Vintage Home Tour 2010 .:: Corona Historic Preservation Society

2010 Vintage Home Tour

2010

The five distinctive homes showcased on this year’s tour were constructed between 1888 and 1924 and feature the architectural elements of the era in which they were built.

The five homes cover a broad spectrum of architectural styles. A unique three-story poured concrete home with 18” thick walls on the first floor that initially served as a citrus curing shed with the two-story residence above, built in 1892, a two-story pioneer vernacular wood-framed home with Victorian features, built in 1888, a Folk-Victorian working man’s cottage, built in 1894, a charming two-story wood-framed Victorian cottage with Classical Revival elements, including a hitching post in the parkway, built in 1910, and a 1 1/2-story California Craftsman bungalow style home, built in 1924-1925.

Note: Three of four of the featured homes are Corona Historic Landmarks. They have been identified by Planning Commission and City Council as possessing physical elements of Corona’s historical development that provide the community with its own unique civic identity and character. Landmarks must be at least 50 years old, have significant historic, cultural or architectural value, and demonstrate authenticity of physical identity as evidenced by the survival of characteristics that existed during the Landmark’s period of significance. Four of these homes have been honored by the Corona Historic Preservation Society with its Heritage Home Award.

The Corona Historic Preservation Society reactivated its Historic Home Tour program in 2007 after a ten-year hiatus. We renamed the event the "2007 Vintage Home Tour" and celebrated five beautiful and distinctive homes that were built more than 75 years ago. Over 350 visitors rediscovered the craftsmanship and charm of homes built during another era.

The Corona Historic Preservation Society also sponsored Vintage Home Tours in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 (one was planned for 2009, but the state of the economy did not provide favorable circumstances in which to stage it), each with four or five homes not presented previously. Many of the featured homes are listed on the city's Historic Resources listing of Landmark Properties so visitors could experience both historically and architecturally significant homes that continue to be used many decades after their construction and initial occupancies.

The purpose in celebrating Historic Preservation Month with a tour of historic properties is to raise awareness of structures, architectural styles and labor-saving devices of yesteryear and how they weave together the cultural roots of our community. It also gives us opportunities to learn about who and how Coronans of the past once lived. One of the goals of the tour is to educate the public so that they might acquire a desire to preserve that which remains of Corona's past glory and that they would be favorably disposed to return for future events.

Guests are invited to walk through the homes which serve as windows to the past. Visitors are able to see classic architectural elements, labor-saving designs, beautiful woodwork, unique windows, other designs and craftsmanship that would be hard to duplicate today. Everyone is encouraged to admire details, the little extras, beautiful furnishings and finish work which remain after nearly a century or more.

Note: Often the homes featured are Corona Historic Landmarks. As such, they have been identified by the Planning Commission and the City Council as physical elements of Corona's historical development that provide the community with its own unique civic identity and character. Requirements for Corona Landmark status: Site must be at least 50 years, have significant historic, cultural or architectural value, and demonstrate authenticity of physical identity as evidenced by the survival of characteristics that existed during the Landmark's period of significance.

The Corona Historic Preservation Society strongly believes that the preservation of historic properties has the power to protect and enhance our city's historic core neighborhoods by recycling and reusing or repurposing older structures again and again. This is the ultimate goal in "green" building. The Corona Historic Preservation Society is proud to present these Vintage Home Tours and hopes that you will enjoy the photographs, descriptions and recollections we have been able to capture.

Please plan to join us at future Vintage Home Tours. They are typically scheduled on the first Saturday in May, which has been designated as National Preservation Month.

The flyer for the current year’s event is found below. Flyers for previous tours can be found when viewing the file corresponding to that year’s tour below.

Note: A Field Guide to American Houses by Virginia & Lee McAlester was used to identify the architectural styles of these homes.

Antique automobiles, provided by local owners and car clubs, grace the front yard of 2010 VHT headquarters at 1052 East Grand Blvd. and beckon passersby to stop and take a looksee at what was going on.

Visitors are seen here as they lined up to purchase tickets and/or enter the lovely Folk Victorian home of Christine & Glenn Gary.

We extend great appreciation to our dapper photographer, Akio Yoshikawa, for his expertise and willingness to capture almost all the images included in this collection of photos taken on Saturday, May 1st, at our 2010 VHT. Ako and his lovely wife Helen are a huge asset to the Society due to their willingness to support "the cause" of CHPS in many different ways.

CHPS Director Lauralynn Hake, who handled on-site ticket sales, and CHPS President and vintage home owner Christine Gary, pose at the front door of the Gary residence, which also served as headquarters for the tour for the third time.

This is a rear view of antique automobiles on display in the front yard of the headquarters home.

Society member Scott Richardson decked out in vintage attire for a ride along Grand Blvd. on his 52 inch Penny Farthing bicycle.

This sturdy five bedroom Craftsman is home to Stan and Michell Skipworth and their seven children, ages 3 to 17.

Vintage Home Tour chairperson Mary Winn is seated and is surrounded by (L-R) docent Beverly Bloch, home owner Michell Skipworth, docents Richard Winn and Kathy Fichtelman.

Mary and Richard Winn, who served as captains at the Skipworth home, are seen here prior to the start of the tour.

Docent Dean Herigstad is seen here in the hallway next to the very well-constructed staircase leading to the second floor.

This is referred to as the Princess Room, and is the bedroom of the only daughter in the family, three year old Samantha, who will celebrate her 4th birthday in August.

Docents Dottie Reichard, Kathy Fichtelman and Trudy Whittaker preparing to host visitors at the Skipworth home.

Architectural elements of Craftsman homes include exposed purlin braces supporting the roof overhang, clapboard siding on the lower floor, shingle clad second floor, pop-out second floor windows highlighted with moldings.

Spectacular original hardwood flooring is seen in the Skipworth's patriotic-themed dining room with built-in buffet and pass-through to the kitchen.

A view from the kitchen through the pass-through provides a view of the dining table, living room, as well as docents kathy Fichtelman, Trudy Whittaker, and two guests.

This is the lovely 100 year old Victorian cottage owned by Georgia Lambert. A hitching post in the parkway gives an indications as to the types of conveyances that must have visited the home long ago.

Owner Georgia Lambert, house captain Doris Osko, and docent Paula Ruscigno pose at the sign-in desk for visitors to this quaint and uniquely appointed home.

Living rom with antique fireplace, Celtic harp on the chest, bookshelf hidden behind the curain at the left in addition to the painted border at the ceiling convey an historic ambiance to the room.

An elegant Elizabethan atmosphere has been created in the dining room as one looks back into the living room.

The stairway from the rear covered porch to the second floor is easy for all going up but tall folks need to be careful so as not to bum their heads on the descent.

Artist Georgia Lambert's creative talent is very much in evidence as she has painted this mural that blends the wall and ceiling together in the upstairs "blue room" bedroom.

The oriental room contains much imagery of Asia, including photos of Georgia's father's many travels during and after the Second World War.

This six foot long dragon was designed and lovingly yand painted by the very gifted Georgia Lambert.

The ceiling of the library reflects a master's touch in the appearance of clouds and sky surrounding the vintage light fixture. This type of ceiling mural is reminiscent of Georgia's days growing up in Europe.