Historic Homes

Historic Home Detail | 110

Back to Search Results

Address

793 N 2nd Avenue
Upland, CA 91786

Evaluation

Building
5/1/2007

Construction Date

1907

Current Owner

James S. Lee

Current Owner Address

793 n 2nd ave
Upland, CA 91786

Description

The unique design of this Craftsman residence contains references to the Shingle Style. One-andba-half stories, the shingled and clapboarded exterior is capped by a hipped and gabled roof. An extension of the roof reaches over a one-story wing which wraps the east and north elevations. Roof details include exposed rafters and a shed-roofed dormer containing an arched window. On the facade, three broad arches rising from tapered pedestals define a porch recessed within the northern two-thirds of the one-story wing. A sunroom occupies the southern third. The entry is located behind the central arch; other porch openings include single and tripartite windows and a door to the sunroom. Windows are a combination of one-over-one, double-hung sash and casements divided into four lights in their upper sections. The house, which rests on a partially visible stone foundation, is in good condition, and occupies a prominent corner in the district.

Although this house is known locally as "Mac the Medicine Man's House," apparently Mac (Patrick H. McQuillen) did not build it. As far as the assessment record and the Sanborn maps are concerned, the building was erected between 1902 and 1907. It probably dates to the ownership of John and Nellie L.D. Hoffman who purchased it in 1906-07. The prior owners were S.S. White (1901-06 and 1899) and the Magnolia Land and Water Company (1900, 1897-99). Information from the directories and the Historic Houses and Sites files suggests the following residents:

1909: C.P. Huey, SW corner 2nd Ave t llth Agnes Webster, SW corner 2nd Ave & llth Norman Yaigashi, SW corner 2nd Ave. &llth 1912-13: Rev. George E Swan 793 2nd Ave. (Rector St. Marks Episcopal Church) John F. Swan, student, 793 2nd Ave. Agnes Webster, 795 2nd Ave. (Note: McQuillen, the popular pharmacist, lived next door, at 771 at this time) 1934: Patrick McQuillen Richard Highsmith Patrick McQuillen was a prominent citizen of Upland. In the 1912-23 directory he is included as the manager of the Upland Pharmacy. By the 1924 edition he is the proprietor of "Mac the Medicine Man, Inc., Dealer in Drugs, Kodaks, and a Thousand Other Thingsw and of ItThe Rexall Store, 'A Friendly Drug Store in a Friendly C~mrnunity.~~ He served as mayor of Upland from 1930 to 1936. Because he has taken on rather high profile in Upland's history, McQuillenls house has become a local landmark, in the generic sense of the word. It is also noteworthy for its unusual design, especially the porch arcade.