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Home My WebLink AboutOAK STREET 14534HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY ( #40) IDENTIFICATION 1. Common name: Lundblad's Lodge 2. Historic name: Lundblad's Lodge 3. Street or rural address: 14534 Oak Street City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 County: Santa Clara 4. Parcel number: 517 -10 -003 5. Present Owner: J. Fitzsimmons et al Address: 14534 Oak Street City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 Ownership is: Public: Private: X 6. Present Use: Residence Original Use: Residence /Lodge since 1918 DESCRIPTION 7a. Architectural style: Craftsman /Shingle 7b. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or structure and describe any major alterations from its original condition: This two - story, low- gabled lodge is set back on the lot. It is sheathed with brown, wooden shingles and is of the Craftsman style. Exposed rafters extend into the eaves and are also covered with shingles. There appear to be two older additions, one at the left front and one to the right rear of the building, each with double sash windows and shed roofs. Symmetrical sash windows flank the covered entryway. One set of four double sash windows light the second floor at the front. One large gable encloses the entire original structure with a small gabled, four columned porch at the center of the facade. A large oak tree, three foot rock wall and a lawn with flower beds set 8. Construction date: Estimated: Factual: 1905 9. Architect: Unknown 10. Builder: Unknown 11. Approx. prop. size Frontage: 99' Depth: 326' approx. acreage: 12. Date(s) of enclosed photograph(s): 1988 13. Condition: Excellent: Good: X Fair: Deteriorated: No longer in existence: 14. Alterations: Two additions 15. Surroundings: (Check more than one if necessary) Open land: Scattered buildings: Densely built -up: X Residential: X Industrial: Commercial: Other: Saratoga School 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: Cottages in rear SIGNIFICANCE 19. Briefly state historical and /or architectural importance (include dates, events, and persons associated with the site). The integrity of design and materials make this house an excellent representation of a Craftsman style lodge.It was built in 1905 for Mrs. Tabor. In 1918, it was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig Lundblad for a lodge. Their daughter, Hazel Lundblad Bargas, assisted them and eventually took over the operation along with her husband Joseph Bargas. She closed the lodge on her retirement in the 19701s. For many years this was a very popular place for visitors to Saratoga, including Olivia De Havilland and Joan Fontaine who stayed here frequently. Mrs. Bargas inherited her mother's cooking skill and dinner at Lundblad's was a local tradition that gained national recognition through Duncan Hines' restaurant directory, "Adventure in Good Eating." _ 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: Military: Religion: Social /Ed.: 21. Sources (List books, documents, surveys, personal interviews and their dates). Santa Clara County Heritage Resource Inventory, 1975,1979; F. Cunningham, Saratoga's First Hundred Years, 1967. 22. Date form prepared: 4/88 By (name): SHPC Organization: City of Saratoga City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 Phone: 867 -3438 Locational sketch map (draw and label site and surrounding streets, roads, and prominent landmarks): NORTH � r T v T� /I"" CITY OF SARATOGA CULTURAL RESOURCES INVENTORY PLANNING DEPARTMENT INVENTORY # q1' "PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN"--31 (date) IDENTIFICATION Street Address F Sly_cc, APN Historic Name �urd��a�� c��a @, J Present Owner H GZ P,1 N, f-lsG'l_rCI 6[A'_ , IG $S (1�i 1�YeCl 1�, `ji mi Address ��I •� ?5 �! pQK }r�C 'na nrc+ac�a fil' .� old P1O Present Use Original Use Other Past Uses nFCr PTPTTnN Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or structure and describe any major alterations from its original condition: � 5i11.nG\'��, �l��C' �� '1C�`PC�t a6 o �� , ih� has 0 p vSC, -The, rC t 6,y Cyr _ e, C.l'� C�� ar�c� Approximate property size: Lot size (in feet) Frontage qq. 1(0 Depth 3z .Q or approximate acreage Condition (check one): Excellent ( ) Good (A Fair ( ) _eriorated ( )' No longer in existence ( ) Is the feature: Altered? (,) Unaltered? (x) Location sketch map (draw and label site and surrounding streets, roads, and pro- minent landmarks) O'� vs � N 7 ZQ Threats to site: None known ( ) Private Development ( ) Vandalism ( ) Other ( ) Zoning ( ) Public Works Project ( ) Primary exteri- or.building material: Stone ( ) Brick ( ) Stucco ( ) Adobe ( ) Wood Other ( ) Is the structure: On its original site? ({) Moved? ( ) Unknown ( ) F►f2.sa A4.cvvn }44 • Year of initial construction This date is: Factual (u) Estimated ( ) Architect (if known) Builder ( if known) J - Related features: Barn ( ) Carriage House ( ) Outhouse ( ) Shed(s) ( ) Formal garden(s).( ) Windmill Watertower /Tankhouse ( ) Other (X) None SIGNIFICANCE Briefly state historical and. /or architectural importance (include dates, events, and persons associated with the site when known): The h01-lZe LoeL5 about h+ b� the. LL�Y%a blacos �r lath$ -for c�� oe1�e -h� s Sll►'�tmer r'e sorb wa s oqv-CL +cd b� 1Aazel ah cl S05e,Pln c, Y) rrnr, d-n -d \ '� r 5, Lk-l. e1 V'4 ►' l--ccr,c`b1 ad a-r d LS nou,J OP,4 %& y Lu.ndblad Source (books, documents, surveys, personal interviews, and their dates): SC�n�c� d ancc �OL��n' E- e r cube Co��ce °0 h 'r J , 19 7 �� I 7 9 CC 1'�►^ I�ti��clv-ec� eC��s, tqCol Y 1 Form prepared by:�L6(tY)CiU C% LA A Date: J • A A 0' 04 July 13, 1988 13777 FRUITVALE AVENUE • SARATOGA. CALIFORNIA 95070 (408) 867 -:3438 Mr. Joseph Fitzsimmons et al 14534 Oak Street Saratoga, CA 95070 Dear Mr. Fitzsimmons: 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 14534 Oak Street 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 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 Landsness Barba/ Voester Heid, Cha HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY ( #40) IDENTIFICATION 1. Common name: Lundblad's Lodge 2. Historic name: Lundblad's Lodge 3. Street or rural address: 14534 Oak Street City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 County: Santa Clara 4. Parcel number: 517 -10 -003 5. Present Owner: J. Fitzsimmons et al' Address: 14534 Oak Street City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 Ownership is: Public: Private: X 6. Present Use: Residence Original User Residence /Lodge since 1918 DESCRIPTION 7a. Architectural style: Craftsman /Shingle 7b. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or structure and describe any major alterations from its original condition: This two - story, low - gabled lodge is set back on the lot. It is sheathed with brown, wooden shingles and is of the Craftsman style. Exposed rafters extend, into the eaves and are also covered with shingles. There apper to be two older additions, one at the left front and one to the right rear of the building, each with double sash windows and shed roofs. Symmetrical sash windows flank the covered entryway. One set of four double sash windows light the second floor at the front. One large gable encloses the entire original structure with a small gabled, four columned porch at the center of the facade. A large oak tree, three foot rock wall and a lawn with flower beds set off the front. (photograph here) 8. Construction date: Estimated: Factual: 1905 9. Architect: Unknown 10. Builder: Unknown 11. Approx. prop. size Frontage: 99' Depth: 326' approx. acreage: 12. Date(s) of enclosed photograph(s): 1988 13. Condition: Excellent: Good: X Fair: Deteriorated: No longer in existence: 14. Alterations: Two additions 15. Surroundings: (Check more than one if necessary) Open land: Scattered buildings: Densely built -up: X Residential: X Industrial: Commercial: Other: Saratoga School 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: Cottages in rear SIGNIFICANCE 19. Briefly state historical and /or architectural.,importance (include dates, events, and persons associated with the site). The integrity of design and materials make this house an excellent representation of a Craftsman style lodge.It was built in 1905 for Mrs. Tabor. In 1918, it was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig - Lundblad for a lodge. Their daughter, Hazel Lundblad Bargas, assisted them and eventually took over the operation along with her husband Joseph Bargas. She closed the lodge on her retirement in the 19701s. For many years this was a very popular place for visitors to Saratoga, including Olivia De Havilland and Joan Fontaine who stayed here frequently. Mrs. Bargas inherited her mother's cooking skill and dinner at Lundblad's was a local tradition that gained national recognition through Duncan Hines' restaurant directory, "Adventure in Good Eating." 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: Military: Religion: Social /Ed.: 21. Sources (List books, documents, surveys, personal interviews and their dates) . Santa Clara County Heritage Resource Inventory, 1975,1979; F. Cunningham, Saratoga's First Hundred Years, 1967. 22. Date form prepared: 4/88 By (name): SHPC Organization: City of Saratoga City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 Phone: 867 -3438 Saratoga blessed wi [r,^1" "1. Bere' Of and other plays, which he called "good, solid shows." "We're trying to maintain an audience," he added. "We can't be too innovative. We'll leave that to the universities. The g 's first show next year will b Neil Simo n's "Come Blow Your Born" in January. "Mr. Roberts" will be perform- ed in May. "In general, we do non- musicals," he continued, ex- that four other groups besides iuis own use the Civic Theater, and many of them regularly do musicals. The com- M #4 needs non- musicals' nterspe irsed between the musicals," he said. Reminiscences Continued from page 4 Arch Brolly, an electrical en- ' gineer who played an instru- . mental part in developing early television with Philo Fares- worth, always kept his family home, built in 1888, despite the fact that he lived long periods of his life in San Francisco, Palo Alto, London and Philadelphia. He recalls his days warmly at Saratoga School, learning to build little boxes, then gradua- tiq to a large pine library table. which he still owns. He also remembers snow falling several times a_year_ on_ the ridge of Bohlman Road. School would be dismissed, and students and teachers would hike up the mountain to throw snowballs and build snowmen. _ 'Down at the creek Bob Oliver, a retired execu- tive from PG&E, was born in a ,farmhouse off Fruitvale Ave= inue. His favorite spot in town. ;was Saratoga Creek between. William and Walnut avenues. ' ` "There was a great deal more water in the creek in the. '20s and one of our favorite acti- Pleaseturntopage 14_ S a A o. 2 8 r� Memories, of orchard days Continued from page 11 vities was trying to damn up the water," he reca,a. "The creek was about 30 feet across and two to three feet deep. We used rocks, sandbags and boards. You could swim, although you did a lot more paddling •than swimming. The fishing was great!" Newspaperman and parttime attorney Willys Peck has im- mortalized the early days of I Saratoga through his columns in 'the San Jose Mercury News. The son of Llewellyn Peck, editor of the Saratoga Star and later the Los Gatos Mail News and- Star, young Peck became interested in newspaper work — and acting — from childhood. He wrote a i column about his grammar school for his father's news- paper and acted in plays with the budding young actress, Olivia de Havilland. His most vivid childhood memory are the orchards. "We lived in -a house on Marion Ave- nue that was surrounded by or- chards on three sides. Apricots grew on one side, prunes on the other, so we enjoyed the full cy -. cle of blooming." Orchard memories "A Japanese plowman steer- ed a two-horse team around the rows of trees. I was no more 1 than 4 years old and constantly feA dirt in My shoes. Every of w steps, the Japanese plow- man would stop working, empty my shoes and continue again. My brother and I soon grew weary'of walking and ran off to other - adventures, but the fact that the . plowman took time to empty my shoes again and again has stayed with me all these years., afternoons, Peck says, he enjoyed climbing the hills around what is now Canyon View 'Drive. There were few houses: on the hill, mostly or- chards and fields. Yet, at the top was their reward — a beautiful view of the valley with orchards as far as the eye could see! Saratoga • Hal Cropp, director of development for the Valley Institute of Theater Arts (VITA), said his group "em- Ploys the full gamut of actors" Professionals, pre- profession- als and children and adults from the community. . He said VITA performed be. fore 75,000 last year and pre-. dicted the group will- perform before loo,000 people in 1985. VITA productions, he said, are designed to involve the audience. "Our intent is to offer theater in a complete setting, allowing the audience to mingle with each other. We want people to come away with the feeling of being involved in the entire theater experience," he said. AZULE MALL 'Be part of a very r�oving experiences g -i w Just happy to be here! reopie nave many reasons for living, working, visiting or shopping In Saratoga. Our photographer recently walked through the streets of the city to ask some of those she encoun- tered what it is about Saratoga that attracted them. RIGHT: Walter and Laurie Warren of Los Gatos make many trips to the city to visit their grandchildren —and while here enjoy a festive meal at one of rS a r w v s Saratoga's old- timers reminisce Memories of fruit ranches, festivals and feasts By Among the quarter million dollar houses and the modern new shopping centers in Sara - toga are remnants of the town's rich historical past. Portions of Big Basin Way and the homes around Saratoga School on Oak Street speak of the days when the town was a year -round home to fruit ranchers and a summer retreat for vacationers. Dozens of natives who grew up in town still live here and share a warm remembrance of fishing in Saratoga Creek or climbing up the hills around Canyon View Drive on a crisp autumn day. Over the years, the Saratoga News has interviewed many old - timers. Every one of them expressed the hope that the newcomers to Saratoga will come to appreciate the history and heritage of the town as much as they do. One of the oldest residents is 97- year -old Hazel Bargas, who was born on the Hume Ranch, the only daughter of Emma and Ludwig Lundblad. She grew up on the fruit ranch and at age 19 married a man 18 years her sen- ior, Joseph Bargas, a newly- hired ranch hand. The young couple joined forces with her parents and in 1918 opened the Lundblad Lodge on Oak Street, serving meals on the porch and renting out rooms and cottages to visitors from the city. Fine food, soft breezes "What wonderful parties we had," she recalls. "Our main meal was supper, served be- tween 12:30 and 1 o'clock. We would have chicken soup, salad, a meat course, pudding and fruit. How people loved mother's rolls! We never fixed meals as cheap as we could, but rather as good as we could." Up to 50 people would sit on the porch dining room enjoying the good food and the soft breezes drifting through the scm,ens. Upstairs guests would Max in their -rooms before bik- ing to Saratoga Creek or wan- dering around town. Olivia de Havilland, sister Joan Fontaine and their mother lived at Lund - blad Lodge for a year. Melita Oden, who won the Ci- tizen of the Year Award in 1977, is another native who has loving memories of the early days in Saratoga. She was one of three daughters born to Dr. Robert Hogg and his wife, the former Agnes Hourecan. The young girl grew up in a large house with a front porch surrounded by fields Long -time Saratogan Arch Brolly stands next to a spinning wheel donated to the Saratoga Historical Museum by the family of Florence Cunningham, author of "Saratoga's First 100 Years." and orchards. She remembers the spring Blossom Festivals that at- tracted people from all over the valley. "The festivals that I parti- cularly remember were held around 1915. In the morning we would go to the schoolhouse to compete in footraces and horse- shoe games. For lunch, chur- ches served meals in store build - ings in town. Then, the program would begin at the amphitheater by Saratoga Creek. "There would be speeches, some by Senator James Phelan of Montalvo. Musical groups Performed. One year, the San Francisco Symphony even played." City loved festivals "At the end of the day, friends and relatives came over i to the house for refreshments," she continues. "These festivals were the highlight of our lives. People who had moved out of Saratoga always came back to town during the festivals." Oden is known as the histor- ian of Saratoga because of her interest in preserving the his- tory of the town. She inherited the title after the late Florence Cunningham passed away. Cun- ningham was instrumental in forming the Saratoga Historical Foundation and researching the history of Saratoga for her book, still in print, "Saratoga's First Hundred Years." Please turn to page U 4�3 1 CSR,. ct� fit_.. v� 'Y11 v�'t ;, a- %� 40 I t*12011ML71 Private funeral services have been held for Hazel Lundblad Bar- gas, 98, whose Lundblad'i Lodge was one of the last boardinghouses from Saratoga's heyday as a resort center, A native and lifelong resident of Saratoga, Mrs. Bargas died Sunday in her home on Oak Street. Mrs. Bargas and her late hus- band, Joseph Bargas, took over operation of the lodge established in 1915 by her parents, Ludvig and Emma Lundblad, who came to Saratoga from Sweden in the late 1800s. In the years when Saratoga was a small town virtually surrounded by orchards, it enjoyed a wide rep- utation in the Bay Area and beyond as a resort for leisurely summer holidays. Up through the 1920s and 1930s, at least a half-dozen such hostel- ries flourished, some of them con- verted from spacious, older homes. Among them were the Saratoga Inn, NiTpDn Mura (now La Haci- enda), oyon Lodge, The Terrace, The Lodge and Lundblad's. Mrs. Bargas inherited her mother's cooking skill, and dinner at Lundblad's was a local tradition that gained national recognition through Duncan Hines' restaurant directory, "Adventures in Good Eating." Until recent years, Mrs. Bargas continued serving Sunday chicken dinners in the lodge dining room, where the decor had changed little in more than 50 years. Other con- stants were Mrs. Bargas' legend- ary sweet rolls, and the ministra- tions of white-jacketed Andy Abe- nojar, her helper over several decades. A frequent guest in later years was actress Olivia de Havilland, who, as a young child, had lived for a time at Lundblad's with her mother and sister, Joan Fontaine. Mrs. Bargas was a, charter member of the Saratoga Foothill Club and the Saratoga Federated Church. At her death, she was the oldest member of both organiza- tions. Survivors include a daughter, Mildred B. Hart of Piedmont, and several nieces and nephews. CD, �i z W LL I Z W 8' NEWS B &B opponents gear up for council debate By Rob Vardon The controversy over wheth- er or not "bed and breakfast" inns should be allowed in resi- dential areas is heating up, as the Saratoga City Council pre- pares for a March 4 public hear- ing on the matter. The council meeting next Wednesday begins at 7 p.m. at the City Hall council chambers ,(13777 FYuitvale Ave.). Opponents of a proposal by the Saratoga Heritage Preser- vation Commission to allow B &Bs in residential districts lo- cated within 500 feet of the Sara- toga Village commercial district plan to be out in force when the topic goes before the council. "We're not against bed and breakfasts, but we're very much against allowing someone to open up a small hotel right next to us," said Greg Grodhaus, a resident of Saratoga -Los Gatos Road, who lives within 500 feet of the southern Village bound- ary. "You'll have nine or 10• cars coming in or out of the place and you have children outside play- ing," Grodhaus said. "Ask your- self, 'Would I want to live next to that?' " Grodhaus said the auto traf- fic generated by a B &B would endanger neighborhood chil- dren. He also claimed the inns would reduce the market value of nearby houses. "If you're moving into Saratoga and you're going to spend a half- million dol- The owner of this Wyear-old house on Oak Street wants to turn the structure into a bed- and - breakfast inn. lars on a house, you want it to be in a residential neighborhood," he said. "Your home is a place to relax. If you have a bed and breakfast next to you, it inter- rupts your privacy and wrecks your home value. If you want to live around hustle and bustle, you'll move into a condo in the city where you can be in com- Please turn to page 8 . -- • _ ..mss - '! C 'BULK RATE raoga - unnyv e I �L,TR U.S. Postage Paid Saratoga, CA 95070 jgJRT VC1,S 13Ljjaq S U AY Donnelly Newspapers `I 1. 51 — . _ ,I SI1TtA2t�G 1, CA..- X5070 3-2 -6- � ;E ___.._... ._....__........_.._......_.�.. Paradise lost.? Community Garden site could be sold Story on page 5 `The (new) owner may want to use us as a tax write-off. I'm still hoping that a wealthy (citizen) will buy all the land and keep the garden.' Director Marianne Swan Critics cite `negative frontpage2 serve the building, b mercial surroundings." Bed and breakfast inns — like hotels — offer rooms for short-term rent. B&Bs also serve breakfasts to guests. Saratoga law allows B &Bs in commercial districts — _includ- ing the Village — and in the pro- fessional /administrative office district. They are not now al- lowed in residential districts. The inns are allowed only in buildings that have been desig- nated by the City Council — upon recommendation by the Heritage Preservation re- sources," or historic landmarks. The Heritage Commission views B&Bs as incentives for owners of historic houses to restore them and keep them in use, while recouping restoration costs through revenue from their B&Bs. On' Dec. 10, the Saratoga Planning Commission unani- mously rejected proposed amendments to the city zoning ordinance that would allow B&Bs to be opened in historic resources located in residential districts 500 feet from the Vil- lage boundaries. Only two building owners in Saratoga are known to be inter- ested in converting their old houses into B&Bs. Attorney John R. Kahle, who owns an 81- year -old house near Brookwood Lane, said bed and breakfas ° inns "would add sig- crm and quaintness to our cfty. " Kahle said the house he owns is deteriorating as a long-term rental. He said he wants to re- store the house and re -open it as a B&B. Ann Fitzsimmons, co -owner Of an Wyear -old house at 14534 Oak St., said she wants to pre- B &B impact ut added, "No owner of such a building will spend the kind of money it will take to make it a showplace unless that owner intends to live in the building or use it as a business. "We have no intention of liv- ing in the building." Fitzsimmons said if the building is required to remain a residence, "we would make only minimum necessary repairs to make it habitable, and we would have no compelling reason to have it designated as a his- torical landmark." flu somebody doesn't have the money to restore an old house, that's fine," Grodhaus said. "But what right do they have to say they're going to con- vert it into a bed and breakfast inn and earn a lot of money, while causing a loss in value of the properties around them and taking away the rightful use of the neighborhood? "If this is just a plan to help a couple of homeowners who live within 500 feet of the Village, then next year, if they find a couple more houses that would qualify as B&Bs, will they extend it 500 feet more? This would be a precedent for any future attempts to do the same thin¢." �5 tt"-Jt" ,j�-4- ay"t 4i 6