By Susan Powers Kennelly
A courthouse, a cow barn, and a simple 19th century schoolhouse are among the recipients of Napa County Landmarks’ annual Awards of Merit for Historic Preservation for 2006. Also singled out for honors are two historic homes, a library and a bank.
A new award category was announced this year for public art.
Landmarks’ highest award "Preservationist of the Year" was presented to two government officials. Retiring Napa County Judge Scott Snowden and current Court Executive Officer Stephen Bouch were named to this honor for their leadership in the restoration of the Napa County Courthouse.
Homeowners, architects, civic officials and preservationists gathered at Schramsberg Vineyard May 7 for the 32nd annual event, held during Historic Preservation Month.
The award categories, the winning sites and their principals include:
825 Brown St., Napa; Owner: Napa County and Napa County Superior Court; Project Architect: Ross Drulis Cusembery, Sonoma; Builder: John F. Otto Inc., Sacramento.
Built in 1878 with its Hall of Records, the present Jury Assembly Room, built in 1916, it is the fifth oldest continuously operating courthouse in the state of California and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
A 1978 addition bridged the two buildings but the interior space was totally out of character with the original. A current interior renovation, recently completed, brings it to the most modern efficiency while restoring the High Victorian style. During construction an interior dome was uncovered and it was determined a window once graced that aperture. Napa artist Gordon Huether has crafted a period appropriate replacement, which will soon be publicly unveiled.
1219 First St., Napa; Owner: City of Napa; Architect: Access Solutions, Berkeley; Structural Engineer: Degenkolb Engineers, San Francisco; Builder: Andrews & Thornley, Napa
Napa’s Mayor Jill Techel and Community Development Director Cassandra Walker were present to receive the award given to the City.
Designed by Luther Turton as one of Napa’s few stone buildings in the Richardson Romanesque style, it was a gift to the city by banker and philanthropist George Goodman in 1902. It functioned as a library until 1974 when the new one opened. It is now home to the Napa County Historical Society and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The building has undergone significant seismic strengthening, necessary after the 2000 earthquake and funded in part by a FEMA grant. It is also now compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act for entrances and bathrooms, while preserving its historic architecture and finishes.
1400 Schramsberg Road, Calistoga; Owner: Jamie Davies; Project Architect, Lail Design Group, St. Helena; Structural Engineer, EP Engineers, Napa; Builder: Andrews & Thornley, Napa
The Jacob Schram House is one of the oldest homes in Napa Valley built circa 1862. Here writer Robert Louis Stevenson visited, tasting the wines that he called "liquid poetry" during his 1870 stay in the Valley.
Winery owner Jamie Davies spoke meaningfully about the rebirth of Napa Valley winemaking in the mid-20th century and her own family’s part in that history, then invited guests to enjoy the view from her elegant verandah.
447 Randolph St., Napa; Owner/Builder: John Reaksecker, JFR Construction, Napa
Luther Turton designed the L.J. Norton house in 1905 for the owner of the Sawyer Tannery, then Napa’s largest employer. Reputed to be the city’s first stucco house, it is probably most famous as the temporary home of film stars Clark Gable and Carole Lombard during the filming of a 1930s movie here. A major renovation was required to restore the home to its stately elegance. It is part of the Napa Abajo/Fuller Park Historic District.
1543 Main St., Napa; Owner/Designer: Erik Nickel; Builder: Dave May Construction, Napa; Painter: Partners in Painting, NapaArchitect W.H. Corlett designed this 1891 home that combined Queen Anne, Bungalow and Greek Revival elements for J.L. Brown the owner of the Nickels and Brown Brothers Meat Market a block away. Over the years it was carved into apartments, later reunited as one home, and now restored to its full glory. Owner Erik Nickel is seemingly indefatigable. He received an Award of Merit in 2004 for his work on a home two doors away, and this year faced a second major re-do in as many months on the present house from damage caused by the New Year’s Eve flood.
218 Franklin St., Napa; Owner: Napa Women’s Club; Phases 1 and 2 Contractor: Cello & Maudru Construction Co., Napa; Kitchen Phase: Castino’s Restaurant Equipment and Supply, Rohnert Park
The simple schoolhouse, once the 1901 Franklin Primary School, was used at various times as a church, a preschool, a music school and home to a children’s theatre group. In 1948, the Napa Women’s Club purchased the property and, with a recent grant from the Gasser Foundation, the Club has been able to restore and refurbish the building for both its own use and for community rental. Located near the Fuller Park Historic District, the transitional style building is eligible for the California Historic Register.
2850 Silverado Trail, St. Helena; Owner: Tom Leonardini, Sr.; Architect: Mary Sikes & Associates, St. Helena; Builder: Benjamin Beltran Construction, Napa; Structural Engineer: Rogina Pestell, Santa Rosa; Lighting Designer: Apex Electric, Calistoga; Soils Engineer: RHG Consultants, Inc., Santa Rosa and Napa
A cow barn built decades ago reputedly for the St. Helena Sanitarium had a massive scope of seismic retrofit and renovation. It will now serve as a gathering place for family and friends of the owner.
500 Main St., Napa; Owner: The Napa Mill; Artist: Alan Shepp; Builder: Treeline Construction, Napa; Structural Engineer: Phillips Group, Sacramento; Electrical Engineer, Spartan Electric, Napa; Mechanical Engineer: Best Ways Plumbing, Rohnert Park; Landscape Architect: Vandertoolen Associates, Napa; Landscape Designer: Diane Row, Napa; Construction Manager: Penny Pinching Construction, Napa
Harry Price, owner of the Napa Mill, accepted the award for Alan Shepp’s creation. The gigantic fountain installation, several years in the planning and installation, depict the historic and natural past of Napa County. There are references to the Wappo native residents, the Chinese laborers, Bear Flag revolt and Napa River trade and commerce. A meandering path of water leads from the fountain across the Riverbend Performance Plaza and into the river.
903 Main St., Napa; Owner: Wells Fargo Bank; Project Architect: McGinnis Chen, San Francisco; Color Consultant: Uesugi & Associates, San Francisco; Contractor: Rainbow WaterproofingThe handsome Main Street building was erected in 1923 of reinforced concrete in the Beaux Arts Classicism style, popular in that day. Major exterior renovation efforts have ensured the safety and continuing beauty of the building.