Palo Alto Stanford Heritage |
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| Inventory photo taken in 1978. | Photo taken May 20, 2012. |
The following is from the Historic Buildings Inventory as revised in 1985:
The configuration of the bay window roof of this one–story shiplap–sheathed Queen Anne house is quite unusual. The side elevation cretes a strongly sculptural effect with a mimimun of means.
Frank and Frances Kasson, the first owners (1896–1930), came to Palo Alto in 1896. She had been previously married to Angevine Reynolds, a Forty–Niner who established the first express company in California; it connected Stockton with the mines and was later merged with Wells Fargo.
In Mariposa, the Reynolds' published and edited the Mariposa Gazette, which employed Kasson as foreman. After Reynolds died, his widow married Kasson and together they founded the Palo Alto Live Oak when they came to Palo Alto.
When it was succeeded by the Palo Alto Times, Kasson became an editor and printer for the Times owner, H. W. Simpkins. From 1910–1924, he was City Clerk.
The house passed to a daughter, Emily Irene Reynolds, who married Orville O. Valentine. Valentine was the local registrar of voters for 16 years. Mrs. Valentine attended Castilleja School and Stanford, and trained as a nurse at San Francisco Childrens Hospital.
From 1939 to the present [2018], the owners have been members of the family of Reverend Clarence E. and Elsie Carlstrom. Carlstrom was pastor of First Luthern Church, Palo Alto, 1936–1944.
David Bower of PAST presenting 1896 plaque. Ted Calrstrom, owner receiving plaque
This house was built in 1896 and is a Category 4 on the Historic Buildings Inventory. The builder and contractor are unknown. The property measures 50 by 125 feet.
Sources: Palo Alto City Directories; Palo Alto Times 4/15/1896, 12/30/1896, 5/22/1924, 1/12/1931, 1/22/1955; interview 1984, Theodore Carlstrom.
October 21, 2025 email from Carolyn Feroben correcting the name of the Mariposa Gazette.
Mr. Kasson had worked as a printer in Mariposa for the Mariposa Gazette. The owner/editor of the paper, Angevine Reynolds, had died and his wife had become the editor. Mr Kasson married the widow and they moved to Palo Alto and began The Palo Alto Live Oak.
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