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

Dr. Renselaer Smith Home

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, November 26, 2022

1. Dr. Renselaer Smith Home Marker

Inscription. Dr. Renselaer Smith built this prairie style home in 1915 to serve as his office and home. His medical practice was acquired from Dr. William L. Wilson who was the first doctor in Milpitas dating back to 1894. The DeVries family purchased the house in 1947 where they lived until 1995. The City of Milpitas designated the house as a City Cultural Resource in 1986.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.

Location. 37° 25.959′ N, 121° 54.46′ W. Marker is in Milpitas, California, in Santa Clara County. Marker is on North Main Street south of Weller Lane, on the right when traveling south. The plaque is mounted to the right porch newel. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 153 North Main Street, Milpitas CA 95035, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Silveira House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Former Ford Assembly Plant (approx. 1.3 miles away); Jose Higuera Adobe (approx. 1.9 miles away); The James Lick Mansion (approx. 3 miles away); Lick Mill and Granary (approx. 3 miles away); James Lick Mill (approx. 3.1 miles away); Henry Curtner Mansion (approx. 3½ miles away); Agnews Development Center (approx. 3.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Milpitas.

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Additional commentary.
1. City of Milipitas Cultural Resources Register (Undated), Page 7, Number 11
"Dr. Smith’s House (a.k.a. DeVries Home, 1915), 163 North Main Street:
A high-style example of the Prairie style of architecture, the Dr. Smith house has a
low-pitched roof with widely overhanging eaves. The one-story front porch is supported by
massive square posts, as the small porch on the north side. The upper story has tall casement windows with small panes in a geometric pattern. The windows on the lower story have large central panes surrounded by small panes. The central front entry door, reached via concrete steps and porch, is multi-paned and has multi-paned sidelights. The well-groomed grounds have lawns with cedar, willow and palm trees, as well as shrubbery.
Built by Dr. Renselaer J. Smith, the second doctor to set up practice in Milpitas.
Smith came to the town from Redlands in 1904, succeeding Dr. William Wilson. As a fine
example of high-style Prairie architecture, The Dr. Smith house is unique in Milpitas. It
embodies the best elements of the style that originated in Chicago and was popular for a
brief period between 1905 and 1915. It served as both his residence and medical office. The home was purchased by the DeVries family in 1950, who
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, November 26, 2022

2. Dr. Renselaer Smith Home Marker
still live there."

— Submitted December 1, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.

Dr. Renselaer Smith Home image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, November 26, 2022

3. Dr. Renselaer Smith Home

Credits. This page was last revised on December 1, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 1, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 103 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 1, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.