78310 Clarke Court - Dupont House
DPR 523A (09/2013) *Required information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
PRIMARY RECORD
Review Code Reviewer Date
Resource Name: Dupont House
Page 1 of 6
Primary#: P-33-xxx
HRI#: None
Trinomial #: N/A
CRHR Status Code: 3S / 3CS / 5S2
Other Listings: Urbana Survey No. 308
*P3b. Resource Attributes: HP2. Single Family Property
*P4. Resources Present: ¨ Building ý Structure o Object o Site o District o Element of District o Other
P5b. Description of Photo: 78310 Clarke
Ct_1: View facing east of the west (rear) elevation.
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and Source
ýHistoric: 1954-1959 (Aerial photography)
o Prehistoric
o Both
*P7. Owner and Address:
Christopher D. Kiernan,
78310 Clarke Court,
La Quinta, CA 92253
*P8. Recorded by:
Urbana Preservation & Planning, LLC
www.urbanapreservation.com
*P9. Date Recorded: June-July 2022
*P10. Survey Type:
Citywide Survey; Intensive Level
*P3a. Description: The 78310 Clarke Court residence, or the Dupont House, is a one-story, wood frame Custom Ranch style residence. The
building faces east, over the Point Happy Estates private gated community, at the end of Clarke Court. It features a rectilinear plan with an
asymmetrical façade. The dwelling has a side-gabled roof clad with masonry block shingles with two brick-lined chimneys. The roof has
moderate overhanging boxed eaves with facia boards. Exterior walls are of brick masonry, with a band of uncoursed stone around the
foundation of the building. The fenestration consists of steel framed fixed pane windows, aluminum framed one-over-one double hung sash
windows, and vinyl sliding glass doors. The entryway sits beneath a shallow eave at the top of a brick and stone lined stairway. The front door
is wood paneled with leaded glass sidelites. Character defining features of Custom Ranch homes that can be seen on the subject property
include: the asymmetrical façades, brick / wood frame construction, aluminum framed windows, a minimal porch, and a high quality of
craftsmanship.
P1. Other Identifier: N/A
*P2. Location: o Not for Publication ý Unrestricted
*a. County: Riverside
*b. USGS 7.5' Quad: La Quinta Date: 2021 T ; R ; ¼ of ¼ of Sec ; B.M. __
c. Address: 78310 Clarke Ct City: La Quinta Zip: 92253
d. UTM Zone: 11S, 564966.32 mE / 3730623.02 mN
e. Other Locational Data: TR 31348 (AMENDED), Recorded September 21, 2005, MB 390/7
Neighborhood: Not Listed; APN: 604050056
*P11. Report Citation: Urbana Preservation & Planning, LLC. La Quinta Citywide Historical Resources Survey and Context Statement,
2023.
*Attachments: o None ý Location Map ý Continuation Sheet ý Building, Structure, and Object Record
o Archaeological Record o District Record o Linear Feature Record o Milling Station Record o Rock Art
Record o Artifact Record o Photograph Record o Other:
DPR 523B (09/2013) *Required information
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
Resource Name: Dupont House
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(This space reserved for official comments.)
Primary#:
HRI#:
Trinomial #:
CRHR Status Code: 3S / 3CS / 5S2
Other Listings:
Other Listings: Urbana Survey No. 308
B1. Historic Name: N/A
B2. Common Name: Dupont House
B3. Original Use: Single-Family Dwelling B4. Present Use: Single-Family Dwelling
*B5. Architectural Style: Custom Ranch
B11. Additional Resource Attributes: None Identified
*B12. References: Urbana Preservation & Planning, LLC. La Quinta Citywide Historical
Resources Survey and Context Statement, 2023. See Continuation Sheet for additional
references.
B13. Remarks: None
*B14. Evaluator: Urbana Preservation & Planning, LLC | www.urbanapreservation.com
*Date of Evaluation: December 2022
The Dupont House property was researched at the City of La Quinta, the La Quinta Historical Society, the La Quinta Public Library, and via
online archives including Coachella Valley Telephone Directories (1946-1957), City of La Quinta building permits, regional newspapers within
the UC Riverside California Digital Newspaper Collection, aerial imagery from ca. 1930s forward, and the Riverside County Assessor's Office
online property search. Results are limited. The property is not listed in available Coachella Valley Telephone Directories. See Continuation
Sheet for significance and integrity conclusions.
*B6. Construction History: The subject property was constructed by 1959. In 1976, property owner Earl Kiernan obtained a permit to
install new electrical service, with work completed by James Teague (Permit No. 280338). In 1977, property owner Earl Kiernan obtained a
permit to convert the 40 Amp svc to 10 HP Pump, which was completed by Cavanaugh Elec (Permit No. 290587). In 1977, Kiernan obtained a
permit to change the electrical service, which was completed by Cavanaugh Elec (Permit No. 290731). In 1990, Kiernan obtained a permit to
connect the sewer to the "Hill House" on Point Happy Ranch (Permit No. 07860). In 1994, Kiernan obtained a permit to install a solar power
system for pool and domestic hot water, which was completed by Solar Distributors Inc (Permit No. 14290). In 2004, the property owner, the
PH Ranch LLC, obtained a permit to do electrical work, which was completed by Desert Power (Permit No. 04-5374). In 2004, PH Ranch LLC
obtained a permit to erect a fence, which was completed by Wheelock Masonry (Permit No. 04-7806). In 2005, PH Ranch LLC obtained a
permit to put in a temporary trailer, which was completed by Ehline Company (Permit No. 05-0377). In 2006, PH Ranch LLC obtained a permit
to erect a block wall, which was completed by Ehline Company (Permit No. 05-1969). Aerial photography did not offer any additional
information regarding changes to the property over time. Apart from vinyl door replacements on the east side of the dwelling, the essential
form of the 1960 residence appears to be intact.
*B7. Moved? ý No o Yes o Unknown Date: N/A Original Location: N/A
*B8. Related Features: None
B9a. Architect: Not Identified b. Builder: Not Identified
*B10. Significance:
Theme: Residential Development, 1934 – 1970s; Ranches and Agriculture, 1900 - 1970s; La Quinta Architectural Styles, Custom Ranch 1935 -
1970s Area: City of La Quinta
Period of Significance: 1950 – 1970s Property Type: Residential Applicable Criteria: NRHP / CRHR / Local eligible
(A/1/B(events) and C/3/C)
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#: None
HRI #: None
Trinomial: N/A
CRHR Status Code: 3D / 3CD / 5D2
Other Listings: Urbana Survey No. 308
Resource Name: Dupont House
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DPR 523L (09/2013)
Primary Record Information Continued:
78310 Clarke Ct_2: View facing east of the west (rear) elevation.
78310 Clarke Ct_3: View facing east of the west (rear) elevation.
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary#: P-33-xxx
HRI #: None
Trinomial: N/A
CRHR Status Code: 3D / 3CD / 5D2
Other Listings: Urbana Survey No.: 308 Resource Name: Dupont House
Page 4 of 6
DPR 523L (09/2013)
Primary Record Information Continued:
78310 Clarke Ct_4: View facing east of the west (rear) elevation.
78310 Clarke Ct_5: View facing west of the east (front) elevation.
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary#: P-33-xxx
HRI #: None
Trinomial: N/A
CRHR Status Code: 3D / 3CD / 5D2
Other Listings: Urbana Survey No.: 308 Resource Name: Dupont House
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DPR 523L (09/2013)
Building, Structure, Object Information Continued:
B10. Statement of Significance Continued:
The Dupont House was not previously evaluated. It was constructed for Dupont chemical heir William Dupont Jr. between 1954 and 1959. Du Pont Jr.
(1896-1965) was a member of the Dupont family of Delaware that made its fortune as a gunpowder manufacturer in the 19th century and is credited
with the invention of rayon, nylon, and kevlar. While he worked in the banking industry, Dupont Jr. was known as a prominent figure in the sport of
thoroughbred horse racing. Although Dupont owned several large properties, he purchased what was Point Happy Date Gardens Ranch in La Quinta
from Claremont College. It had been bequeathed to the college in 1948 by Marie Rankin, the widow of gold miner and oil tycoon Chauncey Clarke.
When Dupont acquired the property, he built a vacation home with a tennis court designed by his friend, the championship tennis player Alice Marble.
Dupont often entertained his wealthy friends at this small home and grounds in La Quinta.
The dwelling is associated with the themes of Residential Development (1934-1970s) and Ranches and Agriculture (1900-1970s), being the only extant
building remaining related to the Point Happy Ranch and part of the early residential development of La Quinta following the construction of the
Cove. The property possesses individual documented significance in relation to these themes. The property is assigned the 3S, 3SC, and 5S2 status
codes: appears eligible for NR individually through survey evaluation, appears eligible for CR individually through survey evaluation, and individually
eligible for local listing or designation.
The dwelling is eligible under NRHP/CRHR/Local Criterion A/1/B, as it is associated with the early residential settlement of La Quinta and the history
of early ranches in the Coachella Valley. It is not individually eligible under Criterion B/2/B, as there are other properties associated with William
Dupont Jr. The dwelling is individually eligible under Criterion C/3/C, as it embodies the distinctive characteristics of a Custom Ranch style dwelling
developed in La Quinta during the mid-20th century. 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. The dwelling
has not been substantially altered and maintains integrity from the historic period.
B10. References Continued:
Riverside County Assessor Records; City of La Quinta Building Permit Records; La Quinta Historical Society Research Collection; Coachella Valley
Telephone Directories (1946-1957); California Digital Newspaper Collection, University of California Riverside; Digital Newspaper Collection,
Genealogybank.com; Digital Newspaper Collection, Newspapers.com; Digital Collection, Ancestry.com; Online Historic Aerial Photographs, Historic
Aerials.com; University California Santa Barbara Online Historic Aerial Collection; U.S. Department of the Interior Earth Explorer Historic Aerial
Collection; La Quinta Design and Development Department, City of La Quinta Historic Context Statement, 2011; and La Quinta Historical Society,
Images of America: La Quinta, 2020.
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary#: P-33-xxx
HRI #: None
Trinomial: N/A
CRHR Status Code: 3D / 3CD / 5D2
Other Listings: Urbana Survey No.: 308 Resource Name: Dupont House
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