Blackbird lnn - Mills Act - Written Statement
Blackbird lnn
1755 First Street
Built 191 5
The original home at 1755 First Street was built in 1915. lt was American Craftsman style (AKA "California bungalow') and replaced a farmhouse which had been built sometime before 1891 . That was torn down to create the new, larger residence with a prominent front porch.
During the 1970s, the home, like many homes Downtown, was converted to office use. ln 2000, it was purchased by Scott Warren to be extensively restored, expanded, and converted into a Bed & Breakfast. At the time, the building was being used as the office of ttrlalloy lnsurance. Scott actually moved into the building with his dogs during construction to make sure the construction site was protected. At the time, the area was much more dangerous and at night, Scott saw candles in the wlndows of the then derelict Noyes l\4ansion across the street where squatters were sleeping.
Additional square footage was added to the south side of the building to make it usable as an 8-room bed & breakfast. Each of the rooms had to be given a private bathroom.
Even the basement was expanded to provide enough space for laundry and kitchen.
The Blackbird lnn opened in the summer of 2001, although Warren spent years finishing architectural details of the Craftsman-style building. This was the second project in Napa for Warren. He previously remodeled and expanded another craftsman style house at 1795 3rd Street. As is the practice in the Craftsman movement, a.s much as possible, parts of the building are handmade by an artisan or craftsman. Scott drew inspiration from the Greene & Greene architectural firm who famously designed many significant Arts & Crafts homes in California.
Finch Guest House
Formerly 952 Jefferson Street
ln 2015, Scott Warren and Bart Jones purchased the 1890 Eastlake Victorian Queen Anne cottage located along the southern property line of the Blackbird lnn. The original house had also been converted into office use in the 1960s-70s. At the time of the August 2014 earthquake, it was being used by Mais Oui day spa. The exterior trim was so deteriorated that some pieces simply came off in your hand with little effort. The building interior had to completely remodeled reusing old materials wherever possible.
Former attic space was converted into Room 12, a king suite which occuples the entire second floor. Three more rooms were created on the main floor, bringing the total number of guest rooms in the two buildings to 12.
As with the Blackbird lnn, Warren was the primary carpenter and craftsman for Finch Guest House. This time, he worked with woodwork from the 1890s. The front, west- facing facade of this building, stjll retains most of its original Queen Anne details. Warren ATTACHMENT 2
restored the original features by hand and hewed replicas for the lost or deteriorated pieces. The new north side entrance was built to align with the parking loUprimary entrance to Blackbird lnn. The new entrance and modifications to the other sides of the building followed the Secretary of lnterior guidelines. Although it blends perfectly with the style of the building, the details are unique and do not duplicate the original historic details of the original west facade.
Due to the expansion of Jefferson Street in 1966, both the Blackbird lnn and Finch Guest House buildings lost strips of their yards which became the easternmost lane of Jefferson Street. This is why the main chimney of Blackbird lnn is right against the sidewalk. At the time that the Finch GH was converted to office use, the City required that the original driveway off of Jefferson Street be removed for traffic safety. The only access by car was from College Street and cars had to park at the back of the building in a parking lot shared with two other houses converted to office buildings. For this reason, and to make it easier for guests to walk between the two buildings, the new entrance was added on the north side.
The interior was in poor condition, particularly the kitchen. ln the 2014 Napa earthquake, brick from the oven chimney inside the interior wall, exploded through the wall. The main building also suffered significant damage in the earthquake. The main chimney on Jefferson Street fell away from the building and completely collapsed into a pile of bricks that covered the sidewalk and the easternmost lane of Jefferson Street for days. The second chimney broke off and landed on the roof, but did not crash through it. Three upper story balconies were damaged.
Due to the parking lot, very little open land existed on the Finch parcel. Unneeded asphalt was removed to open it up as much as possible. Warren designed and cultivated a year-round ornamental garden, utilizing every square foot of available land. He surrounded it with a white picket fence as was common in the Victorian Era. He also designed and built a Victorian inspired carriage house that incorporates a gazebo as a welcoming outdoor dining space for Blackbird lnn guests. Landscape lighting was added on both parcels and lighting from inside Finch is now visible (since it is now a B&B, the buildings are no longer dark at night like the other office buildings). This has improved the appearance and the security of guests and pedestrians. These elements greatly improved the streetscape on the west side of Jefferson Street in the entire stretch between 1st and 2nd Streets. The Finch Guest House was completed and ready for business at the very end of 20'19.
Although over 15 years had passed between the restoration and remodeling of the two buildings, in addition to Warren, three other longtime Napa residents significantly contributed to both buildings:
Clifford Simpkins a long time Napa architect, acted as architect for the conversion of the main building in 2000-2001 . As he had retired by 2015, Simpkins provided the basic floor plan to convert of Finch into four additional suites for the Inn. A master at adapting existing buildings to new use, he hand sketched the floor plan on a piece of vellum before the building sale was even negotiated.
Ken Boyd, a local Napa artisan, created stained glass windows and partitions throughout both buildings. His stained glass work is prominently displayed in all entrances of both buildings, the exterior of Finch Guest House Room '10 (facing Jefferson Street), and Page ZBlackbird lnn - Mills Act - Written Statement
ATTACHMENT 2
ln 2001, Napa County Landmarks selected the Blackbird lnn as an Award of Merit recipient for historic preservation. The main building was featured in Napa County Landmark's Holiday Candlelight Tour in 2001 and 2012. ln 2023, both buildings were in the tour (we even made the cover of the brochure).
The Blackbird lnn is located at the intersection of 1st and Jefferson Streets. The area has been proposed for decades to become a "First & Jefferson Historic District". The direction of First Street was reversed between 29 Freeway and Jefferson Street, and cars often are stopped at the traffrc ljght. First & Jefferson has become a very prominent intersection that marks the beginning of Downtown coming from the freeway. Given that the intersection has historic buildings in good states of repair and restoration on all four corners, it benefits Napa to ensure that the Blackbird lnn and Finch Guest House, and the surrounding grounds, be well maintained.
The cost for maintenance, in particular the painting of Finch Guest House is very expensive. Due to modern paint formulations, the paint does not hold up for very long.
This is particularly true of the west facing facades of both buildings. The historic facade of Finch Guest House gets blasted by sun and wind and needs to be frequently touched up. The maintenance schedule is such that we are basically painting or refinishing something on the exterior every year. My Rehabilitation/Restoration Plan includes the approximate schedule and costs for repainting. This isn't an exact schedule since the need to repaint varies depending on weather, the direction that the walls face, and amount of exposure.
E -3\-LL( 8- sa- t
Bart Jone Scott Warren
Blackbird lnn - Mills Act - Written Statement Page 3
upstairs on the north side of the main building. lnside, his work is featured on the interior of the Living Room/Dining Room of the main building. He created some of the pendant lights and a piece for the front sign of Blackbird lnn. Ken's stained glass pieces are on the doors to every single guestroom in the main building.
The late lvlark Connor. did concrete and foundation work for hundreds of Napa homes over decades. He participated in the restoration work of many of Napa's historical buildings. Connor did the concrete and foundation work for both buildings.
There are many unique features in both buildings. The foundation of the main building is faced with local river rock, to tie it into the surrounding natural environment. The two posts at the new Finch GH entrance were made from recycled posts of the redwood fence that originally separated the two buildings. The picket fencing in front of Finch GH has a unique bird design (due to the names Blackbird and Finch) which is echoed in the trim in the new entrance to Finch.
{.--
ATTACHMENT 2
F
irst StreetJefferson
College
Jefferson
First Street
S
econd Street
905-907 929
1 801
952
1 737-17391755
S
UBJECT
PROPERTY
1 792 1778
Vi
cinity Map
N
S
ite
ATTACHMENT 2
HISTORIC RESOURCES DESIGN GUIDELINES
FINAL [10130A]
9 MARCH 2012 64
APN
003193007000
YEAR BUIL
T
1915
ARCHITECT
Unknown
STYLE
C
raftsman
USE
R
esidential / Commercial Conversion (Bed-and-Breakfast)
CHRSC 3S, 5S3
NOTES
Located within potential F
irst & Jefferson Streets Historic District
KA
TCHER HOUSE / BLACKBIRD INN
1755 First Street
Ga
ble roof supported by knee braces
with prominent brick chimey
Multi-light wood frame windows
Front porch with battered columns
and river stone base
Maintain front setback
ATTACHMENT 2
DOWNTOWN NAP
A
NAPA, CALIFORNIA
HISTORIC RESOURCES
DESIGN GUIDELINES
65 P
age &
Turnbull
R
etain
à R
estored appearance
à T
wo-story massing
à C
raftsman style details
E
xposed rafter tails
S
imple front porch supported by battered
columns on river stone bases
W
ood shingle cladding
M
ulti-light windows
P
artially glazed entry door
S
ide gable roof supported by brackets
E
xterior end, brick chimneys which feature
decorative brick detailing
Consider
à S
impler window awnings (e.g. single dark color;
supported by brackets)
à R
etaining existing type and placement of
commercial signage
Avoid
à A
ddition of architectural details that create a
false sense of historical development
à C
onversion of landscape into surface parking or
other commercial use
à A
dditions that overpower the building
Additions & Adjacent New Construction
à O
pportunities for new construction may exist
on the surface parking lot located south of the
subject building and the non-historic building
(6Z status code) to the east.
à A
dditions should not interfere with roofline.
Rear one-story additions are recommended
although a one-story addition to the east of the
building is possible so long as it is set back from
the primary façade of the building on First
Street.
à M
aintain the existing open space between the
subject building and Jefferson Street to the west.
à A
djacent development to the east should be two
or fewer stories; the height should not exceed
that of the subject building.
à D
ue to its location within the potential First
& Jefferson Streets National Register Historic
District, alterations and additions to the Katcher
House should be treated carefully.
Historic fabric on Jefferson Street facade should be retained.
Detail of original art glass door.
ATTACHMENT 2
D
ecember 9th, 2023
Napa County Landmarks
32nd
Annual
Holiday Candl
elight Tour
ATTACHMENT 2
ATTACHMENT 2
Wel
come
to Napa Coun
ty Landmarks
Annual Holiday Candlelight Tour
We
lcome to an engaging exploration of our community’s rich history.
Each step is illuminated by the warm, inviting glow of candlelight, revealing the unique stories and heritage that shape our shared identity.
This event celebrates the ongoing commitment to preserving Napa’s invaluable historic residences. We express our sincere gratitude to all the homeowners for their generous spirit in opening their homes for the community’s enjoyment and to our enthusiastic volunteers that make this event possible. Your commitment inspires us all.
With heartfelt gratitude, I extend a special thank you to our devoted board members.
Your unwavering dedication and expertise profoundly enrich our mission.
To Bill Tuikka (Vice President), John Sensenbaugh (Secretary), Kara Brunzell, Jonathan Franz, Shari Kamimori, Vince Traverso, Karen Wesson, and Rebecca Yerger:
your contributions are the pillars that uphold our shared vision.
Wishing you a joyful holiday season filled with warmth, light, and cherished memories.
Happy Holidays and a Prosperous New Year!
—
Terry Wunderlich
Board President
reception site
S
t. Mary’s Episcopal Church—
Reverend Robin Denney
Rector
Sharon Arnold
Parish Administrator
Marie Paz B. Maurer
Invite, Welcome, Connect Ministry
Our Sponsors
Ristorante Allegria
Cole’s Chop House
Napa Design Partners
Terry W underlich &
Christopher W underlich
–Corcoran Icon Properties
Small W orld Restaurant
Jay Jacobson, Architect
Musicians
Performing in the church
Ingrid Foster,
Alchemy Crystal Singing Bowls
Michael Pratt, Guitar
Rylan Nikolai Bates, Piano
Event Organization
Rebecca Y erger, Event Chair
Christine Madrid French,
NCL Executive Director
Annie Schaefer, NCL Staff
Linda Corwin, Program Layout
Barry Schwartz
Photography
VIntage Cars
& Owners
Cindy and Rod Dahlgren
1953 Cadillac 4 Door Sedan
Jeanne and Keith Feigal
1952 Nash Statesman Sedan
Sharon and Al Lawson
1939 Ford Coupe
Carol and Dave Rasmussen
1937 Tudor Sedan
Roxy Chiurco
1928 Model T 2 Door
Dennis and Susan Penborn
1941 Ford Pickup
Freeland and Sabrina Tanner
1931 Chevy Coupe
Reggie and Miriam Duke
1930 Ford Model A
P
.O. BOX 267 • NAPA CALIFORNIA 94559 • 707.255.1836 • NAPACOUNTYLANDMARKS.ORG ATTACHMENT 2
1 755 First St.
2023
Holiday Candl
elight Tour
Site LocationsSe
ymour St.
Warren St.
Jefferson St.
Firs
t St.
Second St.
Third St.
Oak St.
Montgomer
y St.
Patchett St.
J
4 8
17 Seymour St.
J
J
1 2
1 755A First St.
J
5 2
1 10 Third St.
J
8 1
917 Third St.
St. Mary’s Napa
J
6 2
265 Third St.
J
7 2
288 Third St.
J
3 2
1 17 First St.
Firs
t St.
Second S
t.
Third St.
Oak S
t.
ATTACHMENT 2
v
Holiday Candl
elight Tour 2023 3
T
his home was first
o
wned by the Norton
family, who oversaw
its construction and comple-
tion in 1902. The Nortons held
a prominent and influential
position within the local com-
munity. Annah Norton was a
devout member of St. Mary’s
Episcopal Church and widely
known for her charitable
activities.
In the 1970s, the building
was turned into office space
for an insurance firm. In 2000,
it was purchased by Scott W arren, a former
real estate developer from Mill V alley, who
moved into the building with his dogs. The
Blackbird Inn opened in the summer of 2001,
but suffered from a fire shortly thereafter.
W arren spent years transforming the Crafts-
man-style building, guided by his knowledge
and love of the style. Every part of the build-
ing is handmade by an artist or a craftsman,
inspired by the Greene & Greene architectural
firm who famously designed many significant
Arts & Crafts homes in California. Each of
the eight rooms has a private bath and many
have fireplaces and private patios.
One of the talented artists who contrib-
uted to the character of the building was local
artisan Ken Boyd, who created stained glass
w
indows and partitions throughout the build-
ing. He added a personal touch by incorporat-
ing the names of Scott’s dogs into the glass
work at the entry.
The foundation of the building is faced
with local river rock, to blend into the sur-
rounding environment. Another unique
feature of the Blackbird Inn is the two sconces
flanking the fireplace. While visiting his
mother in the Chicago area, Scott toured a
Frank Lloyd Wright residence and collected
some fallen leaves from the local ginkgo trees.
Those leaves are now permanently preserved,
pressed into the sconces’ lamp shades.
In 2001, Napa County Landmarks selected
the Blackbird Inn as an Award of Merit
recipient for historic preservation.
17 55 FIRST STREET
B
lackbird Inn
Built: 1902
Owners: Scott Warren & Bart Jones
1 G
ATTACHMENT 2
I
n 2018, S
cott W arren and
Bart Jones purchased the
1890 Eastlake Victorian
Queen Anne cottage located
along the southern property
line of the Blackbird Inn. As
with the Inn, W arren was the
Finch Guest House craftsman.
The front, west-facing,
facade of this building still
retains most of its original
Queen Anne details. W arren
restored the original features
by hand and hewed replicas for the lost or
deteriorated elements. Of this work, Jones
said, “It was amazing to watch. He
(W arren) used these little tools to hand
carve the replacement decorative pieces.”
The exterior replicas include the new
north-facing, or main, entrance into the guest
house. W arren meticulously hand-crafted
these details to compliment the original
Queen Anne design elements. The interior was
in poor condition, particularly the kitchen.
Jones said, “The (2014 Napa) earthquake
caused the brick inside the wall to explode
through the wall.” The cottage also sustained
other earthquake damage. The project con-
verted the cottage interior into four guest
rooms. W arren incorporated a more masculine
look rather than a traditional Victorian
aesthetic. The result is an understated
elegance.
However, a bit of whimsy can be found
within the custom art glass window. Mixed
in amongst the finches is a diminutive U.S.S.
Enterprise spaceship of the television series
“Star Trek the Next Generation.” When asked,
Jones admitted they were “Trekkies,” or fans
of the television and film series.
To complete the look of a classic Queen
Anne home, W arren designed and cultivated
a year-round ornamental garden surrounded
by a white picket fence. He also designed and
built a Victorian inspired carriage house that
incorporates a gazebo as a welcoming outdoor
space for their guests. The Queen Anne resi-
dence turned guest house was completed and
ready for business in early 2020.
17 55A FIRST STREET
F
inch Guest House
Built: 1890
Owners: Scott Warren & Bart Jones
4 Napa Coun
ty Landmarks
v2
G
ATTACHMENT 2
J
o
hn Edward O’Neill was 25
years old with a secure posi-
tion as a teller at the Bank of
Napa when he purchased a lot in
April of 1893. It didn’t take long
before construction was under-
way in June on this Queen Anne
cottage. John was motivated to
build and furnish “one of the
neatest and most tastily arranged
cottages in this city” for his new
bride. On September 14th John
married 19-year-old Harriett
Nielsen. They spent their hon-
eymoon in Santa Cruz and then
returned to take up residence in
the newly completed cottage.
What attracted the current owners, the
LePage family, to this home was how it was
still in nearly original condition. When you
arrive at this cottage, you’ll see why it was
described in 1893 with such praise for its
design. The front steps of this Queen Anne
cottage lead to a handsome circular porch
with distinctive oval brackets. There is a
hipped roof with a gothic gable above the bay
window. Upon entering the open parlor and
dining room, note the Bradbury & Bradbury
Victorian-style wallpaper. Notice the golden
tones in the paper and how they catch the
light. The redwood woodwork throughout the
home has been painstakingly restored to its
2117 FIRST STREET
B
uilt: 1893
Owners: David & Susan LePage
ori
ginal condition. The dark amber relief tiles
and brass surround on the walnut coal burn-
ing fireplace in the dining room evoke the
many cozy family dinners enjoyed here.
There are two bedrooms which are adjoined
by a passageway that originally held a marble
washstand but is now a complete bathroom.
(Homes of this period most often had an
outhouse in the backyard). An additional
bedroom and bath have been added to complete
the home. The kitchen was recently remodeled,
keeping a vintage feel which includes a prized
antique O’Keeffe & Merritt range.
Enjoy the collection of vintage Christmas
decorations throughout as you tour this lovely
cherished Victorian home.
v3
Holiday Candl
elight Tour 2023 5
G
ATTACHMENT 2
The Napa Valley Register (Napa, California) · W ed, Oct 24, 2001 · Page 23 https://www.newspapers.com/image/565805466 Downloaded on Nov 2, 2023 Copyright © 2023 Newspapers.com. All Rights Reserved.
ATTACHMENT 2