunningham Acres ", Luther moved his family into the old 1880 farmhouse that still stands today next door to the south of the Stone House. The original part of the Stone House was built later in the 1920's as a tool and work area for Luther's many mechanical inventions. It turned out to be so costly, however, that he rented it out as a home instead. Incorporated into the walls are rocks he collected in his extensive travelsf rocks from 15 countries (including Japan), 43 states in the U.S. and some from virtually every county in California. Here you will find cobblestones from the old San Francisco streets, fragments from the Stanford University Chapel which had been destroyed in the 1906 earthquake, Indian mortars and pestles and abalone shells. Two interior doors of solid black walnut come from one of Santa Clara's oldest homes which had belonged to the Spanish- Mexican pioneer family, the Arguellos. The Luther Cunningham Stone House as you see it today has been added to over the years, but here, again, we see a fine example of new additions consistent with the original design. As for style, it has been called everything from a Gingerbread House to a Tudor (because of the half- timbering and the roof). One thing that is known for certain is that Luther's Stone House is very definitely Unique! (New masonry and brickwork by Michael Ensley) $ �i'�5 f IR t •. ^ � '� �'( � Tai ^- _I 'Y• ter, -..�y :���_..i��..�„�.f:�`;.'� ✓�' I �I�� _ • 1 9490 Glen Una Drive • The original part of this beautiful Spanish Colonial home was built in 1924 -25 for the Knorp family. Mr. Knorp kept his Fairchild airplane parked across Saratoga -Los Gatos Rd. (the landing strip was on Pepper Lane). The home was later sold to Mr. Fred Carter. The Carters added the chauffeur's quarters over the garage after they moved in in 1938. As president of the National Lead Co., Mr. Carter was apparently quite wealthy, for the house was staffed not only by a maid and a chauffeur but also three full -time gardeners. Subsequent owners had their own ideas about how the house should look. When the McKinnon family bought it in 1967 it was very rundown, with turquoise and lavender walls, dark car- pet on the handmade tile floors and heavy drapery on the fine large windows. The McKin- nons remodeled the kitchen and began the re- storation of the grounds. They sold the home to its present owners in 1972. The present owners have continued the sym- pathetic restoration efforts of the McKinnons. They have restored the gardens to former glory, adding a tennis court, and the house has been extended with a cabana, a billiard room and three garages. The original garage is now a library, a sub - basement is a small wine cel- lar. Ironwork fixtures and woodwork have been restored. All changes and additions have been rendered in character with the original Span- ish Colonial design of the house and present a harmonious blend of old and new. (Interior design by Ken Poisson New woodwork craftsmanship by Steve van Diest) -20601 Brookwood Lane • The Kahle House was built in 1916 by a Mr. Willard, then head of the elegant City of Paris department store in San Francisco. The home was part of the fashionable trend of such wealthy city dwellers as Fremont Older, Senator James Phelan and the Blaneys to move out of the city to the clean air of the "country" whenever possible. The structure and the interior of the house are entirely original, hence preserving the character of the redwood construction, interior wood craftsmanship, intimate spaces and simple window detailing typical of the style known as "California Craftsman ". Con- temporary with Julia Morgan designed structures and other redwood and shingle bungalows adjacent to the village, this house exemplifies the trend to utilize native building materials and natural landscape settings to create a warmth and character promoted as the "Calif- ornia spirit ". The Willards remained in the home until approximately 1950 when Dr. McKuen purchased it for a summer house. In 1959 it was pur- chased by the Kahle family. The interior decor is largely influenced by the Kahles' exten- sive travels with the State Department. Here you will see treasures they have collected from many different parts of the world. f-h • Saratoga Historical Foundation • • Museum and Park - 20450 Saratoga - Sunnyvale Rd. The Saratoga Historical Museum, a store- front structure built in about 1909 or 1905, served as a drugstore, grocery, creamery and restaurant, a variety store and for twenty five years as a dress shop called "Swanee's ". j The property was sold in 1975 and the build - ing donated to the Saratoga Historical Foundation which had it moved from its orig- inal Big Basin Way location to its present site in the Saratoga Historical Park. This Park was established by the City in 1976 as a Bi- Centennial project. Timeless designs, old or new, depend upon constants; proportion, excellent workmanship, beautiful materials. That's why they endure and give us endless pleasure. California Edition, American Home Magazine, Sept., 1966 California History Center Foundation Board of Trustees Morton I. Levine Carole Pavlina Anthony Lopina Austen Warburton Seonaid McArthur David Bennion Stephen White Yvonne Jacobson Wardell Winslow Will Lester Robert Smithwick Madeleine Malovos Michael Sullivan Roy Roberts ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- For more information on the California History Center, call: (408) 996 -4712 Saratoga Heritage Preservation Commissioners Sharon Landsness - Chair Roy Cameron Seonaid McArthur Jean Kvamme Warren Heid (one member pending Barbara Voester appointment) ---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------- For more information on the Saratoga Heritage Preservation Commission, call: (408) 867 -3438 - City of Saratoga. Mr. Michael E•'lores, in the Department of Planning and Community Development, will be able to assist you. Many THANKS to our 18840 Fernwood Florist Donors. • • 18840 CoCox Avenue, Saratoga 379 -1950 Acorn Florist & Accents The Saratoga Florist Stevens Creek Blvd. 14572 Big Basin Way, Cupertino Saratoga 255 -0360 867 -4400 We -%vant to cxtcnd a spccial Avord oI, thanks to Mr. .Hain Pincl, cif, FOX CARSKADON, 1'Or the gcnerous dollatio�n that cnal)led us to print . the invitations. Rcsidcntial ticrvices Division I w 'I-',O tiaraioga- tiunnyN'alc Rd. Saratoga. (408) 996.1100 La Maison du Croissant The Plumed Horse 303 N. Santa Cruz, 14555 Big Basin Way, Los Gatos Saratoga 395 -4441 867 -4711 Saratoga Plaza Bakery Gene's Quito Market 14440 Big Basin Way, International Deli Saratoga 18850 Cox Ave., 867 -9606 Saratoga Marjolaine French Pastries 374 -5198 Big Basin Way, Paul Masson Vineyards Saratoga 13150 SAr—at—o-g-a-Kv--e. , 867 -2226 Saratoga Village Rendezvous 257-7800 14420 Big Basin Way, Saratoga 867 -2932 We -%vant to cxtcnd a spccial Avord oI, thanks to Mr. .Hain Pincl, cif, FOX CARSKADON, 1'Or the gcnerous dollatio�n that cnal)led us to print . the invitations. Rcsidcntial ticrvices Division I w 'I-',O tiaraioga- tiunnyN'alc Rd. Saratoga. (408) 996.1100 g r a p h i c d e s i g n - S h a r o n L a n d s n e s s DE All things vcar a luster xvilich is the gift of the present. and the tarnish of tinic. Emerson g r a p h i c d e s i g n - S h a r o n L a n d s n e s s