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Palo Alto Historic Buildings Inventory

449 Monroe Drive


Originally 225 Homer Avenue

inventory photo newspaper photo
Inventory photo Newspaper photo

 

The following is from the Historic Buildings Inventory as revised in 1981 and 1986:

Physical appearance:   The screen at the side of the entrance porch is highly unusual for the period, if it is original. Otherwise, contrasting horizontal bands of clapboard and patterned shingles decorate a severe box which has been notched at one corner for the entry. This vernacular design utilizes Queen Anne and Eastlake style details. Less distinctive but also contributing to the sense of time and place of the early twentieth century are the cottages at 231 Homer Avenue and 748 Ramona Street, simple but not skimped, modestly charming when restored or well-kept.

Note:  When threatened with demolition, the Historic Resources Board worked with Kenneth Darrow and the City to find a suitable lot for the house. The house was moved in July, 1985 to 449 Monroe Drive; those at 231 Homer and 748 Ramona were demolished at the same time. Ken Darrow rehabilitated the 225 Homer house at its new location.

Significance:  Minimal decorative features produce maximum effect in this simple, box-like structure. It was built by Anton Jensen, a Danish Carpenter and, later, contractor who came to California in 1880 and Palo Alto in 1897. He and his wife Anna lived in it until 1909.

It was rented for several years to various tenants, as were the houses at 231 Homer and 748 Ramona; all then became the residences of the Mock, Sato, and other early Chinese families in Palo Alto.

 

map map
Map showing original location Location map

This house was built in 1899 and is a Category 2 on the Historic Buildings Inventory. The builder was Anton Jensen. The Homer Avenue property measured 75 by 100 feet.

Sources: Palo Alto City Directories; Palo Alto Times 12/29/99, 7/28/37, 12/4/43, 1/11/75; Palo Alto Historical Association files; Palo Alto Assessor's Books 1899, 1900

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