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Palo Alto Historic Buildings Inventory

232 Coleridge Avenue
Joseph Kirk Residence

inventory photo 232
Photo taken in 1978.  

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

Physical appearance:   A two–story stucco structure with tile roof, this substantial building employs both Spanish and California Colonial design elements in combination with period revival variations. A keystone motif decorates the entry and a heavily timbered balcony extends from the cantilevered second floor. A variety of fenestration types are utilized.

Significance:  The house, a good example of the work of a notable California architect, was built for Joseph and Angeline Kirk. Kirk was a physician and surgeon who came to Palo Alto in 1908, practiced in San Francisco for a time, and then established his office in the city in 1916. He remained active until his death in 1948.

Jesse W. and Isabelle D. Tapp acquired the house in 1942 and it was remained [1979] in the Tapp family since that time. Tapp was an officer of the Bank of America who, in 1954, was elevated from the rank of vice–president to Chairman of the bank's Board of Directors.

232 map

 

This house was built in 1925 and is a Category 4 on the Historic Buildings Inventory. The architect was Birge Clark. The builder was Frank Fox. The property measures 125 by 250 feet.

Sources: Palo Alto City Directories; Palo Alto Times 8/8/25, 8/13/25, 7/22/54, 12/5/70; Birge M. Clark

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