Doud House

The Doud House, also known as the Francis Doud House, represents one of the earliest and most well-preserved examples of an early wood frame Vernacular architecture residences in Monterey, California, USA. Its construction occurred soon after the American occupation that ensued following the Mexican–American War. The establishment of the Doud House in 1852 is credited to Francis Doud, a California pioneer from 1849.

History
During the early 1850s, Francis Doud and his family relocated their initial residence to the rear of the land they owned and constructed the Doud House, situated at the present-day 117 Van Buren Street. Historical accounts suggest that Doud initiated the building process for the current residence on the land he had been residing on since 1852, during the latter part of the 1860s.

The Doud House, designed in the New England Vernacular-style, is a single-story rectangular home. Its façade is graced by an open veranda that spans the width of the white clapboard structure. Double sash windows are accentuated by ornamental shutters. Access to the veranda is granted via a set of straight double stairs with a picket railing. The building has a gabled roof adorned with composition shingles, and a picket fence encloses the property. In 1976, an additional 8 sqft of floor space was incorporated.

Upon Doud's passing in 1910, ownership of the family residence transferred to his daughter, Mary Doud. Following Mary's demise in 1933, the property was bequeathed to all family members in undivided portions. Nettie Doud Baker occupied the residence, as did her uncle, Frank Doud, until his passing in 1933. Subsequently, Nettie Doud Baker, who held ownership of nearly half of the property, passed away in 1966. The Monterey Urban Renewal Agency engaged in negotiations to acquire the property from the Doud estate. Following advocacy by the Monterey History & Art Association, the property was eventually bestowed upon the Association in 1969 and embarked on an extensive restoration effort.

The gardens surrounding the house were dedicated as the Carmel Martin Memorial Garden in 1973.

Historical significance
The historical significance of the Doud house lies in its connection to Francis Doud and a tale of immigrant achievement. This dwelling stands as one of Monterey's earliest examples of wood-frame vernacular architecture, demonstrating evident modifications made by the Doud family for their needs over a span of more than 150 years. The Doud House holds a place among a small number of surviving early wood-frame structures in Monterey, including the Gordon house, the James W. Finch House, the Thomas Cole house, and a few lesser-known examples.

The property's title was officially cleared on October 10, 1868. Its historical significance was officially acknowledged in 1917, when it was featured in book Historic Landmarks of Monterey, California. Andersen identified the Doud House as one of the best surviving examples of the first residences built following the American occupation, and embodies the characteristics of an early American Period wooden dwelling. The credit for its construction goes to Francis Doud.

The Doud House's National Register importance aligns with criterion A, drawing from the association with the Francis Doud and his family. The exterior of the structure has been maintained in a manner that best corresponds to a period spanning 1905–1912, a timeframe during which the building underwent alterations, around 1898. Extensive restoration was undertaken in 1969–70, which converted the dwelling into a commercial establishment. This is especially relevant as approximately a quarter of the structure was dismantled during that period, resulting in a complete overhaul of the interior.

Doud House Archives
The Doud House Archives house a collection of flat file storage, along with open shelving and file cabinets, holding a valuable trove of historical materials. Among the items are records of both local and global military history, as well as a rich tapestry of Monterey's past, covering topics such as families, architecture, and civic affairs. Notably, the archives contain comprehensive resources on the Monterey History & Art Association, encompassing items like scrapbooks, posters, oral histories stored on cassettes, and organizational documents dating back to the association's establishment in 1931.