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Palo Alto Historic Buildings Inventory

1220 Hamilton Avenue


Inventory photo	Photo taken March 29, 2915

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

Physical appearance: This one-story stucco residence combines Streamline Moderne and Spanish Colonial Revival style images. The gate and entry utilize Moderne detailing while the tile, brick, and patio suggest Mediterranean/Spanish origins. The strongest overall image appears to be the Moderne. The garage door is probably not original.

Significance: The structure represents an interesting and perhaps surprisingly successful combination of Spanish Colonial and Streamline Moderne styles. The patio and placement of the main portion of the house rather privately to the rear is a Spanish Colonial Revival dwelling approach while the more visible aspects of the house appear to be Moderne.

It was designed as a penthouse on the ground. Frank A. Hapgood, for whom the house was built, was the son of Alfred A. and Ella Hapgood. He came with his parents to Palo Alto in 1906. He first was employed by the Bank of Palo Alto, then, in 1912, with Arthur Roller, joined the mortuary firm which his father had started. Hapgood and his wife Harriet occupied the house until 1945. They we succeeded by Dr. G. S. O'Brien (1946 – 1947) and Dr. H. M. Slater (1948 – 1950). The owners from 1953 to 1956 were Clinton and Helen Goetze, and from 1957 – 1968, Robert Sackett, purchasing manager for Safeway Stores. Sigrid Rupp acquired the property in 1971.



Notice the three colors used for the walls.	Location map

This house was built in 1938 and is a Category 2 on the Historic Buildings Inventory. The architect was Birge Clark and the builder was E. J. Schmaling. The property measures 62 by 125 feet.

Sources: Palo Alto City Directories; Palo Alto Times 1/3/38, 11/21/49, 1/3/55; Guy C. Miller, Palo Alto Community Book, p. 209

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