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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSaratoga Los Gatos Road & Saratoga AvenueHISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY ( #63) IDENTIFICATION 1. Common name: Memorial Arch & State Registered Landmark Plaque #435 2. Historic name: Memorial Arch 3. Street or rural address: Saratoga -Los Gatos Road & Saratoga Ave. City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 County: Santa Clara 4. Parcel number: 397 -22 -017 5. Present Owner: City of Saratoga City: Saratoga Ownership is: Public: X 6. Present Use: Memorial arch Address: 13777 Fruitvale Avenue Zip: 95070 Private: Original Use: Memorial arch DESCRIPTION 7a. Architectural style: Spanish Colonial Revival 7b. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or structure and describe any major alterations from its original condition: This simple arch is constructed of brick and stucco and is painted white. The roof of the arch is pointed and of red tile. On the right side of the arch are listed the names of those who gave their lives in the World War I; on the left side is an inscription dedicating the crossroads park (Blaney Plaza) in honor of those citizens who serve "without reward, the public good." Below this inscription is attached a plaque designating the Village of Saratoga as State Registered Landmark #435. The arch was moved from its original location in the center of Blaney Plaza to its present location facing the plaza in 19691 due to highway relocation. (photograph here) 8. Construction date: Estimated: 1919 Factual: 9. Architect: Robert Bruce Porter 10. Builder: Unknown 11. Approx. prop. size Frontage: Depth: approx. acreage: .13 12. Date(s) of enclosed photograph(s): 1988 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: X Residential: Industrial: Commercial: X Other: 16. Threats to site: None known: X Private development: Zoning: Vandalism: Public Works project: Other: 17. Is the structure: On its original site? Moved? X Unknown? 18. Related features: SIGNIFICANCE 19. Briefly state historical and /or architectural importance (include dates, events, and persons associated with the site). Designed by architect, Robert Bruce Porter, and erected in 1919, this arch commemorates Saratogans who lost their lives in World War I. Historically, the arch is closely related to the crossroads park, Blaney Plaza, as it was originally constructed in the middle of this plaza. Concerned with the unsightliness of the entrance to town, a group of ten citizens headed by Charles D. Blaney, formed a company in 1916, invested $1,000 each, and purchased land for a small park at the crossroads of Saratoga. The Memorial Arch was placed in the center of the park, flanked by Italian Stone pines and other trees. An inscription on the arch dedicated the park in honor of those "who serve the public good." In 1950, a plaque representing State Registered Landmark #435 was.-placed on the Arch by the California Centennial Commission. The Arch was saved by local historians and interested citizens in 1969 when State Highway 9 was relocated through Blaney Plaza. 20. Main theme of the historic resource: (If more than one is checked, number in order of importance.) Architecture: Arts /Leisure: Economic /Industrial: Exploration /Settlement: Government: X Military: Religion: Social /Ed.: 21. Sources (List books, documents, surveys, personal interviews and their dates). F. Cunningham, Saratogans First Hundred Years, 1967; Santa Clara County Heritage Resource Inventory, 1979. 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 CITY OF SARATOGA PLANNING DEPARTMENT IDENTIFICATION CULTURAL RESOURCES INVENTORY INVENTORY # 331 - PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN- - �,(�i�l (date) Street Address Sara ©1a_ �ml Elan Zdi /SC.ra oaao_ Men.11e, APN dI Historic Name Mon—,ny= aA � � ��•� L Present Owner v Address Present Use ,Gmp,1!,�`Q.,L L.a_h�m�r- Original ,Use A- eyYNpr�0J � Y-IGi.h' 6LHr\j Other Past Uses nGC('DTDTTnK1 Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or structure and describe any major alterations from its original condition: -� -rh66 sLMVA -L Lh�, c_.rc�,1�-\ has +wo`gIaTueS ar aached GS Q CG1��rin�c�= Iis-%Yicc� �C�ndmc�rk �I���ue. There a,re G�S� 9� wrect�hs a Nc(cht6. oY, e���n skde of �-he OXC.h, The, its b' i ex an dl. Approximate property size: Lot size (in feet) Frontage Depth or approximate acreage ,I Condition (check one): F� .ellent ( ) Good (X Fair ( ) eriorated,( )' No longer in existence ( ) Is the feature: Altered? (.) Unaltered? (x) Location sketch map (draw and label site and surrounding streets, roads, and pro- minent landmarks) IJ N r x M' Threats to site:, None known ( ) Private Development ( ) Zoning ( ) Public.Works Project :( ) Vandalism Other ( ) Primary exterior building material: Stone ( ) Brick ( ) Stucco O Adobe ( ) Wood ( ) Other (,�) Is the structure: On its original site? ( ) Moved? (-/,) Unknown ( ) Year of initial construction l� This date is: Factual 06 Estimated ( ) z,0 w,-< "- uc�� Architect (if known) A1Pu ce. pDrAe'r ( . �l:Ln V Y°0,nC 1���. Lq� - d s_ Builder ( if known) Related features:. Barn ( ) Carriage House ( ) Outhouse ( ) Shed(s) ( ) Formal garden(s) ( ) Windmill Watertower /Tankhouse ( ) Other.( ) None SIGNIFICANCE - .• � ��� ��� Briefly state historical and /or archit'ec`tural importance: (include dates, events, and persons associated with the site when known): 'Tvi 1cllo a 5ML 0-f 1���� �� events, c-" e.oI�PCL M� ►h-� Wjl �'Cln e,C-L0l-N IPLA-i- S1,000, b0L``C�) + I0 � dLnd cleve109' a ���� ►��vI€0 �F� a�.�r�C�ve- e►n��1C' e +hQ V7 11 6 ® arcc-+07 rhe e)rn0 -rI oil 9 io I-% en a r AvIw WV1V 10 s+ i1'� UJ� . Yh�� was �1,� rs.� rneYr,or�c�1 t �i�n C°uuin$ A=. +bore— wOY-ld. War Co ,the WC15 wi Cler �� +1)� a Ch lie ✓moo'le -J �J Source ( books, documents, surveys, personal interviews, and their dates) : �Vy%c,lj -pro rVI 4A-\-e P7 o V- �' Rezou rce- -jhvX4rtCji 1 '0119 S" o-' CA lei sfoy►'&j t`r LC99 C�CCt� ►`1 �'� L�ndmar`C, v� �a �a�4� kxo— GUS �$ k3c, Form prepared by: `�C{trj ,i 1P)aL' Date: i J ThQ-, - T'ArL zlll�le, a-L art, �A -I&,(�A . vn HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY ( #63) IDENTIFICATION 1. Common name: Memorial Arch & State Registered Landmark Plaque #435 2. Historic name: Memorial Arch 3. Street or rural address: Saratoga -Los Gatos Road & Saratoga Ave. City: Saratoga 4. Parcel number: 397 -22 -017 5. Present Owner: City of Saratoga Zip: 95070 County: Santa Clara Address: 13777 Fruitvale Avenue City: Saratoga Zip: 95070 Ownership is: Public: X Private: 6. Present Use: Memorial arch Original Uses" Memorial arch DESCRIPTION 7a. Architectural style: Spanish Colonial Revival 7b. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or structure and describe any major alterations from its original condition: This simple arch is constructed of brick and stucco and is painted white. The roof of the arch is pointed and of red tile. On the right side of the arch are listed the names of those who gave their lives in the World War I; on the left side is an inscription dedicating the crossroads park (Blaney Plaza) in honor of those citizens who serve "without reward, the public good." Below this inscription is attached a plaque designating the Village of Saratoga as State Registered Landmark #435. The arch was moved from its original location in the center of Blaney Plaza to its present location facing the plaza in 1969, due to highway relocation. (photograph here) 8. Construction date: Estimated: 1919 Factual: 9. Architect: Robert Bruce Porter 10. Builder: Unknown 11. Approx. prop. size Frontage: Depth: approx. acreage: .13 12. Date(s) of enclosed photograph(s): 1988 13. Condition: Excellent: X Good: Fair: ,eriorated: No longer in existence: 14. Alterations: None 15. Surroundings: (Check more than o if necessary) Open land: Scattered buildings: Densely built -up: X Residential: Industrial: Commercial: X Other: 16. Threats to site: None known: X Private development: Zoning: Vandalism: Public Works project: Other: 17. Is the structure: On its original site? Moved? X Unknown? 18. Related features: SIGNIFICANCE 19. Briefly state historical and /or architectural importance (include dates, events, and persons associated with the site). Designed by architect, Robert Bruce Porter, and erected in 1919, this arch commemorates Saratogans who lost their lives in Wotld War I. Historically, the arch is closely related to the crossroads park, Blaney Plaza, as it was originally constructed in the middle of this plaza. Concerned with the unsightliness of the entrance to town, a group of ten citizens headed by Charles D. Blaney, formed a company in 1916, invested $1,000 each, and purchased land for a small park at the crossroads of Saratoga. The Memorial Arch was placed in the center of the park, flanked by Italian Stone pines and other trees. An inscription on the arch dedicated the park in honor of those "who serve the public good." In 1950, a plaque representing State Registered Landmark #435 was, placed on the Arch by the California Centennial Commission. The Arch was saved by local historians and interested citizens in 1969 when State Highway 9 was relocated through Blaney Plaza. 20. Main theme of the historic resource: (If more than one is checked, number in order of importance.) Architecture: Arts /Leisure: Economic /Industrial: Exploration /Settlement: Government: X Military: Religion: Social /Ed.: 21. Sources (List books, documents, surveys, personal interviews and their dates) . F. Cunningham, Saratoga's First Hundred Years, 1967; Santa Clara County Heritage Resource Inventory, 1979. 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 #37 - Should be inserted as #2 in Survey. (State Historical Landmark is U). This reflects information from County Inventory Book. Remove "resort period." Plaque given to City and attached to the Memorial Arch by California Centennial Commission. Architect - Robert Bruce Porter. -�- � . l ' � #37 - Memorial Arch. State registered landmark, #435. Thio designation is for the Village of Saratoga not the —~ Arch. A plaque was given to the City and ya5tened to the ' Arch for the City's centennial. The pork waB dedicated to the ^honor of that citizenship which serves w ithout ' reward the public good." Cn eel �,tj a- ka-m 6A� ALP Commissioner Voester commented that the number one item in the sur- vey should be the landmark sign designating the City as a State Land- mark and then have the Memorial Arch used.t�^- J — $7 Memorial Arch stands as tribute By Jackie Welch, Saratoga Historical Foundation MEMORIAL ARCH HAS been a landmark on Saratoga - Los Gatos Road since 1919, when it was built as a tribute to the Saratoga men who gave their lives in military service during World War I. Originally, it stood in the center of the plaza that serves as the entrance to the village of Saratoga. The little park was estab- lished in 1916, when a group of local citizens, headed by Charles D. Blaney, organized a company with the purpose of improving the appearance of the town. At the time, the approach to Sara- toga had become very unsightly with the building of the Inter- urban Electric railroad. The railroad station was located where the plaza is now, with its tracks, poles, wires, and a spur line often occupied by freight cars. Plaza on old train depot site The citizens group had 10 stockholders, who each invested $1,000. They persuaded the rail- way to move its station and spur track a short distance down Saratoga Avenue, and pur- chased the vacated station site to develop a community park. Additional funds were collected in 1919 for the con- struction of a beautiful arch, designed by noted architect Bruce Porter. On California Admission Day, Sept. 9, 1919, a large group gathered at the plaza for the dedication of Memorial Arch and the official "welcome home" for the men who had served in the war. In 1922, its goal achieved, the company that developed the park dissolved. Since the town was not incorporates and thus could not own property, title to the park was given to the Sara- toga Foothill Club. In 1957, following incorporation, the Foothill Club transferred the title to the city of Saratoga. These facts were taken from a letter written in 1957 by Florence Cunningham, author of "Saratoga's First Hundred Years." The letter is in the pos- session of Melita Oden, whose father, the late Dr. Robert L. Hogg, was one of the 10 contrib- utors to the park. Another paragraph in the letter refers to the name of the park. "I am taking the first oppor- tunity to answer your letter of Aug. 9, 1957 .... In it you ask for information regarding a Blaney Plaza in Saratoga," Cunningham wrote. "We do have a plaza, which we prize greatly for its big rare stone pine trees, its peaceful atmos- phere, its beautiful Memorial Arch and its historical back- ground. The name Blaney Plaza was never used until quite re- cently when some people began CF giving it that title, just why, many of us cannot understand." Arch moved because of road The historic arch was threatened with destruction when Highway 85 (then High- way 9) was widened in the 1960s,. as a new divided road was scheduled to cut through the plaza right where the arch stood. When the Saratoga His- torical Foundation learned of `. . . a lasting monu- ment to `The War to End All Wars." these plans, it sent out the alarm and petitioned the city to save Memorial Arch. On April 7, 1965, (a date well - remembered by then - president of the Historical Foundation, Willys Peck), the mighty arch was moved to its present loca- tion next to the Saratoga fire- house, with the city footing the bill. Half original size Although the plaza is now about half its original size, at Saratoga's Memorial Arch was first constructed in 1919 as a tribute to those who died in World War I. It was originally located in what is now called Blaney Plaza. Memorial Arch Continued from page 15 least two of the handsome Ital- ian Stone pine trees were saved, preserving the vision of the , Saratogans of 1916 who-gave to future generations a tree - shaded city plaza and a lasting monu- ment to "The War to End All Wars." rccc..i�svEL) 21130 Wardell Road .MAR 2 51986 Saratoga, California 95070 March 20, 1986 Saratoga Heritage Preservation Commission City Hall 13777 Fruitvale Avenue," Saratoga, California- 91070 Commissioners: I know that your organization is interested in historic notes concerning Saratoga's past, so thought I'd add one. The arch in the small park in "Saratoga Plaza" has no plaque designating its designer, and perhaps his name and the events leading up to the building of the arch will be �v forgotten. A friend of mine (deceased) told me his father designed it and played some part in the actual construction.. The arch was a memorial to the dead of World War I and was designed by Robert Bruce Porter. I have no confirmation of the above as all persons connected with the Porter family are dead. Co.uld some member of your group check this out, because, if true, "its an interesting story that's a bit unusual. Porter was married to the daughter of Henry James and was a colorful character in the San Francisco of the 20's. He was well known as(:a conservationist and was the first person to suggest, design and install devices to remove pollutants from factory smoke. In fact, his wedding ring was made from gold extracted from the smoke of the old San Francisco mint. I don't know is you find this story as interesting as I do but the strange and chance links that tie generations together are part of the heritage of us all. Sincerely, ^� ,r, ,N Charles P. Gui chard � y (867 -4182) 6�N�i