Historical Properties

337 B Street Built in 1894, this Victorian cottage predates the establishment of the University Farm and the subdivision of the area into residential lots. It is an example of a simple Queen Anne and is one of two pre-20th century houses in what is now the University area, the other being the Eggleston house on 3rd (# 17). The structure was built by the McDonald family and when the area was subdivided for housing it was known as the McDonald subdivision. The house was purchased from the McDonalds by current Davis residents Scott and Leslie Gordon, who bought it in the 1970’s when they were first married and lived in it prior to a move to the Bay area.

232 B Street John Jacobson, a carpenter employed by the University, built this one story bungalow, which fuses the Craftsman with the Colonial Revival styles in 1914. He also built other houses in the neighborhood, mainly working for professors he met on campus. He lived in this house until 1919 when it was purchased by James Wilson, professor of Animal Husbandry at the University. The Wilson’s added the second story in 1923 and the building served as the Wilson family home for many years. In 1925, Professor Wilson became the first chair of the Davis Planning Commission and served in that capacity for 12 years. (Lofland, Pg 101, 106)

310 A Street This modest one and a half story shingled Craftsman bungalow is significant because of its simple but fine design and because of its association with an early Davis family. It was built in 1911 by Albert N. Greive and his wife “Jakie” after coming to Davis in 1890 and opening a livery stable. In 1898, they built their first hotel which burned in 1906, and a second, the four story Buena Vista, also burned in 1918. Both hotels had served as important social centers and the Greives, especially Jakie, were heavily involved in community affairs. For example, at the time of the legislative action (1911) which banned alcohol in Davis due to its potentially negative impact on students, Governor Hiram Johnson held a special hearing on the issue, inviting both sides to speak. Jakie, owner of the Buena Vista Hotel with its bar, feeling betrayed after she and other saloon owners had vigorously supported the drive to bring the University Farm to Davisville, told the Governor that “residents would rather have the saloons than the farm if a choice had to be made between the two” (Lofland, Page 56). A daughter born in 1889, Vere Grieve Asbill, was also quite active in the community and in her youth played “mood music” for the first silent films shown in Davis. (Note: As is not uncommon in historical records, a lack of consistency exists relative to names of these parties. The Davis Register of Historic Places, the primary reference for these descriptions, refers to Jack Grieve and his wife “Jackie,” but in “Davisville ’68” (Larkey, Page 171), the reference is to Albert N. and his wife “Jakie”. Two spellings, Grieve and Greive, are also indicated in Davisville ’68.)

619 4th Street This vernacular Classical Revival house was built in 1884 by William H. Hampton, owner of the Davisville Lumber Company and an elder and bookkeeper for the Davisville Presbyterian Church (Davis Community Church). It served as the first manse (pastor’s residence) of the church and the first occupant was Rev. J. E. Anderson. It was converted into a community center for students in 1924, but later sold to private owners and returned to residential use. In 1928 it was the home of Rev. Martin Fiske, pastor of the Davis Community Church from 1920 – 1933. Rev. Fiske was responsible for raising funds for the construction of the church building at 4th and C Streets (# 2) in 1926.

923 3rd Street This modest one story vernacular house derives its significance from its early pioneer associations and its careful architectural design. The home was built and occupied by Andrew and Louisa Glocker Montgomery. Andrew was one of 14 children of an early Yolo farmer, Alexander Montgomery, who farmed a section of land where the Willowbank and Oakside subdivisions are now located. Louisa was the daughter of Charles Glocker, a German immigrant, who farmed 640 acres in the North Putah District. Their daughter, Marguerite, was a revered school teacher in Davis for whom the Marguerite Montgomery Elementary School is named. Located in one of Davis’ early residential areas, the house is a very fine example of the elegance which is sometimes achieved by the vernacular and is carefully proportioned with some exceptionally handsome details.