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Historic Name

B. A. Woodford House

Address

329 E 9th Street
Upland, CA 91786

Evaluation

Building
5/3/2007

Construction Date

1896

Current Owner

Zella H. Stone, Tr

Current Owner Address

355 e 9th st
Upland, CA 91786

Description

An extremely high-pitched hipped roof dominates this two-story, turn-of-the-century home. On the facade the roof is accented by a large, shed-roofed dormer with a small, round-headed opening above it. On the sides, other dormers have hipped roofs. A brick chimney emerges from the ridgeline. Boxed eaves characterize the roof treatment, cobblestone piers define a recessed porch that spans the facade. Multi-paned windows have enclosed the space. The entry is in the second bay on the left (west) and is reached by four steps with stone rails; clapboard sheathes the dwelling. It is in good condition, complemented by landscaping such as a palm tree in the front yard. Historic photographs indicate only two alterations on the facade, the enclosure of the porch and the expansion of the front dormer.

The oldest house in the neighborhood, the Woodford/Harwood house is associated with some of Upland's most prominent families. According to most accounts it was built in 1896; however the record of an Ontario building permit issued to B.A. Woodford to construct a residence and barn in North Ontario for $3500 was dated 1895. Robert Ralston was identified as the builder. Butler A. Woodford was from Connecticut; he met Charles and Alfred Harwood in Missouri where he was in the sheep business. Woodford married Emma Harwood, the daughter of Alfred, and following the brothers lead, emigrated to North Ontario in 1888. Woodford became the secretary of the newly organized Ontario- Cucamonga (O.K.) Fruit Exchange. In 1904 Woodford, rose through the ranks to become the manager of the California Sunkist organization. In 1907 the Woodfords moved to Claremont.

For approximately the next ten years, Alfred Harwood and his wife lived in the large property on B (Ninth) near Third. Harwood, with his brother, was one of the "fathers" of Upland, having extensive real estate interests resulting from buy-outs of the Chaffey Brothers and the Bedford brothers. During these years the directories listed him as the president of the Peoplels Mutual Building and Loan Association and the vice-president of the Commercial National Bank. Harwood was also deeply involved in the citrus industry and was one of the founders of the Upland Lemon Growers Association. He served as a director of the O.K. Exchange for several years. Other activities included directorships of the Citizens Bank of Ontario and the Citizens Savings Bank of Upland. After his wifels death in 1915, Harwoodls daughter, Grace- Margaret, and son-in-law Ernest W. Thayer, moved in the house. According to the directories Harwood continued to live with the Thayers until 1922-23 and he held the title to the property until 1925. Harwood then moved to San Dimas. Ernest Thayer occupied the same position once held by his brother-in-law, Secretary of the O.K. Exchange. It was during the Thayersl ownership that the house became the home of the Colony School, a private institution organized by educator Miss Frances Barr. The school, which had 30-50 pupils in kindergarten through eighth grades, remained in the house until 1929. In the early 1930s the property was purchased by E. Tweed and Zella Stone, who were in the undertaking business. The house was converted into a mortuary and remained in use as such until 1959 when a new funeral home was built next door. Today the house has been re-converted into a residence and is still owned by Zella Stone.