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Palo Alto Historic Buildings Inventory

422 Fulton Street

inventory photo

 

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

Physical appearance:   A simple cottage of early origin, neatly ornamented by turned columns and cutwork brackets on the porch. Surfaced in ship-lap and shingles.

Significance:  A good example of decorated vernacular building early in the city's development. George Washington Cuthbertson, for whom it was built, was a Stanford graduate, 1896 and former resident of Mayfield. At the time of his death, he was chief engineer for the marine department of Standard Oil of California.

The year after the completion of the house, it became the home of Seaman H. ("Pop") Harris. Born in North Carolina six years before emancipation in 1863, Harris came to Palo Alto in 1892. He was affectionately remembered in the community for his many years of work as the railway depot express man and porter, and Stanford bootblack.

Among his many descendants was the equally popular merchant, Fran Hinson, a great-grandson. Owner for many years of the Lytton Smoke Shop [Fran's Market at 499 Lytton], Hinson's serious illness late in life led to an unusual spontaneous effort by friends and patrons to raise funds for medical expenses.

The house was rented after World War II, though owned by the Hinsons.

 

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This house was built in 1895 and is a Category 4 on the Historic Buildings Inventory. The builder was Wells and Caulkins. The property measures 40 by 100 feet.

Sources: Palo Alto City Directories; Palo Alto Times 1/11/94, 7/27/94, 6/29/12, 5/21/17, 4/17/23, 7/5/24, 8/26/24, 9/2/24, 11/28/29, ?/23/25, 4/22/44, 5/12/54, 10/25/76, 11/2/83, 5/13/84; San Jose Mercury News, 5/15/84

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