Redwood Victorian

The preliminary title report shows that this property in on the official list of designated buildings, structures, sites, and districts worthy of preservation because of their significance in city history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and/or culture. Notice of Placement on Local Register of Historic Places, recorded June 3, 1997, Humboldt County. The main rules are; no demolition, no changes in exterior without approval, no permits issued without design approval, and no  list status change without approval. What are the advantages? Prestige Tax incentive - minus fees for application, processing, recording, oversight and review inspections. Mills Act  - Allows the owner to enter the home into a contract to maintain or make improvements, provide low income rental, or sell discount goods in exchange for a property tax discount.  The contract stays with the home if ownership changes, 12.5% market value broken contract penalty. https://www.ci....

Some comments on this home in an old home hunter blog identified this home as an Italianate Victorian. While the blog administrator insisted it was Stick Victorian. The home seems to include and is missing elements of both styles. Based on the book;  A Field Guide to American Houses 1st edition . (the key). Present   Italianate - low roof pitch and hip, bracketed and boxed roof wall junction, copula roof elaboration, window bracketed tops, window pairs   Stick - windows bracketed Missing Italianate - arches, pediments, classic porch columns, quoins, pilasters Stick - patterned stick-work on walls, steep roof pitch, trussed gables, open eves, dormers Exceptions - turned porch columns, beaded horizontal siding, no spindles, corbels, or spandrils The revised 2nd edition of the book discusses the difference between Stick and Italianate out on the "West Coast" (California - i.e. San Francisco row house) which includes some more detail on the charact...

Our real estate agent recommended a local insurance company that could cover historic homes. After about a week the company called back to say that most companies would not touch a home on the register of historic places. The insurance agent wondered if it really was a historic home and when and where it was registered. She also discussed the problem of replacing irreplaceable decorative elements found on and in Victorian homes. I know that virtually everything could be sourced locally from specialists, including the thick wide heart redwood flooring, for a price. So the reluctance of insurers is understandable. I'm sure that the right insurer is available, it's just that it is not that easy. The City of Eureka adopted a Historic Preservation Ordinance in 1996 and became a Certified Local Government in 1999. Also in 1996, the City created the Local Register of Historic Places and recorded deed references to constructively notice future property owners of the property’s l...

A 1900 insurance plat map showing that the garage had an address of 1237-1/2 and included a water tank and windmill (lower right of city block 156 in image) The internet archive has the address of the home printed in a periodical called Engineering News in 1892 as correspondence from Chief Engineer FE Herrick, a Humboldt County Native, regarding the purpose of a local railroad. The Herrick name led me to his 1904 biography and a collection of his work at Humboldt State Library. He was an accomplished man. Biographical Information From:  History of the State of California and Biographical Record of Coast Counties, California , by Prof. J.M. Guinn, A.M., 1904 (p.500). FRANK E. HERRICK. One of the most active, able and progressive young men of Humboldt county is Frank E. Herrick, surveyor and city engineer of Eureka. Conspicuous for his keen intelligence, good judgment and business acumen, he is prominently identified with the leading improvemen...

We have scheduled inspections and hope for the best. https://www.oldhousedreams.com/2018/05/23/1888-stick-victorian-eureka-ca/