House History

David and I feel so lucky to be moving back to Carpinteria! Not only are we going to be near friends and family, but we will be moving into a home that has been in David’s family for 108 years! The history of the house is quite unique and begins way back…

The house at 1598 Linden Avenue was originally built in 1878 by Windsor Nathan Drury. The two-story home had a redwood exterior and was divided down the center with 3 rooms on each end. Living room, dining room and kitchen on one end and 2 bedrooms and a pantry on the other. I read it was initially intended to be a hotel. O – and did I mention the house was in the shape of an octagon!

A spiral staircase led to the second floor and a single eight sided room. After a short while, Drury left the home and it was rented to various families – one of whom used the upper room as a ballroom/hall for their music recitals!

David’s great-great grandfather, Expectacion Alvarado brought his family from Mexico to Carpinteria in 1900. Expectacion purchased the octagon house in 1905. On September 8, 1918 David’s grandmother Pauline was born in the house. Pauline was raised by her grandparents and lived in the home until a massiveearthquake in 1925 damaged the house. Expectacion removed the second story of the house and reconfigured the downstairs into a traditional 4 sided house. Some of the lumber from the 2nd story was used to build the small homes at 5061 Foothill (our old house!) and 5071 Foothill.

One of the most special facts about this home is this is where David lived as a newborn. Mason’s room will be where David’s nursery was and in November, we will be bringing our new baby home to this house just as David’s parents did.

Since I am my mother’s daughter, a new house obviously means new projects! In addition to sharing the fun history of the home with you, we will also be posting stories and photos as we remodel and renovate this historical home. Our tool belts are stocked, we have his and hers crowbars at the ready and we start our remodeling adventure this weekend!