3. Mills Act Project Description
333 Randolph Street
Napa, California 94559
THE MERRELL HOUSE
Constructed by Samuel Baldwin (1825-1907) and Sarah Ann (McCormick, 1825-1891) Merrell (also found in historic records as Merrill)) after acquiring the property in 1877, this Italianate residence has been part of Napa's historic environment since the early development of homes in this historic district. Newspaper accounts referred to it as the "Merrell House," and following its sale to George W. Lord in 1903, the front façade was remodeled, marking a second significant period in the property's evolution. The house and contributing garage, originally serving as a barn and outhouse, remain contributing resources within the Napa Abajo/Fuller Park Historic District, with the circa 1903 remodeling recognized as part of the property's historic development.
The Merrell House has survived for nearly 150 years because successive owners chose stewardship over replacement. Following a period of vacancy in the mid-1970s, the residence was rehabilitated rather than lost, and later owners continued to care for and restore its historic character. While the house appears to be in good condition, that appearance reflects the quality of its original design and the many years of continued stewardship. Historic homes require ongoing maintenance, restoration, and thoughtful rehabilitation - not always because they are in decline, but to keep them from declining.
This Mills Act Agreement will support that ongoing stewardship through a planned program of preservation and rehabilitation. The proposed Ten Year Rehabilitation Plan includes projects such as exterior woodwork, historic windows, lighting, roofing, and other character-defining features that will protect the house's historic integrity and help ensure that the Merrell House is preserved for future generations.
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