HomeMy WebLinkAboutSaratoga Avenue 13631HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY ( #54)
IDENTIFICATION
1. Common name: Jorgensen House
2. Historic name: Rawdon Dell Ranch
3. Street or rural address: 13631 Saratoga Avenue
City: Saratoga
4. Parcel number: 393 -25 -023
Zip: 95070 County: Santa Clara
5. Present Owner: Mrs. John G. Jorgensen Address: 13631 Saratoga Ave.
City: Saratoga Zip: 95070
Ownership is: Public:
6. Present Use: Residence
Private: X
Original Use: Residence
DESCRIPTION
7a. Architectural style: California Bungalow
7b. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or
structure and describe any major alterations from its original
condition:
This house is a two -story symmetrical bungalow, with a composition
shingle roof. The exterior is stucco with wood trim; wood sash are
double hung with traditional picture windows of this era with window
boxes below. A wide gable dormer punctuates the roofline, mirroring
the gabled front porch below. The most important landscape features
are the twin date palms flanking the entrance on Saratoga Avenue and
the enormous live valley oak in the center of the gravel drive that
leads to the house.
(photograph here)
8.
Construction date:
Estimated:
Factual: 1916
9.
Architect:
Henry Bridges
10.
Builder: Same
11.
Approx. prop. size
Frontage:
Depth:
approx. acreage: 2.863
12.
Date(s) of enclosed
photograph(s): 1988
13. Condition: Excellent: X Good: Fair: Deteriorated:
No longer in existence:
14. Alterations: Wrought iron bars have been attached to side windows.
15. Surroundings: (Check more than one if necessary)
Open land: Scattered buildings: X Densely built -up:
Residential: X Industrial: Commercial: Other:
16. Threats to site: None known: X Private development: Zoning:
Vandalism: Public Works project: Other:
17. Is the structure: On its original site? X Moved? Unknown?
18. Related features: Detached garage to the rear and accessory shed
SIGNIFICANCE
19. Briefly state historical and /or architectural importance (include dates,
events, and persons associated with the site).
The land of Rawdon Dell was once a part of the Mexican land grant, E1
Quito Rancho. The extensive acreage was purchased by John Hinsley
Ellsworth, Mrs. Jorgensen's great grandfather from England, in 1878.
Six generations of the Ellsworth- Smith - Currier - Jorgensen family have
enjoyed living at " Rawdon Dell Ranch ", so named after Rawdon, England,
the village from which John Smith and wife Eliza (Mrs. Jorgensen's
grandparents) came. The land has served to grow wheat, grapes, and
fruit and now is subdivided for homes, a church and a school.
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).
Mrs. John Jorgensen, 1985 -86.
22. Date form prepared: 4/88
By (name): SHPC
Organization: City of Saratoga
Address: 13777 Fruitvale Ave.
City: Saratoga Zip: 95070
Phone: 867 -3438
Locational sketch map (draw and label site and .
surrounding streets, roads, and prominent landmarks):
NORTH
sCO
\J ! t
A
S�
July 13, 1988
13777 FRUITVALE AVENUE • SARATOGA. CALIFORNIA 95070
(408) 867 -3438
Mrs. John G. Jorgensen
13631 Saratoga Avenue
Saratoga, CA 95070
Dear Mrs. Jorgensen:
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
13631 Saratoga Avenue meets the criteria for being included on
this list.
The purpose of the Heritage Resource Inventory is to establish a
list of documented historic properties in Saratoga. The Heritage
Preservation Commission was assigned the responsibility for
preparing the Inventory by the City Council in 1982. Each
property on the list has been identified as reflecting and being a
part of the unique history of Saratoga. The Inventory has been
prepared in accordance with guidelines established by the State
Office of Historic Preservation, with data gathered from a
variety of sources, including historic documents and books,
interviews with local citizens, and existing county and state
inventories that contain information on Saratoga properties.
Being listed on the Inventory does not carry any form of special
requirements or restriction's 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
Sharq Landsness
Bar ra( Voester
Warren Heid, Chairman
HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY ( #54)
IDENTIFICATION
1. Common name: Jorgensen House
2. Historic name: Rawdon Dell Ranch
3. Street or rural address: 13631 Saratoga Avenue
City: Saratoga
4. Parcel number: 393 -25 -023
Zip: 95070 County: Santa Clara
5. Present Owner: Mrs. John G. Jorgensen Address: 13631 Saratoga Ave.
City: Saratoga Zip: 95070
Ownership is: Public:
Private: X
6. Present Use: Residence Original Use: Residence
DESCRIPTION
7a. Architectural style: California Bungalow
7b. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or
structure and describe any major alterations from its original
condition:
This house is a two -story symmetrical bungalow, with a composition
shingle roof. The exterior is stucco with wood trim; wood sash are
double hung with traditional picture windows of this era with window
boxes below. A wide gable dormer punctuates the roofline, mirroring
the gabled front porch below. The most important landscape features
are the twin date palms flanking the entrance on Saratoga Avenue and
the enormous live valley oak in the center of the gravel drive that
leads to the house.
(photograph here)
8. Construction date:
Estimated:
Factual: 1916
9.
Architect:
Henry Bridges
10.
Builder: Unknown
11.
Approx. prop. size
Frontage:
Depth:
approx. acreage: 2.863
12.
Date(s) of enclosed
photograph(s): 1988
13. Condition: Excellent: X Good: Fair: Deteriorated:
No longer in existence:
14. Alterations: Wrought iron bars have been attached to side windows.
15. Surroundings: (Check more than one if necessary)
Open land: Scattered buildings: X Densely built -up:
Residential: X Industrial: Commercial: Other:
16. Threats to site: None known: X Private development: Zoning:
Vandalism: Public Works project: _Other:
17. Is the structure: On its original site? X Moved? Unknown?
18. Related features: Detached garage to the rear and accessory shed
SIGNIFICANCE
19. Briefly state historical and /or architectural importance (include dates,
events, and persons associated with the site).
The land of Rawdon Dell was once a part of the Mexican land grant, El
Quito Rancho. The extensive acreage was purchased by John Hinchcliffe
Ellsworth, Mrs. Jorgensen's great grandfather from England, in 1878.
Six generations of the Ellsworth - Smith - Currier- Jorgensen family have
enjoyed living at " Rawdon Dell Ranch ", so named after Rawdon, England,
the village from which John Smith and wife Eliza (Mrs. Jorgensen's
grandparents) came. The land has served to grow wheat, grapes, and
fruit and now is subdivided for homes, a church and a school.
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).
Mrs. John Jorgensen, 1985 -86.
22. Date form prepared: 4/88
By (name): SHPC
Organization: City of Saratoga
Address: 13777 Fruitvale Ave.
City: Saratoga Zip: 95070
Phone: 867 -3438
Locational sketch map (draw and label site and .
surrounding streets, roads, and prominent landmarks):
NORTH
sue_ _
.� State of California — The Resources Agency Ser. No.
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION NABS HAER LOC X o. SHL No. NR Status
UTM: A C
HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY B D
IDENTIFICATION
1. Common name: Jorgenson House
2. Historic name: RAWDON DELL RANCH
3. Street or rural address: 13631 Saratoga Avenue
City Saratoga, CA Zip 95070 County Santa Clara
4. Parcel number: 393 -25 -023 (as of July •29, 1987)
5. Present Owner: Mrs . John G. Jorgenson Address: 13631 Saratoga Ave.
City _Saratoga, CA Zip 95070 Ownership is: Public Private X
6. Present Use: residence Original use: Residence ( farmhouse)
DESCRIPTION
7a. Architectural style: California Bungalow Style
7b. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or structure and describe any major alterations from its
original condition: The site of this immaculately maintained home has
dwindled through the years from a ranch -sized property of some 56 acres
down to three today. The house itself is a tw tory symmetrical bungalow,
painted gray with gray trim and a composition - **T. The exterior is stucco
with wood trim, woo�i9pgh We doub,�e hung with traditional picture
windows of this era wide °W b xe3 " °w
�, gable ormer-punctuates the roofline- mirroring
the gabled front porch below. The most important landscape features are
the twin date ����lms flanking the entrance on Saratoga Ave., and the
enormous livev &ak in the center of the gravel drive that leads to the house
aP$523 (Rev. 11/85)
8. Construction date:
Estimated Factual 1916
Architect Henry Bridges
10. Builder
11. Approx. property size (in feet)
Frontage Depth
or approx. acreage, 2 . 863 acres
12. Date(s) of enclosed phptograph(s)
ti
State of California —The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY
Ser No
NABS HAER Loc 7 SHL No. NR Status
UTM: A C,
IDENTIFICATION I
1. Common name: 1�.)A. (� )(1) 7
2. Historic name: ~
3. Street or rural address:
W
City <0 rGl 1 a Q Zip Q `ib A County _ 7 ,n k U'V /?2._
4. Parcel number:
5. Present Owner: M P.S. JOA.0 In _J ntWiO/ 9l'' n - Address: lei I Sara ko4 &_ 4&-(
4&A ^ C/
city ,!`/a a l',,Q— Zip �n1.0 Ownership is: Public Private
6. Present Use: - /WM &&1?;ddriginal use:
DESCRIPTION
7a. Architectural style:
7b. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or structure and describe any major alterations from its
condition:
- � L
DPR 523 (Rev. 11/85)
B. Construction date: /9, 16
Estimated Factual //
9. Architect /trw
�9 /U
10. Builder
11. Approx. property size .('in feet)
Frontage Depth -
or approx. acreage. aeO,f. AOX
12. Date(s) of enclosed photograph(s)
13. Condition: Excellent z000d
14. Alterations:
Fair Deteriorated No longer in existence
15. Surroundings: (Check more than one if necessary) Open land Scattered buildings Densely built -up
Residential i,� Industrial Commercial Other: /_T� r tlt.t�! _ ``3� oa ,f,,3 -r
16. Threats to site: None known ►z Private development Zoning Vandalism
Public Works project Other:
17. Is the structure: On its original site? 11-L . Moved? Unknown?
18. Related features:
SIGNIFICANCE
19. Briefly state historical and /or architectural importance (include dates, events, and persons associated with the site.)
20. Main theme of the historic resource: (If more than one is
checked, number in order of importance.)
Architecture V ' Arts & Leisure
Economic /Industrial Exploration /Settlement
Government Military
Religion Social /Education
21. Sources (List books, documents, surveys, personal interviews
and their dates).
22. Date form prepared �� / 9 f'7
By (name)-�i%t,crl
OrganizatioA4 .9.61,, < %7 n�/ . CVvr, V"
Address: / 37 77 --kU _W--111�6 6A�
City .. /�.,o_ Zip 4'S7,76
Phone: u .Pro �> -, 3 TTe -'
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
LoCal Interest
....,
PARCEL No. 391-48-25
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1� .lit.
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SARATOGA HISTORIC BUILDING SEARCH
PRELIMINARY FORM
The Heritage Preservation Commission for the City of Saratoga
invites you to join us in amending our Heritage Resource Inventory.
As we progress- with this project, we will be refining our information
- adding new (old) structures-and eliminating present ones that for
some reason fail to qualify as historic resources. Our greatest
source of information can be you, the interested citizens of Saratoga.
_
For the time being, this form is to be considered an informal
survey - i.e. the provisions of accurate historic identification as
set forth in the Heritage Preservation Ordinance need not be considered
binding on a possible candidate. We merely want to know of any old
structures that have been previously overlooked.- in out -of- the -way
places, behind.big bushes, etc., and any pertinent information that
you might have on them.
Any of .the following details that can be submitted would be
greatly appreciated. Thank yolz for your cooperation on 'this project.
Perhaps together we can keep the past in the future of Saratoga.
I. My information concerns property at: Rawdon Dell Ranch
Address: 13631 Saratoga Avenue
Saratoga, Calif. 95070
(Directly across from the Saratoga
Community Library)
Location Street Ma
II. Name of current owner W : Amy June Jorgensen (Mrs. John G. Jorgensen)
III_ Address of owner if not above:
IV. Original owner or builder of property: Present house built by Bridges
Construction Company of San Jose for John .& Eliza Smith (my grandparents
V. Year (approximate) of construction: Present house built in 1916 (fall)
occupied in spring of 1917.
VI. Present condition of the property: Good. No structural changes on
exterior of house. Inside, only bathrooms have been modernized
kitchen modernized with new electrical appliances -- original
cupboards retained, with more added to match. 2 doors have bee'
removed in kitchen area to "open up" space for the walk -in pant
and former "mud room" which is now an office for my housekeepin
accounts etc.
Saratoga Historic
Building Search
Page 2
VII. Original function of this property - residential /commercial:
(This may have changed over the years)
1878 -1888 grain grown
1888 -1898 grapes grown -- a small winery was established on the
property until vines began to die from dise�
1898- prunes,apricots,chterries};, &later walnuts, W� still hav 3acrE
VIII. Informati0 spu�mittec� -by co NaSne uAsddressso Pchone e n er cu tiva ion.
Amy June Jorg -ensen (Mrs. John G. Jorgensen) 408 -867 -3365
13631 Saratoga Ave.
Saratoga, Calif. 95070
IX. Any additional information that could be helpful in this matter:
The home that my family and I live in is known as a "California bungalov
(11 rooms, 22 baths, plus basement), &was designed and built by
Henry Bridges ( a San Jose contractor for Bridges Construction Company,
for John and Eliza Smith (my grandparents) in 1916. The house stands
on property that has been in our family for 106 years. The land was
originally part of the Spanish Land Grant El Quito Rancho, and 56 &68/1
acres were purchased in 1878 by John Hinchcliffe Ellsworth (my great -
grandfather) from England. Six generations of the Ellsworth-Smith-
Currier- Jorgensen family have now enjoyed living at " Rawdon Dell ", so
named after Rawdon, England, the village John and Eliza Smith (my
grandparents) came from. The land has served for wheat, vineyards,
fruit orchards, subdivisions and a church. The original 8 -room Victori
farm house was removed in 1944; the large prune storage barn, construct
probably in the early 1920's still serves as a 4 -slot car garage for
the Jorgensens. I inherited the present 3 acres and house, which is
secluded and surrounded with Dutiful trees and the small orchard.
X. Any additional sites of historical interest - not necessarily
structural - such as trees or other natural features:
We have been told by history buffs that an Indian village was located
once on this property - /�Re banks of the Saratoga Creek which wandered
through the property. We have found many artifac.ts over the years which
would substantiate this -- mortars and pestles, arrowheads etc.
We have an oak tree that we have been told is over 400 ,years, and whose
acorns were probably used by the above mentioned Indian settlement.
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