This year we once again celebrated Preservation Month at a joint meeting with the Palo Alto Historical Association. The afternoon included the recognition of 1922 buildings and presentation of Historic Preservation Awards to recognize preservation projects that renovate, rehabilitate, or restore local historic buildings. Our featured speaker was Architect Daniel Garber, FAIA, partner at Fergus Garber Architects. Dan’s topic was Birge Clark – The Early Years, His Time and Influences; 1922 to 1933 in celebration of Birge Clark on the 100th anniversary of the founding of his architectural practice in 1922.
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Brass plaques were first awarded by the Palo Alto Historic Resources Board. Owners of homes built in 1894 or earlier were presented with plaques on April 16, 1994 at a centennial celebration held in the front garden of the 1904 Squire House (900 University Avenue). At that time, 36 houses were listed on the Centennial Buildings Tour published by the Historic Resources Board and co-sponsored by PAST. Of the 36 houses on the tour, only one, the Juana Briones house, has been demolished. |
In 1996, Palo Alto Stanford Heritage (PAST) decided to carry on the tradition of recognition by honoring properties built in 1895 and 1896 and to present the first Preservation Awards. It has since become an annual event to present preservation awards and plaques during National Preservation Month. The theme for 2011 was Celebrating Palo Alto's and Stanford's Treasures. | ![]() ![]() |
If your house is approaching its centennial, now is the time to let us know! Research on verifying construction/occupancy dates takes time, so please let us know so we can add your address to our list.
As you will discover, many of these structures are no longer standing. If you have a picture of one, would you please share it with us with us! PAST would love to honor it for the 100+ years it graced our streets.
Many centennial homes and commercial buildings are listed on the Palo Alto Historical Buildings Inventory. If you have information about the building date of properties not included on this list, or would like to research the history of your home or make corrections, please use the link to how to research your home, or send an e-mail to PAST at webmaster@pastheritage.org. We would especially appreciate receiving information on more Stanford University homes!
Be sure to read the article from The Mercury News of January 7, 2012 Living in the past: Uncovering your home's roots about a successful historical search!
Centennial plaques received by owners are marked with an asterisk. If we have not indicated yours, please contact the webmaster. Many more older homes still exist in Palo Alto, but because of annexations (Mayfield, including College Terrace, Barron Park and what is now identified as South Palo Alto), the history of these homes has been lost.
A green highlighted address indicates a photo or text link.
This symbol represents a structure for which there is no photo.
* Received plaque
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* Received plaque
* Received plaque
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271 Addison Avenue |
450 Kingsley Avenue |
* Received plaque
* Received plaque
* Received plaque
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560 Addison Avenue * |
360 Kingsley Street *demolished |
* Received plaque
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449 Addison Avenue |
565 Mayfield, Stanford |
* Received plaque
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319 Addison Avenue |
421 Kipling Street |
* Received plaque
* Received plaque
* Received plaque
Built in 1903
* Received plaque
* Received plaque
* Received plaque
** Received plaque
* Received plaque
Photo of owners of centennial homes and preservation awards.
* Received plaque
Built in 1909
* Received plaque
* Received plaque
* Received plaque
* Received plaque
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See pictures from the plaque presentation.
* Received plaque
See pictures from the plaque presentation.
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340 Coleridge Avenue* |
420 Homer Avenue * |
See pictures from the plaque presentation.
* Received plaque
See photos from the plaque presentation on May 15, 2016.
* Received plaque
Photos from the 2017 presentation.
* Received plaque
See photos from the 2018 plaque presentation.
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360 Kellogg Avenue | 353 Lowell Avenue |
See photos from the 2019 presentation.
Centennial buildings as listed by street.
Some houses have multiple listings because they have been identified as being constructed in more than one year. Sometimes this is due to identification by the building permit date which was issued the year before occupancy. Problems also arise when the house has not moved, but the house number or street name has been changed!!!
Search by beginning letter of street name: |
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
E-mail us at either webmaster@pastheritage.org or president@pastheritage.org.
Palo Alto Stanford Heritage—Dedicated to the preservation of Palo Alto's historic buildings.
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