AgdaPkt 2016-09-12 Closed and Joint SA PFA

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h Alpha Reference: I Historic Name: Clifton Motor Co., The Chevrolet Agency Address: 847-849 Main Street Date Constructed: 1922 Parcel #: 053-233-120 This is a single story one part commercial block as defined by Richard Longstreth in his book, The Buildings of Main Street, (1987), pp. 54-67. It is one of the most elemental commercial building types distinctive of "Main Street," with origins that can be traced back to the 181 century. This is an excellent example of the style which developed in the nineteen- teens or twenties, with its original shop fronts preserved. This in itself is significant since storefronts were so often altered with changing tastes. The block also lent an economic continuity and beauty to the rapidly expanding downtown streetscape. Originally the site of the old Pioneer Stables, Redwood's oldest operating stable, William J. Dusel bought the property in 1922. Dusel, a real-estate man from New Jersey, had been in Redwood City less than a year, but he jumped right into politics and community affairs. He received appointment as Redwood City Postmaster; was president of the Redwood City District Real Estate Board, VP of the Redwood City Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Kiwanis and other business and fraternal organizations. He became a City Councilman in 1929 and was Mayor for a time. The Pioneer Stable lot on Main St. had been unoccupied since the stable closed in 1910 and was empty until William Dusel came to Redwood City looking for real estate development opportunities. The Stafford family had owned the property for many years and, when the widow Emeline Stafford died in 1914, the bank bought the property for the balance owed on the mortgage ($5,980). No doubt Dusel watched Gus Waller build the new brick building on the old Seal's Livery Stable site on lower Main, about a block away. It was designed to be the new home for Dave Flynn's Ford automobile sale salon and automotive repair shop. New Ford sales were in the front on Main; the repair shop was in the rear, off Maple. Seizing an opportunity, in April1922 Dusel bought the Pioneer Stable lot and arranged a lease with Guy Clifton, the Chevrolet agent. The Pioneer Stable property was similar to the Seal's Stable property. Both had frontage on Main Street for pedestrian foot traffic; this was ideal to show off new automobiles inside spacious showrooms. And both properties had deep lots which extended to side streets for rear entrances. The Seal's lot extended to Maple Street where Dave Flynn had his repair shop with a Maple Street entrance. Pioneer Livery's lot extended to Walnut Street, which allowed for an auto repair shop to be built behind the new Chevrolet showroom. Page 41 7.B. - Page 52