49280 Fernando (Avenida)
DPR 523L (09/2013)
Identifier: CRM TECH 1885-29 Date Constructed: 1961
UTM Zone: 11S, 564407 mE; 3727796 mN
Neighborhood: La Quinta Country Club
Tract: La Quinta Golf Estates No 1; Recorded July 31, 1959, MB 37/98
Owner and Address: Ted Housel Miller, Luan Miller; 1805 NW Glisan Street, Portland OR 97209
Updated Description: The 49280 Avenida Fernando property was constructed in 1961 in the gated La Quinta Golf Estates
neighborhood within the La Quinta Country Club. The one-story, single family residence was constructed in the International style.
The dwelling faces north from the south side of Avenida Fernando. The wood-framed, irregular shaped residence is topped by a flat
roof with no eaves, and walls are sheathed in stucco and stone veneer. A massive, rectangular, stuccoed chimney rises from the
interior, through an open, five bay space over the middle façade at about half- story height which is geometric in design. Visible
fenestration consists of aluminum-framed, fixed windows, and a half-circular, drive-through carport shelters the entrance on the
asymmetrical façade and is supported on its exterior by a wall veneered with stone. A small, flat roof garage oriented to the east
accommodates one car from the front of the west end of the façade.
Updated Significance: A prior survey evaluated the property as status code 6Z - found ineligible for NRHP, CRHR, and Local
Register designation. The dwelling is associated with the theme of Residential Development (1934-1970s), but it does not possess
individual documented significance in relation to this theme. The residence was designed by Archibald Quincy Jones, a Los Angeles
based architect known for his modernist style designs. In 1970, the home was owned by famed La Quinta resident and renowned
filmmaker Frank Capra, who added a library to the house. It remains unclear how long Capra lived at the property, but this dwelling
is one of two locations associated with Capra in La Quinta, the other being a casita within the boundaries of the La Quinta Hotel
(Resort & Club). The subject property is the only permanent residence associated with him in the area. The dwelling retains a
sufficient level of integrity for individual eligibility at the national, state, and local level as an International style dwelling built by the
notable architect, Archibald Quincy Jones, which is associated with a significant filmmaker Frank Capra. The 2022 evaluation found
that the property should be assigned a 3S status code: appears eligible for NR as an individual property through survey evaluation.
Additionally, a 3CS status code should be added: appears eligible for CR individually through survey evaluation. Finally, the property
should be assigned a 5S2 status code: individually eligible for local listing or designation.
Frank Capra was an Italian-born American film director, producer, and writer who became widely known for his films during the
1930s and 1940s when they earned major awards. He first came to La Quinta in 1934 to work on a story that later became the script
for the film It Happened One Night, which he worked on with Robert Riskin while staying at one of the casitas at the La Quinta
Hotel. He often returned to the same casita afterward, San Anselmo, during vacations to work on later film scripts. He wrote Mr.
Smith Goes To Washington, You Can't Take It With You, Mr. Deed Goes To Town, It's a Wonderful Life, and Meet John Doe while
staying at the La Quinta Hotel. Following his retirement in 1961, Capra moved to La Quinta permanently and was living at the
subject property by 1970.
Archibald (A.) Quincy Jones was born in Kansas City, Missouri and received his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of
Washington in 1936. Jones then moved to Los Angeles, where he worked in the offices of the modernist architects Douglas Honnold
and George Vernon Russell (1936 to 1937) and Burton A. Schutt (1937 to 1939). From 1939 to 1940, he worked for the renowned
architect Paul R. Williams.
Once he was discharged from the US Navy in 1945, Jones returned to Los Angeles and opened an architecture office in the house in
Laurel Canyon he had built with his former wife. During the years after the war, Jones again partnered with Paul R. Williams on
several projects in the Palm Springs area, including the Palm Springs Tennis Club (1947), the Town & Country Restaurant (1948), and
Romanoff's On the Rocks (1950).
As a participant in John Entenza's Case Study House Program, Jones was deeply invested in the experiment's goal of reinventing
houses to reflect how people lived in the post-World War II era. His belief that the quality of life could be improved through
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary#: P-33-015485
HRI #: None
Trinomial: N/A
CRHR Status Code: 3S / 3CS / 5S2
Other Listings: Urbana Survey No. 023
ý Update
Resource Name: 49280 Avenida Fernando
Page 1 of 4
DPR 523L (09/2013)
architecture led him to introduce new materials and design elements to his residential projects, such as glass walls, usable atriums,
high ceilings, and post-and-beam construction. He designed buildings using a variety of materials that promoted a new way of living
within the built environment that focused on informal, outdoor-oriented open plans. In his non-residential buildings, Jones was
recognized as an innovator and master of improving the integration and efficiency of mechanical systems while maximizing usable
space.
The December 1950 issue of Architectural Forum featured a "Builder's House of the Year" designed by Jones. The same issue also
awarded the innovative Palo Alto building magnate Joseph Eichler "Subdivision of the Year." Eichler then invited Jones to tour the
Palo Alto development he had just completed where he suggested they join forces. They subsequently remained partners until
Eichler's death in 1974. With Eichler, Jones was given the projects where he had the freedom to implement park-like common areas,
or greenbelts, in tract housing developments. In 1960, Jones was hired by William Pereira as a planning partner in the development
of the city of Irvine, CA, where he became a model for greenway development in urban planning. Around this time, Jones designed
the 49280 Avenida Fernando residence in La Quinta, connected directly to the La Quinta Country Club golf course.
The Eichler commission prompted Jones to reconnect with Frederick Emmons. Their partnership lasted from 1951 until Emmons'
retirement in 1969. Their designs are reflected in some 5,000 Eichler-developed houses. Jones and Emmons were awarded national
AIA Firm of the Year in 1969. Jones was professor and later Dean of Architecture at the University of Southern California 1951-1967.
By the 1960s Jones was designing university and corporate buildings including the 1963 IBM Aerospace Headquarters in Westchester
CA and University of California campus buildings. He designed the Sunnylands Annenberg Estate in Rancho Mirage in 1966. Jones
died in 1979 at the age of 66 years.
The dwelling at 49280 Avenida Fernando has not been found individually eligible under NRHP/CRHR/Local Criterion A/1/B (events),
as it has not been associated with significant events or patterns of events in local, regional, state, or national history. It is individually
eligible under Criterion B/2/B (persons), as the dwelling was the primary residence for Frank Capra following his retirement from the
film industry. It is not individually eligible under Criterion D/4/D, as further study of the dwelling would not appear to yield
information which could be considered important in local, regional, state, or national history. Additionally, the property was not
found to be individually eligible under Local Register Criterion A, as it was not found to exemplify a special element of the City of La
Quinta.
This property individually embodies the distinctive characteristics of an International style dwelling built by A. Quincy Jones in the
Coachella Valley during the 1960s and is considered individually significant under NRHP/CRHR/Local Criterion C/3/C. The building
features full length glass walls, high ceilings, an outdoor-oriented layout, and a design that maximizes living space. While the interior
has been remodeled and updated over time, the form of the dwelling has not been significantly altered and the relationship between
the floorplan and the golf course has remained intact. Any changes to the fenestration are not visible from the public right-of-way.
The dwelling has not been substantially altered and maintains a sufficient level of integrity from the historic period to convey its
architectural significance.
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Resource Name: 49280 Avenida Fernando
Page 2 of 4
Primary#: P-33-015485
HRI #: None
Trinomial: N/A
CRHR Status Code: 3S / 3CS / 5S2
Other Listings: Urbana Survey No. 023
ý Update
DPR 523L (09/2013)
49280 Avenida Fernando_1: View facing south of the northwest (front) elevation.
49280 Avenida Fernando_2: View facing east of the northwest (front) elevation
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary#: P-33-015485
HRI #: None
Trinomial: N/A
CRHR Status Code: 3S / 3CS / 5S2
Urbana Survey No: 023 Resource Name: 49280 Avenida Fernando
Page 3 o f 4
DPR 523J (09/2013) *Required Information
*Map Name: La Quinta *Scale: 1:24,000 *Map Date: 2021
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary#: P-33-015485
HRI #: None
Trinomial: N/A
CRHR Status Code: 3S / 3CS / 5S2
Other Listings: Urbana Survey No. 023 Resource Name: 49280 Avenida Fernando
Page 4 of 4
DPR 523L (09/2013)
Identifier: CRM TECH 1885-29 Date Constructed: 1961
UTM Zone: 11S, 564407 mE; 3727796 mN
Neighborhood: La Quinta Country Club
Tract: La Quinta Golf Estates No 1; Recorded July 31, 1959, MB 37/98
Owner and Address: Ted Housel Miller, Luan Miller; 1805 NW Glisan Street, Portland OR 97209
Updated Description: The 49280 Avenida Fernando property was constructed in 1961 in the gated La Quinta Golf Estates
neighborhood within the La Quinta Country Club. The one-story, single family residence was constructed in the International style.
The dwelling faces north from the south side of Avenida Fernando. The wood-framed, irregular shaped residence is topped by a flat
roof with no eaves, and walls are sheathed in stucco and stone veneer. A massive, rectangular, stuccoed chimney rises from the
interior, through an open, five bay space over the middle façade at about half- story height which is geometric in design. Visible
fenestration consists of aluminum-framed, fixed windows, and a half-circular, drive-through carport shelters the entrance on the
asymmetrical façade and is supported on its exterior by a wall veneered with stone. A small, flat roof garage oriented to the east
accommodates one car from the front of the west end of the façade.
Updated Significance: A prior survey evaluated the property as status code 6Z - found ineligible for NRHP, CRHR, and Local
Register designation. The dwelling is associated with the theme of Residential Development (1934-1970s), but it does not possess
individual documented significance in relation to this theme. The residence was designed by Archibald Quincy Jones, a Los Angeles
based architect known for his modernist style designs. In 1970, the home was owned by famed La Quinta resident and renowned
filmmaker Frank Capra, who added a library to the house. It remains unclear how long Capra lived at the property, but this dwelling
is one of two locations associated with Capra in La Quinta, the other being a casita within the boundaries of the La Quinta Hotel
(Resort & Club). The subject property is the only permanent residence associated with him in the area. The dwelling retains a
sufficient level of integrity for individual eligibility at the national, state, and local level as an International style dwelling built by the
notable architect, Archibald Quincy Jones, which is associated with a significant filmmaker Frank Capra. The 2022 evaluation found
that the property should be assigned a 3S status code: appears eligible for NR as an individual property through survey evaluation.
Additionally, a 3CS status code should be added: appears eligible for CR individually through survey evaluation. Finally, the property
should be assigned a 5S2 status code: individually eligible for local listing or designation.
Frank Capra was an Italian-born American film director, producer, and writer who became widely known for his films during the
1930s and 1940s when they earned major awards. He first came to La Quinta in 1934 to work on a story that later became the script
for the film It Happened One Night, which he worked on with Robert Riskin while staying at one of the casitas at the La Quinta
Hotel. He often returned to the same casita afterward, San Anselmo, during vacations to work on later film scripts. He wrote Mr.
Smith Goes To Washington, You Can't Take It With You, Mr. Deed Goes To Town, It's a Wonderful Life, and Meet John Doe while
staying at the La Quinta Hotel. Following his retirement in 1961, Capra moved to La Quinta permanently and was living at the
subject property by 1970.
Archibald (A.) Quincy Jones was born in Kansas City, Missouri and received his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of
Washington in 1936. Jones then moved to Los Angeles, where he worked in the offices of the modernist architects Douglas Honnold
and George Vernon Russell (1936 to 1937) and Burton A. Schutt (1937 to 1939). From 1939 to 1940, he worked for the renowned
architect Paul R. Williams.
Once he was discharged from the US Navy in 1945, Jones returned to Los Angeles and opened an architecture office in the house in
Laurel Canyon he had built with his former wife. During the years after the war, Jones again partnered with Paul R. Williams on
several projects in the Palm Springs area, including the Palm Springs Tennis Club (1947), the Town & Country Restaurant (1948), and
Romanoff's On the Rocks (1950).
As a participant in John Entenza's Case Study House Program, Jones was deeply invested in the experiment's goal of reinventing
houses to reflect how people lived in the post-World War II era. His belief that the quality of life could be improved through
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary#: P-33-015485
HRI #: None
Trinomial: N/A
CRHR Status Code: 3S / 3CS / 5S2
Other Listings: Urbana Survey No. 023
ý Update
Resource Name: 49280 Avenida Fernando
Page 1 of 4
DPR 523L (09/2013)
architecture led him to introduce new materials and design elements to his residential projects, such as glass walls, usable atriums,
high ceilings, and post-and-beam construction. He designed buildings using a variety of materials that promoted a new way of living
within the built environment that focused on informal, outdoor-oriented open plans. In his non-residential buildings, Jones was
recognized as an innovator and master of improving the integration and efficiency of mechanical systems while maximizing usable
space.
The December 1950 issue of Architectural Forum featured a "Builder's House of the Year" designed by Jones. The same issue also
awarded the innovative Palo Alto building magnate Joseph Eichler "Subdivision of the Year." Eichler then invited Jones to tour the
Palo Alto development he had just completed where he suggested they join forces. They subsequently remained partners until
Eichler's death in 1974. With Eichler, Jones was given the projects where he had the freedom to implement park-like common areas,
or greenbelts, in tract housing developments. In 1960, Jones was hired by William Pereira as a planning partner in the development
of the city of Irvine, CA, where he became a model for greenway development in urban planning. Around this time, Jones designed
the 49280 Avenida Fernando residence in La Quinta, connected directly to the La Quinta Country Club golf course.
The Eichler commission prompted Jones to reconnect with Frederick Emmons. Their partnership lasted from 1951 until Emmons'
retirement in 1969. Their designs are reflected in some 5,000 Eichler-developed houses. Jones and Emmons were awarded national
AIA Firm of the Year in 1969. Jones was professor and later Dean of Architecture at the University of Southern California 1951-1967.
By the 1960s Jones was designing university and corporate buildings including the 1963 IBM Aerospace Headquarters in Westchester
CA and University of California campus buildings. He designed the Sunnylands Annenberg Estate in Rancho Mirage in 1966. Jones
died in 1979 at the age of 66 years.
The dwelling at 49280 Avenida Fernando has not been found individually eligible under NRHP/CRHR/Local Criterion A/1/B (events),
as it has not been associated with significant events or patterns of events in local, regional, state, or national history. It is individually
eligible under Criterion B/2/B (persons), as the dwelling was the primary residence for Frank Capra following his retirement from the
film industry. It is not individually eligible under Criterion D/4/D, as further study of the dwelling would not appear to yield
information which could be considered important in local, regional, state, or national history. Additionally, the property was not
found to be individually eligible under Local Register Criterion A, as it was not found to exemplify a special element of the City of La
Quinta.
This property individually embodies the distinctive characteristics of an International style dwelling built by A. Quincy Jones in the
Coachella Valley during the 1960s and is considered individually significant under NRHP/CRHR/Local Criterion C/3/C. The building
features full length glass walls, high ceilings, an outdoor-oriented layout, and a design that maximizes living space. While the interior
has been remodeled and updated over time, the form of the dwelling has not been significantly altered and the relationship between
the floorplan and the golf course has remained intact. Any changes to the fenestration are not visible from the public right-of-way.
The dwelling has not been substantially altered and maintains a sufficient level of integrity from the historic period to convey its
architectural significance.
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Resource Name: 49280 Avenida Fernando
Page 2 of 4
Primary#: P-33-015485
HRI #: None
Trinomial: N/A
CRHR Status Code: 3S / 3CS / 5S2
Other Listings: Urbana Survey No. 023
ý Update
DPR 523L (09/2013)
49280 Avenida Fernando_1: View facing south of the northwest (front) elevation.
49280 Avenida Fernando_2: View facing east of the northwest (front) elevation
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary#: P-33-015485
HRI #: None
Trinomial: N/A
CRHR Status Code: 3S / 3CS / 5S2
Urbana Survey No: 023 Resource Name: 49280 Avenida Fernando
Page 3 o f 4
DPR 523J (09/2013) *Required Information
*Map Name: La Quinta *Scale: 1:24,000 *Map Date: 2021
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary#: P-33-015485
HRI #: None
Trinomial: N/A
CRHR Status Code: 3S / 3CS / 5S2
Other Listings: Urbana Survey No. 023 Resource Name: 49280 Avenida Fernando
Page 4 of 4
State of California--The Resources Agency Primary # 33-015485
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial
NRHP Status Code 6Z
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
Page 1 of 3 *Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) CRM TECH 1885-29
P1. Other Identifier:
*P2. Location: Not for Publication • Unrestricted *a. County Riverside
and (P2b and P2c or P2d. Attach a Location Map as necessary.)
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad La Quinta, Calif. Date 1980
T5S; R6E; NE 1/4 of SE 1/4 of Sec 36 ; S.B. B.M.
Elevation: Approximately 57 feet above mean sea level
c. Address 49280 Avenida Fernando City La Quinta Zip 92253
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone 11; 0564407 mE/ 3727796 mN
UTM Derivation: • USGS Quad GPS
e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, etc., as appropriate) APN 658-280-019
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size,
setting, and boundaries) This one-story, Modern-style single-family residence faces
north within a gated community on the south side of Avenida Fernando. The
wood-framed, irregular-shaped residence is topped by a flat roof with no
eaves, and walls are sheathed in stucco and stone veneer. A massive,
rectangular, stuccoed chimney rises from the interior, through an open, five-
bay space over the middle façade at about half-story height whose play of
(Continued on p. 3)
*P3b. Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2: Single-family property
*P4. Resources Present: • Building Structure Object Site District Element of District
Other (isolates, etc.)
P5a. Photograph or Drawing (Photograph required for buildings, structures,
and objects.)
P5b. Description of Photo: (view, date,
accession #) Photo taken in
August 2006; view to the
southwest
*P6. Date Constructed/Age of
Sources:
• Historic Prehistoric Both
1961 (see Items B6 and B12
for details)
*P7. Owner and Address: Unknown
*P8. Recorded by (Name, affiliation, and
address): Bai "Tom" Tang,
Josh Smallwood, and Mariam
Dahdul, CRM TECH, 4472
Orange Street, Riverside,
CA 92501
*P9. Date Recorded: August 2006
*P10. Survey Type: Citywide
historic building survey
*P11. Report Citation: (Cite survey report and other sources, or enter "none.") Bai "Tom" Tang (2006):
Summary of Findings: Citywide Historic Resources Survey Update, City of La
Quinta, Riverside County, California. On file, Eastern Information Center,
University of California, Riverside.
*Attachments: None Location Map Continuation Sheet • Building, Structure, and Object Record
Archaeological Record District Record Linear Resource Record Milling Station Record
Rock Art Record Artifact Record Photograph Record • Other (List): Continuation Sheet
DPR 523A (1/95) *Required information
State of California--The Resources Agency Primary # 33-015485
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 2 of 3 *NRHP Status Code 6Z
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) CRM TECH 1885-29
B1. Historic Name: B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: Residential B4. Present Use: Residential
*B5. Architectural Style: Modern
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations) Archival records
indicate this single-family dwelling was constructed around 1961, when Ann
Peppers was owner. A permit to add a library to the dwelling was issued in
1970, when Frank Capra was owner. A remodeling permit that included
demolition and reconstruction of a 940-square-feet area was issued in 1996,
and another for a 112-square-foot room addition was issued in 1999.
*B7. Moved? • No Yes Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features: See Item P3a.
B9a. Architect: Unknown b. Builder: Unknown
*B10. Significance: Theme Post-WWII residential development
Area La Quinta Period of Significance 1945-1961
Property Type Single-family residence Applicable Criteria N/A
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope.
Also address integrity.) This building does not appear to meet any of the criteria
for listing in the National Register of Historic Places or the California
Register of Historical Resources.
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
*B12. References: Riverside County Assessor's real property tax assessment records;
County of Riverside and City of La Quinta building safety records
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Bai "Tom" Tang
*Date of Evaluation: September 2006
(Sketch Map with north arrow required.)
(This space reserved for official comments.)
DPR 523B (1/95) *Required information
State of California--The Resources Agency Primary # 33-015485
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial
Page 3 of 3 Resource name or # (Assigned by recorder) CRM TECH 1885-29
Recorded by: Bai "Tom" Tang, Josh Smallwood, and Mariam Dahdul
*Date: August 2006 • Continuation Update
*P3a. Description (continued): light and shadow make it appear geometric in design.
Visible fenestration consists of aluminum-framed, fixed windows, and a half-
circular, drive-through carport shelters the entrance on the asymmetrical
façade and is supported on its exterior by a wall veneered with stone. A
small, flat roof garage oriented to the east accommodates one-car from the
front of the west end of the façade.
DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information
Twk *'
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