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This home, originally the 1931 Beck House, was converted into a
Byzantine Catholic Church in 1974. The property was sold to the
current owners just over one year ago, and they have worked tirelessly
Byzantine Catholic Church in 1974. The property was sold to the
current owners just over one year ago, and they have worked tirelessly
to restore it as a beautiful single-family home again.
Prominent features of the house include the huge arched, peaked window in the front and a working bell tower above the roof line that
echoes a similar bell tower on the northeast corner of the property. These towers, as well as the stucco fence enclosing the courtyard,
are additions made by the Byzantine Church and retained by the current owners for their unique charm.
echoes a similar bell tower on the northeast corner of the property. These towers, as well as the stucco fence enclosing the courtyard,
are additions made by the Byzantine Church and retained by the current owners for their unique charm.
The property is entered through an arched gateway, leading to a front courtyard. Along the walkway are a fountain and an outdoor
fireplace – perfect for entertaining. The massive front door is original to the home, and evokes a feeling of entering a mission building.
Notice the niches, also original to the home, built in the entryway walls.
fireplace – perfect for entertaining. The massive front door is original to the home, and evokes a feeling of entering a mission building.
Notice the niches, also original to the home, built in the entryway walls.
During the restoration process, Michelle Lieberman and her husband Lew Aguilar have uncovered original coved plaster ceilings and
hardwood floors, and have meticulously restored the home. In some cases where replacement was necessary, they have painstakingly
worked to match the original features
hardwood floors, and have meticulously restored the home. In some cases where replacement was necessary, they have painstakingly
worked to match the original features
Like so many streets here in the Colony, Zeyn Street is named for one of the original vineyard colonists. When John P. Zeyn retired
from farming and subdivided his land, Anaheim gained much of the “Northpark District,” the area north of Pearson Park. Wilhelmina
Street is named for his daughter “Winnie.”
from farming and subdivided his land, Anaheim gained much of the “Northpark District,” the area north of Pearson Park. Wilhelmina
Street is named for his daughter “Winnie.”
This honeymoon cottage for Fred Backs, Jr. and his wife, Jessie Melrose,
the children of Anaheim pioneer families, was built in 1903. This home is
situated in the Melrose/Backs National Register Historic District, and is
itself listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
the children of Anaheim pioneer families, was built in 1903. This home is
situated in the Melrose/Backs National Register Historic District, and is
itself listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The house originally faced Adele Street, but was turned one quarter in 1911 to match the adjacent home to the south belonging to Mrs.
Backs’ parents. To enhance family interaction, both houses had connecting walkways and French doors facing one another.
Backs’ parents. To enhance family interaction, both houses had connecting walkways and French doors facing one another.
The decorative Victorian-style fretwork in the front parlor is not original to the house. However, since evidence existed of a decorative
element here, similar existing woodwork from the senior Backs house was copied for use here. Note the windows throughout the houses:
there are a total of 42 diamond panes.
element here, similar existing woodwork from the senior Backs house was copied for use here. Note the windows throughout the houses:
there are a total of 42 diamond panes.
A southern addition was built, most likely in the late 1920s, that served for a time as a separate rental property with its own entrance.
In the adjoining wall of what is now the dining room, notice the top of the original kitchen window frame rising above the beautiful
built-in cabinetry, as well as the wood stove vent in the ceiling.
In the adjoining wall of what is now the dining room, notice the top of the original kitchen window frame rising above the beautiful
built-in cabinetry, as well as the wood stove vent in the ceiling.
Keith and Judy Olesen, the owners since 1986, have been active in historic preservation efforts for over 15 years. They have maintained
this home’s unique character which, as would not be unexpected for the time period, is a blend of Victorian and Craftsman elements.
this home’s unique character which, as would not be unexpected for the time period, is a blend of Victorian and Craftsman elements.
A charming oriental-flavored Craftsman home, this house dates to
1911. The house was custom-built next to the Melrose/Backs
compound, which is not surprising as it was originally the home of
Judge Homer Ames, a law partner and friend of Richard Melrose.
After serving as Anaheim’s City Attorney from 1912 to 1925, Ames
was appointed to the Superior Court.
1911. The house was custom-built next to the Melrose/Backs
compound, which is not surprising as it was originally the home of
Judge Homer Ames, a law partner and friend of Richard Melrose.
After serving as Anaheim’s City Attorney from 1912 to 1925, Ames
was appointed to the Superior Court.
This home is a one-of-a-kind design, not seen anywhere else in the city. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The
delightful red front door with its Craftsman hardware is sheltered by an almost flat gabled portico supported by heavy brackets. The
pronounced horizontal feel is accentuated by a belt course just at windowsill height that separates the narrow clapboard siding above
from the wider shiplap below.
delightful red front door with its Craftsman hardware is sheltered by an almost flat gabled portico supported by heavy brackets. The
pronounced horizontal feel is accentuated by a belt course just at windowsill height that separates the narrow clapboard siding above
from the wider shiplap below.
The inside of this home is frankly dramatic, as surprising as it is intriguing. The current owners have adopted bold coloration and
decorating that is wonderfully unique and adds immeasurably to the enjoyment of the house.
decorating that is wonderfully unique and adds immeasurably to the enjoyment of the house.
Scott Rummage and Charles Coy discovered this house about four years ago, and have attended to every detail, preserving the old while
embellishing both the interior and grounds with a contemporary flair. The home has been recognized with an Anaheim Beautiful award.
embellishing both the interior and grounds with a contemporary flair. The home has been recognized with an Anaheim Beautiful award.
Take a moment to stroll through George Washington Park adjoining
the Melrose/Backs Historic District. This park is a newly completed
example of Anaheim’s commitment to celebrating its past while meeting
the needs of current residents. It evokes themes of the Arts & Crafts
movement, and also features trellises with climbing roses and a
bandstand.
the Melrose/Backs Historic District. This park is a newly completed
example of Anaheim’s commitment to celebrating its past while meeting
the needs of current residents. It evokes themes of the Arts & Crafts
movement, and also features trellises with climbing roses and a
bandstand.
This was the original location of Central School, later renamed George Washington School, one of Anaheim’s first school buildings. The
school construction was the first in California known to have been financed by a school bond issue.
school construction was the first in California known to have been financed by a school bond issue.
While here, don’t miss the monument to the school on the park grounds. This marker is in the style of the large monuments that mark
the locations of the original entrances to the Anaheim Colony. These are on Lincoln Avenue near East Street, on Anaheim Boulevard
near North Street and again near the original South Street entrance. A fourth marker is planned for Lincoln near West Street
the locations of the original entrances to the Anaheim Colony. These are on Lincoln Avenue near East Street, on Anaheim Boulevard
near North Street and again near the original South Street entrance. A fourth marker is planned for Lincoln near West Street
Lincoln follows much of the route that was originally Center Street, and Anaheim Boulevard, originally Los Angeles Boulevard, marked
the major north-south route that would take travelers to Los Angeles.
the major north-south route that would take travelers to Los Angeles.
This outstanding house, dating from 1882, was originally home to Hippolyte
Cahen and his family. One of Anaheim’s leading citizens, Cahen was
president of the city’s second bank and a Town Trustee. The house
combines about four or five variations of Victorian and Queen Anne styles,
and its design was influenced by a house in Santa Ana that Cahen liked
Cahen and his family. One of Anaheim’s leading citizens, Cahen was
president of the city’s second bank and a Town Trustee. The house
combines about four or five variations of Victorian and Queen Anne styles,
and its design was influenced by a house in Santa Ana that Cahen liked
The house was moved twice, first in 1911 and then again in 1977 when it was moved from the current location of City Hall. The house
shows the love of the Clendenen family who restored the home over the next quarter century. Its rebirth is dramatic – it had been
converted to a multi-family dwelling that was missing many original features.
shows the love of the Clendenen family who restored the home over the next quarter century. Its rebirth is dramatic – it had been
converted to a multi-family dwelling that was missing many original features.
The solarium/library has been added to the house, using beautiful old leaded glass walls that were once part of a Victorian-style
building on Main Street in Disneyland.
building on Main Street in Disneyland.
Inside the home, Ken and Susan Chinn and family have beautifully maintained the furnishings collected by the Clendenens. This house
has been featured in numerous magazines, and was Anaheim Beautiful’s Sweepstakes Award Winner in 1999. It is also one of the first
participants in the Mills Act Program.
has been featured in numerous magazines, and was Anaheim Beautiful’s Sweepstakes Award Winner in 1999. It is also one of the first
participants in the Mills Act Program.
The beautiful homes on Vintage Lane were moved here in the area known as Heritage Square to save them from encroaching
development. These homes are not open for today’s tour, but you are welcome to enjoy viewing the architecture of each home.
Please do not disturb the occupants.
development. These homes are not open for today’s tour, but you are welcome to enjoy viewing the architecture of each home.
Please do not disturb the occupants.
This Craftsman bungalow was built in 1911 by the Benner family. Joseph Bennersheidt (thefamily later shortened the name) was a metalworker who came to Anaheim in 1870. Family-
owned Benner Metals is still in the area. The house was moved from south Lemon Street in
1984.
The 1907 Holman house is a fine example of a Colonial Revival style home. It has a classic hiproof line with hip roof dormer centered over the front door. This house, featured in the Anaheim
Colony Historic District Preservation Plan, was one of the first homes to participate in the
Mills Act Program. Moved from Philadelphia Street in 1988.
This 1905 Victorian-style house was originally owned by the Grimm family. The last of thehomes moved to Vintage Lane, it came from north Olive Street in 1990.
Originally owned by Ferdinand and Louise Werder Backs, who were both from pioneer families.Construction was completed in 1904. Backs was a civic leader and Anaheim’s first undertaker.
Ferdinand and Louise were the parents of Fred Backs, whose honeymoon cottage at 321 N.
Philadelphia Street is on today’s tour. Visitors to this house included Madame Helena Modjeska,
Andrew Carnegie, California Governor Hiram Johnson, and President Warren G. Harding. The
house was moved from north Claudina Street in 1987. This house is on the National Register of
Historic Places.