2008
Chula Vista Historic Home Tour
Get a glimpse of life when Chula Vista
was known as the "lemon capital of the world" at one of the
remaining Victorian orchard houses in Chula Vista. This vintage home,
which dates back to 1888, will be among those featured on the 2008
Historic Home Tour. This popular event will be held during National
Preservation Month from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 10, and will
include a turn-of-the-century-style tea.
Click here
for Volunteer information. Clear here
for Home Tour Sponsorship opportunities.
Originally surrounded by citrus trees,
the 1888 Queen Anne Victorian house was built for noted attorney and
judge Alfred Haines. Around 1919, the home was purchased by Hancil
Cordrey who worked as a carpenter and later as a chiropractor. As was
typical of the early 1900s, Cordrey used two large rooms on the first
floor as his waiting room and office.
This charming 2 ½ story home has most
of its original exterior features including a pyramidal square tower,
ornate brick chimney and fishscale shingles. While the second floor was
converted into apartments for a number of years, fortunately it has
returned to its elegance as a single-family home. Much of the house has
the original wooden floors, doors, windows and woodwork; lovely 'window
alcoves' on both the first and second floors as well as in the attic;
and many pieces of period furniture that enhance the ambiance.
Also highlighted on the tour is
another late-1880's Victorian with many original stained and leaded
glass windows. The ornate exterior is stunning and the interior
architectural details include angled ceilings, slatwood walls and a
diamond shaped closet in the master bedroom. Two houses in the Craftsman
style round out the tour: a 5,700 sq. ft. 2-story 1910 home, known as
"Bay Breeze," that was threatened with demolition, moved to a
new location and is being renovated; and a 1910 home with magnificent
built-in cabinets and plate-rail wood paneling in the living room,
dining room and piano room and unique brickwork in the living room
fireplace and in the two columns supporting the front porch. Vintage
autos will be displayed at each house.
In addition, the very successful ‘tea
in the garden,’ which has become a perennial part of the home tour,
will be held on the spacious and lush grounds of one of Chula Vista’s
favorite historic homes. Tea and sweets---served in a romantic garden
setting---are included in the ticket price. Members of the San Diego
Costume Guild will be in period costumes, beautiful tea vignettes
displayed, and raffles held for tearoom certificates and other gifts.
Unique vintage and tea-related items will be available for purchase, and
the Chula Vista Garden Club will offer items for the garden along with
lavender shortbread cookies and candied flowers.
Scheduled on the day before Mother’s
Day, this self-guided tour will begin at the Chula Vista Heritage
Museum, 360 Third Ave., where guests can buy tour tickets, and pick up a
program and map beginning at 9:30 a.m. The Home Tour and Tea cost is $23
or $20 for Heritage Museum Society/Friends of the Chula Vista Library
members. Group rates are available. Participants may drive themselves to
the homes or take a free trolley that will run from the museum
throughout the day.
The tour also includes the debut of a
new exhibit at the Heritage Museum highlighting historic homes in Chula
Vista. In conjunction with the home tour and museum exhibit, a new 2009
Historic Home calendar will be offered for sale.
Sponsored by the Chula Vista Historic
Homeowners, the City of Chula Vista and the Heritage Museum Society, the
2008 tour will benefit the Chula Vista Heritage Museum and preservation
projects in Chula Vista.
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