The house is a museum
Start this walk around the block in front of the Stansbury House, at the southwest corner of Salem and W. Fifth streets. Over the years the house has gotten a lot of press, most recently a story last month by E-R Style Editor Laurie Kavenaugh about work that is being done to reinforce its brick foundation.
The house is usually open for tours on the weekends, but it’s closed to the public right now while the repairs are being made.
Oscar Stansbury, a physician, had the house built for himself and his family in 1883. One of his daughters, Angeline, lived there her entire life. After she died, at age 94, the city took it over and turned it into a museum.
Head south on Salem to get a better idea of how downtown Chico has surrounded the Stansbury House. At the end of the block is the STAR Community Credit Union, an attractive newer building (top photo). Turn right on W. Sixth Street.
The Italianate-style house just west of the credit union building has stood on this lot since 1915, although it started out its life at The Junction, where Broadway and Main Street and Park Avenue meet. The house was built in about 1880.
Across the street, on the southeast corner of W. Sixth and Normal streets, is a house that has undergone a facelift that respects its original architectural “footprint.” I’ve included a “before” and “after” photo of it.
This is another project by Wayne Cook, who owns the Gage house on Normal between W. Fourth and W. Fifth streets and the so-called Language Houses on W. Third Street between Chestnut and Hazel streets. Cook, who is best known for his Hotel Diamond reconstruction on W. Fourth Street, has been a major force behind the preservation of the South Campus neighborhood.
Join me next time and we’ll complete this walk around the block.
