801 South St
Hollister, CA 95023, USA

Architectural Description

From the Description section of the application to the National Register of Historic Places:

This wood-frame Italianate house has two stories with a one-story extension
in the rear. The plan is basically rectangular, although the front and side
elevations have slightly projecting bays. Windows are narrow and double-hung. Siding is a horizontal board. Quoins mark wall intersections. A
shallow hipped roof has overhanging eaves supported by pairs of ornamental
brackets. The banded cornice includes a dentil course. A brick chimney
cuts the cornice in the rear. A band about two feet above ground level
tops the base of the house. The building is in excellent condition and has
had only minor alterations.

The front elevation has two bays. The one on the left (east) is wider and
dominated by a two-story bay window topped above the cornice by an
octagonal roof with cresting. The second-story windows are segmentally
arched; those below have semi-circular arches. Both have banded
architraves with colonnettes between windows. A bracketed cornice with
dentil course tops the first-story window. The narrower bay, which is
recessed, has a segmentally arched window with a keystone on the second
story. The window is capped by a curved, bracketed hood and overlooks a
balcony ringed by a short balustrade with turned banisters. Below is a
flat porch roof that has a detailed cornice and is supported by a square-sectioned corner post with plain capital. The front door has vertical
panels and is topped by an arched transom.

The side elevations have second-story windows like the one above the front
porch. First-story windows have semi-circular arches and bracketed hoods.
The rear extension has a shallow hipped roof. The back porch, some of
which is enclosed by lattice-work, wraps around to the rear. Squaresectioned posts support the porch roof. The porch has a balustrade and
a paneled staircase. At the southwest corner of the extension is a small,
recently constructed sun porch.

The building has only a few alterations. The three original chimneys were
damaged after earthquakes and removed. The chimney now on the rear of the
house dates from ca. 1990. The small window on the first floor of the east
elevation is a replacement for an original hooded, full-height window like
those that remain on either side. The wood balustrade on the side porch
replaced an original metal balustrade. The concrete foundation is also a
replacement; the original was brick.

Behind the house are two single-story outbuildings. One is square-shaped
two-car garage with balustraded parapet, pilasters, and horizontal board
siding. The other (not included in the resource count) is a small gable-roofed shed with vertical board-and-batten siding. The garage was completed in 1990.
The construction date of the shed, originally used to store firewood, is unknown. The grounds include a variety of trees and bushes, as well as a long driveway that lines the eastern edge of the parcel. Landscaping is well maintained but appears to contain no original elements.

Hawkins House Significance

Significance Section of the National Register of Historic Places Application:

The Hawkins House meets the requirements for National Register nomination
as set forth in the multiple property nomination for historic properties in
Hollister, California, within the context of a residential building in the
city from 1868 to 1941. The building clearly exemplifies an architectural
a style popular during Hollister & the first decade.

The Hawkins House is Hollister's most successfully executed example of an
Italianate residence. Elements of the style include a shallow hipped
roof; a prominent entablature with wide eaves, banded and detailed cornice,
and curved brackets; and arched windows with elaborate hood molding. The
window treatment typifies the more elaborate versions of the style in two
ways. First-story windows are taller than those above, and two kinds of
arches are used—segmental on the second story and semi-circular on the
first. Other Italianate touches are the crested octagonal roof above the
bay window and the quoins at wall intersections. The porch treatment,
though restrained, is also in keeping with the style.

The house was built for Joel and Rena Hawkins in 1876. They later told
their children that they hired an architect and construction crew from San
Francisco to ensure the highest quality work. The house, through its
sophisticated design and skilled craftsmanship, reflected the importance of
the original owners. Joel Hawkins, like his father, Nicholas, and older
brother, Thomas, was one of the members of the San Justo Homestead
Association, which purchased the ranchlands of W. W. Hollister in 1868.
The Hawkins family was subsequently involved in a number of important local
enterprises. Joel Hawkins participated in these activities to some extent.

He focused most of his attention, however, on managing the farms that he
owned near town. Wheat was the major crop during his lifetime. He resided
in the house until his death in 1914. His wife lived there until she died
in 1928. Their son, Ray Hawkins, then inherited the property. The current
owner is the granddaughter of Joel and Rena Hawkins.

The house retains a high level of architectural integrity and, after
sustaining some damage in a 1989 earthquake, has returned to excellent
condition. The building, Hollister's most important remaining Ltaliante
residence, meets the registration requirements of its property type.

801 South Street, Hollister, CA, USA

Photo from the NPS submission