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Historic Homes
Historic Home Detail | 547
Historic Name
Hamer Block
Address
291-99 N 2nd Avenue
Upland, CA 91786
Evaluation
Building
5/10/2007
Construction Date
1909
Current Owner
John H. Gubler Tr
Current Owner Address
223 w 11th st
Upland, CA 91786
Description
Anchoring the northern end of the potential Second Avenue historic commercial district, this is a two-story vernacular building influenced by the Renaissance Revival style. Of brick construction, the building contains storefronts on the lower story and apartments on the upper floor. A common practice of early 20th century commercial buildings, angling a corner bay to face and intersection, was followed in the design. Defined by a "knitted brick pattern, the corner bay contains the re-glazed entry to the largest retial space. At the south end of the east elevation, another door, also re-glazed, leads to a much smaller store. Both openings are still topped by transom windows. The remainder of the street level of the east elevation is glazed, while a series of separated windows are set into the brick on the north elevation. All of the display windows are spanned by the original transom. Corbeling articulates a cornice over the transoms and a continuous sill below the second floor windows. Each of the double-hung sash second floor openings has a soldier brick lintel accented by a keystone. Corbeling and a course of alternating open and filled brickwork define a cornice. Historic photographs indicate that parapets and an attached sign announcing rooms have been removed. One curious feature which does remain is a wooden court bay at the northwest corner of the upper floor, facing C Street. RESEARCH NOTES: The Hamer Block was built in 1909. Previously a one-story, wood frame dwelling containing an office had been located on the site, apparently erected by Edith Mason in 1897-98. Hamer obtained the property in 1909. The Builder and Contractor, on 11/4/09, reported that: "N.J. Hammer [sic] will erect a two-story brick building, 43 x 80 feet, at the corner of Second ave. and C st. The first floor will contain two storerooms, and the upper floor will be divided into living rooms." This was followed in May of 1912 by an account of a planned addition by Hamer. The 1912 Sanborn showed the building with full lot coverage, housing a furniture store in the large, corner space and a jeweler in the small storefront. In 1924, the directory identified the tenants as Robert Weiss, proprietor of a furniture and hardware store and August Palis, jeweler. Upstairs residents included: Mark H. Bailey, a bricklayer, and his wife Mary, a clerk at J.J. Atwood; Mrs. Martha P. Bell; John S. Bunnell, a printer at the U~land News; the office of Arthur W. Burt, attorney; John Ecklund, a baker; Herman J. Herman, news agent; Irving Klindt, who clerked for Robert Weiss downstairs; Frank Samuels, a laborer; E.A. Snowden, fruit picker or packer; Burrell Terrell, a motion picture operator; and Robert Weiss, who lived "over the store."