Palo Alto Stanford Heritage |
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| Inventory photo |
The following is from the Historic Buildings Inventory as revised in 1985:
The structure is a two-story wood frame building with hipped roofs and shiplap siding, in ar restrained and markedly consistent version of Colonial revival design. The porch may be a later addition or alteration, changed perhaps as a result of the relocation of the house.
Edward K. and Elizabeth Thoits, for whom the house was built, came to Palo Alto in 1893. Thenceforth the Thoits family occupied a prominent place in the city's business and civic affairs. Thoits had been a seaman in his youth and then went into business before his death in 1897. His son, Edward C. Thoits, attended Stanford (A.B. l898) and continued and expanded his father's business (shoe merchandising, investment, real estate). He began his civic career as a member of the Library Board in 1909, served as mayor 1913-1914, and was a City Councilman for over 40 years (died 1951, age 74).
Note: The owner/resident when the Inventory was prepared was George D. Gibson, Jr.
Location map
This house was built in 1897 and is a Category 2 on the Historic Buildings Inventory. M. P. Madison and E. A. Williams were the architects and George W. Mosher was the builder. The property measures 50 by 130 feet.
Sources: Palo Alto Times 1897: 4/9, 4/19, 5/21, 7/23, 12/24; 1/20/15, 4/13, 20, 5/5/32, 4/6/33, 1/12/34, 4/16/34, 3/20/49, 4/5/49, 5/16/51; see Palo Alto Live Oak for 1/1/1900 for early photo
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