1153 Oak St
San Francisco, CA 94117, USA

Mish House - National Register of Historic Places

Statement of Significance:

The significance of the Mish House lies in two areas: Its association with one of the important early families to settle in San Francisco, and its architectural excellence.
The Mish House was built in 1885 as a single-family dwelling. As noted in the California Architect and Building News, it was originally located at the corner of Oak and Devisadero(sic), the architect was McDougal and Son, and it was built at a cost of $15,000. The Mishes were early pioneers in San Francisco, having been English by birth. Sarah Mish operated a dressmaking and millinery business downtown, and from 1854 on occupied several locations on Kearny, Geary, Market, and Dupont (now Grant) Streets. Besides her retail business in San Francisco, Mrs. Mish carried on wholesale business all along the coast. Her husband. Phenes Mish was also a well-known merchant in the city, importing dry goods from 1852 through the 1880's. His company was called.?. Mish and Sons and had an agent in New York who purchased for him. Mr. Mish was president’ of Congregation Sherith Israel from 1881 to 1885.

The City Directory first listed Sarah and Phenes Mish at 407 Divisadero (the original corner site) in 1887. Phenes Mish died in 1895, and thereafter Sarah Mish was listed as his widow. According to the earliest available block books, those of 1894, Mrs. Mish owned two lots in the vicinity of Oak and Divisadero. One was an irregularly shaped lot on the northwest corner of Oak and Divisadero, which must have been the original site of the Mish House. An undated photograph at the California Historical Society shows the house on a corner lot which is believed to be 407 Divisadero. The other piece of property owned by Sarah Mish was the lot on which the house now-stands. It was moved to this site in 1897. In September of that year this entry appeared in the California Architect and Building News, "Oak and Divisadero. Moving a house. Owner: Mrs. S. Mish. Architect; MacDougall Brothers. Contractor; John H. McKay. Cost; $1700. Retail stores and multiple dwellings were then built on the original site.

Sarah Mish died on January 2, 1916. In 1928 the Mish heirs sold the lots and building. In June of 1929 the house, which had been converted into lodgings or a rooming house as early as 1920, was converted into apartments; at first five, and later as many as 14, The original staircase, probably removed when the house was relocated, was replaced with a concrete one. Enclosed room extensions were built projecting out from the eastern exterior wall and the large rooms were divided to create the new apartments. The mansard roof may have been removed at this time, or perhaps earlier. Garages were built in the rear yard for the tenants’ There was a fire in the house in the 1950's and it had degenerated into a greatly deteriorated condition over the last twenty years. Despite its condition, San Francisco recognized the Mish House as an important part of its heritage and designated it as a city landmark in 1974. In 1975 the house was restored by the Preservation Group.

The Mish House is one of the finest examples of the Stick-Eastlake style in San Francisco. This style was particularly popular in the city in the 1880's. Certain themes have been developed in the house that, taken together, account for its high quality. Verticality is emphasized in the form and decoration. There are tall two-story pillars at the corners of the structure that accentuate height. This is reiterated in the rectilinearity of the bay which creates a total vertical unit. The colonnettes, sticks, and fluting in the various members clearly articulate this verticality in their slender repetition.

The manipulation of scale is an important part of the design and is seen throughout the building in the colonnettes, columns, and pillars. The colonnettes with fluted bases were Italianate elements, but as was characteristic of the Stick style, they have been adapted and used in a very creative fashion. The colonnettes have been compressed and surmounted by extensions that reach the transom. The result is a successful combination of compression and elongation that subtly augments the overall sense of verticality.

This division of the component elements into a short base and long shaft serves several functions. It is a decorative device, as mentioned above it articulates the verticality, and it also sets up a dialogue between the various parts of the building because this same motif is found in the colonnettes of the windows, the columns of the portico, and the large corner pillars.

Not only the colonnettes, but all of the ornament is treated in a creative and playful manner. Columns and pillars are found with several decorative variations. Classical pediments are squeezed, moldings are used to allude to pediments, dentils are used freely. Like the colonnettes, decorative fancy has been combined with a real understanding of how the ornamental elements would Interact. Certain forms like the arch are repeated in various configurations. Thus, a squeezed pediment echoes an arched tympanum or an arched window, creating a thematic visual unity in the building.

The mansard roofs unify the structure and give it a unique flavor. This is still very strong despite the loss of the grand mansard roof in the early part of this century. Thus, in the Mish House the Stick style, Eastlake ornament, and French Second Empire roofs were combined to create a unique Victorian house.

The Mish House was restored by the Preservation Group in 1975. The foundation was structurally redesigned as were the interior walls current seismic regulations in the building code. His toric accuracy was the guiding consideration in the restoration. A room that had been added on the east side of the Mish House was removed. Fifty new windows and frames replaced ones that had disintegrated or were missing. On the interior the original 14-foot ceilings subdivided into two stories were restored.

The Mish House has been incorporated into the plan of the Phelps Place Historic Plaza. This design groups four historic structures around a landscaped courtyard, separated from the street by a wrought iron fence. Now that the central plaza area is opened up, the side elevation of the Mish House is once again visible, restoring the house to its original uncrowded elegance.