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Palo Alto Historic Buildings Inventory

1431 Waverley Street

Gamble Gardens

inventory photo 1431
Inventory photo Photo taken December 11, 2010

The following is from the Historic Buildings Inventory as revised in 1984:

Physical appearance:  This grandly-scaled Colonial/Georgian Revival house is set amidst extensive landscaped grounds. the carriage house is a carefully-designed adjunct. the two to three story clapboard structure contains various desing elements of the mode, including oval windows, decorative bracketing and classical detailing. the dense, mature landscaping obscures much of the house from view. 

Significance:  Called a "villa" when built, this is a fine example of the early 20th century large, formal house, provided with extensive and well-landscaped surroundings. It was built for Edwin P. and Elizabeth (Lawder) Gamble. Gamble was a son fo the founder of Proctor and Gamble. He was a director of First National Bank of Palo Alto. His daughter, Elizabeth (Stanford, 1910), bequeathed the house to the City. After her death in 1981, it was renovated  (partially with city funds) and displayed as a Designers' Showcase before being returned to residential use temporarily. In 1985m the city Council adopted a plan to preserve buildings and grounds for development as a community garden center.

The structure is significant both historically and architecturally. Its associations with the prominent Gamblw family and the high quality of its design make it significant in both respects. The outstanding quality of the house and grounds give it a high degree of integrity which is unique in Palo Alto and comprise an almost valuable resource.

entrance fountain
gazebo plaque
carriage house map
Carriage House Location Map

This house was built in 1902 and is a Category 2 on the Historic Buildings Inventory. The builder was C. A. Bates of San Jose. The property measures 375 by 250 feet. It is recognized as a Landmark property. The house was part of the 2005 Holiday House Tour.

Sources: Palo Alto Times 8/30/1901, 6/6/1902, 1/1/1903, 1/1/1904, 4/24/1939, 7/6/1981; Palo Alto Weekly, 12/7/1981;

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