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Home My WebLink AboutFRUITVALE AVENUE 13616'A y. A July 13, 1988 pf (00 0&ia&UQ)(5& 13777 FRUITVALE AVENUE • SARATOGA. CALIFORNIA 95070 (408) 867 -:3438 Mrs. Leonie T. Kerwin 13616 Fruitvale Avenue Saratoga, CA 95070 Dear Mrs. Kerwin: 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 13616 Fruitvale Avenue 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, through Valerie Young, our One of the Commissioners will the Inventory and answer any Sincerely, please direct them to the staff person at City Hall be happy to meet with you questions you may have. Members of the Heritage Preservation Commission Elizabeth Ansnes Roy Cameron . Norm Koepernik Sharpn Landsness Bar a t Voester arren Heid, Chairman w � Commission (867- 3438). to discuss HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY ( #25) IDENTIFICATION 1. Common name: Kerwin Ranch 2. Historic name: Reynolds Ranch 3. Street or rural address: 13616 Fruitvale Avenue City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 County: Santa Clara 4. Parcel number: 389 -34 -001 5. Present Owner: Leonie T. Kerwin City: Saratoga Ownership is: Public: 6. Present Use: Residence, ranch DESCRIPTION 7a. Architectural style: Pioneer Address: 13616 Fruitvale Avenue Zip: 95070 Private: X Original Use: Residence, ranch 7b. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or structure and describe any major alterations from its original condition: This is a one -story farmhouse with a shallow front porch extending across the entire width of the front. The roof extends across the porch and is supported by four square wooden columns. A narrow front door is centered in this wall and is flanked by two narrow but deep double -hung windows. There is a second porch on the north side of the house, extending about 2/3 the length of this side, supported by three columns and giving access to the house through a screened door. The house is clad in wood siding and the roof is of composition shingles. The house sits near the southeast corner of an orchard, closely surrounded by trees and shrubs. There is a second structure near the house, with both one and two -story elements. The single -story wing contains sliding wooden barn doors, and serves as a barn and fruit shed. (photograph here) 8. Construction date: Estimated: 1870 Factual: 9. Architect: Unknown 10. Builder: Unknown 11. Approx. prop. size Frontage: Depth: Approx. acreage: 11.6 12. Date(s) of enclosed photograph(s): 1988 13. Condition: Excellent: Good: X Fair: Deteriorated: No longer in existence: 14. Alterations: 15. Surroundings: (Check more than one if necessary) Open land: X Scattered buildings: 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: Barn -fruit shed, working fruit orchard SIGNIFICANCE 19. Briefly state historical and /or architectural importance (include dates, events, and persons associated with the site). This house was built around 1870 by Thomas Reynolds. Reynolds' daughter, Lucy, married John B. Kerwin, and they had vineyards and apricots on the property which produced grapes for Paul Masson. During prohibition the vineyards were replaced with apricots and prunes. Descendents of the Reynolds and Kerwins still own the property today. There is a photograph identified as having been taken at the house, probably in the 18901s, on page 216 of Saratoga's First Hundred Years. 20. Main theme of the historic resource: (If more than one is checked, number in order of importance.) Architecture: Arts /Leisure: Economic /Industrial: 2 Exploration /Settlement: 1 Government: Military: Religion: Social /Ed.: 21. Sources (List books, documents, surveys, personal interviews and their dates). Santa Clara County Heritage Resource Inventory, 1979; interview with Melita Oden, 2/85, F. Cunningham, Saratoga's First Hundred Years, 1967; Linda Davis, 1988. 22. Date form prepared: 4/88 By (name): SHPC Organization: City of Saratoga Address: 13777 Fruitvale Avenue City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 Locational sketch map (draw and label site and surrounding streets, roads, and prominent landmarks): NORTH CITY OF SARATOGA PLANNING DEPARTMENT L4, CULTURAL RESOURCES INVENTORY INVENTORY # PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN _ _ (date) IDENTIFICATION' �rnew�� Street Address i 4vCL /�'V� °S� APN� Historic Name Thornas y, Re, r old S f4c)Av* Ro�mejj Present Owner �e °t1_0,-�, Ice-yuyi n Address Present Use --Fea a '-_ Ra'/VAC' , Other Past Uses Original Use�Q��e°'r�� ®�,�� DESCRIPTION 7 Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or structure and describe any major alterations from its original condition: Approximate property size: SARATn*df `VC raL4Vj -I-e Lot size (in feet) Frontage '�' (,� F� , Ipfo7 -At. Depth or approximate acreage Condition (check one): Excellent ( ) Good ( ) Fair ( ) \,_ _)riorated ( ) No longer in existence ( ) Is the feature: Altered? ( ) Unaltered? >' Location sketch map (draw and label site and surrounding streets, roads, and pro- minent landmarkc) 1 N1 Threats to site: None known Private Development ( ) Zoning ( ) Public Works Project Vandalism ( ) Other ( ) Primary exterior building material: Stone ( ) Brick ( ) Stucco ( ) Adobe ( ) Wood ( ) Other ( ) Is the structure: On its original site? �' Moved? ( ) Unknown ( ) Year of initial construction rl This date is: Factual ( ) Architect (if known) Builder ( if known) Related features: y�ar� r�cea�� Barn (X` Carriage House ( ) Outhouse ( ) Watertower /Tankhouse ( ) Other ( ) SIGNIFICANCE Estimated ( ) 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): IJLLh.g-r�-U, y ,,;11 1Vj1 Q, ¢eC- e -NCP, yy Tvm ao, wy,eha�►��ek p- cen�.6+�►�,�� Source (books, documents, surveys, personal interviews, and their dates): v Form prepared by: Date: HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY ( #25) IDENTIFICATION 1. Common name: Kerwin Ranch 2. Historic name: Reynolds Ranch 3. Street or rural address: 13616 Fruitvale Avenue City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 County: Santa Clara 4. Parcel number: 389 -34 -001 5. Present Owner: Leonie T. Kerwin Address: 13616 Fruitvale Avenue City: Saratoga Ownership is: Public: 6. Present Use: Residence DESCRIPTION 7a. Architectural style: Zip: 95070 Private: X Original Use: Residence Pioneer 7b. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or structure and describe any major alterations from its original condition: This is a one -story farmhouse with a shallow front porch extending across the entire width of the front. The roof extends across the porch and is supported by four square wooden columns. A narrow front door is centered in this wall and is flanked by two narrow but deep double -hung windows. There is a second porch on the north side of the house, extending about 2/3 the length of this side, supported by three columns and giving access to the house through a screened door. The house is clad in wood siding and the roof is of composition shingles. The house sits near the southeast corner of an orchard, closely surrounded by overgrown trees and shrubs. There is a second structure near the house, with both one and two -story elements. The single -story wing contains sliding wooden barn doors, and appears to have been a barn or fruit shed. (photograph here) 8. Construction date: Estimated: 1871 Factual: 9. Architect: Unknown 10. Builder: Unknown 11. Approx. prop. size Frontage: Depth: Approx. acreage: 11.6 12. Date(s) of enclosed photograph(s): 1988 13. Condition: Excellent: Good: X Fair: Deteriorated: No longer in existence: 14. Alterations: 15. Surroundings: (Check more than one if necessary) Open land: X Scattered buildings: Densely built -up: Residential: X Industrial: Commercial: Other: 16. Threats to site: None known: X Private development: Vandalism: Public Works project: Other: 17. Is the structure: On its original site? X Moved? 18. Related features: Barn -fruit shed, working fruit orchard Zoning: Unknown? SIGNIFICANCE 19. Briefly state historical and /or architectural importance (include dates, events, and persons associated with the site). This house was built around 1871 by Thomas Reynolds. Reynolds' daughter married John B. Kerwin, and they had vineyards on the property which produced grapes for Paul Masson. Their descendents still own the property today. There is a photograph identified as having been taken at the house, probably in the 18901s, on page 216 of Saratoga's First Hundred Years. 20. Main theme of the historic resource: (If more than one is checked, number in order of importance.) Architecture: Arts /Leisure: Economic /Industrial: 2 Exploration /Settlement: 1 Government: Military: Religion: Social /Ed.: 21. Sources (List books, documents, surveys, personal interviews and their dates). Santa Clara County Heritage Resource Inventory, 1979; interview with Melita Oden, 2/85, F. Cunningham, Saratoga's First Hundred Years, 1967. 22. Date form prepared: 4/88 By (name): SHPC Organization: City of Saratoga Address: 13777 Fruitvale Avenue City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 Phone: 867 -3438 Locational sketch map (draw and label site and surrounding streets, roads, and prominent landmarks): NORTH HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY ( #25) IDENTIFICATION 1. Common name: Kerwin Ranch 2. Historic name: Reynolds Ranch 3. Street or rural address: 13616 Fruitvale Avenue City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 County: Santa Clara 4. Parcel number: 389 -34 -001 5. Present Owner: Leonie T. Kerwin Address: 13616 Fruitvale Avenue City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 Ownership is: Public: Private: X 6. Present Use: Residence Original Use: 'Residence DESCRIPTION 7a. Architectural style: Pioneer 7b. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or structure and describe any major alterations from its original condition: This is a one -story farmhouse with a shallow front porch extending across the entire width of the front. The roof extends across the porch and is supported by four square wooden columns. A narrow front door is centered in this wall and is flanked by two narrow but deep double -hung windows. There is a second porch on the north side of the house, extending about 2/3 the length of this side, supported by three columns and giving access to the house through a screened door. The house is clad in wood siding and the roof is of composition shingles. The house sits near the southeast corner of an orchard, closely surrounded by overgrown trees and shrubs. There is a second structure near the house, with both one and two -story elements. The single -story wing contains sliding wooden barn doors, and appears to have been a barn or fruit shed. 8. Construction date: Estimated: 1871 Factual: 9. Architect: Unknown (photograph here) 10. Builder: Unknown 11. Approx. prop. size Frontage: Depth: Approx. acreage: 11.6 12. Date(s) of enclosed photograph(s): 1988 Kerwin Ranch Since. '1870 13616 Fruitvale Avenue SaraloL,a CA 95070 May 23, 1988 Dear Neighbor, RECZ,VEO PLANNING DEPT The Kerwin Ranch consists of the eleven orchard acres located near your residence, on the east side of Fruitvale /Saratoga Avenue. During the past months several neighbors have approached us informally with questions regard- ing the status of the ranch as orchard land, and its future as such in the face of ever- decreasing open land in Saratoga. As your neighbors, we wanted to take this opportunity to contact you regarding the ranch's status and also regarding recent events of some concern to us both. First, our uncle, Roland Kerwin, a familiar person to many of you, died in August 1987 following a prolonged illness. Since that time the next Kerwin generation has assumed active management of the ranch. It is our intention, as has been our family tradition since 1870, to continue ranching - maintain- ing and restoring the orchard as scenic open land and as an agricultural busi- ness for as long as possible. The harvest will occur this summer, and 100 young trees are ordered for planting in the fall. Second, we would like to request your cooperation and help with several matters of increasing concern, as follows: 1. Trespassing - it has been our practice to permit neighbors to transit the orchard on the pathway from the subdivision to Fruitvale, except on days of cultivating and fertilizing. Recently, numerous people from places unknown are transiting the orchard off the pathway, in all areas, in all directions. "No Trespassing" and "Private Property" signs have been ignored or destroyed by walkers, joggers, bicyclists and tourists, many of whom enter or exit the orchard at the end of the new Lisa Marie Ct. It is important for many reasons that people stay out of the or- chard. We ask your cooperation by: a. Staying on the Fruitvale- subdivision path b. Reminding others not to trespass c. Restraining dogs from digging around fruit trees and from destroying wildlife d. Requesting permission at the above address if you wish to spend limited time in the orchard 2. Picking fruit - harvest season will be here soon, probably the 3rd or 4th week of June. It has come to our attention that in the past three years we have lost between 20 -30% of the cash crop to unauthorized pick- ing. The picking has occurred along Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga Avenue, and also near the creek. The fruit crop is our source of income. It is that source of income which enables us to continue maintaining the or- chard. If you want some fruit we will be selling it locally as well as to commercial processors. We ask that you do not pick fruit, and that you report the presence of unauthorized pickers to the above address, or ask such persons to leave. Authorized pickers will receive identifying cards from us. 3. Dumping - during April someone drove a large truck through the orchard and dumped a substantial amount of brush and trash near the creek. Ear- lier this year, someone dumped a load of rocks, gravel and dirt beside the creek on Fruitvale Avenue. There is no way we can remove trash without considerable cost. We do not dump our own brush anywhere but the middle of the orchard for winter burning, and regret that trash -has - been dumped near some of your properties. If you see dumping in progress or evidence thereof please note the vehicle description and forward the details to us for follow -up. We believe that you, like us, appreciate the open, rural nature of the Kerwin Ranch. In addition to its role as an authentic vestige of Saratoga's yesterdays, it is also a wildlife refuge and source of natural beauty and quality fruit. We are attached to this land as were our forebears. We ask your cooperation in helping us preserve its dignity and integrity as a valued part of Saratoga today. Your comments and questions are welcome. Please contact Linda Davis at the above address. Sincerely, Linda Davis Stan Davis Tim Kerwin Jack Nunneley H Obituaries �� ►��'�fi Roland N. Kerwin, long -time rancher Roland N. Kerwin, 76, a native of Saratoga and long -time rancher, died Aug. 17 at his home. He was born Jan. 21, 1911, and went through Saratoga grammar school and Los Gatos High School. Survivors are two sisters, Leonie Kerwin and Martha K. Davis, both of Saratoga Memorial services were accorded at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and inurn- ment was at Madronia Ceme- tery, under direction of Darling - Fischer Chapel of the Hills. F, r �v 1 O_ 1/6 h 1 . rl n I [� l Y A D is iii b , . Al -t`7 �v 1