city landmark assessment report 305 alta avenue, … · 2015-08-10 · 1999 kitchen remodel,...

CITY LANDMARK ASSESSMENT REPORT3 0 5 A L T A A V E N U E , S A N T A M O N I C A , C A

Prepared for:

City of Santa MonicaCity Planning Division1685 Main Street, Room 212Santa Monica, CA 90401

Prepared by:

Jan Ostashay PrincipalOstashay & Associates ConsultingPO BOX 542Long Beach, CA 90801

AUGUST 2015

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Mel Uhl House, 305 Alta AvenueCity Landmark Assessment Report

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CITY LANDMARK ASSESSMENT REPORT

Mel Uhl House305 Alta AvenueSanta Monica, CA 90402

APN: 4239 008 011

INTRODUCTION

This landmark assessment and evaluation report, completed by Ostashay & AssociatesConsulting (OAC) for the City of Santa Monica, documents and evaluates the local significanceand landmark eligibility of the Mel Uhl House located at 305 Alta Avenue in the City of SantaMonica, California. This assessment report includes a discussion of the survey methodologyused, a summarized description of the property, a brief description and history of the property,evaluation of significance under the City of Santa Monica landmark criteria, photographs, andapplicable supporting materials.

METHODOLOGY

The landmark assessment was conducted by Jan Ostashay, principal with Ostashay & AssociatesConsulting. In order to identify and evaluate the subject property as a potential local landmark,an intensive level survey was conducted. The assessment included a review of the NationalRegister of Historic Places (National Register) and its annual updates, the California Register ofHistorical Resources (California Register), and the California Historic Resources Inventory listmaintained by the State Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) in order to determine if anyprevious evaluations or survey assessments of the property had been performed.

For this current assessment a site inspection and a review of building permits and tax assessorrecords were also done to document the property’s existing condition and assist in evaluatingthe residence for historical significance. The City of Santa Monica landmark criteria wereemployed to evaluate the local significance of the property and its eligibility for landmarkdesignation. In addition, the following tasks were performed for the study:

• Searched records of the National Register, California Register, Library of Congressarchives, U.S. Census records, and OHP Historic Resources Inventory.

• Conducted a field inspection of the subject property from the public right of way.

• Conducted site specific research on the subject property utilizing Sanborn fireinsurance maps, city directories, voter’s registration cards, newspaper articles,historical photographs, and building permits.


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• Reviewed and analyzed ordinances, statutes, regulations, bulletins, and technicalmaterials relating to federal, state, and local historic preservation, designationassessment procedures, and related programs.

• Evaluated the potential historic resource based upon criteria established by the Cityof Santa Monica and utilized the OHP survey methodology for conducting surveys.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The 305 Alta Avenue property is located along the north side of Alta Avenue mid block betweenOcean Avenue to the west and 4th Street to the east. within the Palisades tract on lot 12 ofBlock G. It is sited on a rectangular shape parcel that measures roughly 102 feet wide by 210long. The legal description of the subject property is lot 12 of Block G in the Palisades tract. Theresidence fronts south onto Alta Avenue and is located in a single family residentialneighborhood with improvements dating from as early as 1912 through to 2005.

The period revival style dwelling at 305 Alta Avenue has been previously identified andrecorded under the City’s on going survey process. It was initially identified in 1985 1986Historic Resources Survey Inventory as a contributor to a potential City of Santa Monica historicdistrict called the “Palisades Tract.” At that time, it was assigned an OHP status code of 5D,eligible for listing as a local district contributor. The “Santa Monica Citywide Historic ResourcesInventory Update” survey from 2009 identified the property as individually eligible for locallandmark designation. Its association with the “Palisades Tract” potential historic district;however, was removed as Alta Avenue was removed as a component of the grouping due tothe loss of numerous contributors. The subject property was assigned an OHP status code 5S3,indicating individual eligible for local designation.

PROPERTY DESCRIPTION AND CONSTRUCTION HISTORY

Description. The subject property contains a two story, single family residence with a one storydetached garage/dwelling and a large backyard surrounded by fencing along the side and rearportions of the parcel. Designed with influences from both the Mediterranean/Classical Revivalstyles the dwelling and garage were erected in 1913. This two story stucco house has an Lshape plan, is capped with a low pitched hipped roof, and is sheathed in stucco (plaster). Withits primary elevation facing south towards Alta Avenue it is nearly symmetrical with a one storybay containing a window set beneath a flattened arch on the west side balanced by a projectingporte cochere on the east side. Wood framed, multi paned casement, fixed and sash windowstend to be grouped in trios along the façade. There are two identical multi pane, wood framefront doors with glazing and flanked by side lights that open to a raised concrete front porchdeck area. The deck and entry doors are approached from the public side walk via a longconcrete walkway and steps as well as by concrete steps within the porte cochere. Both entriesare topped with a wooden lattice hood shaped in a Palladian configuration. A wide, bracketedboxed cornice further adds character to the house.1 The side and rear elevations of the house

1 Historic Resources Inventory form, 1983.


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are punctuated by various type and size wood frame windows with wood sills, surrounds,lintels, and casings; some are multi pane. An engaged stuccoed chimney is at the rear of thehouse and has been replaced in kind following the Northridge earthquake of 1994.

The detached garage set behind the dwelling along the east side of the parcel is of wood frameconstruction like the house. Sheathed in stucco its design, shape, form, hipped roof, and styleare complementary to the architecture of the main residence. A one story addition was addedto the rear of the garage in 1985. Capped with a hipped roof and also clad in stucco this newimprovement shares similar materials, scale and proportions, and design elements as the olderhistoric property. This new work is not visible from Alta Avenue and has minimal visibility fromthe alley.

Landscaping surrounding the main residence consists of a grassy front lawn, several maturetrees, and other vegetation bisected by a scored concrete entry path. In reviewing thephotograph included on the inventory form from 1983, it appears the path has been in kindlyreplaced. The concrete driveway leading to the porte cochere and garage also appears to havebeen replaced since 1983, but completed in a compatible manner. The backyard is large andincludes a grassy lawn, some mature trees, shrubs, and some concrete walkways along thegarage and rear addition.

Building Permit History. In general, the residence itself has minor exterior alterations since itwas erected in 1913. An addition of an accessory structure with living quarters and storageshed was at the rear of the garage in 1985. The replacement of the brick chimney due todamage caused by the Northridge earthquake was made in kind in 1994. Other changes weremade to the interior of the dwelling. The recorded permit history that is one file with the City ofSanta Monica includes the following:

YEAR DESCRIPTION OF WORK

1913 Construct House, ledger book permit

1940 Make repairs (interior)

1985 Addition of accessory structure living quarters and storage shed

1986 Replace section of non bearing wall; replace kitchen cabinets (interior)

1994 Remove and replace earthquake damaged fireplace

1999 Kitchen remodel, bathroom remodel, master bedroom remodel; replace patio pavers; repairfireplace; finalize work from 1995 issued permit, $48,000.

Any additions and relevant exterior alterations appear to have been made to secondaryelevations out of view from the public right of way. Such evident changes as discussed hereinhave not adversely compromised the property’s original architectural design intent, historicalintegrity, or important character defining features.


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Statement of Architectural Significance. The property at 305 Alta Avenue is a very goodexample of residential architecture the melds the Classical Revival style with influences of theMediterranean idiom. Both of these period revival styles were examples of some of the mostpopular styles of architecture applied to stately residences in the city of Santa Monica duringthe early decades of the twentieth century. Others included American Colonial Revival andEnglish/Tudor Revival. Combining architectural features of various revival styles was alsocommon during this period as evidenced by the subject property. Common elements of theMediterranean Revival style visible in the subject dwelling include the low pitched, hipped roof(originally wood shake); bracketed boxed eaves; and overall scale and massing. The typicalClassical Revival style features incorporated into the Alta Avenue property include the formalarrangement of features on the front elevation, grouping of multi pane sash windows withdecorative trim boards and sills, prominent Palladian front door trellis elements at its façade,and off set porte cochere which provides overall symmetry.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Santa Monica. In 1875, the original townsite of Santa Monica was surveyed, including all theland extending from Colorado Street on the south to Montana on the north, and from 26th

Street on the east to the Pacific Ocean on the west. Between 1893 and the 1920s, thecommunity operated as a tourist attraction, visited by mostly wealthy patrons. Those areas justoutside of the incorporated city limits were semi rural in setting and were populated withscattered residences. After the advent of the automobile in the 1920s, Santa Monicaexperienced a significant building boom with homes being constructed in the tracts north ofMontana and east of Seventh Street for year round residents.

Palisades Tract.2 The Palisades Tract neighborhood offers a remarkably intact ensemble ofdomestic architecture, primarily dating from the years 1906 to 1930. Opened as a tract in 1905,it was laid out with broad, tree lined streets that open onto Ocean Avenue and the SantaMonica Palisades. Seventh Street acts as the visual boundary on the east, although the tractwas extended further inland in 1912 and 1913. Few houses face onto Fourth Street, whichbisects the district and is enhanced by a landscaped median. A circular park forms an island inthe middle of the 600 block of Palisades Avenue, apparently intended by the developer to beone of a series of such spaces, although the only one realized.

Shortly after the tract was opened, the area in which it was located, stretching from Montanato Adelaide, was annexed to the City of Santa Monica. From that date, March 28, 1906,building records were kept by the city officials, and the first application to build was issued tothe Alta Santa Monica Company for what is now 401 Marguerita. However, this was not thefirst building in the area, according to witness Luther Ingersoll in his Century History of SantaMonica Bay Cities, who assigned the honor of building the “first costly and architectural”residence in the Palisades to H.N. Hammond.

2 Description of the Palisades Tract neighborhood adapted from the context narrative within the “Santa MonicaHistorical Resources Inventory, 1985 1986: Final Report,” prepared by Johnson and Heumann, 1986.


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Several prominent members of the community, as well as residents of Los Angeles andPasadena in search of a seaside summer home, commissioned residences in the Palisades.During the first fifteen years of development homes were in the Craftsman mode. The moreintense period of construction in the twenties yielded numerous fine revival style homes, mostof which were intended for year round occupation. The work of several renowned architects isshowcased, as well as the efforts of several Santa Monica building contractors who had aprofound impact on the growth of the City.

Among the architects represented in the area are John Byers (240 and 624 Alta, 300 and 404Georgina, 547 7th), Robert Farquhar (247 Georgina [att.], 401 Ocean), Marsh and Russell (216Georgina), Webber, Staunton and Spaulding (317 Georgina), Frederick Roehrig (325 Georgina),Hunt and Burns (525 Georgina), John and Donald Parkinson (701 Ocean), and Greene andGreene (226 Palisades). Several prolific builders, many of whom produced designs from theirown offices and others who worked with architects, were involved in the development of thePalisades Tract. During the early years, H. Goetz, responsible for the construction of numerousresidences and local institutions (Lincoln High School, North Beach Bath House, Santa MonicaCity Hall) worked in the Palisades Tract area. Other prolific builders associated with thePalisades Tract included George D. Synder, W.S. Freeman, and C.B. Powell. In later years,several contractors who had a strong impact on the character of the neighborhood east of 7th

Street included C.L. Freeman (son of W.S. Freeman), Frank Roden, Rose and Rowell, and notedLos Angeles builder Frank L. Meline.

Later development in the area includes low scale Mid Century modern and Ranch styledwellings built in the 1950s. Since the 1970s, a fair number of older homes have been replacedwith new contemporary residences. That trend continues today in some instances with themost recent improvement along this block of Alta Avenue dating to 2005.

Mel Uhl House. The City of Santa Monica building permit ledger contains an entry noting theoriginal construction of the subject property dated from 1913. The ledger indicates that Mr.Mel Ule (misspelled and should be corrected to Uhl) applied for a permit to build a dwellingcosting $5,000 with W.S. Freeman listed as the contractor. Minimal changes have occurred tothe main dwelling since it was built over a hundred years ago. The resulting structure is a verygood example of upper middle class housing dating from the 1910s. It is transitional incharacter, discarding the prevailing bungalow style for a more formal and traditionalappearance.3

The property was constructed within the Palisades Tract of the City of Santa Monica. Situatedalong the north side of Alta Avenue mid block between Ocean Avenue and 4th Street, the largesingle family residence is a melding of two popular period revival styles of the time:Mediterranean and Classical Revival. Sanborn maps and tax assessor records indicate that itwas one of the first to be improved along this section of Alta Avenue. As the tract developed in

3 Historic Resources Inventory form, 1983.


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the later 1910s and 1920s, the subject property complemented the varied housing stock thatappeared in the area in architectural styling, design, mass, and scale.

In the early years, the property also contained a small one room structure with covered patioarea at that northwest corner of the parcel. Sanborn maps, census records, and some citydirectories indicate it had an address of 305½ Alta Avenue. During the ownership andoccupancy of the Alta property during the 1920s by Martin C. Marsh, Sr., it appears thissecondary structure served as a residence for his chauffeur. This structure is no longer extant.

Prior Owners and Occupants (potential persons of historical importance). Melvin Uhl (18631928) and his wife Elizabeth were the initial owners of the subject property. Having justrelocated to southern California, specifically Santa Monica, from Omaha, Nebraska Mel Uhl hadjust retired from running the local paper there called the Omaha Daily News. He was cofounder and president of that paper for many years and took it upon himself to have aresidence built to suit his family needs and stature. The Uhl’s lived at the Alta property forseveral years eventually moving to the Burbank area in 1920.

The property was then briefly occupied by William and Edna Courleigh, a retired couple. By1924, Martin C. Marsh (1851 1930) and his wife Edna had bought the property. They lived therefor a number of years and the property was later owned and occupied their daughter Georginaand son Martin C. Marsh, Jr. until around 1940. Martin C. Marsh Sr. was a well connectedcontractor by trade who was noted in the Who’s Who on the Pacific Coast (1913) and the PressReference Library Notables of the Southwest publication of 1912 for his varied professionsincluding contracting work with the railroad as well as his civic involvement throughout theState in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. After Marsh, Sr. retired from hisprofessional business and civic duties they purchased the property and resided there until theirdeaths.

A review of Santa Monica city directories for owners and residents of the property insubsequent years revealed that from 1940 up through at least the 1960s, Mr. and Mrs. FrancisKendig owned and occupied the property. Francis Kendig was a musician and music teacher. Helater took a planning job at the nearby Douglas aircraft plant in the 1950s and 1960s. His wifeEunice was a housewife.

Statement of Other Significance. No other evidence was discovered in current research tosuggest or indicate other significance.

Is the property representative of a style in the City that is no longer prevalent. The subjectproperty is a very good early example of a Mediterranean/Classical Revival style residenceconstructed in the Palisades Tract. From a cursory survey of the area and a review of previouslyconducted surveys Santa Monica contains a substantial number of large residences that reflectinfluences of the Mediterranean, Classical Revival, and other period revival styles from the1910s and 1920s, particularly in the area north of Montana Avenue. Therefore, it appears thatthis structure is representative of a style that continues to remain prevalent in the city.


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Does the property contribute to a potential historic district. The subject property waspreviously identified and evaluated in past survey work efforts conducted by the City as both acontributor to a City of Santa Monica potential historic district and as an individual landmarkresource. This Alta Avenue improvement was recorded in the City’s Historic ResourcesInventory (1985 1986) as a contributor to a potential City of Santa Monica historic district calledthe “Palisades Tract.” At that time, it was assigned an OHP status code of 5D, eligible for listingas a local district contributor. It was also re evaluated and recorded as part of the city widesurvey update from 2009 and was identified as individually eligible for local landmarkdesignation. Its association with the “Palisades Tract” potential historic district; however, wasremoved as Alta Avenue was removed as a component of the grouping due to the loss ofnumerous contributors. The subject property was assigned an OHP status code 5S3, indicatingindividual eligible for local designation.

EVALUATION OF LOCAL HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

In summary, based on current research and the above assessment the property located at 305Alta Avenue appears to satisfy the necessary City of Santa Monica Landmark criteria forlandmark consideration. The property was evaluated according to statutory criteria, as follows:

Application of City Landmark (Significance) Criteria:

SMMC 9.36.100(a)(1). It exemplifies, symbolizes, or manifests elements of the cultural, social,economic, political, or architectural history of the City.

The dwelling is a very good example of the Mediterranean/Classical Revival architectural styleas interpreted in domestic architecture in Santa Monica from the early 1910s. The propertyreflects many distinctive features of the style and period including the general scale andmassing, monumental fronting and presence onto the street, hipped roof with overhangingboxed eaves with decorative carved brackets, stucco sheathing, multi pane wood framefenestration with classical style lintels and sills, prominent front door entries of wood frameand multi pane glass with wooden lattice hoods set in a Palladian configuration, processionalconcrete walkway and open deck porch, and an offset porte cochere. Additionally, the propertylocated at 305 Alta Avenue retains a high level of contextual and architectural integrity tomanifest the varied residential development and architectural history of the Palisades Tract andthe City. Further, the subject property is one of the earliest extant and intact examples of thestyle along this block of Alta Avenue and in the Palisades Tract to reflect the importantarchitectural heritage of the neighborhood and community in general. Therefore, the subjectproperty appears to satisfy this criterion.

SMMC 9.36.100(a)(2). It has aesthetic or artistic interest or value, or other noteworthy interestor value.

The property does appear to meet the criteria for high aesthetic or artistic value as it is definedin the National Park Service publication entitled National Register Bulletin: How to Apply the


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National Register Criteria for Evaluation. The property articulates a particular concept of design,the Mediterranean/Classical Revival style, in its overall form and architectural features.Specifically, the building’s symmetry, low pitched hipped roof form which was original coveredin wood shakes, and the numerous carved brackets and trim detail exemplifies theMediterranean Revival aspect of the building’s design. Its classical composition is representedin the prominent Palladian front door configuration at its façade, use of multi pane fenestrationand window trim details, and porte cochere. The subject property fully expresses the designtheories of both of these traditions as rendered in a single family residence. Therefore, theproperty at 305 Alta Avenue appears to possess high aesthetic qualities necessary for localdesignation under this criterion.

SMMC 9.36.100(a)(3). It is identified with historic personages or with important events in local,state, or national history.

The property was built for Melvin Uhl and his wife Elizabeth in 1913. The Uhl family had justrelocated to California, specifically Santa Monica, from Omaha, Nebraska upon Mel Uhl’sretirement from running the local paper there called the Omaha Daily News. They resided thereat the Alta Avenue property up through the early 1920s. The property was then briefly occupiedby William and Edna Courleigh, a retired couple. By 1924, Martin C. Marsh (1851 1930) and hiswife Edna had bought the property. They lived there for a number of years and the propertywas later owned and occupied their daughter Georgina and son Martin C. Marsh, Jr. untilaround 1940. Martin C. Marsh Sr. was a well connected contractor by trade who was noted inthe Who’s Who on the Pacific Coast (1913) and the Press Reference Library Notables of theSouthwest publication of 1912 for his varied professions including contracting work with therailroad as well as his civic involvement throughout the State in the late nineteenth and earlytwentieth centuries. After Marsh, Sr. retired from his professional business and civic duties theypurchased the property and resided there until their deaths.

In considering the property’s association with a notable or historic person, there is nodocumented information to imply that either Mel Uhl or Martin C. Marsh, C. made any specific,important contributions to local, regional, state or national history while residing at theproperty. The subject property is not associated with the productive lives of these individualsand does not reflect the time period in which they achieved any, if any, significance.

As for the other owners and occupants of the subject property, the current survey investigationconducted and the research data collected did not reveal any information to indicate theseindividuals were historically significant or important in local, regional, state, or national history.Therefore, the subject property does not appear to satisfy this criterion.

SMMC 9.36.100(a)(4). It embodies distinguishing architectural characteristics valuable to astudy of a period, style, method of construction or the use of indigenous materials orcraftsmanship, or is a unique or rare example of an architectural design, detail, or historicalstyle valuable to such a study.


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This property embodies a number of distinctive features of the Mediterranean/Classical Revivalstyle, including its general scale and massing, symmetry, monumental presence and façadefronting the street, hipped roof form with overhanging boxed eaves and decorative carvedbrackets, stucco sheathing, multi pane wood frame fenestration with classical style lintels andsills, prominent front door entries of wood frame and multi pane glass with wooden latticehoods set in a Palladian configuration, processional concrete walkway and open deck porch,and an offset porte cochere. Given its high degree of historical integrity, the subject property isa valuable study of the Mediterranean/Classical Revival style in the architectural history ofSanta Monica dating from the early 1910s. Therefore, the subject property appears to meet thiscriterion.

SMMC 9.36.100(a)(5). It is a significant or a representative example of the work or product of anotable builder, designer, or architect.

The dwelling at 305 Alta Avenue was the work of local builder/contractor W.S. Freeman (18551920). William S. Freeman was a builder who worked with his son Claude (C.L. Freeman) underthe business of W.S. Freeman & Son in Santa Monica. They were responsible for constructing atleast a dozen or so revival style residential improvements in the 1910s and early 1920s; many ofwhich were in the Palisades Tract area. As a builder/contractor current research does notsuggest the either Freeman achieved a high level of recognition to be considered a master ornotable member of his profession. Therefore, the property does not appear to satisfy thiscriterion.

SMMC 9.36.100(a)(6). It has a unique location, a singular physical characteristic, or is anestablished and familiar visual feature of a neighborhood, community, or the City.

The application of this criterion does not indicate that that property has a unique location orsingular physical characteristic that makes it an established or familiar visual feature. It issituated mid block along the north side of Alta Avenue with a generous setback, within aneighborhood that shares similar scale, massing, proportions, and setbacks in its overallcharacter.

CONCLUSION

As discussed herein, the subject property appears to satisfy the City of Santa Monica’s criteriafor individual designation as a local Landmark. Upon conclusion of the assessment andevaluation process, the property retains its historical integrity and appears to meet several ofthe local landmark criteria because of its association with important historical events andpatterns of development; aesthetic value, and architectural merit.


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CITY DIRECTORY RESEARCH (supplemented with US Census records)305 Alta Avenue

YEAR ENTRY LISTING1914 Mel Uhl (Elizabeth), retired

1916 Mel Uhl (Elizabeth), retired

1920 Mel Uhl (Elizabeth)

1921 Wm. Courleigh (Edna)

1923 Wm. Courleigh (Edna)

1924 Martin C. Marsh (Mary R.), retiredMartin C. Marsh, Jr., real estate

1925 Martin C. Marsh (Mary R.), retiredMartin C. Marsh, Jr., real estate

1927 Martin C. Marsh (Mary R.)

1928 Martin C. Marsh (Mary R.)Eugene Rogge (Martha), chauffeur (rear unit)

1930 1931 Martin C. Marsh (Mary A)Martin C. Marsh, Jr., real estateMargaret Bernard, maid (rear unit)

1933 Mary Marsh (widow of Martin C. Marsh)Mrs. Mary Bernard (rear unit)

1936 Georgina MarshMrs. Mary Bernard (rear unit)

1940 Georgina MarshMartin C. Marsh, Jr., real estate brokerMrs. Margaret Bernard (rear)

1947 1948 F.W. Kendig (Eunice), music teacherMrs. E.G. Kendig (widow), music teacher

1952 1953 Francis W. Kendig (Eunice), music teacher

1954 Francis W. Kendig (Eunice), musician

1958 1959 Francis W. Kendig (Eunice), planner Douglas plant

1960 1961 Francis W. Kendig (Eunice), planner Douglas plant

1963 Francis W. Kendig (Eunice)


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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Associated Telephone Company. Santa Monica Exchange City Directory, 1928 1937.

Basten, Fred E. Santa Monica – The First 100 Years. Los Angeles: Douglas West Publishers, 1974

Basten, Fred E. Santa Monica Bay: Paradise by the Sea. Santa Monica: Hennessey+Ingalls, 2000.

Blumenson, John. Identifying American Architecture. New York: W.W. Norton & Company,1989.

Carley, Rachel. The Visual Dictionary of American Domestic Architecture. New York, New York:Henry Holt and Company, 1994.

City of Santa Monica. Santa Monica Historical Resources Inventory, Phase I: 1983. Prepared byPaul Gleye and Leslie Heumann, 1986.

City of Santa Monica. Santa Monica Historical Resources Inventory, Phase II: 1985 1986.Prepared by Johnson Heumann Research Associates, 1986.

City of Santa Monica. Historic Resources Inventory Update, Post Northridge Earthquake.Prepared by Parkinson Field Associates and Janet Tearnen, 1995.

City of Santa Monica. Historic Resources Inventory Update – North of Montana Area 2002.Prepared by Historic Resources Group, 2002.

City of Santa Monica. Historic Resources Inventory Update. Prepared by , 2007.

City of Santa Monica Building and Safety Department, Building Permits.

Gebhard, David and Robert Winter. Architecture in Los Angeles. Salt Lake City, Utah: PeregrineSmith Books, 1985.

Gebhard, David and Robert Winter. An Architectural Guidebook to Los Angeles. Salt Lake City,Utah: Gibbs Smith Publishers, 2003.

Harper, Franklin, ed. Who’s Who in the Pacific Coast. Los Angeles: Harper Publishing Company,1913.

Heckman, Marlin L. Santa Monica in Vintage Postcards. Chicago, Illinois: Arcade Press, 2002.

Ingersoll, Luther A. Ingersoll’s Century History: Santa Monica Bay Cities, 1542 to 1908. LosAngeles: Luther A. Ingersoll, 1908.

Los Angeles County Tax Assessor. Property Specific Information Records.


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Los Angeles Public Library, On line historical and image archives.

Los Angeles Times, July 1, 1890. “Santa Monica,” p. 4.

Los Angeles Times, January 9, 1894. “Santa Monica,” p. 7.

Marquez, Ernest. Santa Monica Beach: A Collector’s Pictorial History. Los Angeles: Angel CityPress, 2004.

McAlester, Virginia & Lee. A Field Guide to American Houses. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1990.

McWilliams, Carey. Southern California: An Island on the Land. Salt Lake City, Utah: PeregrineSmith Books, 1946, Revised 1988.

Office of Historic Preservation. Instructions for Recording Historic Resources. Sacramento,California: State of California, 1995.

Polk & Company. Polk’s Santa Monica City Directory. Los Angeles County (various years).

ProQuest Historical Newspapers: Los Angeles Times (1881 1988).

Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, City of Santa Monica.

Santa Monica Public Library, Santa Monica Index.

Santa Monica Public Library, Santa Monica Image Archives.

Scott, Paul A. Santa Monica: A History on the Edge. Charleston: Arcadia Publishing, 2004.

Storrs, Les. Santa Monica, Portrait of a City, 1875 1975. Santa Monica: Santa Monica Bank,1874.

The Los Angeles Examiner. Press Reference Library: Notables of the Southwest. Los Angeles: TheLos Angeles Examiner, 1912.

United States Department of the Interior. National Register Bulletin, “Guidelines for LocalSurveys: A Basis for Preservation Planning.” Washington, D.C.: U.S. GovernmentPrinting Office, 1985.

United States Department of the Interior. National Register Bulletin. “How to Apply theNational Register Criteria for Evaluation.” Washington, DC: National Park Service,Interagency Resources Division, 1997.

United States Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File.Washington, DC: Social Security Administration, 2015.


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Warren, Charles S. ed. History of the Santa Monica Bay Region. Santa Monica: Cawston, 1934.

Warren, Charles S. ed. Santa Monica Blue Book. Santa Monica: Cawston, 1941.

Warren, Charles S. ed. Santa Monica Community Book. Santa Monica: Cawston, 1944.

Whiffen, Marcus. American Architecture since 1780: A Guide to the Styles. Cambridge: MITPress, 1999.

White, Col. Carl F. ed. Santa Monica Community Book (Fifth Edition). Santa Monica: Cawston,1953.


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APPENDIX

Location Map

Tax Assessor Map

Sanborn Fire Insurance Map

DPR523 Forms (previous survey efforts)

Early Permit History

Ephemeral Material

Photographs

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SANBORN FIRE INSURANCE MAP, Santa Monica

1918

SANBORN FIRE INSURANCE MAP, Santa Monica 1918

SANBORN FIRE INSURANCE MAP, Santa Monica

1918, paste-up Feb. 1950

SANBORN FIRE INSURANCE MAP, Santa Monica 1918, paste-up Feb. 1950

Page of Resource Name or #:

Recorded by: Date:

State of California -- The Resources AgencyDEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION

CONTINUATION SHEET

Primary #HRI#Trinomial

Mel Ule House

December 2007

1

Santa Monica Citywide Historic Resources Survey

1

Address on Inventory: 305 Alta AveLegal Address (Tax Assessor): 305 Alta Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90402

Property Name: Mel Ule House

UpdateContinuation

Alterations: No significant alterations have occurred since the property was last evaluated.

Updated Status Code: 5S3

Evaluation: The survey evaluated the resource on the property as falling under criterion A.4 - The property embodies distinguishing architectural characteristics valuable to a study of a period, style, method of construction, or the use of indigenous materials or craftsmanship, or is a unique or rare example of an architectural design, detail or historical type valuable to such a study.

Historic District(s): (None)

Prepared by:

City of Santa MonicaPrepared for:1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90407-2200

Jones & Stokes

P. Moruzzi, M. Potter, K. LainICF International811 W 7th Street, Suite 800Los Angeles, CA 90017

Description: The property contains a two-story single family residence. It was designed in the Mediterranean/Classical Revival style. The resource is recorded in the Historic Resources Inventory with a prior evaluation of 5S - Noma Update. This property does not appear to have been substantially modified since it was most recently surveyed. However, due to the loss of numerous contributors from demolitions and alterations, Alta Avenue no longer qualifies for inclusion in a potential "Palisades Tract District." Nonetheless, this property, as an excellent example of its style and type, appears eligible for listing as a Santa Monica Landmark.

APN: 4293008011

PHOTO ‐ 1: Context view of residence, looking northeast

PHOTO ‐ 2: Façade (south elevation), looking north

PHOTO ‐ 3: Fenestration detail at second floor facade, looking north

PHOTO ‐ 4: Front entry detail and concrete steps, looking north

PHOTO ‐ 5: South elevation (front), looking northwest

PHOTO ‐ 6: Front of house with driveway and porte cochere in foreground, looking nortwest

PHOTO ‐ 7: Garage and driveway (south elevation) looking north

PHOTO ‐ 8: Garage detail (south elevation) looking north

PHOTO ‐ 9: Deck along façade with projecting bay, looking west

PHOTO ‐ 10: Deck along façade with adjacent porte cochere, looking northeast

PHOTO ‐ 11: Façade detail (south elevation)

PHOTO ‐ 12: Façade detail (south elevation)

PHOTO ‐ 13: Aerial view (2015, Google Earth)

OSTASHAY & ASSOC IATES CONSULT INGPO BOX 542 LONG BEACH, CA 90801 562.500.9451

city landmark assessment report 305 alta avenue, … · 2015-08-10 · 1999 kitchen remodel,...

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