Otho A. Bennett Home 1894

Photo copyright:

Claudia A. East, 2006

Sitting on the corner of 340 North Oregon and Howard Streets in Yreka, California is this most interesting victorian with many gables! The home was built in 1894 and the resident was Otho A. Bennett and his wife Nellie who were married in 1890. Mr. Bennett was born in 1861 in Indiana and in 1900 his occupation while residing in Yreka according to the U. S. Census was listed as "contractor and builder".

It is not clear to this author when Mr. Bennett arrived or departed from Yreka, but during the years he lived here he was clearly a busy man! Among notable buildings he was either the contractor or builder for here in town, are the Parr-Steele House (See an image and read about the house here: Parr-Steel House.) and our beautiful (yet hidden) 1897 Siskiyou County Courthouse North and South Wing Additions. (You can see an image and read a post of the courthouse here: Siskiyou County Courthouse.) Mr. Bennett won the contract to build the wings on the courthouse in July of 1896. It is mentioned in a 1953 article from the Siskiyou Pioneer that Mr. Bennett was an active member of the Yreka City Council in 1902.

This lovely home shows on Sanborn Fire Maps first in 1897, so the posted date of construction as 1896 is likely very accurate. In 1897 the map shows the front porch configuration of the home very much as it is seen today in this image above. The home has remained basically the same with some slight changes and additions (from the maps it appears changes were made mostly by enlarging areas at the rear of the home).

If one drives through our National Historic District along Third Street, be sure and take a jaunt around a few blocks west of Third Street to find many other historic homes. The Otho A. Bennett Home can be found just a block away!

Copyright: Claudia A. East, 2008.

Parr-Steele House 1900

It was 1900 and a traveling dentist, Dr. William Parr decided to stay in Yreka and build a home for his family. History tells us that he designed this home himself and had it built by a local contractor/builder, Mr. O. A. Bennett. [Interestingly enough, Mr. Bennett won the contract for adding the North and South Wings onto the original Siskiyou County Courthouse and was a notable figure in town.] It is reported that the original cost of this home for Dr. Parr was $2,500. Dr. Parr lived in the home only a short two years and then sold the property. It changed hands again in 1905 and Mr. O. G. Steele purchased the home. Mr. Steele lived in the home until his death in 1976.

The home stands today at 415 Third Street in Yreka, California. A major portion of Third Street has been honored with the distinction of being a National Historic District. At the Yreka Chamber of Commerce visitors can pick up a brochure that includes a walking tour of the Historic District and this home is one of the ones listed on the tour. It is a delightful walk from the "old downtown" Historic District.

The interior of the home has retained the vast majority of its original character, with a very unusual spiral staircase that encompases the entire "tower section" of the building. The home has a lovely entrance with the impressive staircase at the right and large pocket doors that lead into the interior of the home. Today the home boasts a total of 3,437 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. There is a formal study, formal dining room, and "parlor" in addition to a lovely sun porch.

Copyright: Claudia East