Informational Item 1_DPR - The Old School — Fremont City Council, June 6, 2023

HISTORICAL DESCRIPTION AND

POTENTIAL ELIGIBILITY ST A TEMENT

FOR THE MISSION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
AT 43551 MISSION BOULEY ARD

IN THE CITY OF FREMONT
FOR

SANTA CLARA DEVELOPMENT
1978 TIIE ALAMEDA
SAN JOSE, CA 95126
BY
Archaeological Resource Management
Dr. Robert Cartier, Principal Investigator
496 North Fifth Street
San Jose, CA 95112
(408) 295-1373
FAX: (408) 286-2040
with
Riordan Gooowin
Vicki Kobza
NOVEMBER 16, 1998

ABSTRACT
The Mission Elementary School building was constructed circa 1913 on Mission Boulevard in what is now the City of Fremont. This building is located on lands that were formerly part of Mission San Jose. At the time it was constructed, the structure was the third school to be built in the area, and it later became used as the first City Hall when Fremont was founded. In order to document the history of this important structure in Fremont, an historical description of the Mission Elementary School building was carried out in this report. This description also includes a statement of potential eligibility to the National Register of Historic Places. The research contained within this report focuses upon the characteristics of the structure and its architectural contributions to the historic fabric of the Fremont area. In conjunction with the historic and architectural description, current photographs of both the interior and exterior of the structure have been included with this report in order to document the architectural characteristics of the school building.

The Mission Elementary School property is characterized by a large, two story, Mission style structure. Although the building was originally constructed as an elementary school and later functioned as the first City Hall in Fremont, it has been most recently been used as retail/office space. The Mission Elementary School is currently vacant, yet it remains in good condition.

The Mission Elementary School is distinguished as a significant landmark of local Fremont history. The structure was designed by Mr. Alfred Griffin, a set designer for Essanay Films. This film company produced some of the earliest movies, including those starring Charlie Chaplin (e.g., "The Tramp") and the character of Broncho Billy. The Mission Elementary School also represents the Mission architectural style, which is relatively uncommon in the San Francisco Bay area. In addition, the structure was also first stuccoed with a pumping system, which was an early technical innovation in construction industry.

The Mission Elementary School thus appears to be potentially eligible for inclusion in the California Register of Historical Resources and in the National Register of Historic Places.

This report provides details of the Mission Elementary School's history and architecture, describing a portion of the rich cultural heritage of the Fremont area through one of its well known landmarks.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The goal of the archival research was to gather data on the Mission Elementary School and to evaluate its historical and architectural merit according to the criteria of the California Register of Historic Resources (CRHR) and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). The structure was evaluated in the field, a photographic survey of the building was created, and a Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) 523 form filled out to document the structure. Included in this report are the CRHR and NRHP evaluations, the DPR form, and the photodocumentation package.

The study was carried out in November 1998 by staff under the direction of Robert Cartier, Principal Investigator at A.R.M. Research was conducted by Riordan Goodwin and assistance was provided Vicki Kobza. In order to research the history of the structure under evaluation, references were consulted at the Fremont Main Public Library and the City of Fremont's Historical Museum. The personal family archives of Mr. James Griffin were consulted, and Mr. Griffin himself provided important details about the Griffin family and their connection to the Mission Elementary School building. Also consulted for this report were Ms. Regina Dinney and Ms. Cecilia Weed.
1 EXISTING CONDITION OF THE STRUCTURE AND ITS HISTORICAL

BACKGROUND
Physical Appearance and Architectural Characteristics
The Mission Elementary School is located at 43551 Mission Boulevard Street in the City of Fremont. The school was built on lands that were formerly part of Mission San Jose; these lands became private property sometime before the school was built. The neighborhood in which the Mission Elementary School exists is currently dominated by the presence of Mission style architecture, as it is very near Mission San Jose.

The property is characterized by a large, two story Mission-style structure. The structure is an "I" shape with a central bell tower and twin wings featuring copinged mission parapets with quatrefoil louvered vents. The vents have turned spindle wooden grilles. The bell tower has a tiled roof, whereas the majority of the structure has composition roofing.

The overall exterior of the structure is covered with stucco. Several improvements were done to the building between 1935 and 1937. These improvements included rebracing and "earthquake-proofing" the building, adding a new first-floor auditorium with a stage, a kitchen, a gym, and a winter playroom. Tennis and basketball courts, as well as baseball diamonds were also added to the property, and the grounds were re-landscaped.

There are several entryways to the building. The main entry to the building features twin paneled doors with central windows, a hopper window above, pilasters, and a dentiled pediment. The second-story front entrance is reached via a broad stairway, with balconies on either side featuring turned, wooden, spindle railings. The balconies and stairway landing form a continuous walkway/porch across the front central part of the building which is supported by twin arched galleries. These galleries enclose twin double-door entrances on the first floor on either side of the stairway. These entrances are wooden framed and have plain wooden doors. The second story side entrances, which are centrally located, have been altered from their original form as windows with decorative pediments to pedimented doors. The pediments were probably made by the builder's father-in-law, A. L. Ricks, a wheelright and Fremont pioneer (Griffin, 1998). When these pedimented side windows were replaced by double doors, wooden double staircases were added, perhaps during the improvements carried out on the building between 1935 and 1937 (Holmes, 1997). The first story central side entries have pilasters and probably had paneled double doors with windows when the building was first constructed, but have since been replaced by modern, plain, wooden doors. There are two wooden framed entrances at the rear of the building and one secondary side entrance at the Northwest corner of the building, and the latter appears to have been added after 1935.

Window types on the structure vary with each story of the building. In general, wood sash windows are found throughout the structure. Double hung windows exist on the upper story, and large ribbon style, sashed windows can be found on the front and rear of the wings. A metal-framed fabric awning has been added to the ribbon window at the rear of the North wing. Hopper style sashed windows are found on the ground floor.

The interior of the structure may be divided into the central portion and the wings. The central interior of the building houses the main hallway and several old classrooms on the second story. The large twin staircases located in the central interior provide access to the lower wings and restrooms as well as the central heating and maintenance facilities/rooms located in the central section of the ground floor. The wings have large, open 'play rooms' on the ground floor with classrooms above them.
2 There are no supporting buildings associated with this structure. At the time of this evaluation, large front and side lawns existed on the property. In addition, several mature cypress trees framed the building, and pine and palm trees were present on the property.

The exterior of the structure has retained its architectural integrity and it is a dominant feature of the immediate neighborhood. This structure embodies large scale architectural characteristics that are distinctive of the Mission style which is relatively uncommon in the San Francisco Bay Area, although more frequent in the Mission districts (areas near the original Spanish missions). This building is unique in that it also includes other elements that would qualify it as 'Mission-Eclectic.'
The current owner of the property, Santa Clara Development, is proposing to renovate the exterior and remodel the interior of the school structure. The interior architecture of the building has not been altered since it was vacated by the last commercial tenant in 1997.

The current plan for modifications involves developing the interior of the school structure into eleven condominiums. These renovations include the removal of the existing floors, drywall, and piping systems, and the addition of stairs for each of the two-story condominiums. The exterior of the building will be renovated following the standards of the Secretary of the Interior in order to preserve its Mission style architecture and thus retain the historical character of the original building's exterior.

Historical Background of the Structure
The land that now contains the structure at 43551 Mission Boulevard was originally part of Mission San Jose. Sometime after the Mission period, the land came into private hands and was purchased by the Mission San Jose School District in 1913 (Holmes, 1997). The Mission Elementary School has experienced several types of use and occupation. The building functioned as an elementary school from 1915 until 1956, when a larger school was completed on Bryant Street. The Mission Elementary School building was then used as Fremont's first City Hall from 1956 to 1968. From the late 1960s until 1997, the basement of the building was used as a restaurant, and the upper floor contained commercial space, housing at various times a bookstore, a hang glider flying school, a curio shop, a florist shop, and the studio for a music instructor (Regina Dinney, personal communication 1998).

A Mission-style elementary school was originally designed for the Newark School District by Mr. Alfred Griffin (James Griffin, personal communication 1998). James Griffin, grandson of the builder, has suggested that Alfred's mother, Minnie Griffin (a local artist), may have collaborated on the original design. Newark did not purchase the design, but it was later simplified and used as the basis for the Mission Elementary School (at 43551 Mission Boulevard) and possibly the Niles Elementary School. The two schools are similar in design and were both built by the architect's father, Frank Griffin (a local contractor), and his brothers Lee and Randolph (two carpenters) in 1913 and 1912, respectively. The Mission Elementary School was initially stuccoed with an early pumping system, which proved to be ineffective, necessitating the reapplication of stucco by hand.

As a result, Frank Griffin lost money completing the school (James Griffin, personal communication 1998).

Alfred Griffin, the architect of the Mission Elementary School, was a native of Fremont.

When Essanay Films came to Niles in 1912, Alfred became a set designer and builder for Gilbert M. Anderson. As one of the founders of Essanay Films, Anderson would eventually direct and/or star in many of Essanay's several hundred early western films as Broncho Billy, the first cowboy film hero. Charlie Chaplin made five films with Essanay when it was based in Niles, including "The Tramp." Alfred Griffin built housing for Essanay Films and possibly their studio building (James Griffin, personal communication 3 1998). When Essanay Films ceased production in Niles and moved to Hollywood in 1916, Alfred Griffin went with them, and he continued to work for a number of years as a set designer for the company.

The Mission Elementary School has a well-established chronology (circa 1913), and it is in good physical condition. The property is currently owned by Santa Clara Development, and the structure is vacant.

HISTORIC EVALUATION
Primary Historic Resources, City of Fremont
The structure at 43551 Mission Street is listed on the Primary Historic Resources Inventory (1991) for the City of Fremont. This inventory list was first developed by Council Resolution 5463 in 1982. The list is currently organized into Planning Areas designated by the City in 1989, and it is ordered by major time periods in Fremont history.

The school building is listed within the Mission San Jose Planning Area. It falls within the Church, School, and Government category for this area. Buildings on the Inventory that are also listed under this category in the Mission San Jose Planning Area include: St.

Joseph's Catholic Cemetery (Durham and Mission location), St. Joseph's Catholic School (removed to San Mateo), the Washington College site, Christian College, Curtner Seminary, Anderson Military Academy, and the Giles home site. Of these structures, only the Giles home site is listed on the California Register of Historic Resources.

California Register of Historic Resources Criteria
The California Register of Historic Resources (CRHR) is an authoritative listing and guide used to identify and protect existing historical resources within the state. A cultural resource is considered "significant" for the state if it qualifies as eligible for listing in the California Register of Historic Resources (CRHR). Properties that are eligible for listing in the CRHR must meet one or more of the following criteria:

1. Association with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of local or regional history or the cultural heritage of California or the United States;

2. Association with the lives of persons important to local, California, or national history;

3. Embodying the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or method of construction, or representing the work of a master, or possessing high artistic values; or

4. Has yielded, or has the potential to yield, information important to the prehistory or history of the local area, California, or the nation.

A property may be automatically listed in the CRHR if it is formally determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Properties that are formally determined eligible for the NRHP are those that are designated as such through one of the federal preservation programs administered by the California Office of Historic Preservation (i.e., the National Register, Tax Certification, and Section 106 review of federal undertakings).

The CRHR interprets integrity of a cultural resource as the authenticity of an historical resource's physical identity as evidenced by the survival of attributes it had during the significant period of its historical use. An historic cultural resource must retain its historic character or appearance and thus be recognizable as an historic resource. Integrity is 4 evaluated by examining the subject's location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. If the subject has retained these qualities, it may be said to have integrity. It is possible that a cultural resource may not retain sufficient integrity to be listed in the National Register of Historic Places yet still be eligible for listing in the CRHR. If a cultural resource retains the potential to convey significant historicaVscientific data, it may be said to retain sufficient integrity for potential listing in the CRHR.

The Mission Elementary School is not currently listed on the California Register of Historical Resources. This structure does, however, qualify as potentially eligible for listing on the CRHR under criteria 1, 2, 3, and 4 described above. The Mission Elementary School structure was the third school built in the Fremont area, and it was the first City Hall in Fremont. Due to the structure's association with these events that have contributed to local and regional history, it qualifies as significant under criterion 1 above.

In addition, the structure is associated with Alfred Griffin, an original set designer with Essanay Films. This film company made several famous silent films, including those starring Broncho Billy and Charlie Chaplin (e.g., "The Tramp"). Due to the association with a famous architect, the Mission Elementary School qualifies as significant under criterion 2 above. The Mission Elementary School structure also embodies distinctive, large scale characteristics of Mission style architecture, and this structure is the dominant feature of its neighborhood. These two characteristics qualify it as significant under criterion 3. Finally, the structure at 43551 Mission Boulevard has the potential to yield information important to the local history of the area; its history has not been fully researched and documented, and thus it provides the opportunity to investigate the historic roles of the first schools in the Fremont area and the original founders of the City of Fremont (criterion 4).

In addition to meeting each of the criteria for significance outlined in the CRHR, the Mission Elementary School building retains integrity on its exterior, as this building has not been moved from its original location and it conveys information about the design, materials, and workmanship of the original building. The interior of the building retains partial integrity, as the building retains its interior architectural forms (e.g., the main central stairwell and many original windows).

National Register Criteria
The National Register of Historic Places was first established in 1966, with major revisions in 1976. The register is set forth in 36 CFR 60 which establishes the responsibilities of the State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPO), standards for their staffs and review boards, and describes the statewide survey and planning process for historic preservation. Within this regulation guidelines are set forth concerning the National Register of Historic Places (36 CFR 60.6). In addition, further regulations are found in 36 CFR 63-66 and 800 which define procedures for determination of eligibility, identification of historic properties, recovery, reporting, and protection procedures.

The guidelines set forth in the National Register of Historic Places were established to recognize resources associated with the accomplishments of all peoples who have contributed to the country's history and heritage. These guidelines provide a process for Federal and State agencies to nominate cultural resources to the National Register. The integrity and significance of a resource are important in the nomination process. Integrity applies to specific items such as location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. Quality of significance in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture is present in resources that possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association, and meet at least one of the following criteria:
5 a. that are associated with events that have made a significant contribution to broad patterns of our history;
b. that are associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; c. that embody distinctive characteristics of type, period, or method of construction, or that represent the work of master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction;
d. that have yielded, or are likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.

The Mission Elementary School is not currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This structure does, however, qualify as potentially eligible for listing on the National Register under criteria A, B, C, and D described above. The structure was constructed circa 1913; therefore the structure is approximately 85 years old, exceeding the required age of fifty years for National Register eligibility.

Criterion A relates to the association of the structure with broad patterns of history evaluated within the local context. The Mission Elementary School was the third school constructed in the Fremont area, and it was used as the first City Hall when Fremont was founded. The Mission Elementary School's association with these social/economic periods in the area's history contributes to the resource's historical significance.

Criterion B relates to the building's association with significant personalities of the past.

This structure was designed by Mr. Alfred Griffin who was an original set designer for Essanay Films, which was made famous with Broncho Billy films and Charlie Chaplin films such as "The Tramp." In addition, Alfred Griffin was the architect for the Niles Elementary School. Therefore, Alfred Griffin was a significant person in the history of both Fremont and Niles, as he designed significant structures in these two communities and he designed sets for an early, well-known film company, Essanay Films.

Criterion C relates to the distinctive physical characteristics of the building. The Mission Elementary School structure is the dominant feature of its neighborhood. It embodies large scale architectural characteristics that are distinctive of the Mission style which is relatively uncommon in the San Francisco Bay Area, although it is more frequent in Mission Districts. In addition, the structure was originally stuccoed with an early pumping system, which proved to be ineffective, necessitating a second stucco application by hand.

Although the first stucco application failed, the Mission Elementary School provides an example of how this early technological innovation was used. The rarity and uniqueness of the architectural style of this building combined with its original stucco application qualify it as significant under Criterion C.

Criterion D relates to potential archaeological resources associated with the site, and the potential for the site to reveal additional information about this period in history. As noted above, the Mission Elementary School property was originally part of Mission San Jose and it came into private hands sometime before the school was built. These two periods of the property's use are as yet not completely documented. Thus, the potential does exist for encountering historic archaeological materials from either of these periods in subsurface deposits within the property boundaries. These archaeological materials may reveal a great deal more about the activities carried out on the property when it was part of Mission San Jose and/or the land's use when it was private property prior to the construction of the school building on the property. In addition, the structure functioned as the first City Hall of Fremont, and therefore current and future researchers may wish to study the Mission Elementary School in terms of its contributions to the beginnings of the City of Fremont. 6 The final consideration in the evaluation process is an assessment of the architectural and historical integrity of the building in terms of alteration and deterioration. As can be seen in comparison of historic and current photographs of the structure, very little apparent exterior alteration has taken place. Alteration of the interior was carried out at various times in the past (e.g., when the building was converted from a school to City Hall). However, the original stairwells, wood paneling, some original wood flooring, and the original windows on the structure are still in place. There are certainly some signs of wear, but structural, as well as historical and architectural integrity on the exterior are well intact.

CONCLUSION
The Mission Elementary School retains a high degree of integrity as an historic structure in the City of Fremont. The structure was constructed circa 1913 on lands that were formerly a part of Mission San Jose, and the school building has been well-maintained over the years. The Mission Elementary School exemplifies not only large-scale Mission style architecture which is relatively rare in the San Francisco Bay area, it was also originally stuccoed with an early, innovative, application technology. The school was also designed by an important figure in Niles and Fremont, Mr. Alfred Griffin. Mr. Griffin designed both the Mission Elementary School and the Niles Elementary School, and he worked as a set designer for Essanay Films. This film company became well-known due to its production of films starring Charlie Chaplin (e.g., "The Tramp") and the first cowboy film hero, Broncho Billy. The Mission Elementary School was later adapted for use as the first City Hall in Fremont. The school is thus an important landmark in the City of Fremont due to its association with significant persons and events and its relatively rare architectural style. Based on the historical background of this structure, it qualifies as potentially eligible for inclusion in both the National Register of Historic Places and the California Register of Historic Resources.

The Mission Elementary School conveys significant information regarding the early history of the Fremont area as well as the founding of the City of Fremont itself. The patterns of history described in association with the Mission Elementary School are exemplary of a region with a rich local heritage. This local landmark is only one of many that continue to provide glimpses into Fremont's past for both current and future generations. 7 LITERATURE CITED AND CONSULTED
Country Club of Washington Township Research Committee
1950 History of Washington Township. Stanford University Press.

Dinney, Regina
1998 Personal communication with Archaeological Resource Management regarding the history of the building at 43551 Mission Boulevard in the City of Fremont.

Griffin, James R.
1998 Personal communication with Archaeological Resource Management regarding the history of the building at 43551 Mission Boulevard in the City of Fremont.

Holmes, Philip
1997 Two Centuries of Mission San Jose. Fremont, CA: Museum of Local History.

Holmes, Philip and Rose Dolores
1983 Reflections: The Educational Heritage of Frerrwnt. Fremont, CA: Museum of Local History.

McAlester, Virginia and Lee
1984 A Field Guide to American Houses. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Ockerman, Philip
1989 Thirty Years of Fremont. Mission Peak Heritage Foundation.

Thompson & West
1878 Historical Atlas of Alameda County. Thompson & West.

Weed, Cecilia
1998 Personal communication with Archaeological Resource Management regarding the history of the building at 43551 Mission Boulevard in the City of Fremont.
8 9
Washington Blvd.

Ellsworth Mission
I ► .=-1
Anza Street
Mission Elementary
School
Cedar Street
Not to scale
APPENDIX 1:

Qualifications of Archaeological Resource Management

QUALIFICATIONS OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Archaeological Resource Management has been specifically engaged in cultural resource management projects in central California since 1977. The firm is owned and supervised by Dr. Robert Cartier, the Principal Investigator. Dr. Cartier is certified by the Society of Professional Archaeologists (SOPA) for conducting cultural resource investigations as well as other specialized work in archaeology.

The National Park Service has outlined the requirements for cultural resource professionals in 36 CFR Part 61. Thus, the following standards are based upon these National Park Service requirements with some modifications for local cultural resource specialists. In order to qualify as a professional historian, the minimum professional qualifications in history are a graduate degree in history or a closely related field; or a bachelor's degree in history or closely related field plus one of the following:

1. At least two years of full-time experience in research, writing, teaching, interpretation, or other demonstrable professional activity with an academic professional institution, historic organization, agency, or museum.

2. Substantial research and publication in the field of history.

3. Registered professional historian with the California Committee for the Promotion of History (CCPH).

Dr. Cartier meets the professional qualifications in history, as he holds a Bachelor's degree, a Master's degree, and a Ph.D. in anthropology, a field closely related to history.

He joined the CCPH in 1986 and has 21 years of full-time experience in research, writing, and interpretation of cultural resources. Dr. Cartier has authored and co-authored several notable historical publications for the central California area, including: The Saint Patrick's Seminary Historic Trash Site (1997); Villa Torino: Historic Archaeology Phase I Excavations (1994); Evaluation of Cultural Resources and Determination for National Register Eligibility for the Buena Vista Adobe Project (1994); The Old Stone Building: Its History and Archaeology (1986); and The Archaeological Investigations at CA-MNT- 1243H: The Estrada Adobe in Monterey, California (1985). Each of these published works involved extensive research and evaluation of historical cultural resources. He was originally trained in historic research and historic archaeology by Professor Frank Hole of Rice University in the 1970s and published the monograph Part I, History of the McCormick League and Areas Adjoining the San Jacinto Battleground (1972).

Dr. Cartier has also carried out historic structure photodocumentation for many projects in the Bay area. These projects have included both medium and large format photography in accordance with guidelines outlined by local agencies and/or following the photographic standards of the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS). He has taught field methods in archaeology at De Anza College since 1975, with several studies of local historic structures and deposits.

APPENDIX 2:

Department of Parks and Recreation Form
State of California - The Resources Agency

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
Office of Historic Preservation
Historic Resources Inventory
Identification and Location Ser. No.

National Register Status
Survey Ref. No. O 1
Local designation City Landmark
1 . Historic name Mission Elementary School & Original Fremont City Hall ____________ ...._ ______________________ _ • 2 . Common name or current name _________ O_l_d_M_i_s_s_io_n_S_c_h_o_o_l _______ _ • 3 . Number & street 43551 Mission Boulevard Cross-corridor ---------------------- -------
City Vicinity only -------- -------Fremont Zip 9 4 5 3 9 County · Alameda

4. UTM Zone _ __._1 .... 0 __ A 5 95 720mE B 41 53 920mN c ______ D _____ _

5. Quad map No. __ N_i_le_s_ Parcel No.

Description

6. Property Category building
513-0610-037-05 Other
If district, number of
documented resources
513-0610-037-03
next to Mission San Jose Dist.
• 7. Briefly describe the present physical appearance of the property, including condition, boundaries, related features, surroundings, and (if appropriate) architectural style.

The property contains a large, two story Mission-style structure. The structure is an "I" shape with a central bell tower and twin wings featuring copinged mission parapets with quatrefoil louvered vents. The vents have turned spindle wooden grilles. The bell tower has a tiled roof, whereas the majority of the structure has composition roofing. The overall exterior of the structure is covered with stucco.

8. Planning agency
City of Fremont

9. Owner Address
Santa Clara Development
1978 The Alameda
San Jose, CA 951 26
1 0. Type of Ownership
Private
1 1 . Present Use
vacant

12. Zoning
unknown
1 3. Threats
re novation/redev e lopm e nt
• Complete these items for historic preservation compliance projects under Section 106 (36 CFR 800).

All items must be completed for historical resources survey information.

Department of Parks and Recreation 523 Form
Mission Elementary School Building
43551 Mission Boulevard, Fremont, CA
#7 continued:

Attachment
second story side entrances, which are centrally located, have been altered from their original form as windows with decorative pediments to pedimented doors. The pediments were probably made by the builder's father-in-law, A. L. Ricks, a wheelright and Fremont pioneer (Griffin, 1998). When these pedimented side windows were replaced by double doors, wooden double staircases were added, perhaps during the improvements carried out between 1935 and 1937 (Holmes, 1997). The first story central side entries have pilasters and probably had paneled double doors with windows when the building was first constructed, but have since been replaced by modem, plain, wooden doors. There are two wooden framed entrances at the rear of the building and one secondary side entrance at the Northwest comer of the building, all of which appear to have been added after 1935.

There are no supporting buildings associated with this structure. At the time of this evaluation, large front and side lawns existed on the property. In addition, several mature cypress trees framed the building, and pine and palm trees were present on the property.

Survey Ref. No. O 1 ---Historical Information
• 1 4. Construction date(s) 1 91 3 F Original location ___ sa=me~-- Date moved ____ _ 1 5. Alterations & date re-bracing and improvements (1935)· additions of a new audjtorluro wt stage and kitchen1 a gym1 a winter playroom1 and addition of tennis and basketball courts and baseball diamonds plus earthquake proofing of entire building 1937

16. Architect Alfred Griffin Builder Frank Griffin -------------- _____ ..;...;.~;..;_.;;;;.;.;..;_;..;_ ____ _ 1 7. Historic attributes (with number from list) ...;1...;.4_&;:;;_1.;..;;5;...,_ ____________ _ Significance and Evaluation
1 8. Context for evaluation: Theme Horticulture Area next to Mission San Jose Period 1870-1918 Property Type school/City Hall Context formally developed? __ _ • 1 9. Briefly discuss the property's importance within the context. Use historical and architectural analysis as appropriate. Compare with similar properties.

The structure at 43551 Mission Boulevard is not currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This structure does, however, qualify as potentially eligible for listing on the National Register under criteria A, 8, C, and D described above.

The structure was constructed circa 1913; therefore the structure is approximately 85 years old, exceeding the required age of fifty years for National Register eligibility.

Criterion B relates to the building's association with significant personalities of the past. This structure was designed by Mr.

Alfred Griffin who was an original set designer for Essanay Films, which was made famous with Broncho Billy films and Charlie (continued on attachment)
2 O . Sources:

McAlester & McAlester (1984) A Field Guide to American Houses, New York: Alfred A. Knopf.

Holmes, Philip (1997) Two Centuries of Mission San Jose, Fremont, CA: Museum of Local History.

Holmes, Philip and Rose Dolores (1983) Reflections: The Educational Heritage of Fremont, Fremont, CA: Museum of Local Historv.
21 . Applicable National Register criteria
A. B, C, & D
2 2. Other recognition qualifies for CRHR
State Landmark No. (if applicable) ___ _
2 3. Evaluator Riordan Goodwin, Vicki Kobza
Date of evaluation November 1998

24. Survey type Historical Evaluation

25. Survey name Old Mission School Survey
2 6. Year form prepared 1 9 9 8
By (name) Vicki Kobza
Organization A.R.M.

Address 496 North Fifth Street
--------------------City & Zip San Jose, CA 95112
-----------'--'------Phone _____ 4 ...... 0_,8..._-__ 2__.9 ... 5..._-..... 1....,3 __ 7_.3,.__ __ _ Washington Blvd.
~
Ellsworth
I ►
Mission
:vd.l
Anza Street
Old Mission
School~~
Cedar Street
- I
Department of Parks and Recreation 523 Form
Mission Elementary School
43551 Mission Boulevard, Fremont, CA
#19 continued:

Attachment
Chaplin films such as "The Tramp." In addition, Alfred Griffin was the architect for the Niles Elementary School. Therefore, Alfred Griffin was a significant person in the history of both Fremont and Niles, as he designed significant structures in these two communities and he designed early sets for a well-known film company, Essanay Films.

Criterion C relates to the distinctive physical characteristics of the building. The Mission Elementary School structure is the dominant feature of its neighborhood. It embodies large scale architectural characteristics that are distinctive of the Mission style which is relatively uncommon in the San Francisco Bay Area, although it is more frequent in the Mission Districts. In addition, the structure was originally stuccoed with an early pumping system, which proved to be ineffective, necessitating a second stucco application by hand.

Although the first stucco application failed, the Mission Elementary School provides an example of how this early technological innovation in stucco application was used. The rarity and uniqueness of the architectural style of this building combined with its original stucco application qualify it as significant under Criterion C.

The final consideration in the evaluation process is an assessment of the architectural and historical integrity of the building in terms of alteration and deterioration. As can be seen in comparison of historic and current photographs of the structure, very little apparent exterior alteration has taken place. Alteration of the interior was carried out at various times in the past (e.g., when the building was converted from a school to City Hall). However, the original stairwells, wood paneling, some original wood flooring, and the original windows on the structure are still in place. There are certainly some signs of wear, but structural, as well as historical and architectural integrity on the exterior are well intact.

APPENDIX 3:

Historic Photos of the Mission Elementary School
Mission Elementary School ca. l 9 l 5- l 920s (picture from Holmes & Rose, 1983). Note hitching post/railings.
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Mission Elementary School ca. 1930s- l 940s? (picture from Holmes, 1997). Note picket fence and mature trees.

APPENDIX 4:

Current Photographs of the Mission Elementary School
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hoto 1: Front of structure at 43551 Mission Boulevard showing the stairs and bell tower. View is to the west.

Photo 2: Front of structure showing landscaping. View is to the west. t"'noto :;: Front of structure showing the front lawn and landscaping.

View is to the northwest
Photo 4: Front view of the south wing of the structure looking northwest.· Photo 5: Front view of the north wing of the structure looking south. ~ Photo 6: Front of structure looking southwest.
lPhoto 7: Detailed side view of entrance. View is to the southwest.

Photo 8: Detailed front view of entrance. View is to the west.

Photo 9: Detailed view of bell tower. View is to the west looking sk ward. ·
Photo 10: Detailed view of door on north end of structure showing original pediment with subsequent door and stairway addition. View is to the east.

Photo 11: Back of structure looking to the northeast.

Photo 12: Second story hallway inside the structure. View is to the south.

Photo 13: Detailed view of stairwell in the southern end of the structure.

View is to the south.

Photo 15: Front of structure looking to the southwest.
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[::::.Front of structure and central courtyard. View is to the northwest. i!"'
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Bell tower. View is to the southwest and skyward.
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Front of st.ructure showing st.airs and bell tower. View is to the west.. . II ,✓·-.,
Photo 19: Detailed view of original double hung, wood sash windows on the fronl of the structure. View is to the west.

Photo 18: North front palio. View is to the northwest.
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Photo 21: Back of structure looking to the southeast. Photo 20: Northern end of structure looking to the southeast.

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fr.hoto 23: Detailed view of the back of the structure showing bell tower. View is l lo the north.
~ Photo 22: Back of structure looking to the east ]
[i>hoto 25: Sou~l~crn c,;d of stnu:tu~c. looking ~~ the nor~h. . : . • I Photo 24: Detailed view of quatrefoil louvered vent with turned spindled. wooden •rills on the back of the southern win.a:. View is to the east Photo 27: Second sLory hallway inside the structure. View is to the north. Photo 26: Second story hallway and front entrance inside the structure. View is the north.

Photo 28: Detail view of stairwell inside the southern end of the structure. View · to the north.

Fremont City CouncilJune 6, 2023

Fremont City Council
June 6, 2023