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Historic Name

Nicholson/ Mehl House

Address

636 E 9th Street
Upland, CA 91786

Evaluation

Building
5/7/2007

Construction Date

1902

Current Owner

Larry Timm

Current Owner Address

636 e 9th st
Upland, CA 91786

Description

Eastlake influenced detailing characterizes this two-story, turn-of- the-century residence. From the street the house appears to be side-gabled; photographs of the rear elevation reveal a hipped roof crowned with wood cresting. A shed-roofed dormer, ornately trimmed and containing a window embellished with tracery, is centered over the facade. Narrow clapboard edged with endboards sheathes the structure. A shed roof resting on slender, turned wood columns defines an open porch across most of the facade. Lacy, jigsawn brackets mark the joining of columns and the cross beam beneath the roof. The entry is offset slightly to the east and contains a paneled door with an oval window. Flanking it are two, large, double-hung sash windows. Three openings are equally spaced across the upper facade, a small rectangular window with diamond paning in the center and smaller, double-hung sash windows on the sides.

This notably intact home is extremely well documented. It was built by Joseph P. Nicholson for his family in 1902. Nicholson had purchased the property from M.N. Wooley, who had a small shack that was torn down to make way for the new house. Nicholson's family consisted of his wife, Isabelle, and children Edwin, Agnes, and Carl. Curiously, the 1902-04 assessments list a Sarah J. Nicholson as the property owner. J.P. Nicholson was from Great Britain and arrived in North Ontario in 1901 after stops in Illinois and Santa Monica. He was a carpenter by trade and worked for builders C.C. Burkholder and John and Frank Gerry. The wood detailing on his home would seem to be a testament to his skill. In July 1905, following the death of his wife, Nicholson sold the property to John C. Mehl, according to the recollections of his grandson, John H. Nicholson.

Both door and windows are adorned with drip moldings. A Victorian era screened door has been added to the entry. Otherwise the house appears largely intact. However, historic photographs indicate that at least two remodelings have taken place. Initially the house was one-and-one- half stories, with the shed roof of the porch a slightly flatter extension of the principal side gable. A differently designed dormer was centered over an open gable filled with stickwork that marked the entry. By 1912, according to the Sanborns, the second floor had been added. The facade looked much as it does today, except that the gable over the entry has been removed. Current and historic photographs of the interior also display a remarkable degree of integrity of the historic fabric. The house was lavishly appointed with woodwork, including spindle friezes, delicate brackets sawn balustrade, and paneled newel post. Windows and doors have stained wood casings. The same integrity can be observed on the generous grounds of the house. Dimensions of 100 by 211 feet provide the property with nearly double the average square footage in the neighborhood. Originally the rear portion the lot was planted in a grove. The two-story barn, shown in old photographs, is still on the parcel. Also appearing original are the cement edged paths which bisect the front lawn and circle the house. Landscaping complements this well-preserved property.

Mehl remembered arriving in Upland in March 1906 and purchasing the house shortly thereafter. The assessment record merely indicated that Mehl was the assessed owner in 1906. The Mehls were extremely active in the Upland commercial and religious life. J.C. Mehl, in partnership with sons Ernest C. Mehl and J. Willis Mehl and son-in-law W.E. Phillips, was the proprietor of the Mehl Hardware Company. He was associated with the firm for seven years, 1907-14, until he sold his interest to his sons. Next, he organized the Upland Furniture company and was joined in that venture by W.E. Phillips. In 1923 he left that company, expecting to retire but instead becoming a chicken farmer. Mehl was also associated with the Upland Feed and Fuel Company for several years. Mehlls other pursuits included an ongoing position as assistant pastor at the Mennonite Church, four years on the Upland city Council, and several years service on the board of the San Antonio Hospital. His wife Sadie was also involved in community life and was active with the Mennonite Church and the W.C.T.U.