Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSaratoga-Sunnyvale Road 14421HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY ( #73) IDENTIFICATION 1. Common name: None 2. Historic name: B. Grant Taylor House 3. Street or rural address: 14421 Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road City: Saratoga 4. Parcel number: 503 -23 -016 5. Present Owner: John Kahle City: Saratoga Ownership is: Public: 6. Present Use: Residence Zip: 95070 County: Santa Clara Address: 20601 Brookwood Lane Zip: 95070 Private: X Original Use: Residence DESCRIPTION 7a. Architectural style: California Craftsman 7b. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or structure and describe any major alterations from its original condition: This large two -story redwood shingle house, located on a large parcel of land, lies secluded on a tree - studded knoll well back from the street. The prominent feature of the house is a large arch - shaped frame window. Other windows are wood frame with muntins dividing them into small lights. The roof has a wide overhang, which is a typical feature of houses of this style designed by Julia Morgan. In front of the house is a large heritage oak tree. No alterations have been made to the house. (photograph here) 8. Construction date: Estimated: 1906 -7 Factual: 9. Architect: Julia Morgan 10. Builder: Unknown 11. Approx. prop. size Frontage: 245' Depth: 500' approx. acreage: 2.5 12. Date(s) of enclosed photograph(s): 1988 HISTORIC RESOURCES INVENTORY ( #73) IDENTIFICATION 1. Common name: None 2. Historic name: B. Grant Taylor House 3. Street or rural address: 14421 Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road City: Saratoga 4. Parcel number: 503 -23 -016 5. Present Owner: John Kahle City: Saratoga Ownership is: Public: 6. Present Use: Residence Zip: 95070 County: Santa Clara Address: 20601 Brookwood Lane Zip: 95070 Private: X Original Use': Residence DESCRIPTION 7a. Architectural style: California Craftsman 7b. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or structure and describe any major alterations from its original condition: This large two -story redwood shingle house, located on a large parcel of land, lies secluded on a tree - studded knoll well back from the street. The prominent feature of the house is a large arch - shaped frame window. Other windows are wood frame with muntins dividing them into small lights. The roof has a wide overhang, which is a typical feature of houses of this style designed by Julia Morgan. In front of the house is a large heritage oak tree. No alterations have been made to the house. (photograph here) 8. Construction date: Estimated: 1906 -7 Factual: 9. Architect: Julia Morgan 10. Builder: Unknown 11. Approx. prop. size Frontage: 245' Depth: 500' approx. acreage: 2.5 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: 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: Heritage tree (Coastal live oak) SIGNIFICANCE 19. Briefly state historical and /or architectural importance (include dates, events, and persons associated with the site). Built in 1906 -07 for B. Grant Taylor, this house was designed by Julia Morgan, the prominent Bay Area architect. Mr. Taylor was California's first Supreme Court reporter. In 1908 he served as president of the Saratoga Improvement Association. The house was later owned by the Grunskys, who used it as a summer home and boarding house, known as "The Terrace." Former president, Richard Nixon, stayed here as a youth. In 1955, John Kahle, the present owner, purchased the house from Mrs. Grunsky. 20. Main theme of the historic resource: (If more than one is checked, number in order of importance.) Architecture: 1 Arts /Leisure: Economic /Industrial: Exploration /Settlement: Government: Military: Religion: Social /Ed.: 21. Sources (List books, documents, surveys, personal interviews and their dates). Santa Clara County Heritage Resource Inventory, 1980; John Kahle, 1986; Sara Holmes Boutelle, Julia Morgan in Saratoga, 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 . Ma�ior� F�v-L r c it h 0 i Boa � Gs ck• 4,1 � d� .ate 5a CITY OF SARATOGA CULTURAL RESOURCES INVENTORY PLANNING DEPARTMENT INVENTORY # PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN `� g� (date) IDENTIFICATION Street Address 5Q r& aR SUMLAVO Ao-, APN 6 3-F�`�° Historic Name — T'nLA, Y" Present Owner John 'R, iCQ.h�C- Address R nokwood Lct -n -, G5D 7 CD _ Present Use tPenI a,P nCe, — 4Q- 60'54, - Original Use Other Past Uses DESCRIPTION Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the site or structure and descr -ibe any major alterations from its original condition.: r� o �rr_i +m Y)') ec� r ,�,� the rock cl the 1no� se � s s�� .�c+�t� �'a. � aaK, -ire e b--\ �+ -�n-e - MX �r �cA w�1, !�� he S c� ,. -61 G- ru S Approximate property size: Lot size (in feet) Frontage 0146,62 Depth�Q or approximate acreage Z ,� Condition'(check one): FV.cellent (A Good ( ) 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) Threats to site: None known( ) "V Private Development ( ) Zoning ( ) Public.Works Project (.) Vandalism ( ) Other ( ) Primary exterior building material: Stone ( ) Brick ( } Stucco ( ) Adobe ( ) Wood (Xj Other ( ) Is the structure: On its original site? ()<5 Moved? ( ) Unknown ( ) Year of initial construction V 6 _p`�;This date is: Factual ( ) Estimated Architect (if known) Builder ( if known Related features: 1 (.d Cn- 'M nrnn.r \ Barn ( ) Carriage House Outhouse ( ) Watertower /Tankhouse ( ) Other ( ) SIGNIFICANCE Shed s) (4 Formal garden(s) ( ) Windmill ( ) None �. Briefly state historical and /or architectural importance (include dates, events, and persons associated with the site when known): 6e-d4de6 on a- khol o-bo\le Neil's a11ow }hls re dwooc' thk� 10, how 4-he o 1o\r AQ�rn%l Grwj� - TO tor' was Ca.l��rnt.� was ��.t�� for T � e� ` w f �e Lac r g c' was a. cl ass -�' en a o � �u,�ic� for N, The bc�k ir, '�°o�-� ��' +h e hOV �e \,% o- ?. er l-1 �15,Q, � r e C' Q>US eo4�� �� �-h�. lctrges� Coati 1iv� oak tv. k�n� eou���, Source (books, documents, surveys, personal interviews, and their dates): CCs -V CL C,ou r, \-� �A e' kka e- Co �-r1 q�\ Gc�dior -b Su�t� Clare in- Pry v 5I- �-�- i Form prepared by: �QnatA ' Q)a V\ Date: J 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: 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: Heritage tree (Coastal live oak) SIGNIFICANCE 19. Briefly state historical and /or architectural importance (include dates, events, and persons associated with the site). Built in 1906 -07 for B. Grant Taylor, this house was designed by Julia Morgan, the prominent Bay Area architect. Mr. Taylor was California's first Supreme Court reporter. In 1908 he served as president of the Saratoga Improvement Association. The house was later owned by the Grunskys, who used it as a summer home and boarding house, known as "The Terrace." Former president, Richard Nixon, stayed here as a youth. In 1955, John Kahle, the present owner, purchased the house from Mrs. Grunsky. 20. Main theme of the historic resource: (If more than one is checked, number in order of importance.) Architecture: 1 Arts /Leisure: Economic /Industrial: Exploration /Settlement: Government: Military: Religion: Social /Ed.: 21. Sources (List books, documents, surveys, personal interviews and their dates). Santa Clara County Heritage Resource Inventory, 1980; John Kahle, 1986; Sara Holmes Boutelle, Julia Morgan in Saratoga, 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 l � � �- �,�, w �j � c�,rcl� � ��ti�- +,v� -e- ���?) , � � �,ti �,� �; � �� c�� � � � �1� . � ��h�� -. City Council hears arguments tonight B &Bs meet restoration needs, backers say 61 years of resi toga have bee( points of a storm in recent months claim is simply ; serve the city's hle and Ann Fitzsim- hey want to restore own to their original century condition — to the furniture and taut the way tney propose to do that has angered several Saratoga residents and has forced a public hearing before the City Council tonight (7 p.m. City Hall council chambers, 13777 Fruitvale Ave.). Kahle and Fitzsimmons want to convert the old houses into "bed and breakfast" inns, a commercial use similar in style to a hotel. A B &B provides rooms for short -term rent (usually a few days) and pro- vides breakfast for guests in the inn's dining room. But Kahle, lives in an elegant home atop a hill on Brookwood Lane, said a B &B "is not a hotel." "Each has its own individual characteristics, with its own owner with his or her own tastes," he said. Kahle's would -be bed and breakfast is a two - story, five - bedroom abode located just across his backyard, at 14421 Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road. The wooden structure, built in 1906, was designed by Julia Morgan, who drew the plans for Hearst Castle in San Simeon. Kahle said he has owned the house since 1955, and said he lived in it for four years before moving into his current resi- dence, about 40 yards away. Since then, the old house has been a long -term rental. It is presently rented to a family of three. Fitzsimmons, a retired phy- sician, owns three historic struc- tures in Saratoga, including the former "Lundblad's Lodge" at 14534 Oak St., which she wants to This house (built in 1906 and designed by the attorney John Kahle, i architect of Hearst Castle is owned by Saratoga bed and breakfast inn. A Z CD m n A m Ln Inn backers answer critics Continued from page 5 convert to a bed and breakfast inn. The wooden two - story, six - bedroom house was built in 1907. Fitzsimmons bought it a year ago and has since used it as a long -term rental. Currently, four renters live in the house. "It's badly in need of restora- tion," Fitzsimmons said. "Just to get it habitable in order to rent, I had to spend $10,000 to re- do four bathrooms and have three rooms painted." To restore the house to mint condition would cost at least another $300,000, she said. But Fitzsimmons maintained she is willing to foot the bill to recap- ture the historical integrity of the structure. "My primary interest is in preserving the building," she said. "The idea that (.a B &B) is an easy way to a fortune is just ridiculous. For the first five years, you can expect a loss. "The money to be made from renting and from having a bed and breakfast would probably even out in the end. I'm getting a satisfactory return on my orig- inal investment in the house through rent revenue." "The safe thing would be to keep it just as it is, as a rental," she continued. "But I want to make a contribution to the city and make the house a show- place. If I broke even (on a restoration), I would be happy. I don't need to make money on it." Fitzsimmons said she has collected antiques for 30 years and views historic homes as large antiques. "I have this need to save those buildings," she said. "I didn't buy (the Oak Street house) so I could have a bed and breakfast. I bought it to save it, and then I thought about what to do with it." Fitzsimmons claimed that several potential buyers, includ- ing developers, had expressed interest in the house before she purchased it. Before the City Council to- night is a proposal backed by the Saratoga Heritage Preservation Commission to allow B &Bs in residential districts located within 500 feet of the Saratoga Village commercial district. However, B &Bs would be limit- ed to eight bedrooms, and could be located only in buildings offi- cially designated by the city (with owner approval) as ' neri- tage resources," or historical landmarks. The Saratoga Plan- ning Commission has recom- mended denial of the plan. Saratoga has only- eight buildings with landmark designation, and only one (the former William King house at 14666 Oak St.) could qualify for use as a bed and breakfast. But the Heritage Commission has identified 74 other historic buildings that may qualify as landmarks. Many residents who live within 500 feet of the Village boundaries are fearful that allowing B &B uses in their neighborhoods will lead to noise and traffic headaches and will reduce the market value of their properties. Saratoga -Los Gatos Road resident Greg Grodhaus, a staunch opponent of the B &B proposal, said 200 -250 houses lie within 500 feet of the downtown, including his own. "You'll have nine or 10 cars going in or coming out the (B &B)," Grodhaus said. "Ask yourself, 'Would I want to live next to that ?' " But Fitzsimmons and Kahle disputed claims by opponents that bed and breakfasts could do anything to harm their neigh- bors. "Nobody is trying to hurt the city. That's the last thing I want to do," Kahle said. "There will be adequate controls by the city. (B &Bs) will provide a way of preserving our precious old structures. It's an opportunity to expand our city to residents from out -of -town and show them our history and our culture. "If Saratoga was to be hurt in any way by this, then you would have to put a stop to it right away. But if I thought it was going to cause too much traffic or too much noise, or if I thought it was going to reduce property values, I certainly wouldn't want to do this. I live right next door to it." Fitzsimmons said that, since the restoration of the houses cannot include an expansion, "there would be the same num- ber of cars coming in and out, whether it's for tenants or B &B guests. The number of rooms would be the same." Helen Kahle, John Kahle's wife, said the Kahles would cater their B &B to guests "who are on weekend retreats and want to enjoy an area of special attractiveness." "I think it's an injustice to take these beautiful buildings and let one family live there and deprive other people of seeing them and staying in them," she said. The Kahles have said their old house has been steadily deteriorating under long -term rentaluse. Fitzsimmons said bed and breakfasts offer a permanent use for historic structures and a chance for visitors to stay in authentic turn -of- the - century inns. Revenues from the inns, they say, would serve only to recoup the costs of restoration. Even that could take 10 years, Fitz- simmons said. "Depending or, the season, bed and breakfasts in California (of which she said there are at `My primary interest is in preserving the building.' Ann Fitzsimmons least 400) charge from $45 to $75 a night," Fitzsimmons said. "As a rule, they're only half as ex- pensive as a hotel." Fitzsimmons said she wants to restore her old house with authentic, "period" furniture and a new roof, electrical sys- tem and landscape design. Helen Kahle said the Kahles have gradually been making improvements on their historic home, including reroofing, refinishing the wood furnishings and replacing the carpets. She said she is not sure how much she and her husband may ulti- mately pay for restoration should the house become a bed and breakfast inn, but said, "It would mostly be the period furniture that would have to be put in now. We've already done a lot of work on the house." "It's in good shape, but rent- ing just doesn't allow us to keep it up as well as we would like," John Kahle added. Fitzsimmons said that rent- ing a house for long periods to the same tenant in effect trans- fers responsibility for its upkeep to the tenant. Fitzsimmons insisted the im- pact of B &Bs on residential neighborhoods would be mini- mal. She said all but "five to 10" of the historic structures identi- fied by the Heritage Commis- sion as potential landmarks could not qualify for B &B use be- cause they are already used for office or retail or are located more than 500 feet from the Vil- lage. "And out of those five or 10 people, you would be lucky to have two people interested in doing this," she said. John Kahle said B &Bs could accomplish the same purposes for Saratoga that they have for Carmel, Monterey and the Napa Valley, where he said they have "added greatly to the charm and quaintness of the city." However, a spokeswoman for the Carmel Planning Depart- ment said bed and breakfasts are not allowed in that city's residential districts. "That's a commercial use, and we don't want that in our residential neighborhoods," the spokes- woman said. She added that hotels already in use in residential areas before Carmel's bed and breakfast ordinance took effect are allowed as "legal nonconform- ing uses." An official in the Monterey Planning Department said an initiative passed by city voters last November requires that a city -wide election be held any- time someone proposes a bed and breakfast or a similar establishment within a resi- dential neighborhood. The offi- cial said B &Bs are restricted in residential districts to single - family zones. Of Monterey's two bed and breakfast inns, one is lo- cated in a residential zone, he said. The Taylor House in Saratoga is secluded on a knoll in a grove of oaks above Neal's Hollow, and is barely visable from the road. It is a magnificant home designed by California's pioneer woman architect Julia Morgan. It was built in 1906 -1907 for B. Grant Taylor who was the first California Supreme Court reporter and his wife Lucretia who was a close friend of Julia Morgan. Julia Morgan born in 1872 in San Francisco was gifted in Math- ematics. She knew quite early she wanted to become an architect. She enrolled at U.C. Berkeley in the school of Engineering since there was no architectural school in the west. Here she encoun.te.red Bernard. Maybeck who encouraged her to persue further education at the E:cole de Beaux -Arts in Paris, which had never admitted a woman. She was the first woman to be accepted at the Beaux- Arts,'and -.was-quite successful in their design competitions ! In 1904 she set up her practice in San Francisco. Julia Morgan designs are prevalent all over the Bay Area and as far north as Grass Valley. The Asilomar Conference grounds and the Hearst Castle at San Simieon to the south are two of her best known designs. In. Saratoga Miss Morgan designed several well known buildings and homes. In 1915 she was asked to design the Foothill Club. Across the street on Park Place she also designed the Federated Church. Hayfield House on La Paloma is a residence Julia Morgan de- signed for the Chauncy Goodrich's. It was built in 1920 and is located on a knoll in a 17 acre estate. Orginally planned as a sum- mer place it later became their permanent residence. i The Taylor House mentioned earlier is a beautiful example of Julia Morgads warm, unpretentious style. Her ability to suit the residence to the site is very obvious here. The home sits on a hillside among many beautiful oaks, one of which, is the largest live oak I recall seeing in Saratoga—The main living room window which is framed by a pergola, looks out on to this magnificant tree. This window is actually a two storied arched opening; it definitely is the focal point of the house. This large home (about 41000 sq. ft.), built of redwood has five bedrooms, each with it's,own icharming bath. The bedrooms are all different and with interesting ceiling angles. The Taylor House has extensive use of redwood on the inside as well as on the outside, beautiful wood paneling gives the dining room such warmth, complete $with plate rails and picture hanging knobs around the ceiling molding. There are rustic wooden bookcases flanking the large arched window,, in front of which is a window seat. The front room was designed as a music room with direct access from the street so music pupils would not have to go into the rest of the house. Outside on the decks family and Friends could gather under the oaks. The Taylor's used this home as an all -year residence, however the Grunsky family who owned it later used it mainly in summer and on weekends. Maybe this was Saratoga's first Bed and Breakfast In.n.: In 1955 John Kahle bought this lovely home. He lived in it for a few years; at present it is rented. How fortunate we residents of Saratoga are to have so many "Julia Morgans" #33 - Remove "secluded.....Neale's Hollow ", remove "resort cottage proposed." Insert California Craftsman. "One of the largest coast live oaks." Owner: John R. Kahle. Typifies Julia Morgan architecture and remains as originally designed. Secluded on a knoll above Saratoga Creek. ,6. Morgan place may offer bed /breakfast The first step toward converting the 1803 Julia Morgan- designed house off Brookwood Lane into a bed- and - break- fast establishment was taken at the Plan- ning Commission's study session in De- cember. John Kahle of Saratoga asked the commission in May of last year to allow him to make the conversion. The com- missioners finally agreed to include a policy resolution in the general plan al- lowing bed - and - breakfast establish- ments in historic buildings off major thoroughfares, with a use permit. Once the general plan is approved by the coun- cil, city staff will then create an ordi- nance to that effect. . The brown two-story house with yellow trim and an unusual large window is up the second driveway before Brook- wood Lane, off Saratoga - Sunnyvale Road. R U Q JULIA MORGAN ARCHITECT SAN FRANCISCO. CALIFORNIA u�..�'nUtluv Roeciv ec of Lwc e �? a 7. Tlaylor, 9 00 j Doll'a s be.'t's?y, on account o' pTofoss C'•nal sip vices n conl i:U'- ��Oh Tito the erec'u "ton o -' Txouse in Sa-- ato -ga, Ca? • �/ �"�_""""1 i✓� •. C� 'Z ^mow ✓L�l .'Y� _ r. �/.� -sue.! 4' tvr�i- �^ ,_,,.. � / `� ./�� • G� / Gsµ- �7�. ,� G. -`✓� -C °. -�--� � --7 �-. -�.._ _ .. 17% ,✓- _ / , j all RECEIVED '••, � .. MAR 31 1992 -. " PLANNING POLICY AKALYSIS 20601 Brookwood Lane Saratoga, California 95070 March 26 1982 Saratoga Planning Commission _a 13777 Fruitvale'Avenue Saratoga, California 95070 -w Gentlemen. At this time when you are holding public hearings regarding the proposed General Plan for Saratoga, I want to bring to your attention an improved parcel of property which I own and which, I believe, is quite unique in many respects and particularly suited for the use I refer to later in this letter. y This parcel is located on the west side of Saratoga- Sunnyvale Road about two hundred (- 200)..feet North of Brookwood Lane. The parcel of land is two and one -half '(.2 1/2) acres in size. Situated on the land is a large house having five bedrooms with a bath for each bedroom. The house was built about 1907 and has been maintained in excellent condition. 'It has about four thousand (4,000) square feet of living area. "The entry for the house is on the Saratoga- Sunnyvale Road. °;The house sets back'.from the ..point of entry approximately one hundred fifty (150) feet and is barely visable from the ' road. -' The house has some unique characteristics. „It was ; .,designed by the famous,, San Francisco architect, Julia Morgan..",.;. Therefore, as 'one.'might expect, :.there is a 'striking ,. similarity between,the lines and features of this.house ;and the Saratoga Foothill Club. The house was originally owned by Grant Taylor, first Supreme Court Reporter for the State of Cali forn la- ''rThroughout the house there is generous use of heart of redwood lumber which has retained much of its original beauty. We were most'fortunate to locate some documentation in the'bas'ement of the house which establishes ?. -. without question that Julia Morgan was the architect. I am enclosing a copy of the original invoice and a copy of a letter from Julia Morgan to the owners which are in the handwriting of Julia Morgan. I am enclosing also some recent photographs of the house for your examination. +" Vii.' . R .-- -,.. .... .. .< ,.. •. _ z -�. .. .., - - '�.'_. ... .. =.� ,_,. -,,�• t3 : , Saratoga Planning Commission 'M ` March 26, 1982 r' �- ;i Page 2 since I.have owned this house February, 1955. My family and -I lived in the house about four years.'" Since 1959 the house has been rented to a number of different families. It,has come to my attention through the years that no matter how much care and maintenance is provided for a house like this, constant use by various people on ­,rental basis causes marked deterioration of the property. .•• We believe that this house has significant historical • `:•.value -to Saratoga as a Julia Morgan designed house and, L accordingly, every .effort .should be made to preserve .it :and make it available to the residents of Saratoga to r. enjoy. This home has been included on the County list of historical landmarks. ;'; s =, +• . We ask that the Planning 'Commission consider use of this property for a bed and breakfast operation. ,Such a change in use would not only help to preserve the property as a heritage resource, but because of its setting, . ,only a few minutes walk to downtown Saratoga, would make an 'outstanding bed and breakfast operation. We ,cordially , invite the Commission to see the property at any time..:` We are aware that the at this time is ' 1 .Commission reviewing the, proposed General Plan for Saratoga and is in the process of holding public hearings in that regard. We ` 'r respectfully request that your HonorablerCommission include -in the Saratoga General Plan for 1982 use of the afore- property as a "bed and breakfast operation. .mentioned , j. f ncere yours, - Jg r1 JRK. fl i't v .." - "+.'. .v t- - - - .Y: � - .- ... .. aS `.. .v i .�.... . •+i.:.',.... SF br A .emu .+. _'v.'... ... .. -- .., _. .. __ . The Taylor House in Saratoga is secluded on a knoll in a grove of oaks above Neal's Hollow, and is barely visable from the road. It is a magnificant home designed by California's pioneer woman architect Julia Morgan. It was built in 1906 -1907 for B. Grant Taylor who was the first California Supreme Court reporter and his wife Lucretia who was.a close friend of Julia Morgan. Julia Morgan born. in 1872 in San Francisco was gifted in Math- ematics. She knew quite early she wanted to. become an architect. She enrolled at U.C. Berkeley in the school of Engineering since there was no architectural school in the west. Here she encountered Bernard Maybeck who encouraged her to persue further education at the Hcole de Beaux -Arts in Paris, which had never admitted a woman. She was the first woman to be accepted at the Beaux- Arts,Jand :was quite successful in their design competitions ! In 1904 she set up her practice in San'Francisco. Julia Morgan designs are prevalent all over the.-Bay Area and_ as far north as Grass Valley. The Asilomar Conference grounds and the Hearst Castle at San Simieon to the south are two of her best known design=s. In Saratoga Miss Morgan designed several well known buildings and homes. In 1915 she was asked to design the Foothill Club. Across the street on Park Place she also designed the Federated Church. Hayfield House on La Paloma-is.a residence Julia Morgan de- sighed for the Chauncy Goodrich's., It was built in 1920 and is located on a knoll in a 17 acre estate: Orginally planned as a sum- mer place it later became their permanent residence. 0 The Taylor House mentioned earlier is a beautiful example of Julia Morganys warm, unpretentious style. Her ability to suit the residence to the site is very obvious here. The home sits on aa., hillside among an beautiful oaks one of which is the largest live g Y � g �' • its ra oak I recall seeing in Saratoga-.The main living room window which` .3 is framed by a pergola, looks. out on to this magnificant tree. ?L • 4" This window is actually a two storied arched opening; it definitely '? is the focal point of the house. This large home (about 4,000 sq. ft.), built of redwood has five bedrooms, each with it's own charming bath, The .bedrooms are all different and with interesting ceiling angles. t. }T` tr .. `x'� Outside on the decks family and ,friends could gather under the oaks. The Taylor House has extensive use of redwood on the inside as well as on the outside, beautiful wood paneling gives the•dining room such warmth, complete with plate rails and picture hanging knobs around'' the ceiling molding. There are rustic wooden bookcases flanking the .3 large arched window, in front of which is a window seat. The front' • 4" room was- designed::.as,a music room with direct access from the street '? so music pupils would not have to go into the rest of the house. Outside on the decks family and ,friends could gather under the oaks. The Taylor's used this home as an all -year 'residence, however the Grunsky family who owned it later used it mainly in summer and on weekends. Maybe this was Saratoga's first Bed and Breakfast Inn In 1955 John Kahle bought this lovely home. He lived in it for a few years; at present it is rented.. How fortunate we residents of Sarato.ga are •to, have so many. "Julia.•Morgan's" ' r. .¢ 1.• The Taylor House in Saratoga is secluded on .a knoll in a grove of oaks above Neal's Hollow, and is barely visable from the road. It is a magnificant home designed by California's pioneer woman architect Julia Morgan. It was built in 1906 -1907 for B. Grant Taylor who was the first California Supreme Court reporter and his wife Lucretia who was a close friend of Julia Morgan. Julia Morgan born in 1872 in San Fran.cisco was gifted in Math- ematics. She knew quite early she wanted .to.become an architect. She enrolled at U.C. Berkeley in the school of Engineering since there was no architectural school in the west. Here she encountered Bernard Maybeck who encouraged her to persue further education at the 1cole de Beaux -Arts in Paris, which had never admitted a woman. She was the first woman to be accepted at the Beaux- Arts ,.;and ,.was quite successful in their design competitions ! In 1904 she set up her practice in San*Francisco. Julia Morgan designs are prevalent all over the.Bay Area and as far north as Grass Valley. The Asilomar Conference grounds and the Hearst Castle at San Simieon to the south are two of her best known design's. In Saratoga Miss Morgan designed several well known buildings and homes. In 1915 she was asked to design the Foothill Club. Across the street on Park Place she also designed the Federated Church. Hayfield House on La Paloma is a residence Julia Morgan de- signed for the Chauncy Goodrich's. -It was built in 1920 and is located on a knoll in a 17 acre estate. Orginally planned as a sum- mer place it later became their permanent residence. The Taylor House mentioned earlier is a beautiful example of Julia Morgans warm, unpretentious style. Her ability to suit the residence to the si.te is very obvious here. The home sits on a hillside among many beautiful oaks, one of which is the largest.live oak I recall seeing in Saratoga.,The main living room window which is framed by a pergola, looks out on to this magnificant tree. This window is actually a two storied arched opening; it definitely is the focal point of the house. This large home (about 4,000 sq. ft.), built of redwood has five bedrooms, each with it's own bharming bath. The.bedrooms are all different and with interesting ceiling angles. The Taylor House has extensive use of redwood on the inside as well as on the outside, beautiful wood paneling gives the dining room such warmth, complete with plate rails and picture hanging knobs around the ceiling molding. There are rustic wooden bookcases flanking the large arched window,, in front of which is a window seat. The front room was.designed -as:a music room with direct access from the street so music pupils would not have to go into the rest of the house. Outside on the decks family and friends could gather under the oaks. The Taylor's used this home as an all -year residence, however the Grunsky family who owned it later used it mainly in summer and on weekends. Maybe this was Saratoga's first Bed and Breakfast Inn In 1955 John Kahle bought this lovely home. He lived in it for a few years; at present it is rented. How fortunate we residents of SaAatoga are,to have so many "Julia..X.organ.'s" e r J � The Taylor House in Saratoga is secluded on a knoll in a grove of oaks above Neal's Hollow, and is barely visable from the road. It is a magnificant home designed by California's pioneer woman architect Julia Morgan. It was built in 1906 -1907 for B. Grant Taylor who was the first California Supreme Court reporter and his wife Lucretia who was.a close friend of Julia Morgan. Julia Morgan born. in 1872 in San Francisco was gifted in Math- ematics. She knew quite early she wanted to.become an architect. She enrolled at U.C. Berkeley in the school of Engineering since there was no architectural school in the west. Here she encountered Bernard Maybeck who encouraged her to persue further education at the E.cole de Beaux -Arts in Paris, which had never admitted a woman. She was the first woman to be accepted at the Beaux- Arts,�and k.:was - quite successful in their design competitions ! In 1904 she set up her practice in San'Francisco. Julia Morgan designs are prevalent all over the-Bay Area and as far north as Grass valley. The Asilomar Conference grounds and the Hearst Castle at San Simieon to the south are two of her best known designs. In Saratoga Miss Morgan designed several well known buildings and homes. In 1915 she was asked to design the Foothill Club. Across the street on Park Place she also designed the Federated Church. Hayfield House on La. Paloma is a residence Julia Morgan de- signed for the Chauncy Goodrich's. It' was built in 1920 and-is located on a knoll in a 17 acre estate. Orginally planned as a sum- mer place it later became their permanent residence. .V The Taylor House mentioned earlier is a beautiful example of Julia Morgans warm, unpretentious style. Her ability to suit the residence to the site is very obvious here. The home sits on a hillside among many beautiful oaks, one of which is the largest.live oak I recall seeing in Saratoga—The main living room window which is framed.by a pergola, looks out on to this magnificant tree.. This window is actually a two storied arched opening; it definitely is the focal point of the house. This large home (about 4,000 sq. ft.), built of redwood has five bedrooms, each with it's own eharming bath. The - bedrooms are all different and with interesting ceiling angles. The Taylor House has extensive use of redwood on the inside as well as on the outside, beautiful wood paneling gives the dining room such warmth, complete with plate rails and picture hanging knobs around the .ceiling molding. There are,rustic wooden bookcases flanking the large arched windowin front of which is a window seat. The front room was.designed -.as -a music room with direct access from the street so music pupils would not have to go into the rest of the house. Outside on the decks family and friends could gather under the oaks. The Taylor's used this home as an all -year residence, however the Grvnsky family who owned it later used it mainly in summer and on weekends. Maybe this was Saratoga's first Bed and Breakfast Inn In 1955 John Kahle bought this lovely home. He lived in it for a few years; at present it is rented. How fortunate we residents of Sapatoga are.to have so many "Julia Morgans" November travel ... in and beyond the Est LARRY A. BRAZIL Victorian -era Mills Hall faces campus oval, where 1870s students were directed to take eight turns daily Fall stroll at historic Mills College In 1850, females were a rarity in Califor- nia (only 8 percent of the population), and girls who required a formal education were packed off to Eastern schools. But in 1852, bustling Benecia saw the opening of the Young Ladies Seminary —the West's first women's college. It soon grew, moved to the Oakland hills (in 1871), and became Mills College, a campus which has evolved in a range of architectural styles— Victorian to mission revival to contemporary. Notable are four Julia Morgan buildings, the greatest con- centration of her works outside the Asilo- mar complex. In fall, the Mills campus is alive with activity, including a big quilt show, and autumn color highlights some of its 263 species of trees. You can pick up a free guide to the 127 -acre campus and tour its outstanding architecture in a brief stroll. To begin, park off Wetmore Road at the oval fronting Mills Hall. This stately, mansard- roofed 1871 hall, by S. C. Bug - bee and Son, once housed the college's entire student and teacher population. Across the oval is Julia Morgan's 1906 bell tower. Built of reinforced concrete, then a new material, it was her first im- portant commission and helped establish her reputation (in part, because it sur- vived the 1906 earthquake). On the oval's south side is the library she also built in 1906, a structure architectur- al historian Sara Holmes Boutelle has called a "jewel box combining Beaux Arts formality with elements of the Mission style." You can visit its high- ceilinged rare -book room weekdays 10 to 5. Walk up Wetmore Road and turn left on Richards Road to the Rothwell Center, designed by Morgan in 1916 and now a Imposing entry to Music Building is crowded with bas - relief scrollwork and niched figures whose particular significance is no longer known NORMAN A. PLATE Called the set piece for the campus center, Julia Morgan's bell tower (above) was an early mission revival work; 1906 library (left), another Morgan, houses rare books NOVEMBER 1982 5 The Magazine of Western Living 0 November 1982 Lessons from the master's own garden Sculpted Japanese boxwoods highlight San Francisco garden of Mrs. Betsy Church What sort of small garden would one of America's foremost landscape archi- tects create for himself? Sunset out- door living editor Roy Krell found out on a visit with Mrs. Betsy Church, widow of landscape architect Thomas D. Church. Five decades ago, he plant- ed Japanese boxwoods, then —over the years— trained and pruned them into the topiary shapes shown at left. As the trees matured, the garden's character also evolved: away from stiff formality to a welcoming informality. The Church garden is one of many explored by Krell for this month's re- port on "Gardening in tight quarters ... lessons from San Francisco." The lessons begin on page 92. John F. Henning, Jr. Associate Publisher Proctor Mellquist Editor William Marken Executive Editor William Cheney Art Director Joseph F. Williamson Garden Editor Jerry Anne Di Vecchio Home Economics Editor Roy Krell Outdoor Living Editor David Hartley Travel Editor Richard B. Morrell Building Editor Fred Nelson Special Projects Editor Annabel Post, Sam Connery Senior Editors Glenn Christiansen Photography Director Southwest Editor Mary B. Ord Northwest Editor James Poth Associate Editors Richard Dunmire, Jeff Phillips, Kandace Esplund Reeves, Kathleen Norris Brenzel, Mary Ann Reese, Steven R. Lorton, Chuck Anderson, Peter O. Whiteley, Margaret Learmonth McKinnon, Lois Feichtmeir Associate Art Director Carol Hatchard Goforth Assistant Editors Linda Anusasananan, Lorraine Reno, Lora J. Finnegan, Carol Bale Malcolm, Richards E. Bushnell, Phyllis Anderson, Diana Bunce, Jim McCausland, Judith Shasky Nadler, William E. Crosby, Carol Hoffman, Mary Jane Swanson, Marcia Morrill, Sharon Symington Smorsten Assistant Art Director Dennis W. Leong Staff Editors Jean E. Lebberl, Helen Coliin, Robyn Doepel, Michael Joseph Brozda, Andrea Winden, Peter Fish, Peggy Kuhn Thompson, Mae Mae Waldron, Jane Purcell Marvin, Sandra Bakko, Daniel P. Gregory, Channing L. Dawson Art Staff Franroise Dudal Kirkman, Lucy I. Sergeant, Michael L. Frederickson Senior Photographer Norman A. Plate Photography Staff William Stephens, David Stubbs, Renpe Hardman Editorial Consultants Walter L. Doty, Kenneth Cooperrider, Elsa Uppman Knoll, Nancy Davidson Art Consultant Norman S. Gordon Hawaii Consultant Nancy Bannick LANE PUBLISHING CO. Willow & Middlefield Roads Menlo Park, California 94025 L. W. Lane, Jr., Chairman of the Board and Publisher; Melvin B. Lane, Vice Chairman of the Board and Publisher, Sunset Books; John F. Henning, Jr., President and Associate Publisher: Proctor Mellquist, Vice - President and Editor; Richard T. Bristol, Vice- President and Advertising Sales Director; Ronald C. Walker, Vice- President and Circulation Director; James L. Webb, Vice - President and Manufacturing Director; Thomas Ohliger, Vice- President and Marketing Director: William D. Byrne, Vice - President and General Manager, Book Division; David E. Clark Vice - President and Editor, Sunset Books; James E Mitchell, Secretary and Treasurer; Howard Willoughby, Director; Donald A. Campbell, Director; Frank G. Chambers, Director. Laurence C. Smith, Advertising Sales Manager: James W. Baker, Eastern Advertising Sales Manager: Rich Kitson, Advertising Service Manager. Advertising offices: Glenn Chrisman, Manager, SAN FRANCISCO 94105, 625 Market St.: Wally Simmons, Manager, Los ANGELES 90010, 3055 Wilshire Blvd.; Charles Schmuck, Manager, SEATTLE 98101, 600 Logan Bldg.; Paul Messer, Manager, NEW YORK 10017, 2150 Graybar Bldg 420 Lexington Ave.; Harold Chambliss, Manager, ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30345, 1780 Century Circle; CHICAGO 60606, 2 N. Riverside Plaza: Harry G. Brewster, Manager, LATHRUP VILLAGE, MICH. 48076, 28050 Southfield Rd.; Michael A. Merchant, Manager, BOSTON 02199, 1950 Prudential Center; DALLAS 75248, 16990 Dallas Parkway. CHANGE OF ADDRESS: To ensure continuous ser- mailing label from Sunset. Please send address vice, send new and old address eight weeks before changes only to the following address: Sunset moving. If possible, include the most recent Magazine, Box 2447, Boulder, CO 80322. Change of Address Form on page 268 Send all subscription orders and inquiries to: Sunset Magazine, Menlo Park, CA 94025. Q'110., SUBSCRIPTION RATES: To Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, AD.Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming —one yyear $12. To other states: $16 per year. All foreign: $16 per year plus $7.75 postage (must be paid for in U.S. x funds). Current copies and back issues as available: $2.00 each postpaid. The Publisher upon direct request from any subscriber, will cancel a subscription and make full refund elL0 for copies not yet mailed. No responsibility is assumed for unsolicited contributions. Manu- scripts and inquiries are not acknowledged or returned unless accompanied by an ad- dressed, stamped, return envelope. Printed in U.S.A. Copyright under International Copyright Conven- tion. All rights reserved under Pan- American Copyright Convention. Copyright © 1982 by Lane Pub- lishing Co., member Audit Bureau of Circulation. POSTMASTER: Send Form 3579 to Sunset Magazine, Box 2447, Boulder, CO 80302 lub of student activity. Farther up Rich - trds Road is the Music Building, a 1928 Alalter Ratcliff structure; note the entry - vay friezes and colorful frescoes inside. :ontinue on Richards Road to Ming �uong Road and Alderwood Hall, a 1924 Morgan design built as a home for Chi - 3ese orphans (you'll see Chinese symbols )f hospitality on the gate). If you have time, stop in at the art gallery m Kapiolani Road; the current show (Oc- tober 9 through November 28) is on quilt - making. Gallery hours are 10 to 4 Tues- Jay through Sunday; admission is $2, $1 For seniors. You can pick up a free campus map at the campus entry booth; a tree -guide ($3.30) is on sale at the bookstore, open weekdays 9 to 4:45. To get to Mills College in Oakland, take Interstate 580 (MacArthur Freeway) to the MacArthur Boulevard exit and head south to Richards Road and the college entrance. Turn right at the end of Rich- ards onto Wetmore. Free Utah ski planner Now you can get a complete guide to 14 ski areas in Utah by calling a toll -free number. The 32 -page color brochure in- cludes a thorough profile of each area (altitude, snowfall, vertical drop, lift prices, ski school) plus a ski -run map and transportation details. Call (800) 824- 8824. Pre - Columbian art in Fresno Figurative clay sculptures were a hall- mark of pre - Columbian Mexico, and this month the Fresno Arts Center offers the area's first major exhibition of this appealing art. Some 225 pieces dating from 500 B.C. to A.D. 1500 (all buried as offerings to the gods) go on display No- vember 9 to December 29. You'll see the round - bodied dog (a food symbol), the lean jaguar (bringer of rain), and human figures variously posed. The Arts Center is at First and Clinton streets; hours are 9 to 6 Tuesday through Friday, noon to 4:30 weekends. Admis- sion is $1. At Mount Diablo State Park ... two new trails Cool heights and smashing views are rea- sons enough for an autumn visit to Mount Diablo State Park, about 30 miles east of Oakland. Now two new trails lead to more high vistas. Just below Diablo's 3,849 -foot summit is the level 1 -mile loop Fire Interpretive Trail (paved halfway for wheelchairs). The trail traverses part of the 6,000 -acre burn which scorched the area in 1977. It illustrates how quickly a burn scar can heal, with manzanita and scrub oak al- ready thriving again. Clear -day views are unobstructed: you may see as far as the SUNSET The Kahle House The Kahle House was built in 1916 by son of the owner) of San Francisco's department store. The home was part such city dwellers as Fremont Older, Blaneys to move out of the city into "country ". Willard lived here with apartment in the city. Mr. Willard, then owner (or elegant City of Paris of the fashionable trend of Senator Phelan, and the the clean air of the his family, but maintained an The architect of the house is unknown. In style and situation the house is similar to one very close by that we know was designed by Julia Morgan, architect of the Hearst mansion at San Simeon, and also the architect of the Foothill Club in Saratoga. A letter exists from Morgan to the owner of that house asking for payment for the design -- apparently they were friends for the fee was only $25. That house happens to also belong to the Kahles. The massing, roof - lines, materials and architectural detail are very similar, although the,one documented to be by Morgan is somewhat more rustic in flavor than the house being displayed during this house tour. The house exemplifies the trend to utilize native building materials and natural landscape settings to create a warmth and character promoted as the "California spirit ". The structure and interior of the house are almost entirely original, and hence preserve the character of redwood construction, interior wood craftsmanship, intimate spaces and simple window detailing typical of the style known as "California Craftsman ". From 1901 until 1916 a furniture manufacturer named Gustav Stickley published an art, architecture and home periodical called "The Craftsman," in which values based on the English "Arts and Crafts" movement were promulgated. One of my architecture books puts it this way: "the craftsman's movement posited a comprehensive approach to house design, from the furnishings inside to the garden outside .... the craft orientation implied that the architect would be substantially responsible for the design of furnishings and fixtures, built -in wherever possible. These and all architectural detailing depended for their esthetic qualities on the properties inherent to materials, construction methods, and functional purpose rather more than on a priori design elements lifted from one or another of the great design traditions.... Finally, buildings inspired by the craftsman's movement reveal an intense concern for nature: specifically, for the garden as a planned extension of the house...." (William H. Jordy in American Buildings and Their Architects, vol. 3, "Progressive and Academic Ideals at the Turn of the Twentieth Century," Anchor Books, 1972, p. 219.) Among other things popularized by Stickley was the "bungalow," generally a one - storied cottage with wide spreading roof and eaves, deep porches with often massive posts and brackets, with walls and roof usually shingled. Many types of bungalow were built in many areas; one architectural commentator of the time 1 t described nine different types of bungalow. The Kahle house is not strictly speaking a bungalow because it has two stories, but the elaboration of bungalow features is obvious. The adherence of its designer, whoever it may have been, to the precepts given above is also clear. Other architects working within this tradition in California at this time besides Julia Morgan are the brothers Greene in southern California and Bernard Maybeck in the Bay Area. Some architectural historians have actually referred to a Bay Region style. We feel that "California Craftsman" is both more descriptive and more comprehensive than the latter term. The home was a showplace from the start, with ample room for entertaining and the finest in furnishings - -much of it from the City of Paris. (Some items are still in the house.) The Willards remained in the home until approximately 1950 when Dr. McKuen, a dentist, purchased it as a summer house. In 1959 the Kahle family bought it. During their extensive travels with the state department the house was leased, but they have been home now long enough to impress their own very special character on the house and its furnishings. The dining room, living room, and music room are panelled in solid mahogany of beautiful workmanship. The flooring in these rooms is also original, although sanded and refinished recently. The textiles in these rooms include draperies of silk from Thailand in the living room and of Indonesian batik in the music room. Many of the furnishings are Oriental, both Indonesian and Chinese. One of the most important pieces is an opium bed, raised slightly for use as a coffee table. In the music room are Mrs. Kahle's collection of puppets used in the shadow plays popular in Java. Some of the puppets are antique. There is a batik painting in the music room, also one by a now well -known primitive painter from E1 Salvador. Other hangings and objects are from Central America. In the breakfast room is Mrs. Kahle's bird collection; these include carved birds from India, Bali, Guatemala, Sweden, and Mexico. Also in the breakfast room is a wicker set that came from the home of Olivia de Havilland's mother. 2