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Palo Alto Historic Buildings Inventory

560 Melville Avenue


Inventory photo	Photo taken July 24, 2010

The following is from the Historic Buildings Inventory as revised in 1985:

Physical appearance: Over-scaled dormers lend a dramatic touch to this two0story shingled Colonial Revival style house. The entry hood and trellises complete the cottage image. Expansion of the rear portion in 1984 was a compatible alteration.

Significance: The careful management of scale gives this house a dignity unusual in such small buildings. The house was built for Sidney L. Griffiths who previously had shared the cottage at 465 Melville with his sister Gertrude. He was an insurance agent.

The house was sold in 1955 to Wilfred B. Goulett, and three years later to Peter M. Keating, a teacher. Richard and Jeanne Abbott acquired the property about 1960.

This house was built in 1926 and is a Category 4 on the Historic Buildings Inventory. The builder was Sidney Griffiths. The property measures 70 by 100 feet.

Sources: Palo Alto City Directories; Palo Alto Times 7/31/20, 11/14/25, 1/21/49; interviews 1985 Jeanne Abbott, Angie Griffiths Hamlin

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