49401 Obregon (Avenida) - Walter Morgan House
DPR 523L (09/2013)
Identifier: 49401 Avenida Obregon Date Constructed: 1927
UTM Zone: 11S, 563616 mE; 3727884 mN
Neighborhood: La Quinta Resort and Club
Tract: TR 28545-1; Recorded February 28, 1998, MB 268/92
Owner and Address: Bre Iconic LQR Owner LLC; PO Box 3879, Chicago IL 60690
Updated Description: The Walter H. Morgan House was originally designed and constructed in 1927 by Gordon Kaufmann as a
single-family residence for Walter Morgan, founder of La Quinta Hotel. It was built in the Spanish Colonial Revival style with Mission
style influences. It was originally recorded by Mellon and Associates in 1997 and re-recorded by Architectural Resources Group in
2009 (amended 2012). It is now a part of La Quinta Resort & Club but with a separate address and APN from the main resort
property.
The Morgan House site originally consisted of a two-story residence with a free-standing garage to the northeast, with the two
structures linked by a low wall. The garage was later converted to living space, and a one-story addition was constructed to connect
the living spaces in the garage to the main house. The original plan of the residence was rectangular, with the main entry on the east
elevation and a projecting dining room bay in the northwest corner. The second floor is covered by a gable roof, with deep
overhanging eaves, exposed rafter tails, and clay tile roofing. Shed roofs, also in clay tile but with shallower eaves, cover the one-
story portions of the building. The exterior walls are constructed of adobe brick and are finished with hand- trowelled stucco painted
white. Fenestration is multilight wood casement sash. Wood doors, posts and railings, and metal grillework are used throughout.
Each of the four elevations is different in character. The front (east) elevation has a pronounced Spanish Colonial Revival style, in its
asymmetrical composition with large expanses of flat wall surface; the second floor has a projecting balcony and pair of French doors
at the south end; a central entry door on the first floor is set in a decorative plaster surround; and a small window with tiled grillework
sits above the entrance on the second floor. At the northern end, the unpunctuated wall surface and sloping shed roof at the kitchen
has been obscured by the addition. The addition and the garage are covered by a continuous shed roof, which also covers a porch at
the east side of the addition. A pair of French doors provides access to the porch, and the garage wall is punctuated by a chimney
and small window openings with tile grillework.
The south elevation is nearly symmetrical with a stucco chimney set in the center of a gable wall. A pair of French doors flank either
side of the chimney at the first floor, while a single casement window is used at the east end of the second floor. A one-story loggia
with tile pavers, stuccoed columns, wood framing, and a tiled roof was an early addition to the south elevation.
A projecting balcony extending the full width of the second floor dominates the west elevation, exhibiting elements of the Monterey
style influences. The balcony, with exposed wood floor framing and simple wood posts and guardrail, is covered by the principal
roof. At the south end, there are windows at both stories. In the center, the screened porches at both levels have been infilled with
glazed windows and doors. At the east end, a bay with metal grillework is set in the center of the projecting dining room wing, which
is covered with a sloping shed roof.
The north elevation consists of the projecting first floor covered by a shed roof and a recessed sleeping porch at the second floor.
Three casement windows and a door are irregularly placed in the first floor facade. The second floor sleeping porch elevation has a
symmetrical composition, with adobe wing walls flanking a large expanse of casement windows. Vertical wood siding is used to
finish the wall above the windows. Historic drawings show that the sleeping porch windows were originally screened openings. The
north elevation encloses one side of the north courtyard, and the garage forms the east side. The original garage door openings have
been infilled, and a shed-roofed arcade has been added to the east side of the garage.
The exterior of the Morgan House is in fair to good condition overall. Many paving tiles at the site walkways and porches are missing
and many are severely delaminated. Most the original windows on the primary public facing elevations are extant, the original
louvered wood shutters have been removed. The roof is in fair condition, with many loose or broken tiles.
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#:
HRI #: None
Trinomial: N/A
CRHR Status Code: 3S / 3CS / 5S2
Other Listings: Urbana Survey No. 018
ý Update
Resource Name: Walter H. Morgan House
49401 Avenida Obregon Page 1 of 5
DPR 523L (09/2013)
The interior was not recorded during the current survey. What follows is the interior description from 2009 (amended 2012) when
the interior was fully recorded by Architectural Resources Group:
"The first floor rooms of the Morgan House are arranged around the central entrance hall and screened porch. The original screened
porch, now enclosed with glazing, provides access to a large, rectangular living room to the south and the dining room to the north.
The kitchen is located in the northeast corner of the house. A new opening at the east side of the kitchen provides access to the
addition and garage.
The stairway in the central entrance hall provides access to the partial basement at the south end of the building and to the second
floor. The stair originally led directly to the sleeping porch at the north side of the second floor, but partitions have been added to
create a second floor hallway. A small bath in the northeast corner of the second floor serves the sleeping porch. A single large
bedroom with a closet and bathroom occupy the south end of the second floor.
The interior of the house appears to have undergone a comprehensive series of alterations when the house was converted to office
space. This included the construction of a new partition in the living room and installation of new carpeted and vinyl floor finishes,
new fluorescent light fixtures and surface mounted data conduit, new kitchen cabinets and fixtures, and a new mechanical system.
Despite these alterations, many of the original finishes and fittings, such as door and window hardware and curtain rods, remain.
The original wood, tile, and exposed concrete floors remain beneath the carpet. Original plaster wall finishes remain, as do ceilings
with both flat plaster finishes and exposed wood beams.
Site: The house is located on the west side of Avenida Obregon near the crossing of Avenida Fernando, in the northwest area of the
La Quinta Resort. It is adjacent to present-day tennis courts and a pool to the west and south, respectively, and a historic date palm
grove to the north. A private drive running east-west borders the northern end of the lot and connects to Avenida Obregon. Lawns
surround the east, south, and west sides of the house. At present, the site immediately surrounding the Morgan House contains, in
addition to the house and original garage, other associated structures and site features including: a low wall incorporating a fireplace
(apparently a later addition) that forms a partially enclosed courtyard to the north. A shed-roofed arcade at the original garage forms
the east wall of the courtyard; a utility storage building with an arcade, which forms the west wall of the enclosed courtyard; and a
freestanding garage at the northwest corner of the site."
Updated Significance: A prior survey in 1997 evaluated the property as status code 3S - appears eligible for NR individually
through survey evaluation. Another survey in 2009 (amended 2012) evaluated the property as 3CS - Appears eligible for CR
individually through survey evaluation. The 2009 survey noted that the Walter H. Morgan House no longer appeared eligible for
individual NRHP designation due to a loss of historic integrity and recommended that the 3S status code be removed. The dwelling
lies outside the boundaries of the proposed La Quinta Hotel Historic District and is not considered a contributing property.
In 1997 the Walter H. Morgan House was deemed to be potentially eligible for the NRHP under Criteria B and C as a representative
example of a Spanish Colonial Revival home with Monterey influences designed by Gordon Kaufmann in good condition (NRHP
Criterion C) and as a site associated with early La Quinta developer Walter H. Morgan (NRHP Criterion B), a significant figure in the
history of La Quinta. The site was found to be potentially eligible as a City of La Quinta Landmark as a representative example of a
Spanish Colonial Revival home with Monterey influences designed by Gordon Kaufmann in good condition (Local Register Criterion
C).
In 2009, Architectural Resources Group re-recorded the Walter H. Morgan House and found the site to be potentially individually
eligible under CRHR Criterion 1 and Local Register Criterion C. The 2009 DPR form asserted that significant alterations to the home
rendered the resource no longer potentially eligible under NRHP Criterion B / C and Local Register Criterion C due to the loss of
historic integrity. Instead, the house was found to be potentially eligible for the CRHR Criterion 1 and Local Register Criterion B
(persons) based on its association with Walter Morgan, the historical figure who figured prominently in the founding of modern La
Quinta with the development of the La Quinta Hotel.
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
Resource Name: Walter H. Morgan House
49401 Avenida Obregon
Page 2 of 5
Primary#:
HRI #: None
Trinomial: N/A
CRHR Status Code: 3S / 3CS / 5S2
Other Listings: Urbana Survey No. 018
ý Update
DPR 523L (09/2013)
The 2022 evaluation is that the property should also be assigned a 3S status code and the 3CS status code should be maintained.
Additionally, Urbana staff recommend that a 5S2 status code - individually eligible for local listing or designation - should be added.
The current survey recommends that the applicable national, state, and local criteria also be amended. The 2009 re-recording
appears to have misidentified CRHR Criterion 1 as being associated with important persons. CRHR Criterion 2 appears to more
closely match their description of significance. Therefore, the Walter H. Morgan House should be listed as eligible for listing under
NRHP/CRHR/Local Criterion B/2/B (persons).
The dwelling 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. The property is not considered individually
significant under NRHP/CRHR/Local Criterion C/3/C for embodying the distinctive characteristics of a Spanish Colonial Revival style
due to significant alterations that have negatively impacted the historic integrity of the home. It is not individually eligible under
Criterion D/4/D, as further study of the property would not appear to yield information which could be considered important in local,
regional, state, or national history. The property was found to be individually eligible under Local Register Criterion A, as the Walter
H. Morgan House exemplifies a special element of the City of La Quinta - the only extant residence of Walter H. Morgan, the founder
of the La Quinta Hotel and the modern resort industry in the local community. Despite changes to the exterior and interior of the
building, the essential form of the original dwelling is relatively intact but it has lost integrity of design, materials, and feeling.
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Resource Name: Walter H. Morgan House - 49401 Avenida Obregon
Page 3 o f 5
Primary#:
HRI #: None
Trinomial: N/A
CRHR Status Code: 3S / 3CS / 5S2
Other Listings: Urbana Survey No. 018
ý Update
DPR 523L (09/2013)
Walter H. Morgan 1: View facing west of the east elevation.
Walter H. Morgan 2: View facing east of the west elevation.
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary#:
HRI #: None
Trinomial: N/A
CRHR Status Code: 3S / 3CS / 5S3
Urbana Survey No: 018 Resource Name: Walter H. Morgan House
49401 Avenida Obregon
Page 4 of 5
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#:
HRI #: None
Trinomial: N/A
CRHR Status Code: 3S / 3CS / 5S2
Other Listings: Urbana Survey No. 018 Resource Name: Walter H. Morgan House
49401 Avenida Obregon
Page 5 of 5
Walter H. Morgan House
One Post Office Square, Ste.3100, Boston,
MA 02109
View northwest of main façade
1927
Pyramid Hotel Group, LLC
La Quinta49-401 Avenida Obregon
HP2. Single family property
15
(List attributes and codes)
Not for Publication Unrestricted
Riverside
(Assigned by Recorder)
P1. Other Identifier:
*P2. Location:
*a.and (P2c, P2e, and P2b or P2d. Attach a Location Map as necessary.)
*b.
c.
d.
e.
USGS 7.5' Quad Date T R 1/4 of 1/4 of Sec B.M.;;;
UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear resources) Zone , mE/ mN
(Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries)
Historic Prehistoric Both
Jennifer Trotoux
4/6/2009; corr. 8/31/12
Intensive
*Attachments:NONE Location Map Continuation Sheet Building, Structure, and Object Record Archaeological Record
District Record Linear Feature Record Milling Station Record Rock Art Record Artifact Record Photograph Record Other (List):
Building Structure Object Site District Element of District Other (Isolates, etc.)
*P3a.
State of California -- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Primary #
HRI #
Trinomial
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer Date
DPR 523A (1/95)*Required Information
NRHP Status Code 3CS
ofPage *Resource Name or #:
County
Address City Zip
Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate)
Description:
*P3b. Resource Attributes:
*P4. Resources Present:
P5a. Photograph
P5b. Description of Photo:
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and Source:
*P7. Owner and Address:
*P8. Recorded by:
*P9. Date Recorded:
*P10. Survey Type:
*P11. Report Citation:
Architectural Resources Group, Inc.
65 N. Raymond Avenue, No. 220
Pasadena, California 91103
La Quinta EIR
The Morgan House site originally consisted of a two-story residence with a free-standing garage to the northeast, with the two
structures linked by a low site wall. The garage was later converted to living space, and a one-story addition was constructed to
connect the living spaces in the garage to the main house. The original plan of the residence is rectangular, with the main entry on the
east elevation and a projecting dining room bay in the northwest corner. The second floor is covered by a gable roof, with deeply
overhanging eaves on the west side, exposed rafter tails, and clay tile roofing. Shed roofs, also in clay tile but with shallower eaves,
cover the one-story portions of the building. The exterior walls are constructed of adobe brick and are finished with hand-trowelled
stucco painted white. Fenestration is multilight wood casement sash. Wood doors, posts and railings, and metal grillework are used
throughout.
Each of the four elevations is different in character. The front (east) façade has a pronounced Spanish Colonial Revival style, in its
asymmetrical composition with large expanses of flat wall surface; the second floor has a projecting balcony and pair of French doors
at the south end; a central entry door is set in a decorative plaster surround; and a small window with tiled grillework sits above the
entrance. At the northern end, the unpunctuated wall surface and sloping shed roof at the kitchen has been obscured by the addition.
The addition and the garage are covered by a continuous shed roof, which also covers a porch at the east side of the addition. A pair of
French doors provides access to the porch, and the garage wall is punctuated by a chimney and small window openings with tile
grillework.
(Please see Continuation Sheet, p. 3)
92253
Walter H. Morgan House
State of California The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Page 2 of 5 NRHP Status Code 3CS
Resource Name or # Walter H. Morgan House
B1. Historic Name: Walter H. Morgan House
B2. Common Name: Morgan House
B3. Original Use: Single Family Residence B4. Present Use: part of La Quinta Hotel
B5. Architectural Style: Spanish Colonial Revival
B6. Construction History: Built in 1927; other alterations for office and administrative use, c. 1980.
B7. Moved? No Yes Unknown Date: Original Location:
B8. Related Features: none
B9a. Architect: Gordon B. Kaufmann b. Builder: unknown
B10. Significance: Theme: Area: City of La Quinta, CA
Period of Significance: Property Type: Single Family Residence
Applicable Criteria: California Register Criteria 1
The Walter H. Morgan House was constructed for the founder of La Quinta, Walter Morgan, and designed by Gordon
Kaufmann. Like many of Kaufmann’s works at La Quinta, it was published in The Architectural Record in 1934. It
is now a part of La Quinta Resort but with a separate address and APN from the main resort property.
The Morgan House is eligible for the California Register. Although the Morgan House is, like the other historic
resources on the site, a good example of the Spanish Colonial Revival style, it is not a strong enough example to
qualify on those grounds. The house is eligible for the California Register based on its association with Walter
Morgan, the historical figure who figures most prominently in the founding of La Quinta. It was Morgan’s vision for
the hotel and his development of Santa Rosa Cove that brought the hotel to fruition under Gordon Kaufmann’s design.
Morgan’s own home is located adjacent to the hotel and is strongly associated with the few short years he spent there
prior to his death in 1931. Aside from the legacy of the hotel itself, the Morgan House is essentially the founder’s
home of the modern city of La Quinta. It is eligible for the California Register for its association with Morgan, but
not for the National Register due to a loss of historic integrity. It is also eligible for listing as a local resource with the
City of La Quinta and has been identified as such in a survey.
(see Continuation Sheet p. 4)
B11. Additional Resource Attributes (List attributes and codes):
B12. References: “Portfolio of Low-Cost Houses,” The Architectural Record February 1934, pp 125-160.
B13. Remarks:
B14. Evaluator: Jennifer Trotoux, Architectural Resources
Group, 65 N. Raymond Ave., Suite 220, Pasadena, CA 91103
Date of Evaluation: March 23, 2009
(This space reserved for official comments.)
Sketch map
State of California The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial
Page 3 of 5 Resource Name or # Walter H. Morgan House
Recorded by: Architectural Resources Group Date: March 23, 2009 Continuation Update
DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information
P3a. Description, continued
The south facade is nearly symmetrical with a stucco chimney set in the center of a gable wall. A pair of French doors
flank either side of the chimney at the first floor, while a single casement window is used at the east end of the second
floor. A one-story loggia with tile pavers, stuccoed columns, wood framing, and a tiled roof was an early addition to
the south elevation.
A projecting balcony extending the full width of the second floor dominates the west façade, giving it the character of
the Monterey style. The balcony, with exposed wood floor framing and simple wood posts and guardrail, is covered
by the principal roof. At the south end, there are windows at both stories. In the center, the screened porches at both
levels have been infilled with glazed windows and doors. At the east end, a conopial bay with metal grillework is set
in the center of the projecting dining room wing, which is covered with a sloping shed roof.
The north facade consists of the projecting first floor covered by a shed roof and a recessed sleeping porch at the
second floor. Three casement windows and a door are irregularly placed in the first floor elevation. The second floor
sleeping porch elevation has a symmetrical composition, with adobe wing walls flanking a large expanse of casement
windows. Vertical wood siding is used to finish the wall above the windows. Historic drawings show that the
sleeping porch windows were originally screened openings. The north elevation encloses one side of the north
courtyard, and the garage forms the east side. The original garage door openings have been infilled, and a shed-roofed
arcade has been added to the east side of the garage.
The exterior of the Morgan House is in fair to good condition overall. The paving tiles at the site walkways and
porches are severely delaminated. The original studded wood front door has been covered with an incompatible
aluminum frame and glass door. While all of the original windows are extant, the original louvered wood shutters
have been removed. The roof is in fair condition, with many loose or broken tiles.
Interior: The first floor rooms of the Morgan House are arranged around the central entrance hall and screened porch.
The original screened porch, now enclosed with glazing, provides access to a large, rectangular living room to the
south and the dining room to the north. The kitchen is located in the northeast corner of the house. A new opening at
the east side of the kitchen provides access to the addition and garage.
The stairway in the central entrance hall provides access to the partial basement at the south end of the building and to
the second floor. The stair originally led directly to the sleeping porch at the north side of the second floor, but
partitions have been added to create a second floor hallway. A small bath in the northeast corner of the second floor
serves the sleeping porch. A single large bedroom with a closet and bathroom occupy the south end of the second
floor.
The interior of the house appears to have undergone a comprehensive series of alterations when the house was
converted to office space. This included the construction of a new partition in the living room and installation of new
carpeted and vinyl floor finishes, new fluorescent light fixtures and surface mounted data conduit, new kitchen
cabinets and fixtures, and a new mechanical system. Despite these alterations, many of the original finishes and
fittings, such as door and window hardware and curtain rods, remain. The original wood, tile, and exposed concrete
floors remain beneath the carpet. Original plaster wall finishes remain, as do ceilings with both flat plaster finishes
and exposed wood beams.
(See Continuation Sheet, p. 4)
State of California The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial
Page 4 of 5 Resource Name or # Walter H. Morgan House
Recorded by: Architectural Resources Group Date: March 23, 2009 Continuation Update
DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information
P3. Description, continued:
Site: The house is located on the west side of Avenida Obregon near the crossing of Avenida Fernando, in the
northwest area of the La Quinta Resort. It is adjacent to present-day tennis courts and a pool to the west and south,
respectively, and a historic date palm grove to the north. A private drive running east-west borders the northern end of
the lot and connects to Avenida Obregon. Lawns surround the east, south, and west sides of the house. At present, the
site immediately surrounding the Morgan House contains, in addition to the house and original garage, other
associated structures and site features including: a low wall incorporating a fireplace (apparently a later addition) that
forms a partially enclosed courtyard to the north. A shed-roofed arcade at the original garage forms the east wall of
the courtyard; a utility storage building with an arcade, which forms the west wall of the enclosed courtyard; a free-
standing garage at the northwest corner of the site; and a contemporary children’s play structure under a canopy
immediately east of the original garage.
B10. Significance, continued:
The house is locally significant as a marker in the development of the community. It is the house of the founder of the
hotel and therefore of the community of La Quinta, Walter Morgan. It is one of a significant, original cluster of
private residences that surrounded La Quinta Hotel and were also designed by Gordon Kaufmann, which included the
Casa Magnolia built for heiress Lee Eleanor Graham and the Cyrus Pierce House, both also extant. The construction
of the hotel and these houses, along Avenida Obregon, was the first significant non-agricultural settlement of the
immediate area, and set the stage for the further development of La Quinta, which still continues. The common
architect and style of the houses made for a coherent grouping; this set the tone for Morgan’s ideas about desert living
and the type and level of resort atmosphere he wished to create at La Quinta.
West façade, view southeast.
State of California The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial
Page 5 of 5 Resource Name or # Walter H. Morgan House
Recorded by: Architectural Resources Group Date: March 23, 2009 Continuation Update
DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information
View east of west façade.
Two-story portion of west façade, view northeast.
*Updated "F2.c. Address" ("//1/2012)
State of California -- The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARIS AND RECREATION HRI # _
PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial
NRNP Status Code 13 S
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer
Page _1 of 3
*Resource Name or #: 'Walter Morgan House
P1. Other Identifier:
Date
*P2. Location: ❑ Not for Publication ❑ Unrestricted a. county Riverside
b. USGS 7.5' Quad La Quirita Date 1980 T 05S- R 06E, SW 114 of SE114 of Sec 36- B.M.
c. Address 49-499 Eisenhower Drive *49-401 Avenida Obre on)City La Quinta Zip 92253
d. UTM: (Give more than one for large and/or linear feature) Zone mE1 MN
e. Other Locational Data: (e.g. parcel #, legal description, directions to resource, elevation, additional UTMs, etc. as appropriate)
APN:658-160-054
*P3a. Description: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries.)
This Spanish Colonial Revival style house with Monterey influences is situated at the northwest end of the La
Quinta Hotel and Resort property, just north of the Tennis Club pool. Designed by Gordon Kaufmann, it was
built in 1926-27. Its ground plan is rectangular, with a projected room at the first floor western elevation. A
two-story building, oriented on a north -south axis, with a garage structure at its northeast corner, it is
side -gabled, with red tile roof, deeply overhanging eaves and exposed rafters. The walls are adobe covered
with plaster. The front of the house (east elevation) has a slightly projecting north bay containing formal entry,
a single door with a wide fascia stucco surround with scalloped detailing at lintel topped by a simple
entablature. Above entry, at second story level, is a rectangular decorative tile vent. The southern bay contains
at second story level a French door which opens onto a shallow balcony with wrought iron railing and
supporting entablature. At the northern end of the eastern facade, a single story building with a porch covered
by a shed roof supported by square columns extends to the east. The extension has a window in the middle of
its south facade. (See Continuation Sheet)
*133b. Resources Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP5. Hotel/Motel
*P4�. Resources Present: ®Building ❑ Structure ❑ Object p Site ❑ District C3 Element of District []Other (Isolates, etc.)
:�I P5b. Description of Photo: (View, date, etc.)
'P8. Date Constructed/Age and Sources:
❑ Prehistoric ® Historic ❑ Both
1926-27, City of La Quints
Historic Context Statement, 1996_ _
*P7. Owner and Address:
KSL
56-140 PGA Blvd.
La Quinta. CA 92253
P --Private
*PS. Recorded by -.(Name, affiliation, address)
Pam O'Connor/Marcy Roth _
Mellon and Associates
Riverside, CA
*P9. Date Recorded: 3/19/1997
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
TIM00- " C --Comprehensive Surve
*P11. Report Citation: (Cite survey report/other sources or "none") City of La Quinta Historic Context Statement, 1996
*Attachments: ❑ NONE []Location Map
❑ Archaeological Record ❑ District Record
❑ Photograph Record ❑ Other: (List)
❑ Sketch Map M Continuation Sheet ® Buiiding, Structure and Object Record
❑ Linear Feature Record ❑ Milling Station Record ❑ Rock Art Record ❑ Artifact Record
DPR 523A (7195) Supplemental Note: This property is now part of the La Quinta Resort but *Required information
with sebarate address and APN as the main resort oronertv. (7/1/2012)
State of California -- The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENTOF PARKS AND RECREATION
BUILDING, STRUCTU..E, AND
Primary
HRI
CBJEDT RECORD
Page 2 of 3 *NRNP Status Code
*Resource Name or #: Walter Morgan House
B1. Historic Name:
B2. Common Name:
B3. Original Use: Residence B4. Present Use: C --Commercial
*B5. Architectural Style: Spanish Colonial Revival with Monterey influences
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations.)
Built in 1926-27, this house was designed by Gordon Kaufmann and built by local craftsmen with materials of
local manufacture. The exterior of the house is intact; interior has few, superficial alterations.
*B7. Moved? M No ❑ Yes ❑ Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features:
B9a. Architect: Gordon Kaufmann b. Builder: Unknown
*1310. Significance: Theme Residential Architecture Area La Quinta
Period of Significance 1926-27 Property Type Residence Applicable Criteria B, C
(Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme, period, and geographic scope. Also address integrity.)
The Walter Morgan House appears eligible for designation as a City of La Quinta Landmark under Criterion
C, i.e., it embodies distinctive characteristics of a style, type, peiod or method of construction, is a valuable
example of the use of indigenous materials or craftsmanship or is representative of a notable work on an
acclaimed builder, designer, or architect. The house also appears eligible for the National Register of Historic
Places under Criterion C., i.e., it embodies "the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of
construction, or that represent the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a
significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction." Located on the
outskirts of the La Quinta Hotel property, the house was designed in the Monterey style and sited to
complement the desert landscape and the region's climate, factors which led to the evolution of a "California
Style" desert lifestyle. The structure possesses a high degree of architectural integrity as an intact example of
the work of prominent Southern California architect Gordon Kaufmann. The house may also be eligible for
the National Register under Criterion B for its association with Walter Morgan, developer of the La Quinta
Hotel.
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP5. Hotel/Motel
*B12. References:
B13. Remarks:
*B14. Evaluator: Pam O'Connor
Date of Evaluation: 09/01/1997
(This space reserved for official comments.)
DPR 523B (11 /95)
(Sketch Map with north arrow required)
*Required information
State of Cairfomia The>Fiesources Ageney
Primary #
OIwPAikT.MENt7 oF: PARKS AND ISI CREA'TION
HRi #
CONTINVATION, SHEET .
Trinomial
Page 3 of 3 *Recorded by Pam O'Connor/Marcy Roth *Date 10/19/1997 ® Continuation ❑ Update
*Resource Name or #: Walter Morgan House
Pia. (Cont.) The house's south elevation has an exterior chimney topped by a decorative finish with
tile vents and brick crown. A shed roof with red tiles covers a porch and rests on a wood beam
supported by three heavy Doric columns. The chimney is flanked at first floor level by two doors and
at second floor level by a casement window on its eastern side.
The west elevation (rear of the building with view towards mountains) has a balcony running length of
facade at second story level, with square wood slatted railing and wood posts supporting porch roof
and exposed rafters on underside of balcony. At second floor, French doors open onto balcony at
northern end, while two small casement windows occur at southern end. On first floor, French doors
occur at the northern end and a large casement casement window sits in mid -center of southern end.
The north elevation has casement windows with unpainted wood sash at second floor level, topped by
wood planking to the eaves. First floor north elevation has a door at east end and three irregularly
placed casement windows. A low wall extending north from the west end of facade, partially enclosing
a courtyard formed by north wall of main building, northern addition (originally the garage) and a
third low wall running east -west. Features of the courtyard interior include a shed roofed arcade along
west wall of the garage, tile -faced circular gutter openings below the flat roof of the west elevation,
and a fireplace built into the northern courtyard wall.
The exterior of Morgan House retains its historic fabric and character -defining features in their
entirety. Interiors of the house also retain their original configuration and most of the original finishes.
DPR 523L (1/95) "Required information
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