4333 Emerald Ave
La Verne, CA 91750, USA

Charles E.Straight House - National Register of Historic Places

Statement of Significance

The Charles E. Straight House is significant under criteria A, B, and C at the local level. Under criterion A, the building is associated with the citrus industry, a business that once was the underpinning of the local economy. Under criterion B, the building is associated with Charles E. Straight, one of the founders of the town of La Verne and one of four individuals credited with establishing the citrus industry in the area. Although this house dates to a period after the founding of the town and the industry, it is the only building remaining that is lanced too Straight. Finally, the building derives its significance under criterion C since it represents the type of large grove houses which were once prominent within the area. This particular structure represents the last remaining large grove house within the city of La Verne.

With the construction of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad from Los Angeles to San Bernardino in 1887, a large number of small towns were established along the rail line. This improvement in transportation permitted the rapid growth in population of many of these communities, and allowed the development of a viable citrus industry by permitting the efficient and rapid shipment of citrus to eastern markets.

This particular structure was the home of Charles Ephraim and Emily Gertrude Straight, original settlers within the City of La Verne who are credited with having established one of the first citrus groves within the' city. Charles Straight was one of several individuals who immigrated together into the Pomona Valley in 1886 from the Midwest. He was closely associated with W. Scott Romick, M.L. Sparks and L.H, Bixby. These four individuals are recognized as having pioneered the citrus industry within the City of La Verne and contributed to its development within the Pomona Valley.

The Straights resided on the property upon which this building is located from 1886 until Charles Straight's death on January 16, 1910. His wife, Emily Straight, remained in the house until her death on December 22, 1919. According to Emily Straight's obituary, "The Straights were pioneer orange growers of the Pomona Valley and in the development of the industry, passed through all the varying vicissitudes incident to its success. The high state of cultivation to which they have brought their home place is a living monument to their optimistic foresight, industry and perseverance."

In addition to their role in the development of the citrus industry within the Pomona Valley, the Straights were charter members in the Methodist Church of La Verne, which was established in 1887. Emily Straight was also a member of the local Women's Christian Temperance Union, and was an active supporter of prohibition. She prepared a brief article for the La Verne Leader regarding the passage of prohibition, and was described in the headline as a "Prominent WCTU worker and Active Prohibitionist." The property remained within the fishily after their deaths, then was transferred to the State of California. The current portion of the property was split off in 1971 and returned to private ownership.

The Straight House is a large example of transitional architecture, from the Queen Anne of the late 19th century to the Colonial Revival architecture of the early 20th. It further represents the expanding wealth and prominence of the early citrus growers within the community.

The house exhibits many characteristics of the Colonial Revival style. The massive facade of the structure, with its symmetrical wings, pedimented gable and simple porch columns, conveys the classical lines of Colonial Revival without many of the details commonly associated with the style. It is the use of Queen Anne accents, such as the angular placement of the front entry, the combination window in the first-floor elevation, the wrap around veranda and the accented wooden siding that creates a unique and comfortable building in transition. Each of the components compliment the architectural styles present, without creating a glaring conflict.

This building is an excellent example of the type of architecture that was prominent in grove home construction in the early 1900s, according to historic records, the structure particular building would have been prominently located within a large grove, with other examples of grove with other examples of tracts. The particular building is the last remaining early grove home of its size within La Verne. The continued urban within La Verne has resulted in the demolition of the period of architecture. Two houses, the W. Scott Romick house and another example located with the associated with the same theme were demolished over the last few years.