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Home My WebLink AboutSwanee's Dress Shop -Registration FromNPS Form 10 -900 OMB No. 1024 -0018 (Oct. 1990) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Registration Form This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations for individual properties and districts. See instructions in How to Complete the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (National Register Bulletin 16A). Complete each item by marking "x" in the appropriate box or by entering the information requested. If any item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N /A" for "not applicable." For functions, architectural classification, materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories from the instructions. Place additional entries and narrative items on continuation sheets (NPS Form 10- 900a). Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer, to complete all items. 1. Name of Property historic name: Swanee's Dress Shop other names /site number: present name: Saratoga Historical Museum, parcel number #517 -10 -013 r #,^n street & number: 20450 Saratoga -Los Gatos Road not for publication city or town: Saratoga vicinity: state: California code: CA county: Santa Clara code: 085 zip code: 95070 3. State /Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1986, as amended, I hereby certify that this nomination request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property meets does not meet the National Register Criteria. I recommend that this property be considered significant nationally statewide locally. ( See continuation sheet for additional comments.) Signature of certifying officiallTitle Date California Office of Historic Preservation State or Federal agency and bureau In my opinion, the property meets does not meet the National Register criteria. ( See continuation sheet for additional comments.) Signature of commenting or other official Date State or Federal agency and bureau 4. National Park Service Certification I hereby certify that this property is: entered in the National Register See continuation sheet. determined eligible for the National Register See continuation sheet. determined not eligible for the National Register removed from the National Register other (explain): Signature of the Keeper Date of Action Saratoga Historical Museum 5. Classification Ownership of Property (Check as many boxes as apply) private X public -local public -State public - Federal Category of Property (Check only one box) X building(s) district site structure object Name of related multiple property listing (Enter "NIA" if property is not part of a multiple property listing.) n/a Saratoga, Santa Clara County, California Number of Resources within Property (Do not include previously listed resources in the count.) Contributing Noncontributing buildings sites structures objects I Total Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register n/a 6. Function or Use Historic Functions Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions) Commerce/Trade - Specialty Store Recreation & Culture - Museum (Enter categories from instructions) Recreation & Culture - Museum 7. Description Architectural Classification Materials (Enter categories from instructions) Commercial Style, Wooden Clapboard False Front (Enter categories from instructions) foundation: Concrete roof: Asphalt Shingles walls: Wooden Siding other Double -hung wood sash windows Narrative Description (Describe the historic and current condition of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) See attached continuation sheets. ra Saratoga Historical Museum National Register of Historic Places Continuation Page Section 7 - Narrative Description Saratoga, Santa Clara County, California Page 1 of 1 The Saratoga Historical Museum was dedicated on July 4, 1976. Built in 1904 on Lumber Street (now known as Big Basin Way), near the junction of the Sunnyvale Road, the building served at various times as a drug store, a grocery, a restaurant, and as a notions store. The Swanee Dress Shop occupied the building from 1950 until it was moved to its present location in 1975 to the Saratoga Historical Park at the corner of Saratoga -Los Gatos Road and Oak Street. Its renovation and conversion to a museum was a community effort. Seed money came from the endowment fund of the late Florence Cunningham (1880- 1965), a long -time collector and recorder of Saratoga history. The museum is a wooden clapboard false -front commercial building (see photo) of approximately 1180 square feet, located on a lot with frontage of approximately 124 feet, lot depth approximately 280 feet, lot area approximately eight tenths of an acre. The building is rectangular in shape with a small shed addition to the side and rear, which was completed in 2004. Two large single pane front doors are centered on the front side, forming a recessed porch. Flat glass panels accentuate each side of the doors. The front porch is reached by brick steps with wooden handrails. There is a fixed glass transom over the front door. The building is adjacent to a small Pioneer -style building known as the McWilliams House. A brick walkway joins the two buildings with the parking area. 3 Saratoga Historical Museum Saratoga, Santa Clara County, California 8. Statement of Significance Applicable National Register Criteria Areas of Significance (Mark "x" in one or more boxes for the criteria qualifying the property for National Register listing) A(X) Property is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history. B Property is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past. C Property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack individual distinction. D Property has yielded, or is likely to yield information important in prehistory or history. Criteria Considerations (Mark "X" in all the boxes that apply.) Property is: A owned by a religious institution or used for religious purposes. B(X) removed from its original location.. C a birthplace or a grave. D a cemetery. E a reconstructed building, object, or structure. F a commemorative property. G less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within the past 50 years. (Enter categories from instructions) Commerce Period of Significance 1904-1975 Significant Dates Original Construction as a store - 1904 Became Swanee's Dress Shop - 1950 Building moved to Saratoga Historic Park - 1975 Significant Person (Complete if Criterion B is marked above) n/a Cultural Affiliation n/a Architect/Builder unknown Narrative Statement of Significance (Explain the significance of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) 4 Saratoga Historical Museum National Register of Historic Places Continuation Page Section 8 - Statement of Significance Saratoga, Santa Clara County, California Page 1 of 4 The nominated structure (the Saratoga Historical Museum, formerly the Swanee Dress Shop) is significant within the theme of California community development (or California agriculture) for two reasons. First, it is one of the original structures contributing to the nomination of the entire early California community of Saratoga as California Historic Landmark No. 435 in 1950. Second, the Swanee Dress Shop is one of four heritage structures that are currently owned by the City of Saratoga and represent the extraordinary efforts of Saratoga residents to preserve their heritage despite limited financial resources. Saratoga residents preserved several threatened structures in an appropriate and sensitive manner years before the Secretary of the Interior guidelines were available to provide direction. These structures continue to provide local residents with insight into community life in early California. The nominated structures were all relocated as close as possible to their original sites and were placed on a site within their original context. The Swanee Dress Shop was a commercial structure in the business district from its construction about 1904 until 1975 when a development project forced its relocation. It was always an important business, contributing to the commercial vitality of Saratoga's main street. The Swanee Dress Shop (now the Saratoga Historical Museum) is significant within the context of an early California town. Although the structure has been relocated, the City of Saratoga exercised great diligence to move this historic to an appropriate site. In addition, great care was taken to place the structure within its original context. The Swanee Dress Shop was located within the traditional boundaries of Saratoga Village. The building was moved to its present location in the Saratoga Historical Park and formally dedicated in its new role as the Saratoga Historical Museum on July 4, 1976. History of Saratoga The City of Saratoga is one of the oldest American settlements in California, dating to 1848. First settled as an enclave serving a water - powered grist mill, the village provided the entrance to a toll road over the Santa Cruz Mountains to the ocean. The Village was first formally surveyed in 1852 and named McCarthysville. Over the decades and through several name changes, Saratoga has retained a strong sense of her historic importance and identity. Saratoga residents made significant and formal efforts to protect their early heritage, beginning with the formation of a history group through Chautauqua in the 1890's. When the Foothill Club, a woman's study group was founded in 1907, a history section attracted many interested participants. When legislation was first passed to nominate significant California landmarks, Saratoga residents nominated their entire town and Saratoga was designated as landmark #435, the only remaining major entity remaining from this early process. Many of California's bronze landmark markers note "the former site of... "; Saratoga however, remains vibrant and vital. 5 Saratoga Historical Museum National Register of Historic Places Continuation Page Section 8 - Statement of Significance Saratoga, Santa Clara County, California Page 2 of 4 The Swanee Dress shop is significant because it is typical of the early single -story false -front commercial buildings that once lined both sides of Big Basin Way. Although several other false -front structures from the era remain in situ on Big Basin, the City of Saratoga and the Saratoga Historical Foundation, a nonprofit group, worked together to protect this building when it had to be moved. The citizens of Saratoga understood the importance of this modest structure. Dated to 1904, this commercial structure is typical of similar buildings that have been dated to 1870. This early structure was assembled with square nails. The nominated structure is a typical example of its structural type and style, and embodies the characteristics that identify it as an early California building. The structure retains its integrity and is immediately recognizable as an interesting and historic building. The Anza exploring party passed through the Saratoga area on March 25, 1776. Lumbering in the mountains which began in 1847 and continued for many years brought the area's first settlers in 1850. Among other industries established were a lime quarry (1850s), grist mill (1854), tannery (1863), paper mill (1868) and pasteboard mill (1870). Pacific Congress Springs was a popular resort from 1866 to 1942. Farmers here pioneered the fruit industry and held Blossom Festivals beginning in 1900 after the end of a drought. Saratoga is situated at the entrance of a historic pass to the redwood - forested Santa Cruz Mountains. In 1776, Captain Juan Bautista de Anza commissioned by Spain to establish an overland route from Mexico to Alta, California, passed through the area. In 1846 a Mexican land grant deeded the Saratoga - Campbell- Cupertino area to early settlers. The combination of a pleasant climate and beautiful terrain has always made Saratoga an especially desirable place to live. The heart of Saratoga Village is the site of one of the earliest known Muwekma Ohlone encampments. The Muwekma Ohlone are a branch of the native American Costanoan people who lived in Santa Clara Valley at the time of the first contacts with Europeans. (Allen: 2002) The Saratoga site is known as archeological site SC 1 -65, and the site is estimated to be 6450 years old. (Fitzgerald: 1991) Although much of the Saratoga community was considered to be part of the Quito Rancho under Mexican rule, permanent settlement did not occur until the appearance of the Americans in 1847. Saratoga was the site of the first successful local saw mill in the West Valley, one of the earliest in the state, built by William Campbell in 1847. He soon added grist stones to also grind flour. First known as Campbell's Gap, then Tollgate, McCarthysville and later Bank Mills, the tiny town was first formally surveyed and platted by Daniel McCarthy in 1852. The present name of Saratoga was chosen by its residents in 1865. (Cunningham: 1967) Saratoga Historical Museum National Register of Historic Places Continuation Page Section 8 - Statement of Significance Saratoga, Santa Clara County, California Page 3 of 4 Saratoga residents are proud of their long and colorful California heritage. When the first California Landmark register was established, Saratogans nominated their entire community for the register in order to preserve its heritage. The dedication of the entire town of Saratoga as a registered State Llandmark took place in 1950, marking the centennial celebration of both California statehood and the formal founding of Saratoga. (Cunningham: 1967). In the mid -1800s the abundant redwood forests gave rise to a thriving lumber industry. A sawmill was built in 1847 by William Campbell on the Arroyo Quito (now Saratoga Creek) about two miles west of the present -day village of Saratoga. This area was then known as Campbell's Gap. At the time, lack of roads made it difficult to get the lumber transported. An Irishman, Martin McCarty, solved the problem after he leased the mill from Campbell. He obtained a franchise from the Court of Sessions to build a toll road from the mill down to the small settlements at the mouth of the canyon. A tollgate was then erected at the location of present -day P Street and Big Basin Way. The toll was $3 for a two -horse team and $6 for a four -horse team. The village, which developed at this site, was named Tollgate. When Santa Clara County was formed, the county took over the road and eliminated the tolls. Tollgate was later renamed McCartysville when the enterprising McCarty laid out plots for development on both sides of Lumber Street, now known as Big Basin Way. Other mills were also established at this time along Saratoga Creek — a paper mill near 6th Street and Big Basin Way and a flourmill located near the present -day Hakone Gardens. These milling activities briefly gave the village the name of Bank Mills. On March 13, 1865, the villagers voted to rename the community Saratoga. The name was selected because of the similarity in the mineral content of the water located at the mineral springs above the village to that at Congress Springs at Saratoga, New York. In the latter part of the 1800s, the area's fertile soil and available land saw the emergence of another industry — agriculture. The new village of Saratoga grew slowly. Town lots 25' by 100' sold for $10 to $50. Farmland sold for a mere $5 to $40 per acre as the open spaces of wild wheat and poppies gave way to vineyards and orchards. Apricots, cherries, and French prunes were particularly well suited to Saratoga's soil and climate. The 680 -acre Glen Una Ranch, located between Saratoga and Los Gatos, was the world's largest producer of prunes. Also, the internationally famous Sorosis Farm on Saratoga Avenue shipped its dried fruit worldwide. Another one of the early ranches, Garrod Ranch, is still in operation as a riding stable and vineyard. It was during the late 1880s that the sunny hillsides were found to be conducive to viticulture, and many wineries were established. In 1890, Saratoga became the home of the world- renowned Paul Masson Winery, now known as the Mountain Winery. The French immigrant, Masson, brought grape cuttings from his native land to plant on the hillsides along Pierce Road. He was convinced that the rich California soil could produce grapes for champagnes comparable to those of France. Saratoga Historical Museum National Register of Historic Places Continuation Page Section 8 - Statement of Significance Saratoga, Santa Clara County, California Page 4 of 4 The early 1900s found Saratoga developing into a pleasant village as it became the trading center for the surrounding fruit growing farms. The mountain setting and mild climate also made Saratoga a popular resort area. Lodges and Inns thrived; including the mineral springs vacation resort above the village (first called Pacific Congress Springs, now named Saratoga Springs). During the 1900s, Saratoga developed an enviable reputation as a highly desirable place to live and became a haven for wealthy San Franciscans who came to build elegant hillside homes overlooking the lush valley. Some of the more significant examples of these structures include the palatial Mediterranean -style home of U.S. Senator James Phelan. His Villa Montalvo (1912) is now a center for the cultural arts. In 1916, San Francisco art patrons Oliver and Isabel Stine purchased 16 acres above the village as summer retreat for family and friends. Mrs. Stine's admiration for the gardens she visited while on a trip to Japan inspired the development of this property into what subsequently became Hakone Gardens (1918). Hakone is considered to be one of the most beautiful and authentic Japanese gardens in the United States. After WWII, the character of Saratoga changed forever from agricultural to suburban. As space technology and the defense and electronics industries were established in nearby communities, Saratoga's open land soon became more valuable for homes for the rapidly growing population than it was for fruit orchards. When legislation was passed in 1949 to nominate significant California landmarks, Saratoga residents nominated their entire town for the California Register as State Historic Landmark 435. In 1956, to protect the community from industrial development, the citizens voted to become the City of Saratoga. From our very beginnings as a community, Saratoga's citizens have taken an active role in preserving essential elements of our heritage, both natural and man -made. National Register Landmark status assists us in this endeavor. The Saratoga Historical Museum was organized and is administered by the Saratoga Historical Foundation. It houses an extensive collection of early photographs, artifacts, and memorabilia relating to Saratoga's history. The collection was begun by Florence Cunningham and . has been held in safe keeping and added to by the Saratoga Historical Foundation. In addition to the permanent exhibit of Saratoga History, special exhibits are set up regularly from the museum's archives and from private collection. Walking tours through the village begin at the museum and are scheduled on the first Sunday afternoon of each month from April through November. 0 Saratoga Historical Museum Saratoga, Santa Clara County, California 9. Major Bibliographical References (Cite the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form on one or more continuation sheets.) See attached continuation sheets. Previous documentation on file (NPS): Preliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) has been requested. Previously listed in the National Register Previously determined eligible by the National Register Designated a National Historic Landmark Recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey # CA -2014 Recorded by Historic American Engineering Record # 9 Primary Location of Additional Data State Historic Preservation Office Other State agency Federal agency Local government University Other Name of repository: Saratoga Historical Museum, City of Saratoga, County of Santa Clara, California Library of Congress, Prints and Photograph Division, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA Saratoga Historical Museum National Register of Historic Places Continuation Page Section 9 — Bibliographical References Saratoga News articles (1986 -1990) City of Saratoga, Planning Department Files Saratoga, Santa Clara County, California Page 1 of 1 Arbuckle, Clyde 1968 Santa Clara County Ranchos. Rosicrucian Press 1986 Clyde Arbuckle's History of San Jose. San Jose: Memorabilia of San Jose Baker, John American House Styles. New York: W. W. Norton and Co. Brainard, Henry A., Civil Engineer 1888 Various Maps — Maps of Saratoga with narratives. City Directories 1870 to 1968 City of San Jose (Saratoga and nearly post offices included) City of Saratoga 1993 Saratoga Heritage: A Survey of Historic Resources. Published by Saratoga's Heritage Preservation Commission, 1993. Clarke, Henry Saratoga Village, WWI to WWII. Unpublished manuscript in the holdings of the Saratoga Museum. Cunningham, Florence R. 1967 Saratoga's First Hundred Years Edited by Frances Fox. Fresno, California Panorama West Books Garrod, R.V. 1962 Saratoga Stories. Published by the Author. Saratoga, California Munro Fraser 1881 History of Santa Clara County, California. San Francisco: Alley, Bowen & Company. Quito Rancho Plat, filed in the County Recorder's Office, Book A of Patents: Page 112. Sawyer, Eugene F. 1922 History of Santa Clara County California with Biographical Sketches. Los Angeles: Historical Record Company. Saratoga Historical Museum. Related archival material from the research files at the Saratoga Museum, including the unpublished notes and writings of Florence Cunningham. Thompson & West 1876 Historic Atlas of Santa Clara County. Reprinted by Smith & McKay Printing Company 1973. 10 Saratoga Historical Museum 10. Geographical Data Acreage of Property Saratoga, Santa Clara County, California The Saratoga Historical Museum and grounds occupy approximately. 17 acre (7500 square feet) of the 1.93 acre city -owned parcel APN 517 -10 -013, known as the Saratoga Historic Park. UTM References (Place additional UTM references on a continuation sheet) Zone Easting Northing current site: 10S 3715472 12201870 verbal Boundary Description (Describe the boundaries of the property on a continuation sheet.) The northeast fagade (the front of the museum) faces the Saratoga -Los Gatos Road; the north and west side boundaries are the Saratoga Historic Park; the southeast side borders a group of stores. Boundary Justification (Explain why the boundaries were selected on a continuation sheet.) To save the museum from demolition, it was moved from its original site on Big Basin Way to the current site within the Saratoga Historic Park in 1975. 11. Form Prepared By name /title: Robert Louden, Commissioner on the Saratoga Heritage Preservation Commission organization: City of Saratoga Historic Preservation Commission date March 31, 2005 street & number: 13777 Fruitvale.Avenue telephone (408) 868 -1222 city or town Saratoga state CA zip code 95070 12. Additional Documentation Submit the following items with the completed form: Maps USGS map indicating the property's location DeLorme map indicating location within City of Saratoga Photographs Representative black and white photographs of the property (enclosed) Additional items Floor Plan (enclosed) 11 14 u 5 E u m - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 7! 4k, .4-1141,- AZ ,,pg�l 0 .. ZVF I W-M., 5 I 1- i i tom: 1 � _ } Y sm VOM Wit. � T .�_ �• { A v J6ac Saratoga Historical Museum 13. Property Owner (Complete this item at the request of the SHPO or FPO.) Saratoga, Santa Clara County, California name City of Saratoga street & number 13777 Fruitvale Avenue telephone: 408 - 866 -1222 city or town Saratoga state: CA zip code 95070 Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: This information is being collected for applications to the National Register of Historic Places to nominate properties for listing or aetermine eligibility or listing, to list properties, and to amend existing listings. Response tot is request is required to obtain a benefit in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.). Estimated Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average 18.1 hours per response including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining data, and completing and reviewing the form. Direct comments regarding this burden estimate or any aspect of this form to the Chief, Administrative Services Division, National Park Service, P.O. 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