Ernest & Emily Renzel House

The Ernest & Emily Renzel House is a historic residence in San Jose, California. The house was the residence of San Jose mayor Ernie Renzel, and for being one of the first Ranch style homes built in the Naglee Park conservation area. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 23, 2010.

History


In July 1936, Charles and Mary Derby sold about 0.6667 acre of his subdivision to San Jose mayor Ernest Renzel (1907– 2007). In 1939, Renzel commissioned local architect Chester Root to design and Gibson & Wheeler Co., to build a Ranch style single family home that stands on the property. Today, it is known as The Ernest & Emily Renzel House.

The house is set on the hillside, located along Arroyo Way, in a small 1930s residential area between Coyote Creek and Naglee Park in San Jose. Renzel and his wife Emily and their children lived in the house.

Design
Thestructure consists of a single-story Ranch style residence at the front and a two-story addition towards the rear. The building has a blend of brick and wood siding, incorporating early Ranch style elements, like Modernist steel corner windows, and horizontal dimensions beneath the eaves. Designed by Chester Root, this residence blends Modern architecture and traditional materials. The property sits within a residential neighborhood, surrounded by mature trees and well-established landscaping.

An addition in 1949, was done by Kress & Gibson. The expansion included a two-story layout that includes two large brick chimneys. Spanning 4700 sqft, the property has a partial basement, garage, and enclosed patio.

Designation


The house was nominated by the State Historical Resources Commission and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in September, 2010. The home is an early example of Ranch style architecture in the area. The architecture blended traditional ranch-style architecture with early modern period materials to fit the rustic setting of the estate. The period of significance is from 1926 to 1949. The house was locally designated as a local landmark prior to being placed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 23, 2010.