Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Sedgwick Lynch House

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, August 27, 2022

1. Sedgwick Lynch House Marker

Inscription. Historic Landmark
1877
Sedgwick Lynch House
John Morrow, Architect
Italianate Style
The Museum of Art & History

Erected by Santa Cruz County Museum of Art & History.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1877.

Location. 36° 57.749′ N, 122° 1.531′ W. Marker is in Santa Cruz, California, in Santa Cruz County. Marker is at the intersection of West Cliff Drive and Beach Street, on the right when traveling south on West Cliff Drive. The marker is mounted to the porch, to the right of the front door. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 174 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz CA 95060, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. O’Neill’s Surf Shop (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); American Railway Express Agency (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sunshine Villa (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Wharf Links Land and Sea (approx. 0.2 miles away); Welcome to the Santa Cruz Wharf (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rockcrest Iliff House (approx. ¼ mile away); 135 Gharkey (approx. ¼ mile away); Carmelita Cottages (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Cruz.

Additional commentary.

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1. Santa Cruz Historic Building Survey, Volume I, 1976, Page 38
”170 West Cliff Drive, Clear View Court, Italianate, 1877, John Morrow
A grand Italianate mansion with bracketed cornices, bays, gables and porch. This house was built for Sedgwick Lynch, a prosperous contractor. The most distinctive features of the house are its arcaded porch and lavish interiors.
[Architectural Significance as an Example of its Style:] Excellent.”

— Submitted September 6, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.

2. Santa Cruz Historic Building Survey, Volume III, March 2013, Page 115 & 120
"The historic streetscapes of Santa Cruz, made up of stone retaining walls, stairways and steps, curbs, mature vegetation, and historic residences, give Santa Cruz a strong sense of time and place. The construction of stone retaining walls in Santa Cruz was critical in the development of the city’s cultural landscape. The first masonry retaining walls were constructed by Mission Santa Cruz’s neophyte population during the Mission Period. Throughout the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, retaining walls were used in areas where steep slopes dictated their use to tame the natural contours of the city’s terrain. Retaining walls,
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, August 27, 2022

2. Sedgwick Lynch House Marker
Historic rock wall partially visible at the bottom of the picture.
steps, and curbs were constructed to make steep lots to accommodate site elevation changes, create boundaries, as well as to facilitate pedestrian access to the bluffs that frame downtown Santa Cruz. Much of the work of building these walls and steps was conducted as part of an effort to beautify the city to attract tourism and commerce.
The walls and other resources identified as significant to the Santa Cruz landscape are important historic and architectural character‐defining features of the neighborhood and streetscape. Many of these survive and often are integral components of individual properties, as well as the districts where they are found. Following is a list of the walls, stairways, steps, and curbs which are included in the inventory. A photographic sampling of walls and stairways has also been included:
174 West Cliff Drive."

— Submitted September 6, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.

Sedgwick Lynch House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, August 27, 2022

3. Sedgwick Lynch House

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, August 27, 2022

4. Sedgwick Lynch House

Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 242 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 6, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.