Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 6081RESOLUTION NO. 6Os1 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL DESIGNATING 121 KNIGHT DRIVE AS AN HISTORICAL LANDMARK WHEREAS, the Cultural Affairs Commission and the City Council have found, after conducting a public hearing, that the 121 Knight Drive site has signifi- cant value as part of the cultural characteristics of the City, exemplifies the cultural, social, and historic heritage of the community, portrays the environment in the era of history characterized by a distinctive architectural style, and embodies those distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type; and WHEREAS, a description of the characteristics of the 121 Knight Drive site which justifies this designation and description of those particular features that should be preserved are attached hereto as Exhibit A and are incorporated herein by reference, and WHEREAS, the location and boundaries of the 121 Knight Drive site are those contained in Exhibit B attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, and WHEREAS, a primary reason for designation is its visual significance to the neighborhood that the structure and landscaping be maintained in a manner appropriate to the style of the house; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of San Rafael, California, that the 121 Knight Drive site hereinabove mentioned and described be and the same hereby is designated as a historical landmark, and shall be preserved and maintained pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 2.18 of the San Rafael Municipal Code; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Clerk of the City of San Rafael is hereby directed to cause a copy of this Resolution, or notice thereof, to be recorded in the Office of the County Recorder. I, JEANNE M. LEONCINI, City Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of San Rafael held on Monday , the sixth day of April 19En—, by the following vote, to -wit: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Breiner, Jensen, Nixon & Mayor Mulryan NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: Miskimen EANNE M. LEONCINI, City Clerk 23 A/�1T _ iNP..g�tx) Ott -70) United States Department of the Interior Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service National Registeir of Historic P�aces Inventory—Nomination FovnLn� See instructions In How to Complete !National Register Forms Type all entries—complete applicable sections 1. Nairne Exhibit "A" historic ERSKINE B. McNEAR HOUSE annd:or common Mc NEAR HOUSE 2. Location street & number 121 Knight Drive _not for publication city, town San Rafael — vicinity of congressional district 05 state California code 94901 county MARIN code 3. Classiticati®n Catmgory Ownership St t�tus Present Use district public occupied _ agriculture _ museum building(s) _ private — unoccupied — commercial _ park structure _ both _..__ work in progress _ educational private residence site Public Acquisition ARceaaible _ entertainment X religious _ object _ In process yes: restricted _ government _ scientific — being considered T._., yes: unrestricted _ Industrial _ transportation no _ military X other: community 4. Owner of Property center Protestant Episcopal Bishop of California name 1055 Taylor Street street &number San Francisco California city, town vicinity of state 8 p 5■ Location ®�g ® Legag Description courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Marin County, County Recorder Civic Center street &number San Rafael city, town California state 6. Representati®n in Existing Surveys title San Rafael Historical /Arch; tectiPpAlhis property been determined elegible? _yes —no date Jan. 1978 _ federal —state —county _X— local depository for survey records City of San Rafael, P 1 anning Office city, town San Rafael state CA 94903 7. Description 11111110e; Condition Chock one Chock one excellent _ deteriorated unaltered X original site X good _ ruins X — ©Iterod _moved date lair — unexposed Describes tho present and original (it knoarn) physical app+aaranco Situated on a knoll , the Erskine B. Mc Near House is a three storey rectangular wood frame building with brick and shingle siding in a transitional style incorporating elements of the Craftsman, Colonial Revival and Shingle styles. It rests on a raised foundation with a full walk-thru basement. The main section of the building consists of 10,732 sq.ft. with the basement consisting of 4,500 sq.ft. The residence is constructed of heavy wood timbers and is set on a concrete stepped foundation. The front porch, steps, large veranda and stairs are constructed of concrete and brick reinforced with steel. The exterior first level and foundation walls are sheathed with brick and clinker brick from the local Mc Near brickyard and are punctuated by decorative inset fieldstone. The upper levels are sheathed with shingles. The residence has a hib roof with hip roof dormers in each roof plane. Beneath the wide main roof eaves and dormer eaves exposed rafters are visible. There are two exterior brick chimneys and an interior brick flue. Wood framed windows of the Mc Near House have a strong, horizontal line and are paired, tri -part or in ribbon bands. Windows are vertical casement and double -hung sash with windows on the first level carrying multi -light transoms. Second storey windows have modillion bracketed sills. To the rear is a slanted bay window. Extending from the Mc Near House are p-)rches on three sides. The main entrance portico is supported by brick piers and shelters the main door flanked by two large sidelights. Above the attached brick garage wing is an enclosed sunporch. A veranda with brick piers carrying Doric columns supports a wood arbor on the third side. Preserved in the interior rooms are two brick fireplaces with high clinker brick mantels carrying wood dentil trim. Also preserved are the beamed ceilings and the natural wood wainscoting, trim and cabinetry. There gave been only minor alterations to the interior. The Mc Near House remains essentially unaltered although its Physical setting is presently encroached upon by the encircling residential development. Also on the property is the one storey Church of the Redeemer built in 1962 following purchase of the property by the Episcopal Diocese in 1957. �6. 'Significance hriod Aroma of gignificanco—Chock and justify bolow _ prehistoric — archeology -prehistoric _ community planning _ landscape architecture_ rollgion 1400-1499 _ archeology -historic _ conservation _ law scloncre 1500-1599 agriculture _ X economics — literature _ _ sculpture _ 1600-1699 architecture _ education _ military &Oc�uiau _ 1700-1789 1800-1699 art commerce _ engineering — music humantorlan X exploration/settlement _ philosophy — 1900- — communications X Industry — politics/government _ transportation — Invention — othar (QPOCKY) Specific dmtea Eluiider/Architect statement of Significance (in ono paragraph) The Erskine B. Mc Near House is significant for its historic association with the K_ -Near family, who exerted a major influence in the economic development of Marin and Sonoma Counties in the 19th and early 20th centuries and whose interests included real estate, timber, ranching, groin and feed supply, warehousing, shipping, and railroad and steamship lines in the San Francisco Bay area and Northern California. The residence is architecturally significant as the design of Brainerd Jones, a regionally well-known and prolific' architect, who designed many industrial, civic and residential buildings during the period 1898-1930. Architect Brainerd Jones was engaged by Erskine B. Mc Near in 1906 to design his family residence as headquarters for a dairy ranch that was only a part of the 2440 acres owned by the Mc Near family on Point San Pedro east of San Rafael .(1) Ti. residence was built in 1906 in the transitional mode favored by Brainerd Jones which emphasized Craftsman, Colonial Revival and Shingle style elements on an unusually. large scale.(2) Nztive materials were used including brick and clinker brick made in the Mc Near brickyard less than a mile away. Erskine Baker Mc Near was born in Petaluma in 1872, the son of John A. Mc Near, a native of Maine tiho had come to Petaluma in 1856. John A. Mc Near and his brother, George W. Mc Near, in partnership as the Mc Near Bros, operated warehouse and shipping interests in Petaluma, San Francisco and Contra Costa and were established as commission and grain merchants.(3) John A. McNeer organized and was first President of the Petaluma and Santa Rosa Railroad. He had previously established steamship service from Petaluma via Point San Pedro to San Francisco with the steamers Gold and Josie Mct;ear. Erskine B. Mc Near, as his father's local agent, served as the landlord of the Chinese living in villages along the San Pedro shore where they operate the shrimp fishing business of China Camp ( now an historic site preserve as Chins Camp State Park) . In 1898, he joined his father in the purchase, organization and development of the Mc Near Brick Co., enlarging and modernizing an industry operating on the site since the 1850's.(4) John A. Mc Near had previously experimented with early forms of cement in the 1860's and 1670's in the flooring of his warehouses, reservoirs, etc. Erskine Mc Near managed, and then served as President of the Mc Near Brick Co., from 1906 until 1956. He concurrently ran the dairy ranch surrounding the residence and recreational facilities at McNear's Beach. He owned commercial real estate in downtown San Rafael,was one of the organizers and vice-president of the Bank of San Rafael and was the president of the Marin Dell Milk Company. Following the death of Erskine hk.Near in 1956, the Mc Near lands surrounding the residence were sold for residential subdivision and the house was acquired by the Episcopal Diocese of California for use as the parish Church of the Redeemer in 1957.(5) The Mc Near House, encroached upon today by the surrounding subdivision and dwarfing the small church in front, nevertheless supplies a significant link with the earlier pastoral landscape. 9. -Major Bibilogr(Whical Reffeirences SEE CONTINUATION SHEET 10. Geographical Data Acreage of nominated property Quadrangle name UMT References A WW 2.94 acres Zone Easting Northing C W l I L l l I I 1 l E GI I I Quadrangle scale a Zone IEasting (Northing O F W I I I I I I I I HWJ�IIIIIILIIIL,II Verbal boundary description and Justification See attached City of San Rafael, Assessor's Maps, Book 185, pages 8 & 14. Liat all ataten and counties for proportion overlapping state or county boundaries state code county code state code county code 110 Form Prepared By namettitle organization Dan Peterson, AIA date 12/29/80 street & number 930 Mendocino Ave. telephone 7 n 7 54 S ()2 9 5 city or town Santa Rosa state CA 95401 120 State Historic Preservation Officer Certification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: _ national _ state _ local As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89- 665), 1 horeby nominate this property for Inclusion In the National Register and certify that it has been evaluated according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service. State Historic Preservation Officer signature title date aao vie 835 HR-8-,30DA 11/78] UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HERITAGE CONSERVATION A14D RECREATION SERVICE 'dATIONAL REGIS'T'ER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY-. NOMINATION FORK FOR HCRS USE ONLY RECEIVED DATE ENTERED. CONTINUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 8 PAGE 1 FOOTNOTES ( 1 ) Although the first purchase of land by the Mc Nears on the peninsula known as Timothy Murphy's Rancho San Pedro was made in 1869 (Book G:354), Erskine K --Near did not purchase the 80 acre ranch (visible on early maps as the "Simpton Place" or the "Downing Ranch") until 1905. Don Timoteo Murphy in his will dated 1843 left the 80 acres to Mary Ellen Simpton, the widow of Captain George Simpton, and tier children (Liber A: 393-394) in 1854. From the Simptons ownership passed to the Downings in 1864, to Frederick and Anna Dieckmann in 1699 (book 56:55), and to Erskine Mc Near in 1905 (Book 94:57 ) . (2) Architect Brainerd Jones, versatile and inventive, designed a wide range of buildings, several of which remain in Petaluma, a base for Mc Near enterprises. They include: the Neo -Classical Carnegie Library (1904); the Neo -Classical Lincoln Primary School (1911); the brick industrial Spanish Renaissance Revival H & N Hatchery building. (3) In 1874, the Mc Near Bros. partnership dissolved. George W. Mc Near assumed control of the San Francisco business interests and added them to his operations in Contra Costa County. John A. Mc Near retained the business interests in Petaluma and properties in Marin, (4) The brickyard had been operating on Point San Pedro since established by Joseph Rice in the 1850's. The brickyard continued in operation under Erskine Mc Near until his death in 1956 and the company still operates today. A detailed account of the Mc Near Brick Co, operations in the early 20th century is found in : State of California. Chapters of State Minerologists Report, Biennial 1913-14. Fletcher Hamilton, State Minerologist. Mines ano Mineral Resources of the Counties of Colusa, Glenn Lake Marin, Napa, Solano, Sonoma, Yolo (San Francisco:1915),pp.72-75. (5) Before his death in 1956, Erskine Mc Near gave the house and surrounding ten acres to his daughter, Lucretia McNear Thomas. It was subsequently sold to the Stegge Development Co. with other family holdings to be developed into what is now Glenwood, but the house and 2.94 acres were restricted and not to be subdivided. This portion Stegge sold in 1957 to the Episcopal Diocese of California. The parish built its church in front of the Mc Near House and has used the house as a community center for various organizations, as parish offices, and as a nursery school. MR- 8-5 OLIA 61( 1•r/78) - UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR HERITAGE CONSERVATION AND RECREATION SERVICE 4ATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY- NOMINATION FORM FOR HCRS USE ONLY RECEIVED DATE ENTERED. CONTI NUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 9 PAGE 1 BIBLIOGRAPHY Mc Near, Imogene (Mrs. Lawrence P.) "Early Experiences in Marin County," Tape made for Bayside Acres Women's Club, San Rafael,January 5,1964, in which she describes the life of her father - in - law, Erskine B.McNear and his life on Point San Pedro and the dream of John A. Mc Near . Menary, David III. "My Family in History," University of the Pacific, January 26,1979. A paper on his family's history including information he received in interviews with his grandmother, Kathleen B. Me Near (Mrs. Miller) and his great-aunt, Lucretia Mc Near Thomas (Mrs. William) . Mrs. Thomas was given the Mc Near House by her father, Erskine B. Mc Near. Independent -Journal, San Rafael. "A Century of Service (1861-1961)",pp. H21 , 25. A story of John A. Mc Near . "John A. McNear's Dream," May 17,1974. Obituary of Erskine B.McNear,Oct. 1956. Marin Biography. "The McNear Family." California Room, Marin County Library Civic Center, San Rafael. A collection of newspaper clippings and other unpublished material on the family and Point San Pedro. Federal Writers Project, Works Progress Administration, San Francisco. February 28, 1936. "The Mc Near Family." Compiled by Robert Plane. Marin Chronology. Volume "1, 1542-1899. California Room, Marin County Library Civic Center, San Rafael. A chronological synopsis of the history of Marin County gleaned from newspapers and reminiscences of local citizens. Mason, Jack and Van Cleave, Helen. The Making of Marin (1850-1875) Inverness, California. North Shore Books. 1975. "China Camp and the Mc Nears," pp.26-27. State of California. Chapters of State Mineralogists Report, Biennial 1913-14. San Fr2ncisco.1915. Fletcher Hamilton, State Minerologist. Mines and Mineral Resources of the Counties of Colusa, Glenn, Lake, Marin, Napa, Solano, Sonoma, Yolo, pp.72-75, Research and Bibliography compiled by Marilyn D. Wick. DESCRIPTION ALL THAT CERTAIN real property situate in the City of San Rafael, County of Marin, State of California, described below as follows: BEGINNING at the most Easterly corner of Lot 1, Glenwood No. 2, as said lot is shown on that certain map entitled, "Glenwood No. 2, San Rafael, California", filed for record January 3, 1956 in Volume 9 of Maps at page 1, Marin County Records; thence from the said point of beginning along the Southwesterly line of Knight Drive, as said Knight Drive is shown on said map of Glenwood No. 2, Southeasterly along the arc of a curve to the right with a radius of 820.00 feet and a central angle of 25 29' 3711, an arc distance of 364.86 feet to the point of intersection of the said Southwesterly line of Knight Drive and the Northwesterly line of that certain 40 foot wide Drainage Easement, as shown on said map of Glenwood No. 2, forming the Southeasterly boundary of said Glenwood No. 2; thence along the said Northwesterly line of that_ certain 40 foot wide Drainage Easement, South 47 45` West 285.81 feet to the point of intersection of the said Northwesterly line of the 40 foot wide drainage easement and the Northeasterly line of that certain 40 foot wide- Drainage Easement, as shown on said Map of Glenwood No. 2, formerly forming a portion of the Southerly boundary of said Glenwood No. 2; thence along tlbe said Northeasterly Iine of that certain 40 foot wide Drainage Easement, North 52 33° 04" Vest 74.21 feet; thence continuing along the said Northeasterly line of the 40 foot wide Drainage Easement, Northwesterly along the arc of a curve to the left, tangent to the preceding course, with a radius of 1620.00 feet and a central angle of 11 251 56", an arc distance of 323.24 feet to the point of intersection of the said Northeasterly line of the 40 'Loot wide Drainage Easement and the rear line of Lots 1, 2, 3, and 4, as said rear tot line is shown on -•the said map of Glenwood No. 2; thence along the said rear lot li.ne of Lots 1, 2, 3, and 4, North 500 50' East 400.04 feet to the point of beginning.