HomeMy WebLinkAboutQuito Road 13089HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY ( #.60)1,.
IDENTIFICATION
1. Common name:
2. Historic name: Mitchell Residence
3. Street or rural address: 13089 Quito Road
City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 County: Santa Clara
4. Parcel number: 389 -14 -037
5. Present Owner: Mr. & Mrs. Louis Dorcich, Jr. Address: 13089 Quito Rd.
City: Saratoga Zip: 95070
Ownership is: Public: Private: X
6. Present Use: Residence Original Use: Residence
DESCRIPTION
7a. Architectural style: Craftsman
7b. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or
structure and describe any major alterations from its original
condition:
This is a two -story Craftsman house with a wide single - gabled roof of
composition shingle; the wide side faces the front of the house. The
front side of the roof is punctuated by a wide gabled dormer. All of
the eaves, including the dormer, feature simple exposed rafters. The
house is clad in horizontal clapboard siding, approximately 2" in
width. All of the windows are wood sash and feature a variety of pane
configurations. The front eave overhangs a wide porch which features
two entry columns, also clad in wood siding. The house has 5 bedrooms
and 2 baths, and has seen no structural changes.
8. Construction date: 1909
Estimated:
Factual: X
9. Architect: Unknown
10. Builder: Unknown
11. Approx. prop. size (ft)
Frontage:
Depth:
approx. acreage
12. Date(s) of enclosed
photograph(s)
13. Condition: Excellent: X Good: Fair: Deteriorated:
No longer in existence:
14. Alterations: None
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 highly visible house was built in 1909 by Frank E. Mitchell for
his son, Wilbur when the latter moved in that year. Frank Mitchell was
born in Mokelumne in 1864 and came to San Jose with his parents in
1868; his father bought the property on Quito Road in 1878 and planted
one of the area's earliest prune orchards (two separate sources put the
original plat at 119 and 160 acres). This house sits on part of the
original property. Frank Mitchell was a Santa Clara County Supervisor
from 1904 - 1920; he was instrumental in having many of the main County
roads paved during his tenure, and died in 1940. The Wilbur Mitchell's
lived in the house until selling to the current owners in 1961. The
residence is an excellent example of the Craftsman style.
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). Interview with Mr. & Mrs.
Dorcich, 7/25/89; Saratoga Story, R.V.
Garrod, 1962; data compiled by Dave
Duril and Thomas Nye, 6/2/84.
22. Date form prepared: 8/89
By (name): Willys Peck
Organization: HPC
Address: 13777 Fruitvale Ave.
City: Saratoga Zip: 95070
Phone: 867 -3438
Location Sim" Map
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Street address: 13089 Quito Road, Saratoga
Present owners: Mr. and Mrs. Louis Dorcich Jr.
Historic name: Mitchell property
Parcel number: Hope it's in city records
Ownership: Private. In use as residence
Architectural style: Craftsman. Built 1909, according to present owner
Present physical appearance: The house is set back from the road, on
two acres that the present owner has planted to
cherries. Mr. Dorcich says no structural changes
have been made in the five - bedroom, two- bathroom
house in which he and-his wife, - the. former Helen
Anders, raised nine of their 11 children.
Architect and builder: Unknown
Present condition:-The house has not, as mentioned above, been altered.
It represents an unusual ownership situation in that
the present owners are only the second occupants.
According to.Mr. Dorcich, the house was built (in 1909)
by Frank-E. Mitchell for his son Wilbur when the latter
married.in 1909. The Wilbur Mitchells' lived there.until
selling to the Dorciches in 1961..
Historical significance: Unfortunately, I couldn't get any information.
on Wilbur Mitchell who, I understand, died just a few
years ago. No discoverable obit at the'Mercury News.
However, the historical significance probably derives
from the father, Frank E. Mitchell, who.was born in
Mokelumne in 1864 and came to San Jose with his parents
in 1868. The father bought the property on Quito Road
in 1878 and planted one of the area's earliest prune
orchards. R.V. Garrod, in "Saratoga Story" (1962) says
the original plot was 119 acres. Dave Duril and Thomas
L. Nye in their 1984 report give it as 160 acres.
Either way, the subject property is part of the original
Mitchell property. Frank E. Mitchell was a Santa Clara -
County supervisor from,1904 to 1920. He died in 1940,'
During his tenure on the board, he was instrumental in
having many of the main county roads paved and was a
leader in the making of other improvements.
Sources: Interview with Mr. and Mrs Louis Dorcich Jr. July-25, 1989;
"Saratoga Story" by R.V. Garrod, privately published in*.1962;
data compiled by Dave Duril and Thomas L. Nye, June 12;'1984.
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HISTORICAL AND ARCHITECTURAL EVALUATION
13089 Quito Road
Saratoga, CA
For:
Sam Sagarchi
44120 Hunter Terrace
Fremont, CA 94539
Prepared by:
Kara Oosterhous, Architectural Historian
April Halberstadt, Historian
Leslie A. G. Dill, Principal
DILL PE316N GKOUP
110 NOKTH SANTA CKUZ AVENUE
LOS ZATOS, CALITOKNIA 6150�0
(406) X54 -4015
(408) >qq -4715 TAX
ddb @archisrary,com
May 2, 2002
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Historical and Architectural Evaluation
13089 Quito Road
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page 2 of 17
INTRODUCTION............................................................................................. ..............................3
Qualifications of the Consultants ......................................................... ............................... 3
Methodology........................................................................................ ............................... 3
LocationMap ........................................................................................ ..............................4
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Summary.............................................................................................. ..............................5
SiteHistory ........................................................................................... ..............................5
PropertyHistory ................................................................................... ..............................6
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION
Summary............................................................................................... ..............................9
Elaboration............................................................................................ .............................10
EVALUATION FOR SIGNIFICANCE
National Register of Historic Places .................................................... .............................13
California Register of Historical Resources ......................................... .............................13
Cityof Saratoga .................................................................................... .............................14
Evaluation............................................................................................ .............................15
PotentialImpacts .................................................................................. .............................16
Summary.............................................................................................. .............................16
LITERATURE AND SOURCES CITED AND CONSULTED ....................... .............................17
APPENDIX
State Recordation Forms ( DPR523) ........................................ ............................... Attached
DILL DF-516N GP.O'UP
' INTRODUCTION
Sam Sagarchi requested historical and architectural research and evaluation of the residential property
' located at 13089 Quito Road, San Jose, Santa Clara County, California. Dill Design Group of Los Gatos,
California in association with April Halberstadt, Historian, conducted research for this project in April
2002.
Qualifications of the Consultants
Kara Oosterhous, Architectural Historian with Dill Design Group, has a Master's Degree in Public
History with an emphasis in Cultural Resource Management from Middle Tennessee State University and
is the principal author of this report. Assisting in the capacity of Historian is April Halberstadt, who has a
Bachelor degree in Geography and History from California State University at Hayward. Ms. Halberstadt
specializes in history of the Santa Clara Valley and historic architecture. Leslie A. G. Dill, Principal of the
firm of Dill Design Group, provided oversight of this report. She has a Master of Architecture with a
certificate in Historic Preservation from the University of Virginia. Ms. Dill and Ms. Oosterhous are
listed with the Northwest Information Center in Rohnert Park, California, which is operated under
authority of the California State Office of Historic Preservation in compliance with state and federal
environmental laws. Ms. Dill meets the Secretary of the Interior's qualifications to perform
identification, evaluation, registration, and treatment activities within the profession of Historic Architect
and Architectural Historian. Ms. Oosterhous meets the Secretary of the Interior's qualifications within
the profession of Historian and Architectural Historian. The Northwest Information Center utilizes the
criteria of the National Park Service outlined in 36 CFR Part 61.
Methodology
The buildings and the design of the subject property site were examined in April 2002. Notes on the
architecture, characteristic features of the building, and the neighborhood context were made.
Photographs of the exterior of the buildings were taken. Architectural descriptions within this report were
' written based on these notes and photographs. Additional research was undertaken that included visits to
major repositories of local historical source material. These repositories included the California Room of
the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Main Library, the Santa Clara County Recorder's Office, the Santa Clara
County Surveyor's Office, and the San Josh Archives at the History Museum of San Josh.
This report was prepared utilizing the methodology recommended by the National Park Service, as
' outlined in Preservation Briefs #17 (Architectural Character: Identifying the Visual Aspects of Historic
Buildings as an Aid to Preserving Their Character) and #35 (Understanding Old Buildings: The Process
of Architectural Investigation).
Historical and Architectural Evaluation
13089 Quito Road
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Page 4 of 17
LOCATION MAP
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' Historical and Architectural Evaluation
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HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Page 5 of 17
Summary
The subject property located at 13089 Quito Road is in the City of Saratoga and the County of Santa
Clara, California. It is sited at the corner of Martha Avenue and Quito Road and currently includes 1.98
acres. Although the address of the property is on Quito Road, the house fronts Martha Avenue and is
' centered on the parcel. The subject property is currently within the city limits of Saratoga, although
historically the property was considered part of the San Tomas School District and included within the
Campbell postal and voting districts prior to 1900. It was also within the Vineland voting district at one
time, as a portion of the Redwood Township.
The subject property is located within the historic boundaries of the former Quito Rancho, sited in the
western foothills of the Santa Clara Valley. The original rancho included land that is now the village of
' Saratoga, as well as property now part of Cupertino and Campbell. Present -day Campbell Avenue marks
the approximate location of the northern boundary of the Quito Rancho. The 13,000 -acre rancho was
divided into various parcels of land, including a 118 -acre orchard that included the subject property. The
' orchard was first developed in the 1880s and later subdivided in 1950 for residential development. After
subdivision, the only intact portion of the original 118 -acre land parcel is the two -acre subject parcel.
1 Site History
Spanish rule over Mexico ended in 1822. The Mexican government encouraged colonization of the new
territory by granting ranchos. The first non - indigenous settlement in the vicinity of the subject property at
13089 Quito Road occurred circa 1841, when a parcel of land was granted to Jose Zenon Fernandez and
Jose Noriega. Fernandez and Noriega had come to California in 1834 as members of the Hijar- Padres
expedition. Together they received a land grant of three- square leagues (over 13,309 acres) from
Governor Juan B. Alvarado. This land grant was known as Quito Rancho (the origin of the name is
unknown). For approximately three years, Noriega and his father -in -law Fernandez possessed the land in
joint ownership. In 1844, Jose Noriega ceded all of his interest in the rancho to Ignacio Alviso for 200
head of cattle and 100 sheep.
' Ignacio Alviso died in 1848, four years after receiving the land. Ignacio Alviso left his portion of the
Quito Rancho to his minor grandson, Manuel Alviso. Years of bitter litigation between Manuel and other
' Alviso heirs ensued. Eventually, Manuel secured ownership of the land, which he ultimately lost due to
business and legal endeavors.
In 1858, Jose Ramon Arguello, son of Soledad Arguello and husband of Maria Isabel (Alviso) Arguello,
and his business partner S.M. Mezes obtained approximately 11, 831 acres of land that was once part of
Quito Rancho. Research has yet to reveal from whom the Arguellos purchased the land, but it is possible
' that they obtained it from Manuel Alviso. While title to many of the early Spanish and Mexican land
grants in Santa Clara County were patented (verified) by the United States without incident, the farms and
homesteads of Quito Rancho lands were the subject of many court cases. There were two major points of
contention regarding the Quito Rancho. First, the northeastern boundary had not been clearly specified or
surveyed due to the rugged nature of the terrain; and second, a substantial portion of the land was
mistakenly thought to be United States Government land, open to claimants who were willing to farm a
160 -acre section. Therefore, "squatters" who disputed portions of the Quito lands later had to purchase
title to their farms a second time when litigation regarding the boundary was finally settled.
After California became a state in 1850, the American courts needed to verify legitimate titles to the
' Mexican land grants. The claim for the Quito Rancho title was filed in the United States District Court in
October of 1860. Because there were so many disputes over the northeastern boundary of the rancho,
American settlers and ranchers who had purchased farm property from the Arguello heirs fought the suit.
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13089 Quito Road
The court rendered an opinion nearly five years later; in August of 1865, Judge Ogden Hoffman approved
the later Official Survey and the settlers who lived in the area between the old and newly established
boundary were dispossessed. These settlers then had to decide whether or not to re- purchase their homes
or to let them go. A portion of Saratoga, then known as McCartysville, first thought to be well outside the
limits of the Quito Rancho was affected by the boundary change. (Cunningham: 1967)
rThroughout the years, the Arguello family sold much of their portion of Quito Rancho, retaining only a
small portion of their original land holdings. Around 1865, Don Jose Ramon Arguello planted an olive
orchard on his 81 -acre farm. This pioneering establishment of a commercial olive orchard on the Quito
Rancho became a very well known enterprise at home and abroad, as a commercial olive orchard was
unique in the Santa Clara Valley. The location of the Quito olive orchard was near the intersection of
present -day Quito Road and Saratoga Avenue. The Arguello adobe was located near present -day Bubb
' Road in Cupertino. The death of Don Jose Ramon Arguello in 1876 suspended the experimentation with
commercial olive growing. (Cunningham: 1967) The remaining acreage held by the Arguello family
included the famous Quito Olive orchard, and the 630 -acre Quito farm of Don Arguello; both were
located on Quito Road, opposite and slightly north of the subject property.
Property History
Thompson acid West Atlas, 1876 By 1876, Jasper Scudder Scott
owned 117.6 acres, formerly
part of Quito Rancho. It is
unclear if Scott obtained the
land from the Arguellos,
which is probable, or from
another owner. Scott was a
native of New Jersey who had
come to California when he
was about 21 years old and
settled in Santa Clara County
in 1860. The Thompson. and
West Atlas (1876) indicates
that Scott was a "thresherman"
and a dealer in agricultural
implements and that he had a
residence on The Alameda, a
prestigious San Jose
residential thoroughfare of the
1870s and 1880s. At that
time, custom threshing of
small grains could be an
extremely profitable
occupation for someone with
mechanized equipment. By 1876, Scott owned the subject property on Quito Road. A map from The
Thompson and West Atlas (1876) indicates a structure located in the center of the 117.6 -acre property and
an orchard. Scott, like many successful businessmen in the late 1800s, owned two residences: a house in
town and a farm outside the city limits. In 1881, Scott sold the 117.6 parcel, described as one the largest
orchards in the San Tomas District, to Thomas W. Mitchell.
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' Historical and Architectural Evaluation
13089 Quito Road
' Born in 1825, Thomas W. Mitchell, a
native of Scotland, immigrated to the
United States with his parents and
' settled in Kenosha County, Wisconsin.
Thomas Mitchell married in 1856 and
relocated to California in 1861 when he
was approximately 36 years of age.
Thomas first settled in Calaveras County
before he and his family relocated to
San Jose in 1868, where they lived for
several years before they moved to the
property on Quito Road. Thomas and
Martha Mitchell were the parents of
three children, a son, Frank E. Mitchell
and two daughters Ada and Carrie.
Page 7 of 17
Photograph of the Mitchell House, April 2002; Photo by Leslie Dill
Thomas W. Mitchell died in 1912. He bequeathed the property to his widow Martha and his son Frank.
The will of Thomas Mitchell granted Frank Mitchell 20 acres of land. The remainder of the parcel
(approximately 97.6 acres) was held by Martha Mitchell. Upon the death of Martha Mitchell in 1925,
Frank Mitchell acquired her portion of the property.
The original Mitchell home was located in the center of the orchard property and approached from Quito
Road by a driveway 80 rods long (approximately 440 yards). It is likely that this house is the same one
that appears on the 1876 Thompson and West Map. Shortly after the turn of the century, the building that
served as the first Mitchell home was replaced with the current Craftsman -style home. Little is known
about the construction of the residence, as building permits are not available for this property and Sanborn
Maps do not depict this area. It is possible that the house was constructed for Frank Mitchell and his
family in 1909 as recorded in Saratoga's Survey of Historic Resources; but it is also feasible that the
house could have been constructed as late as 1912 at the death of Thomas Mitchell. Research has yet to
reveal the builder of the house. John Rodoni was a local contractor in the Saratoga area who built many
residential, commercial and agricultural buildings in the early to mid 1900s, and it is possible that he
could have constructed the subject property, but at this point in time that argument is speculative.
Frank Estin Mitchell (1864 -1940) lived most of his life at the family orchard on Quito Road (Laffey:
' 1995). Frank married twice, first to Emma Linfield, who produced one son, Estin Linfield Mitchell who
died of tuberculosis at age twenty. It is unclear what caused the end of the marriage of Frank and Emma
Mitchell. Frank had two additional sons, Frank Wilbur and Ralph, with his second wife Lottie. The
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13089 Quito Road
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Mitchell boys later inherited the orchard, which was considered one of the most important orchard
properties in the area.
' In addition to his business endeavors, Frank Mitchell was also known for his civic and community
contributions. He was instrumental in the growth of the congregation at First Baptist Church San Jose, he
was the first Master of the Orchard City Grange, and he served as County Supervisor for District Five of
Santa Clara County.
The Grange movement began in Minnesota in 1867, just after the Civil War. It quickly spread throughout
the Midwest and the South. The Grange is described as a fraternal order for farmers, but unlike social
organizations such as the Elks or the Woodmen, the Grange had a strong program of government reform
and social betterment. The Grange was successful on the national level in its support of rural free postal
delivery, land -grant colleges, and agricultural experiment stations. Local Grange chapters, such as the
' Orchard City Grange, joined together to insist on regulation of the railroads, regulation of public utilities,
soil conservation policies, rural police and fire protection, support for the Agricultural Extension Service,
and the promotion of vocational agriculture in local schools.
The Orchard City Grange was organized in Campbell, California, in 1903. There were one hundred
twenty -three original members, which was noted as including nearly everyone in town (Watson: 1989)
Under the leadership of Frank Mitchell, the Grange in Campbell worked to help establish free postal
delivery for farmers, known as Rural Free Delivery (RFD); they also helped to organize the Farmer's
Telephone Company, one of the first telephone systems in the West Valley area. The organization of the
Campbell Grange was an important first step toward local improvements for Campbell area growers and
ranchers. The Grange provided a chance for the entire family to meet with their neighbors, exchange
ideas about improved farming methods, hear the latest information about government regulation and
make their opinions heard. Grange activities often included children, so the monthly visit to the Grange
could turn into a weekend affair attended by the entire family.
In 1905, Frank E. Mitchell was elected to the Board of Supervisors of Santa Clara County, where he
' served for sixteen years (1905 - 1921). He was asked to run for the office by a group of his neighbors who
organized a delegation and called on him, requesting that he consider becoming a candidate. At the time,
the Fifth Supervisorial District included all of northwestern part of the County from Campbell to Palo
Alto. Mitchell ran on the Republican ticket.
During Mitchell's time as supervisor of the Fifth District,
pivotal changes took place within the transportation systems in
Santa Clara County. The Interurban Railway, a "trolley" type
of light rail service primarily for passengers, opened in 1904.
The Interurban made a loop from downtown San Jose through
the towns of Campbell, Los Gatos and Saratoga and back to
San Jose along Meridian Avenue.
' Automobiles quickly became a popular and widespread
method of transportation, and paved roads became a necessity.
Frank Mitchell was instrumental in bringing a modern
' roadway system to Santa Clara Valley and credited with
building a road from the Saratoga summit into popular Big
Basin State Park. He also managed to have what is now Big
Basin Road made a State Highway. Newspaper articles from
the time mention Frank Mitchell's outstanding ability to
provide the necessary road and bridge funding for the North
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' Historical and Architectural Evaluation Page 9 of 17
13089 Quito Road
County area.
After the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, Frank Mitchell was part of a special committee to survey the
impact of the rebuilding and growth of San Francisco on the surrounding communities. In Mitchell's
opinion, growth from San Francisco area would eventually spread southward, eventually replacing the
orchards in areas like Santa Clara County (Garrod: 1961).
Frank E. Mitchell passed away in 1940 at the age of 76. He was survived by his wife Lottie and his two
remaining sons, Frank Wilbur and Ralph. The remaining portion of the Mitchell orchard property was
' subdivided and sold in 1950. The Mitchell family retained a two -acre parcel that included the family
home. San Tomas Acres is Tract No. 748; the subdivision map was filed in June of 1950. Several of the
streets in the area commemorate the Mitchell family and their Scottish heritage. Martha Avenue is
named for Frank's mother, Mrs. Thomas Mitchell.
' The most recent owners of the Mitchell House are the Dorcich Family. Louis and Helen Dorcich
purchased the house from the Mitchell family in 1961. The Dorcich family remained at 13089 Quito Road
until 2000, when Louis Dorcich passed away. Louis and Helen Dorcich raised ten of their eleven children
in the house on the corner of Martha Avenue and Quito Road.
The Dorcich family emigrated from Yugoslavia to the Watsonville, California area in 1911. The family
later moved to the Santa Clara Valley where Louis Dorcich Sr. became a prominent orchardist on a ranch
on El Camino Real near Lawrence Expressway. Brothers Louis Sr., Stephen and Roy Dorcich became
successful entrepreneurs in the Santa Clara area. Because of their prosperous business and community
support, the Dorcich family was well known in the valley. Stephen and Roy Dorcich died along with their
wives in a plane crash in 1977 at Tenerife Airport in the Canary Islands, where two jumbo jets collided,
' killing all on board.
When Louis Dorcich Jr. and his wife Helen purchased the subject property in 1961, some of the original
Mitchell orchard plantings remained on the site including apricot, fig and peach trees. Also standing were
two large redwoods located east of the driveway. The property had been neglected for some time and
most of these trees were dead or dying and had to be removed. During their occupancy of the house, the
Dorcich family planted redwood trees along the lot line in front of the residence. They also planted corn,
tomatoes, and other vegetables that they sold from the fruit stand that still remains in front of the house.
The Dorcich family renovated the interior of the house in the late 1960s to accommodate the size of their
family and to reflect the styles of the time. The Dorcich family occupied the house at 13089 Quito Road
for nearly forty years.
ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION
SUMMARY
The Frank Mitchell House is located on the corner of Quito Road and Martha Avenue in Saratoga,
California. Constructed shortly after the turn of the century, this one - and -a -half story house with partial
basement is clad in tri -bevel drop siding and sits atop a concrete perimeter and retaining wall foundation.
Pierced by two brick chimneys, a side - facing gable roof with two window dormers tops the house.
Fenestration includes double -hung, one - over -one wood sash windows; stationary single -lite wood sash
windows with four -lite transom; single -lite wood sash pocket windows; and a ribbon of jalousie windows.
All double -hung upper wood sash display the dog -ear feature. Designed in the Craftsman tradition, this
house displays characteristics of that style including the side - facing gable roof with dormers; exposed
rafter tails on the gable ends; knee braces on the gable ends; over - hanging eaves; decorative vents in the
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13089 Quito Road
gable ends of the roof and dormers; double -hung, wood sash, weighted windows with wide, wood
surrounds; and full front porch with battered columns. The exact construction date is unknown; however,
it is clear that the building was constructed in the early twentieth century.
Front Porch Windows, April 2002; Photo by Leslie Dill
LLABOItATION
Exterior alterations to the house have
been few and include a car shelter
that has been loosely attached to the
west side of the house. This carport
could be easily removed. The front
porch has been partially covered with
screening, also a reversible change.
Most of the interior was remodeled in
the 1960s or 1970s. Interior
alterations include the concealment
of three -inch fir floors with carpet,
concealment of the original plaster
ceiling with blown "popcorn"
texturing, remodeling of the
bathrooms and replacement of some
of the original hardware and light
fixtures.
Facing Martha Avenue to the south, the front elevation displays a recessed full -width front porch with
balustrade supported by four evenly spaced battered columns clad in tri -bevel drop siding. The ceiling of
the porch is clad in narrow V- groove siding. Fenestration beneath the porch includes a doorway (the
original door is gone) flanked by windows. The ribbon of windows to the west of the door consists of a
large single -lite window with four -lite transom flanked by two one - over -one windows. The pair of
windows that are east of the door are one - over -one. A roof dormer with front - facing gable perches atop
the gable roof of the house that extends over the recessed porch. This dormer presents a ribbon of five,
double -hung, one - over -one, wood sash windows topped by a lattice- covered vent tucked in the apex of
the gable roof dormer.
The east side elevation, facing Quito Road, displays a ribbon of windows that mimic those located
beneath the front porch — a large single -lite window with four -lite transom flanked by two one - over -one
windows. The remainder of the three pairs of windows on the first story consists of two pair of double -
hung windows followed by a pair of jalousie windows. Located beneath the apex of the gable, a ribbon of
three, double -hung, windows illuminates the upper story. Also nestled in the apex of the gable end is a
lattice- covered vent.
Relatively unadorned, the back elevation presents two jalousie windows on the east end that provide
ventilation for what was once likely a sleeping porch which is accessed by a wood door with a single lite.
The ribbon of three windows located on the west end are single -lite pocket windows that provide light
and air to what was once possibly another sleeping porch but currently serves as a bedroom. A much
smaller dormer than the one on the front is evident on the rear elevation; it displays a single, small
double -hung window.
The west elevation is illuminated by one - over -one double -hung windows that span this side elevation on
the first story. Three windows illuminate the attic space, two of which are original, double -hung, and
one - over -one. A red brick chimney adorns the south end of this elevation, which is partially concealed by
the car shelter.
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Historical and Architectural Evaluation
13089 Quito Road
Interior
As previously mentioned, the interior of the
building was extensively remodeled in the 1960s
or 1970s. Overall, the interior layout of the
building appears to be intact with few
modifications. At the time of the remolding many
of the original architectural elements were either
removed or concealed. Original wood (fir) floors
appear to be intact but concealed beneath carpet in
many of the rooms. Original lathe and plaster
ceilings were covered with blown asbestos. Some
of the plaster and lathe walls remain in relatively
good shape while others do not. Some of the
original hardware such as doorknobs and cabinet
pulls remain intact while other things such as light
fixtures have been replaced. The most noticeably
altered rooms include the dining and living areas.
The original firebox is intact but the original
mantel was replaced. One of the more intact
rooms is the small kitchen with a dining "nook" or
alcove. The kitchen area still retains original
cabinetry and built -ins such as a pull -down ironing
' board that was manufactured by "Berkley Built -
ins."
The attic space or half -story appears to have been
designed to serve as living space, as the bedrooms
contain built -ins. Certain spaces of this area have
been remodeled such as the bathroom and the recently added utility room. Access to the unfinished attic
space reveals that the roof is comprised of full- dimension lumber made of red wood 2x4s, topped skip
sheathing and covered with composition shingles.
Page 11 of 17
Interior Original Door, April 2002; Photo by Leslie Dill
The house contains a partial basement that is accessed by stairs that are located in a room to the rear of
the house on the east side. At one time, this room possibly served as a sleeping porch or laundry. The
basement has concrete retaining walls and a concrete floor. It is partially divided into small rooms and
1 closet -like spaces.
Outbuildings & Structures
1 There is one outbuilding located slightly northeast of the main house. This barn -like structure is single
story and is clad in V- groove siding and topped by a side - facing gable roof sheathed in metal.
Fenestration on the building includes various window -like openings and large sliding doors. A metal
shed has been tacked on to the west end of the building. In more recent times this building has been
finished on the interior and used as some type of studio.
Located in front of the house is a fruit and vegetable stand that was used to sell fruits and vegetables
grown by the family.
Setting
This one - and -a -half story Craftsman Bungalow is a prominent historic building sited at the corner of
Quito Road and Martha Avenue. Nestled in a grove of cherry and redwood trees, this two acre lot is a
remnant of the original peach and prune orchard. Some of the vegetation on the property includes various
flowering plants such as geraniums and trees such as palm and fig. The house located at 13089 Quito
DILL PF -316N GP.0'uF
• Historical and Architectural Evaluation Page 12 of 17
13089 Quito Road
Road appears to be the only remaining original historic Craftsman house in the vicinity as the surrounding
area has experienced the growth of subdivisions and development.
Overall, historic integrity permeates the exterior of the building, as it closely resembles its historic
' appearance. Its integrity of location, setting, design, feeling, association, workmanship, and materials
remains virtually unaltered. However, the interior of the house retains little integrity as much of the
original material has been removed or concealed.
Above: Barn located behind Mitchell House
Below: Fruit stand located in front of Mitchell House
April 2002, Photos by Leslie Dill
DILL DL316N 6KO'UF
• Historical and Architectural Evaluation
13089 Quito Road
Page 13 of 17
' EVALUATION FOR SIGNIFICANCE
' The Frank Mitchell House, located at 13089 Quito Road, was evaluated for historical significance based
on age, historical association, architectural value, and integrity. Using guidelines established by the
Department of Interior (The National Register of Historic Places), The California Historic Preservation
Office (California Register of Historical Resources), and the State Government (California Environmental
Quality Act) this evaluation attempts to explain and quantify the integrity and significance of this building
that was constructed in the early twentieth century.
INational Register of Historic Places
' The National Register considers the quality of significance in American history, architecture, archeology,
engineering, and culture that is present in districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that possess
integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association, and are evaluated
according to the following criteria:
Criteria A it is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns
of our history; or
' Criteria B it is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or
Criteria C it embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or
that represents the work of a master, or that possesses high artistic values, or that
' represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual
distinction; or
Criteria D it has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.
' Properties that are listed on or formally determined eligible for the National Register are automatically
listed on the California Register. Additionally, as noted on the previous page, Special Considerations C
' and D must be met when evaluating graves and cemeteries. Special Consideration A is also sometimes
applicable, if the site is a religious property.
' California Register of Historical Resources
Properties in the City of Saratoga that are evaluated for significance within the development review
process are also considered under the criteria of the California Register of Historical Resources. The
significance criteria are similar to those used by the National Register, but oriented to document the
unique history of California. The California Register consists of resources that are listed automatically,
under the provisions of AB 2881', and those that may be listed by application and acceptance by the
' California Historical Resources Commission.
In order for a property to be eligible for the California Register of Historical Resources, a building, site,
' structure, object, or historic district must meet three standards of review:
1. A property must be significant at the local, state or national level, under one or more of the
' following criteria:
a. It is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns
' of California's history and cultural heritage.
b. It is associated with the lives of persons important in our past.
'Automatic listing on the California Register includes: structures that are listed or formally determined eligible for
listing on the National Register of Historic Places, and California State Landmarks above #770.
PILL D1 =316N GKO'UP
Historical and Architectural Evaluation Page 14 of 17
13089 Quito Road
C. It embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or method of
construction, or represents the work of an important creative individual, or possesses high
artistic values.
d. It has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important to the prehistory or
' history.
2. The resource must retain enough of its historic character or appearance to be recognizable as an
historic property, and to convey the reason for its significance'; and
3. The resource must be at least 50 years old.
City of Saratoga
iListing in the inventory titled "Saratoga's Heritage: A Survey of Historic Resources" requires that the
property possess architectural or historic value. Under the City of Saratoga Selection Criteria, structures
' of potential historical value are evaluated according to the following:
a. The property exemplifies or reflects special elements of the cultural, social, economic,
political, aesthetic, engineering or architectural history of the City, the County, the State or
' the nation; or
b. The property is identified with persons or events significant in local, county, state or national
history; or
c. The property embodies distinctive characteristics of a style, type, period, or method of
' construction, or is a valuable example of the use of indigenous materials or craftsmanship; or
d. The property is representative of the notable design or craft of a builder, designer, or
' architect; or
e. The property embodies or contributes to unique physical characteristics representing and
' established and familiar visual feature of a neighborhood or district within the City; or
f. The property represents a significant concentration or continuity of site, buildings, structures
or objects, unified by past events or aesthetically by plan or physical or natural development;
or
g. The property embodies or contributes to a unique natural setting or environment constituting
a distinct area or district within the City having special character or special historical,
' architectural or aesthetic interest or value.
' Integrity is defined in this context as the authenticity of an historical resource's physical identity evidenced by the
' survival of characteristics that existed during the resource's period of significance. Integrity is evaluated with regard
to the retention of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. It must also be judged
with reference to the particular criteria under which a resource is proposed for eligibility. Alterations over time to a
resource or historic changes in its use may themselves have historical, cultural, or architectural significance. It is
possible that historical resources may not retain sufficient integrity to meet the criteria for listing in the National
Register, but they may still be eligible for listing in the California Register. A resource that has lost its historic
character or appearance may still have sufficient integrity for the California Register if it maintains the potential to
' yield significant scientific or historical information or specific data.
PILL D1 =316N GKO'UP
' Historical and Architectural Evaluation Page 15 of 17
13089 Quito Road
Evaluation
The following summarizes this evaluation according to the three standards of review, National Register
eligibility, California Register eligibility, and local significance:
' The house at 13089 Quito Road and site were evaluated for historical significance based on age, integrity,
historical association, and architectural value. The building meets the 50 year -old thresholds of both the
' National and California Register. The building and site are also listed in the local inventory titled
" Saratoga's Heritage: A Survey of Historic Resources" under Criteria a, c, f, and g, thus making the
property potentially eligible for inclusion in the California Register of Historical Resources.
Buildings and sites associated with the lives of personages that provide value to the community where the
remembrances of those personages and their contributions to society are important to local, state or
national history are potentially eligible for the National, California and /or local registers. The subject
property is associated with the Arguello family, an important family in the West Valley; however, none of
the extant buildings are associated with the early settlement and development by the Arguello family. The
extant buildings and site are associated with Frank Mitchell, who in addition to his business endeavors,
was also known for his civic and community contributions to Saratoga and the surrounding area. Mitchell
was instrumental in the growth of the congregation at First Baptist Church San Josh, he was the first
Master of the Orchard City Grange, and he served as County Supervisor for District Five of Santa Clara
County — all of which occurred while he resided at the house at 13089 Quito Road. As first Master of the
Orchard City Grange, he had a profound impact on agricultural endeavors occurring in the Saratoga area.
As County Supervisor he was instrumental in improving area roads and bridges to accommodate the
' growing population and new modes of transportation. Thus, Frank Mitchell made significant
contributions to the community of Saratoga and the county of Santa Cruz; therefore, validating the
significance of the house at a local level for its association with Frank Mitchell. Because the house is
' listed on the local inventory, it is potentially eligible for inclusion in the State Register under Criterion 2;
however, it does not meet the standards required for listing in the National Register under Criterion B.
' Buildings and sites that are associated with single events, patterns of events, repeated activities, or historic
trends are potentially eligible for listing in the National and State registers. The subject site has some
limited association with patterns of the Saratoga's agricultural past that are an integral part to
understanding the community's heritage. The first known orchard planted on site occurred during the late
1860s by Frank E. Mitchell (senior). After the late 1860s, the property has been associated on some level
with the cultivation or orchards — the last planted orchard being a small cherry orchard dating to the
1960s. As one of the last intact larger tracts of land, this two acre plot is significant at the local level for
' its association with patterns of the community's agricultural past and therefore is listed in the local
inventory under Criteria a and f and is potentially eligible for listing in the State Register under Criterion
1; however, the property does not meet the required qualifications for listing at the National Registers
under Criterion A.
Buildings that embody distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction; represent
the work of a master; possess high artistic value; and /or represent a significant and distinguishable entity
whose components may lack individual distinction are potentially eligible for listing in the National or
State registers. The house at 13089 Quito Road is a Craftsman Bungalow -style residential structure that
was constructed at the beginning of the twentieth century. A common style in California, this type of
Craftsman Bungalow is representative of the one and a half story Craftsman houses that were constructed
in the Saratoga area at the beginning of the twentieth century. The building and site are significant at the
local level because they are the most intact parcel of land and the only Craftsman house of this caliber in
the immediate vicinity and thus are listed in the local inventory under Criteria c and g, thus making it
potentially eligible for the State Register under Criterion 3. Although the exterior of the building is
pristine, having suffered no major alterations, the building lacks the necessary requirements to be eligible
' for listing in the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion c.
DILL D1 =316N 6F_0uF
' Historical and Architectural Evaluation Page 16 of 17
13089 Quito Road
' Neither the building nor site appears to have or have had information to contribute to our understanding
of human history or prehistory that suggest that this property is eligible for listing on the National or State
' registers under Criteria d and 4 respectively.
Potential Impacts
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) identifies demolition or destruction of historic
resources as a significant impact on the environment, and modifications or alterations of historic
resources, including relocation, as potentially having significant impacts on the environment. The
' property at 13089 Quito Road, because it is listed on a local register, is considered a historic resource
according to CEQA.
Summary
The building and associated site, located at 13089 Quito Road, do not possess the qualities required for
individual listing in the National Register of Historic Places; however, because the house and site are
locally significant, as indicated by its listing on the Saratoga Inventory and confirmed in this report, the
resource is potentially eligible for inclusion in the California Register of Historical Resources. This
building and site are related to personages and events that are necessary for understanding the history and
agricultural heritage of the Saratoga area. Its level of significance is further heightened because the house
is one of few remaining original historic Craftsman style homes of this size in the immediate area that still
retains its integrity of location, setting, design, feeling, workmanship and association.
DILL DF-516N GKO'UP
Historical and Architectural Evaluation
13089 Quito Road
SOURCES CITED AND CONSULTED
Arbuckle, Clyde
1968 Santa Clara County Ranchos. San Josh: Rosicrucian Press
1986 Clyde Arbuckle's History of San Jose. San Josh: Memorabilia of San Jose
Baker, John
1994 American House Styles. New York: W. W. Norton & Co.
Brainard, H. A.
1888 Map of Saratoga
Campbell Museum Foundation, Orchard City Grange records.
Campbell Newspapers including the Campbell Visitor ( 1896 -1904) and the Campbell
Interurban Press. (1904- 1915).
City Directories
1870 - 1968, City of San Jose (Campbell and Saratoga included.)
County of Santa Clara
Deeds and Official Records
School Tax Assessment Records c. 1930's
Great Register of Voters, 1890
Cunningham, Florence R.
1967 Saratoga's First Hundred Years. Fresno, CA. Panorama West Book.
Gardner, Charles M.
1949 The Grange - Friend of the Farmer. The National Grange, Washington D. C.
Garrod, R. V.
1962 Saratoga Story. Published by the author, Saratoga, CA.
Jacobson, Yvonne.
1984 Passing Farms: Enduring Values. Los Altos: William Kaufmann, Inc.
Page 17 of 17
Laffey, Glory Anne & Robert Detlefs
1995 County Leadership: Santa Clara County Government History. The Santa Clara County
Historic Heritage Commission.
Munro - Fraser
1881 History of Santa Clara County, California.. San Francisco: Alley, Bowen & Co.
Quito Rancho
Plat, filed in the County Recorder's Office Book A of Patents: Page 112.
San Jose Mercury
1896 Sunshine, Fruit and Flowers. Alfred Eaton, San Jose.
Santa Clara County - Official Map of Santa Clara County
Surveyed by J. G. McMillan, 1902 -1903.
Sawyer, Eugene
1922 History of Santa Clara County, California. Los Angeles, Historic Record Company.
Watson, Jeannette
1989 Campbell.- The Orchard City. Campbell Museum Foundation, Campbell
DILL DESIGN GKO'uF
Page 1 of 12 *Resource Name or #: (Assigned by recorder) Frank Mitchell House
P1. Other Identifier: N/A
*P2. Location: ❑ Not for Publication ® Unrestricted a. County: Santa Clara
and (P2b and Plc or P2d. Attach a Location Map as necessary.)
b. USGS 7.5' Quad San Jose West Date 1980, photo revised T 8S ; R lW; B.M. Mt .
Diablo
c. Address 13089 Quito Road City Saratoga Zip 95070
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and /or linear resources) Zone 10s; 589093 mE / 4126135 mN
e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate)
Assessor's Parcel Number: 389 -14 -037, northwest corner of Martha Avenue and Quito Road
*P3a Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
SUMMARY
The Frank Mitchell House is located on the corner of Quito Road and Martha Avenue in Saratoga,
California. Constructed shortly after the turn of the century, this one - and -a -half story house
with partial basement is clad in tri -bevel drop siding and sits atop a concrete perimeter and
retaining wall foundation. Pierced by two brick chimneys, a side - facing gable roof with two
window dormers tops the house. Fenestration includes double -hung, one - over -one wood sash windows,
stationary single -lite wood sash windows with four -lite transom, single -lite wood sash pocket
windows and a ribbon of jalousie windows. All double -hung wood sash display the dog -ear feature.
Designed in the Craftsman tradition, this house displays characteristics of that style including
the side - facing gable roof with dormers, exposed rafter tails on the gable ends, knee braces on
the gable ends, over - hanging eaves, decorative vents in the gable ends of the roof and dormers,
double -hung, wood sash, weighted windows with wide, wood surrounds and full front porch with
battered columns.
(Section P3a continued on page 3)
*133b. Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2
t*P4 Resources P
❑ Element of District ❑ Other (Isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo: (View, date,
accession #)
Looking North at the South
Elevation
*P6. Date Constructed /Age and
Sources:
® Historic ❑ Prehistoric ❑ Both
Circa 1909
*P7. Owner and Address:
Louise Dorcich
61 Beverly Drive
Watsonville, Ca 95076
*P8. Recorded by: (Name, affiliation,
and address)
Kara Oosterhous
Dill Design Group
110 N Santa Cruz Ave
Los Gatos, CA 95030
*P9. Date Recorded: May 2, 2002
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
Intensive
*P11. Report Citation: (Site survey report and other sources or enter none)
' Historical and Architectural Evaluation for 5am 5agarchi by Dill Design Group (May 2, 2002)
*Attachments: NONE ❑ Location Map ❑ Sketch Map ❑ Continuation Sheet ® Building, Structure and Object Record ® Archaeological Record
❑ District Record ❑ Linear Feature Record ❑ Milling State Record ❑ Rock Art Record ❑ Artifact Record ❑ Photograph Record ❑ Other (List)
DPR 5/23 (1/95) *Required information
1 DI
Page 2 of 12
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
Frank Mitchell House
*NRHP Status Code 7
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) Frank Mitchell House
B3. Original use: Residential /Single Family B4. Present Use: Unoccupied /vacant
*B5. Architectural Style: Craftsman
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations). Most of the interior was remodeled in
the 1960s or 1970s, which included the concealment of three -inch fir floors with carpet,
concealment of the original plaster ceiling with blown "popcorn" texturing, the remodeling of
the bathrooms and the replacement of some of the original hardware and light fixtures.
' *B7. Moved? ® No ❑ Yes ❑Unknown Date: N/A Original Location: N/A
*B8. Related Features: Barn, Fruit Stand
B9a Architect: Unknown b. Builder: Unknown
' *B10. Significance: Theme Architecture & Shelter Area Saratoga, Santa Clara County
Period of Significance Ca. 1909 -1952 Property Type Residential Applicable Criteria S, C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
By 1876, Jasper Scudder Scott owned 117.6 acres, formerly part of Quito Rancho. It is unclear
if Scott obtained the land from the Arguello family, which is probable, or from another owner.
Scott was a native of New Jersey who had come to California when he was about 21 years old. He
settled in Santa Clara County in 1860. The Thompson and West Atlas (1876) indicates that Scott
was a "thresherman" and a dealer in agricultural implements and that he had a residence on The
Alameda, a prestigious San Jose residential thoroughfare of the 1870s and 1880s. At that time,
custom threshing of small grains could be an extremely profitable occupation for someone with
mechanized equipment. By 1876, Scott owned the subject property on Quito Road. A map from The
Thompson and West Atlas (1876) indicates a structure located in the center of the 117.6 -acre
property and an orchard. Scott, like many successful businessmen in the late 1800s, owned two
residences: a house in town and a farm outside the city limits. In 1881, Scott sold the 117.6
parcel, described as one the largest orchards in the San Tomas District, to Thomas W. Mitchell.
(Section B10 continued on page 4)
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP33
*B12. References:
Arbuckle, Clyde
1968 Santa Clara County Ranchos. San
Jose: Rosicrucian Press
1986 Clyde Arbuckle's History of San
Josh. San Josd: Memorabilia of San
JOSE
(Section B12 continued on page )
B13. Remarks: None
*B14. Evaluator: Kara Oosterhous
*Date of Evaluation: May 2, 2002
i
DPR 5/23 (1/95)
I
N
*Required information
State of California Tj Resources
DEPARTMENT OF+PARKS AND RECREATION��
CONTINQ, TI'®N
Page 3 Of 12 Resource Name or # (Assigned by Recorder) Frank Mitchell House
' Recorded By: K. Oosterhous/ A. Halberstadt Date: May 2, 2002 X Continuation _ Update
(Section P3a continued from page 1)
The exact construction date is unknown; however, the Craftsman style is in keeping with structures
built in the early twentieth century.
' ELABORATION
Exterior alterations to the house have been few and include a car shelter that has been loosely
attached to the west side of the house and the addition of screens to the front porch. Most of the
interior was remodeled in the 1960s or 1970s. Interior alterations include the concealment of
' three -inch fir floors with carpet, concealment of the original plaster ceiling with blown "popcorn"
texturing, the remodeling of the bathrooms and the replacement of some of the original hardware and
light fixtures.
Facing Martha Avenue to the south, the front elevation displays a recessed full -width front porch
with balustrade supported by four evenly spaced battered columns clad in tri -bevel drop siding.
The ceiling of the porch is clad in narrow V- groove siding. Fenestration beneath the porch
includes a doorway (the original door is gone) flanked by windows. The ribbon of windows to the
' west of the door consists of a large single -lite window with four -lite transom flanked by two one -
over -one windows. The pair of windows that are east of the door are one - over -one windows. A roof
dormer with front - facing gable perches atop the gable roof of the house that extends over the
recessed porch. This dormer presents a ribbon of five, double -hung, one - over -one, wood sash
' windows topped by a lattice- covered vent tucked in the apex of the gable roof dormer.
The east side elevation, facing Quito Road, displays a ribbon of windows that mimic those located
beneath the front porch - a large single -lite window with four -lite transom flanked by two one-
over-one windows. The remainder of the three pairs of windows on the first story consists of two
pair of double -hung windows followed by a pair of jalousie windows. Located beneath the apex of
the gable, a ribbon of three, double -hung, windows illuminates the upper story. Also nestled in the
apex of the gable end is a lattice- covered vent.
iRelatively unadorned, the back elevation presents two jalousie windows on the east end that provide
ventilation for what was once likely a sleeping porch which is accessed by a wood door with single
lite. The ribbon of three windows located on the west end are single -lite pocket windows that
provide light and air to what was once possibly another sleeping porch but currently serves as a
bedroom. A much smaller dormer than the one on the front is evident on the rear elevation; it
displays a single, small double -hung window.
' The west elevation is illuminated by one - over -one double -hung windows that span this side elevation
on the first story. Three windows illuminate the attic space, two of which are original, double -
hung, and one - over -one. A red brick chimney adorns the south end of this elevation, which is
partially concealed by the carport.
Interior
As previously mentioned, the interior of the building was extensively remodeled in the 1960s or
1970s. Overall, the interior layout of the building appears to be intact with few modifications.
' At the time of the remolding many of the original architectural elements were either removed or
concealed. Original wood (fir) floors appear to be intact but concealed beneath carpet in many of
the rooms. Original lathe and plaster ceilings were covered with blown asbestos. Some of the
lathe and plaster walls remain in relatively good shape while others do not. Some of the original
' hardware such as doorknobs and cabinet pulls remain intact while other things such as light
fixtures have been replaced. The most noticeably altered rooms include the dining and living
areas. The original firebox is present but the original mantel was replaced. One of the more
intact rooms is the small kitchen with a dining "nook" or alcove. The kitchen area retains all of
the original cabinetry and built -ins such as a pull -down ironing board that was manufactured by
"Berkley Built- ins."
' The attic space or half -story appears to have been designed to serve as living space, as the
bedrooms contain built -ins. Certain spaces of this area have been remodeled such as the bathroom
and the recently added utility room. Access to the unfinished attic space is available on this
DPR 5/23 (1/95)
State of California The Resourdes�Agericy
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND' RECR €ATION �?,
CONTINUATION SHEET n
�;." Trl ornlal�
=yam
Page 4 Of 12 Resource Name or # (Assigned by Recorder) Frank Mitchell House
Recorded By: K. Oosterhous/ A. Halberstadt Date: May 2, 2002 X Continuation _ Update
level and reveals that the roof is comprised of full- dimension lumber made of red wood 2x4s, topped
skip sheathing, covered with composition shingles.
The house also contains a partial basement that is accessed by stairs that are located in the room
' to the rear of the house on the east side; this room possibly served as a sleeping porch or laundry
at one time. The basement has concrete retaining walls and a concrete floor. It is partially
divided into small rooms and closet -like spaces.
t Outbuildings & Structures
There is one outbuilding located slightly northeast of the main house. This barn -like structure is
single story and is clad in V- groove siding and topped by a side - facing gable roof sheathed in
metal. Fenestration on the building includes various window -like openings and large sliding doors.
' A metal shed has been tacked on to the west end of the building. In more recent times this
building has been finished on the interior and used as some type of studio.
Located in front of the house is a fruit and vegetable stand that was used to sell fruits and
vegetables grown by the family.
Setting
This one - and -a -half story Craftsman Bungalow is a prominent historic building sited at the corner
' of Quito Road and Martha Avenue. Nestled in a grove of cherry and redwood trees, this two -acre lot
is a remnant of the original peach and prune orchard. Some of the vegetation on the property
includes various flowering plants such as geraniums and trees such as palm and fig. The house
located at 13089 Quito Road appears to be the only original historic Craftsman house in the
' vicinity as the surrounding area has experienced the growth of subdivisions and development.
Overall, historic integrity permeates the exterior of the building, as it closely resembles its
historic appearance. Its integrity of location, setting, design, feeling, association,
' workmanship, and materials remains virtually unaltered. However, the interior of the house retains
little integrity as much of the original material has been removed or concealed.
(Section B10 continued on page 2)
Born in 1825, Thomas W. Mitchell, a native of Scotland, immigrated to the United States with his
parents and settled in Kenosha County, Wisconsin. Thomas Mitchell married in 1856 and relocated to
California in 1861 when he was approximately 36 years of age. Mitchell had first settled in
Calaveras County before he and his family relocated to San Josh in 1868, where they lived for
' several years before they moved to the property on Quito Road. Thomas and Martha Mitchell were the
parents of three children, a son, Frank E. Mitchell and two daughters, Ada and Carrie.
The Mitchell orchard, sometimes also called the San Tomas orchard, contained a variety of crops.
Fifteen acres were devoted to three varieties of cherries. Other crops included prunes, peaches,
almonds and pears. Although the majority of the acreage was devoted to prunes, the orchard also
included a vineyard of about 20 acres. Mitchell planted the vines between the alternating rows of
peach and prune trees. The ranch was considered profitable; produce sales from the Mitchell
Orchard were $2,500 in 1887 (Guinn: 1881).
Thomas W. Mitchell died in 1912. The will of Thomas Mitchell granted his son 20 acres of land.
The remainder of the parcel (approximately 97.6 acres) was held by Martha Mitchell and acquired at
her death in 1925 by her son, Frank E. Mitchell.
The original Mitchell home was located in the center of the orchard property and approached from
Quito Road by a driveway 80 rods long (approximately 440 yards). It is likely that this house is
the same one that appears on the 1876 Thompson and West Map. Shortly after the turn of the
century, the building that served as the first Mitchell home was replaced with the current
Craftsman -style home. Little is known about the construction of the residence as building permits
are not available for this property and Sanborn Maps do not depict this area. It is possible that
the house was constructed for Frank Mitchell and his family in 1909 as recorded in Saratoga's
Survey of Historic Resources; but it is also feasible that the house could have been constructed as
DPR 5/23 (1/95)
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Page 5 Of 12 Resource Name or # (Assigned by Recorder) ' Frank Mitchell
House
Recorded By: K. Oosterhous/ A. Halberstadt Date: May 2, 2002 X Continuation _ Update
1 late as 1912 at the death of Thomas Mitchell. Research has yet to reveal the builder of the house.
John Rodoni was a local contractor in the Saratoga area who built many residential, commercial and
agricultural buildings in the early to mid 1900s and it is a possibility that he could have
constructed the subject property, but at this point in time that argument is speculative.
Frank Estin Mitchell (1864 -1940) lived most of his life at the family orchard on Quito Road
(Laffey: 1995). Frank married twice, first to Emma Linfield, who produced one son, Estin Linfield
Mitchell, who died of tuberculosis at age twenty. It is unclear what caused the end of the
' marriage of Frank and Emma Mitchell. Frank had two additional sons, Frank Wilbur and Ralph, with
his second wife Lottie. The Mitchell boys later inherited the orchard, which was considered one of
the most important orchard properties in the area.
' In addition to his business endeavors, Frank Mitchell was also known for his civic and community
contributions. He was instrumental in the growth of the congregation at First Baptist Church San
Jose, he was the first Master of the Orchard City Grange, and he served as County Supervisor for
District Five of Santa Clara County.
The Orchard City Grange was organized in Campbell, California, in 1903. There were one hundred
twenty -three original members, which was noted as including nearly everyone in town (Watson: 1989)
Under the leadership of Frank Mitchell, the Grange in Campbell worked to help establish free postal
delivery for farmers, known as Rural Free Delivery (RFD); they also helped to organize the Farmer's
Telephone Company, one of the first telephone systems in the West Valley area. The organization of
the Campbell Grange was an important first step toward local improvements for Campbell area growers
and ranchers. The Grange provided a chance for the entire family to meet with their neighbors,
exchange ideas about improved farming methods, hear the latest information about government
regulation and make their opinions heard. Grange activities often included children, so the
monthly visit to the Grange could turn into a weekend affair attended by the entire family.
In 1905, Frank E. Mitchell was elected to the Board of Supervisors of Santa Clara County, where he
served for sixteen years (1905 - 1921). At the time, the Fifth Supervisorial District included all
of northwestern part of the County from Campbell to Palo Alto. Mitchell ran on the Republican
ticket. During Mitchell's time as supervisor of the Fifth District, pivotal changes took place
within the transportation systems in Santa Clara County. The Interurban Railway, a "trolley" type
of light rail service primarily for passengers, opened in 1904. The Interurban made a loop from
downtown San Jose through the towns of Campbell, Los Gatos and Saratoga and back to San Jose along
Meridian Avenue. Automobiles quickly became a popular and widespread method of transportation, and
paved roads became a necessity. Frank Mitchell was instrumental in bringing a modern roadway
system to Santa Clara Valley and credited with building a road from the Saratoga summit into
popular Big Basin State Park. He also managed to have what is now Big Basin Road made a State
Highway. Newspaper articles from the time mention Frank Mitchell's outstanding ability to provide
the necessary road and bridge funding for the North County area. After the 1906 San Francisco
earthquake, Frank Mitchell was part of a special committee to survey the impact of the rebuilding
and growth of San Francisco on the surrounding communities. He reported that in his opinion,
growth from San Francisco would eventually spread south, taking over the orchards in areas like
Santa Clara County (Garrod: 1961).
Frank E. Mitchell passed away in 1940 at age 76, leaving his wife Lottie and his two surviving
sons, Frank Wilbur and Ralph. The majority of the Mitchell orchard property was subdivided and
sold in 1950; the family retained a two -acre parcel, which included the family home. San Tomas
Acres is Tract No. 748; the subdivision map was filed in June of 1950. Several of the streets in
the area commemorate the Mitchell family and their Scottish heritage. Martha Avenue is named for
Frank's mother, Mrs. Thomas Mitchell.
The most recent owners of the Mitchell's San Tomas Orchard home are the Dorcich Family. Louis and
Helen Dorcich purchased the house in 1961 and remained there until 2000 when Louis Dorcich passed
away. Louis and Helen Dorcich raised ten of their eleven children in the house at 13089 Quito
Road.
DPR 5/23 (1/95)
State ofCaliforna —The Rbib rcesAgency, ,Prirnary #'� b
DEPARTMENT bF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
CONTINUATION S�'HEE�T� r�o "m-
t
rl la!
y
Page 6 Of 12 Resource Name or # (Assigned by Recorder) Frank Mitchell House
' Recorded By: K. Oosterhous/ A. Halberstadt Date: May 2, 2002 X Continuation _ Update
The Dorcich family emigrated from Yugoslavia to the Watsonville, California area in 1911. The
family moved later to the Santa Clara Valley where Louis Dorcich Sr. became a prominent orchardist
and raised prunes and cherries on a ranch on E1 Camino Real near Lawrence Expressway. Brothers
Louis Sr., Stephen and Roy Dorcich grew to become successful entrepreneurs in the Santa Clara area.
Because of their successful business and community support, the Dorcich family was well known in
the valley. Stephen and Roy Dorcich died along with their wives in a plane crash in 1977 at
Tenerife Airport in the Canary Islands, where two jumbo jets collided, killing all on board.
When Louis Dorcich Jr. and his wife Helen purchased the subject property from the Mitchell family
in 1961, some of the original orchard plantings remained on the site including apricot, fig and
peach trees. Also standing were two large redwoods located east of the driveway. The property had
been neglected for some time and most of these trees were dead or dying and had to be removed.
During their occupancy of the house, the Dorcich family planted redwood trees along the lot line in
front of the residence. They also planted corn, tomatoes, and other vegetables that they sold from
the fruit stand that still remains in front of the house. The Dorcich family renovated the interior
of the house in the late 1960s to accommodate the size of their family and to reflect the styles of
the time. The Dorcich family occupied the house at 13089 Quito Road for nearly forty years.
DPR 5/23 (1/95)
' State of Califo
DEPARTMENT
CONTLNUP
1
Page 7 Of 12
Recorded By:
n�
Resource Name or # (Assigned by Recorder) Frank Mitchell House
K. Oosterhous/ A. Halberstadt Date: May 2, 2002 X Continuation _ Update
' (Section B12 continued from page 2)
Baker, John
1994 American House Styles. New York: W. W. Norton & Co.
' Brainard, H. A.
1888 Map of Saratoga
Campbell Museum Foundation, Orchard City Grange records.
Campbell Newspapers including the Campbell Visitor ( 1896 -1904) and the Campbell
Interurban Press. (1904- 1915).
' City Directories
1870 - 1968, City of San Jose (Campbell and Saratoga included.)
County of Santa Clara
' Deeds and Official Records
School Tax Assessment Records c. 1930's
Great Register of Voters, 1890
Cunningham, Florence R.
1967 Saratoga's First Hundred Years. Fresno, CA. Panorama West Book.
Gardner, Charles M.
1949 The Grange - Friend of the Farmer. The National Grange, Washington D. C.
Garrod, R. V.
1962 Saratoga Story. Published by the author, Saratoga, CA.
Jacobson, Yvonne.
1984 Passing Farms: Enduring Values. Los Altos: William Kaufmann, Inc.
' Laffey, Glory Anne & Robert Detlefs
1995 County Leadership: Santa Clara County Government History. The Santa Clara County
Historic Heritage Commission.
' Munro - Fraser
1881 History of Santa Clara County, California.. San Francisco: Alley, Bowen & Co.
Quito Rancho
' Plat, filed in the County Recorder's Office Book A of Patents: Page 112.
San Jose Mercury
' 1896 Sunshine, Fruit and Flowers. Alfred Eaton, San Jose.
Santa Clara County - Official Map of Santa Clara County
Surveyed by J. G. McMillan, 1902 -1903.
Sawyer, Eugene
1922 History of Santa Clara County, California. Los Angeles, Historic Record Company.
Watson, Jeannette
1989 Campbell: The Orchard City. Campbell Museum Foundation, Campbell.
DPR 5/23 (1/95)
State of California —The Resources Aenc,� °�
9. Y Primary i #"
rY °..
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION'S
CONTINUATION SHEET., Trinonal, "
ne w.
Page 8 Of 12 Resource Name or # (Assigned by Recorder) Frank Mitchell House
' Recorded By: K. Oosterhous/ A. Halberstadt Date: May 2, 2002 X Continuation _ Update
Looking north at the south elevation.
April 2002, Photo by Leslie Dill
DPR 5/23 (1/95)
' State of California —The'
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION` .' E -'� ~ } `°
CONTINUATION SHEET HRI #
Page 9 Of 12 Resource Name or # (Assigned by Recorder) Frank Mitchell House
Recorded By: K. Oosterhous/ A. Halberstadt Date: May 2, 2002 X Continuation _ Update
Looking northwest at the east elevation.
April 2002, Photo by Leslie Dill
State of California — The Resources
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND =REC
CONTINUATION SHEET
1
en by rnrriary:f _
aTIO,N , HRI.#
Trinomial
Page 10 Of 12 Resource Name or # (Assigned by Recorder) Frank Mitchell House
Recorded By: K. Oosterhous/ A. Halberstadt. Date: May 2, 2002 X Continuation _ Update
DPR 5/23 (1/95)
Looking southeast at the north elevation.
April 2002, Photo by Leslie Dill
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
Page 11 Of 12 Resource Name or # (Assigned by Recorder) Frank Mitchell House
Recorded By: K. Oosterhous/ A. Halberstadt Date: May 2, 2002 X Continuation _ Update
Left Photo: Interior photograph of kitchen Right Photo: Interior photograph of door and
built -ins
April 2002,
Photos by Leslie Dill
DPR 5/23 (1/95)
' . Stan
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.
a.
P R N #
Page 12 O 12 e--ce ame or (Assigned by Recorder) Frank Mitchell House
Recorded By: K. Oosterhous/ A. Halberstadt Date: May 2, 2002 X Continuation _ Update
Above: Photograph of barn located behind the Mitchell House;
April 2002, Photo by Leslie Dill
Below: Photograph of barn located behind the Mitchell House;
DPR 5/23 (1/95)
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