Subject: HISTORIC LANDMARK DESIGNATION OF THE ARTHUR MONROE FREE HOUSE HL02-145
COUNCIL
DISTRICT: 3
SNI AREA: University
The Historic Landmarks Commission recommends the City Council adopt a resolution designating the Arthur Monroe Free House as Historic Landmark No. HL02-145.
The Arthur Monroe Free House is located at 66 S. 14th Street. The site is located in the R-1-8 Residence zoning district with a designation of Medium Density Residential (8 DU/AC) on the adopted San Jose 2020 General Plan Land Use Transportation Diagram.
At the January 9, 2002 Historic Landmarks Commission meeting, the Commission reviewed and voted to support the National Register of Historic Places nomination for this building. On February 1, 2002, the State Historic Resources Commission recommended that this building be added to the National Register based on Criterion B, the building’s association with Arthur M. Free.
At the March 6, 2002 Historic Landmarks Commission meeting, the Commission voted (6,0,1; Paim absent) to request that City Council initiate proceedings to designate the Arthur Monroe Free House as a City Landmark. On April 2, 2002, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 70899 initiating proceedings to designate the Arthur Monroe Free House as a City Landmark of special historical, architectural, cultural, aesthetic or engineering interest or value of a historic nature and referred the proposal to the Historic Landmarks Commission for its consideration at a public hearing and for its report and recommendation.
On May 1, 2002, the Historic Landmarks Commission
held a public hearing. The Commission unanimously recommended to the City
Council that this structure be designated as a City Landmark (5,0,2 Sciara and
Legaspi absent).
The structure is significant for its association with Arthur M. Free. Arthur M. Free purchased the house in 1919 and resided there until his death in 1953. During his lifetime, he served as City Attorney for the city of Mountain View and served as District Attorney for the County of Santa Clara for three terms. He was active in the Republican Party and elected to Congress, serving six terms. While in Congress, Free introduced and successfully campaigned for the federal statute creating Moffett Field in Mountain View, California, now occupied by NASA.
The Free House is a two-story frame residential building constructed in 1905 in the Arts and Crafts architectural style. It is situated within the historic Naglee Park Conservation Area, on the site of Brigadier General Naglee’s vineyards.
The Commission determined that the proposed landmark has special historical, architectural, cultural, aesthetic, or engineering interest or value of a historical nature and that its designation as a landmark conforms with the goals and policies of the General Plan. The recommendation of the Commission is based on the following findings:
Its identification with a person or persons who significantly contributed to the local, regional, state or national culture and history in that this residence was the home of Arthur Monroe Free who was a locally significant Congressman.
The Historic Landmarks Commission held public hearings on the proposed designation of the building at their March 6, 2002 and the May 1, 2002 meetings. Public Notices were published, mailed to property owners within a 500-foot radius and posted on the property.
The designation process was coordinated with the Office of the City Attorney.
STEPHEN M. HAASE
Secretary, Historic Landmarks Commission