A HISTORY OF THE JOHN WORK HOUSE 871 Del Monte Boulevard Pacific Grove, California The area in which the House was built appears to have originally been part of Rancho Punta de Los Pinos. This rancho belonged to the Spanish-Californian Aramiento family. They sold 25 acres to the government for construction of the Point Pines Lighthouse, and at a later date sold the rest of their rancho to Charles Brown and Thomas Day. In 1874, these two gentlemen sold the rancho to land baron, David Jacks. At one point, Mr. Jacks owned 80,000 acres in Monterey County, including most of the Monterey Peninsula. In 1875, Mr. Jacks sold 100 acres of the rancho to the Pacific Grove Retreat Association for use as a Methodist campground. This campground, and additional acreage became the city of Pacific Grove in 1889. In 1881, Mr. Jacks began selling land on the Monterey Peninsula en masse to the Pacific Improvement Company, the real estate arm of the Southern Pacific Railroad. In 1916, the Pacific Improvement Company subdivided the land where the house is located into lots. This was the stretch of land which lay along the ocean between Lovers Point and the Point Pinos Lighthouse. The subdivision was called Pacific Grove Beach. By the time of the subdivision, the Pacific Improvement Company was independent of the railroad. It had also developed financial problems. Its holdings on the Monterey Peninsula were taken over by its successor company, Del Monte Properties Company. Del Monte was well known in later years for developing Pebble Beach, which it owned until recently. In the 1920's, Del Monte Properties sold the lots upon which the house was built. The company had a policy of co-operating with the Methodists who still retained a great deal of influence over life in Pacific Grove and the deeds to the lots contain restrictions relating to liquor and gambling. 1927, a Mr. T.H. Scholer bought the lot on Del Monte Boulevard and re-sold it to Mr. William P. Sweeney. Mr. Sweeney then proceeded to buy the lot behind (on Crest Avenue) directly from Del Monte Properties. He sold a portion of this lot and purchased a portion of a third lot on Crest Avenue. The end result was a rectangular section of land, approximately 10,000 square feet in area that extended through the block from street to street. Mr. Sweeney was a well-known builder in Pacific Grove who constructed numerous houses on the Monterey Peninsula. He had a reputation for building solid houses and, unlike many modern builders, he took no shortcuts. In the fall of 1927, Mr. Sweeney proceeded to build the house at 871 Del Monte Boulevard. Unlike the other houses he built, this one was intended to be his personal residence. He therefore built in many extra features which he wanted in his own home. These included decorative plaster work on the outside of the house, a vaulted porch, a multi-paned and arched signature window in the living room, a Craftsmen fireplace, coved and recessed ceilings in the public rooms, textured plaster work, and hardwood floors. The doors, paneling, moldings and built-in buffet in the Breakfast Room were built of solid, straight-grain fir. The doors and cabinets were fitted with glass knobs and drawer pulls. The house was oriented to take advantage of the impressive views. The views included the Monterey Bay, the surf breaking on Lovers Point, the coastline on the opposite side of the Bay, and the Santa Lucia Mountains beyond. There was a particularly good view of Jacks Peak by day. At night, the moon could be seen reflecting on the Bay, and the lights of Monterey and Seaside could be seen twinkling on the opposite coast. There were also views of the Pacific Grove Municipal Golf Links from the house. The house was built in the Mediterranean Revival style, which was very popular in the Roaring 20's , especially in California. The Mediterranean style was characterized by white stucco walls which were intended to simulate the adobe or the plastered brick used in Spain and Italy. Roofs of terra cotta clay tile were common. So was the use of arches in the windows or entry way. So was the use of garden walls with arches or patios. This House is a particularly large example of the Mediterranean style and has spacious and well-proportioned rooms inside. As previously mentioned, the parcel upon which the house was built extended through the block from street to street. There was sufficient space to build a large 3 car garage containing a work shop and a laundry room. The garage was located at the back, on Crest Avenue, where it would not detract from the formal facade of the house, which faced , OCR Text: A HISTORY OF THE JOHN WORK HOUSE 871 Del Monte Boulevard Pacific Grove, California The area in which the House was built appears to have originally been part of Rancho Punta de Los Pinos. This rancho belonged to the Spanish-Californian Aramiento family. They sold 25 acres to the government for construction of the Point Pines Lighthouse, and at a later date sold the rest of their rancho to Charles Brown and Thomas Day. In 1874, these two gentlemen sold the rancho to land baron, David Jacks. At one point, Mr. Jacks owned 80,000 acres in Monterey County, including most of the Monterey Peninsula. In 1875, Mr. Jacks sold 100 acres of the rancho to the Pacific Grove Retreat Association for use as a Methodist campground. This campground, and additional acreage became the city of Pacific Grove in 1889. In 1881, Mr. Jacks began selling land on the Monterey Peninsula en masse to the Pacific Improvement Company, the real estate arm of the Southern Pacific Railroad. In 1916, the Pacific Improvement Company subdivided the land where the house is located into lots. This was the stretch of land which lay along the ocean between Lovers Point and the Point Pinos Lighthouse. The subdivision was called Pacific Grove Beach. By the time of the subdivision, the Pacific Improvement Company was independent of the railroad. It had also developed financial problems. Its holdings on the Monterey Peninsula were taken over by its successor company, Del Monte Properties Company. Del Monte was well known in later years for developing Pebble Beach, which it owned until recently. In the 1920's, Del Monte Properties sold the lots upon which the house was built. The company had a policy of co-operating with the Methodists who still retained a great deal of influence over life in Pacific Grove and the deeds to the lots contain restrictions relating to liquor and gambling. 1927, a Mr. T.H. Scholer bought the lot on Del Monte Boulevard and re-sold it to Mr. William P. Sweeney. Mr. Sweeney then proceeded to buy the lot behind (on Crest Avenue) directly from Del Monte Properties. He sold a portion of this lot and purchased a portion of a third lot on Crest Avenue. The end result was a rectangular section of land, approximately 10,000 square feet in area that extended through the block from street to street. Mr. Sweeney was a well-known builder in Pacific Grove who constructed numerous houses on the Monterey Peninsula. He had a reputation for building solid houses and, unlike many modern builders, he took no shortcuts. In the fall of 1927, Mr. Sweeney proceeded to build the house at 871 Del Monte Boulevard. Unlike the other houses he built, this one was intended to be his personal residence. He therefore built in many extra features which he wanted in his own home. These included decorative plaster work on the outside of the house, a vaulted porch, a multi-paned and arched signature window in the living room, a Craftsmen fireplace, coved and recessed ceilings in the public rooms, textured plaster work, and hardwood floors. The doors, paneling, moldings and built-in buffet in the Breakfast Room were built of solid, straight-grain fir. The doors and cabinets were fitted with glass knobs and drawer pulls. The house was oriented to take advantage of the impressive views. The views included the Monterey Bay, the surf breaking on Lovers Point, the coastline on the opposite side of the Bay, and the Santa Lucia Mountains beyond. There was a particularly good view of Jacks Peak by day. At night, the moon could be seen reflecting on the Bay, and the lights of Monterey and Seaside could be seen twinkling on the opposite coast. There were also views of the Pacific Grove Municipal Golf Links from the house. The house was built in the Mediterranean Revival style, which was very popular in the Roaring 20's , especially in California. The Mediterranean style was characterized by white stucco walls which were intended to simulate the adobe or the plastered brick used in Spain and Italy. Roofs of terra cotta clay tile were common. So was the use of arches in the windows or entry way. So was the use of garden walls with arches or patios. This House is a particularly large example of the Mediterranean style and has spacious and well-proportioned rooms inside. As previously mentioned, the parcel upon which the house was built extended through the block from street to street. There was sufficient space to build a large 3 car garage containing a work shop and a laundry room. The garage was located at the back, on Crest Avenue, where it would not detract from the formal facade of the house, which faced , Heritage Society of Pacific Grove,Historical Collections,Buildings by alpha folder,Del Monte,871 Del Monte,871 Del Monte,871_ Del_ Monte.pdf Page 1, 871_ Del_ Monte.pdf Page 1