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Historic Name

William Cline House

Address

795 E Washington Boulevard
Upland, CA 91786

Evaluation

Building
5/7/2007

Construction Date

1907

Current Owner

Donald G. & Wanda L, sypherd

Current Owner Address

1817 n San Antonio
Upland, CA 91786

Description

Gambrel roofs keynote the design of this impressive two-story home. Gambrels face both primary elevations of the corner structure, accented by tall, double-hung sash windows, a hipped dormer, an attic vent, and a pair of brick chimneys with corbeled caps. Sheathed in narrow clapboard, the building sits on a brick and stone foundation. Stone stair walls frame the four steps that lead to the curved porch. Wrapping the south and east elevations, the porch is defined by a low wall and Tuscan columns and has been partially enclosed. A small pent roof marks the slight projection of the space. Details include boxed eaves, molded and decorated lintels and sills, and embellished bargeboards, Other than the porch, the house appears largely intact. Occupying a double lot at the intersection of Washington and Eighth Avenue, the house is complemented by palms and other mature trees. The property is in fairly good condition.

This house is significant on two levels: its architectural quality and its association with an important member of the Upland community, William Churchill Cline. The unusual stylistic features of the house, coupled with its size and siting, serve to make it a prominent landmark on Washington Boulevard, itself a notable street. Cline was the third owner of the property after the subdivider A.G. Allen. Leonard Sommerfield, a carpenter who was assessed for several parcels on the street, owned these two lots in 1908 and 1909. He lived across the street on the northeast corner, according to the 1909-10 directory. Katherine Isaac was assessed from 1910 to 1914. In 1912-13 she lived on E Street (Arrow). W.C. Cline assumed title in 1915 and was living the house with his family shortly thereafter, according to the 1916-17 directory. The directory described Cline as a stone, brick and cement contractor. He had learned his masonry skills from his father and grandfather.

The family had come to California from Pennsylvania in two stages in 1899 and 1892. Cline's business prospered. One biographical account said of him "...many of the county's large works are monuments to his skill. Mr. Cline has devoted much time and study and has performed some notable work in cobblestone and native stone construction." (Brown and Boyd, History of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, pp. 1286-87.) Much of the cement work, sidewalks, and curbing which add so greatly to Upland's historic streets were among Cline's accomplishments; his imprint in the sidewalks can still be seen in some locations (e.g. North Second Avenue between Arrow and Eleventh Street) Cline participated in Uplands social and religious institutions; he was a charter member of the Euclid Lodge No. 68 of the Oddfellows and a member of the Presbyterian Church.