Ontario in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Dr. O.S. Ensign House

304 South Laurel Avenue

— 1893 —

Dr. O.S. Ensign House Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 28, 2025

1. Dr. O.S. Ensign House Marker

Inscription. This Eastlake home with stick style features was built in 1893 by architect and contractors John Gerry and Robert Manley for Doctor and Mrs. O.S. Ensign. It was used as both medical offices and residence by Dr. Ensign and later Dr. C. Sheppard. F.E. Linholtz, publisher and owner of the Ontario Record newspaper then owned the property. In 1907, J. Lewis bought the home and it became known as the Lewis Apartments and later as the Palm Garden Inn, boarding employees of Ontario's Hotpoint Iron Company. The Lewis's daughter, Frances Lewis Harpel, retained ownership until 1978. In 1979 it was purchased by M.E. “Skip” Pace.

Ontario Historical Landmark #5
Ordinance #2576
Designated on September 20, 1994

Erected 1994 by City of Ontario, California. (Marker Number 5.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.

Location. 34° 3.659′ N, 117° 39.154′ W. Marker is in Ontario, California, in San Bernardino County. It is at the intersection of South Laurel Avenue and West Main Street, on the left when traveling north on South Laurel

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Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 304 S Laurel Ave, Ontario CA 91762, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles,

in the Inland Empire,

in the Peninsular Ranges,

and specifically in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Old Post Office / Paul Williams Building (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Frankish Building (about 700 feet away); United States Post Office (approx. 0.2 miles away); McCann Block Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old City Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ontario Power Company (approx. 0.2 miles away); Nine Young Pepper Trees (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mule Car (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ontario.

Also see . . . Dr. Orville S. Ensign House (PDF). National Register nomination for the house, which was listed in 2012. (Prepared by Diane Ayala, City of Ontario; via National Park Service) (Submitted on November 9, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 28, 2025

2. Dr. O.S. Ensign House Marker

Marker is on the left gatepost. The National Register plaque is on the right one.

National Register of Historic Places image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 28, 2025

3. National Register of Historic Places

Dr. O.S. Ensign House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 28, 2025

4. Dr. O.S. Ensign House

View of the house from Main Street.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 84 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 9, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.