HomeMy WebLinkAboutFRUITVALE AVENUE 14901HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY ( #301
IDENTIFICATION
1. Common name:
2. Historic name: Sunshine Williams Caretaker's House
3. Street or rural address: 14901 Fruitvale Avenue
City: Saratoga
4. Parcel number: 397 -18 -072
Zip: 95070 County: Santa Clara
5. Present Owner: William & Marjorie Wright Address: 14901 Fruitvale Ave.
City: Saratoga
Ownership is: Public:
6. Present Use: Farmhouse
Zip: 95070
Private: X
Original Use: Residence
DESCRIPTION
7a. Architectural style: Pioneer Cottage
7b. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or
structure and describe any major alterations from its original
condition:
This two - story, woodframe farmhouse was originally surrounded by
agricultural lands on quiet McCall Road (now Fruitvale Avenue). At
the rear of the house is a shallow tree - studded canyon that separates
the house from its neighbors. The home is well preserved and has had
some additions over the years. The original house was a simple
classic box with a hip roof, wide eaves and exposed rafters. The
cottage is clad with horizontal lap siding on the first story and
square shingles on the second. The enclosed entry porch may be an
addition. The double hung windows are symmetrically placed and those on
the second floor have shutters. A one -story addition on the southern
side includes a living room, bathroom and den. The front door has also
been relocated to this newer area. A carport /garage has been added at
the north, and a deck at the rear.
8. Construction date:
Estimated: Pre -1900
Factual:
9. Architect: Unknown
10. Builder: Sidney Williams
11. Approx. prop. size (ft)
Frontage:
Depth:
approx. acreage: .05
12. Date(s) of enclosed
photograph(s)
1S
V
13. Condition: Excellent: Good: X Fair: Deteriorated:
14. Alterations: Living room, porch, bathroom and garage added.
15. Surroundings: (Check more than one if necessary)
Open land: 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:
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Zoning:
Unknown?
SIGNIFICANCE
19. Briefly state historical and /or architectural importance (include dates,
events, and persons associated with the site).
This was the home of a Swedish man, Nils Larson, and his wife prior to
1900. Nils was the caretaker and grounds maintenance man for The
Reverend "Sunshine" Williams. Larson cultivated the orchards and cared
for the carriage horses. The Reverend Edwin Sidney (Everlasting
Sunshine) Williams was a retired Congregational minister (1837- 1918).
In the spring of 1899, following two years of drought, Williams
conceived the idea of a Saratoga Blossom Festival of Thanksgiving. The
first festival was held in March 1900. His hilltop home on Three Oaks
Way was part of the Bella Vista Ranch. He had boundless energy and
enthusiasm and called his Thanksgiving Festival "jollification ". He
also established the Missionary Settlement in 1900 to give counsel,
comfort or assistance to returned missionaries. He was an original
member of the Sempervirens Club which proposed that Big Basin become a
state park. He is buried at Madronia Cemetery.
20. Main theme of the historic resource:
(If more than one is checked, number
in order of importance.)
Architecture: Arts /Leisure:
Economic /Industrial:
Exploration /Settlement: X
Government: Military:
Religion: Social /Ed.:
21. Sources (List books, documents,
surveys, personal interviews and
their dates). Interviews with
Archibald Brolly, 1988; William
and Marjorie Wright, 1988.
Saratoga's First Hundred Years,
F. Cunningham.
22. Date form prepared: 4/89
By (name): B. Voester
Organization: HPC
Address: 13777 Fruitvale Avenue
City: Saratoga Zip: 95070
Phone: 867 -3438
Location Sketch Map
NORTH