History of 1146 Hobson Street – formerly 1146 Alice Street – Walla Walla, WA

Legal Description

Lot 3 in Block “B” of Watertown Addition to the City of Walla Walla, Washington, according to the official plat thereof in the office of the Auditor of Walla Walla County, Washington in Book C of plats at Page 56.

Title and Occupant History

Washington Territory was created in 1853.  In 1854, the new territorial legislature created Walla Walla County, which stretched from the crest of the Cascade Mountains to the crest of the Rocky Mountains in the present states of Washington, Idaho and Montana.  In 1855, Isaac Stevens, governor of Washington Territory, held a council on the banks of Mill Creek at the present site of Walla Walla with representatives of regional Indian tribes to purchase land from them.  The Yakamas, Cayuses and Walla Wallas were dissatisfied with the treaties and the intrusion by whites into their lands before the treaties’ ratification, and war followed.  Missionaries, former French-Canadian employees of the Hudson Bay Company trading post at Wallula, and soldiers at the military Fort Walla Walla were the primary European occupants of the area prior to 1859, when the treaties were finally ratified and the land was opened for settlement.  The transfer of ownership occurred by virtue of a treaty signed on June 9, 1855 in Walla Walla and ratified on March 8, 1859 by President James Buchanan, in which all of the land in the Walla Walla area was acquired from the Cayuse and Walla Walla Indian tribes.

The town of Walla Walla was originally laid out by County Surveyor Hamet Hubbard Case in 1859, prior to its formal incorporation as a city in 1862, as a one-quarter mile square with its eastern side centered on the point where Main Street crossed Mill Creek (at roughly the point where it does now).  Case’s plan was filed and recorded July 5, 1867 in Book A of Plats, Page 1. The City of Walla Walla received a Trustee Town site from the U. S. Government that consisted of 80 acres, issued on July 20, 1869 by the Vancouver, W. T. District Land Office.

The first patent holder of the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 21, Township 7 North, Range 36 East, in what is now the city of Walla Walla, was Samuel Phinney. He purchased 160 acres from the United States Government in April 1, 1865, registered in the Vancouver, W. T. Land Office.

2/22/1865, Indenture, Samuel and Adeline Phinney, grantors; A. H. Robie, grantee, 160 acres in 36-7-36, and 160 acres in 21/7/36, and 40 acres in 28-7-36, totaling 360 acres in all, $2,000. Albert Hugh Robie was a Special Indian Agent and, like Phinney, he resided both in Walla Walla and Lapwai, ID.  He was an interpreter for Isaac Stevens during the 1855 treaty councils and was married to Pah Tis Sah, daughter of Chief James of the Nez Perce.  (This information was found in the “Message of the Governor of Washington Territory,” Edward Furste, Public Printer, Olympia, 1857.)

3/13/1865, Deed, A. H. Robie, grantor; C. S. Lewis, grantee, “land” in Sections 28 and Section 21, Range 7 North, Township 36 East, as recorded in Book D, Page 446 of Deeds on file in the Walla Walla County Auditor’s Office.

4/21/1868, Deed, A. J. Dodge, grantor; William Matzger, grantee, 160 acres in 21-7-36, $3,500. No record has been found connecting C.S. Lewis, the grantee from Robie, to A.J. Dodge.

8/30/1877, Warranty Deed, William and Abigail Matzger, grantors; Charles S. Bush, grantee, 12 acres in Section 21, Range 7 North, Township 36 East, $1,080. William Matzger was born in Hanover Germany in 1819. He arrived in the Oregon Territory in 1847, where he married in 1848. From Oregon Territory, the Matzgers moved to the California gold fields where he amassed his wealth. He later filed for a 640-acre donation land claim in Benton County where he farmed and opened a sawmill and flourmill. In 1863, the Matzgers moved to Walla Walla, then on to Dayton in 1871, where he is considered one of the founders of the city and served as postmaster. William Matzger died in Los Angeles in 1883 while on a business trip. Charles S. and Nancy J. Bush owned property on both sides of Main Street, what currently lies on both sides of the 100 block of East Main.

1/9/1878, Warranty Deed, C. S. and Nancy J. Bush, grantors; Thomas Collins, 44 acres “more or less” in Sections 21, 22, 27 and 28-7-36, $8,000. Thomas Collins was the proprietor of the Walla Walla Driving Park, an ill-fated undertaking that appears to have been a failure. It was located slightly east of present-day Pioneer Park and was later the site of Walla Walla’s first fairgrounds.

4/27/1883, Lease, Thomas and Laura Collins, obligors; James A. Messenger, obligee, 12 acres in Sections 21, 27, and 28-7-36, beginning 1/1/1882, $80 per month in gold coin.

5/11/1883, Assignment of Lease, James A. Messenger, obligor; Charles Russell, obligee, to “…sell, transfer and assign… all my right title and interest… forever…” $975. Charles Russell arrived in Walla Walla in 1856, and later farmed on 720 acres in the area of Russell Creek that is named for him.

6/5/1883, Warranty Deed Against Grantors, Thomas and Laura Collins, grantors, Charles Russell, grantee, 44 + 12 acres as described in above Assignment of Lease.

3/12/1886, Warranty Deed, Charles and Annie Russell, grantors; Walla Walla Driving Park and Agricultural Association, a Corporation, grantee, 44 + 12 acres “more or less” in Sections 21, 22, 27 and 28-7-36, $8,000.

9/2/1886, Warranty Deed, Walla Walla Driving Park and Agricultural Association, a Corporation, grantor; Walla Walla Valley Consolidated Agricultural Society, a Corporation, grantee, 44 + 12 acres “more or less” in Sections 21, 22, 27 and 28-7-36, $10,000.

5/29/1895, Certificate, William Ellingsworth, Sheriff to W. P. Reser et al, (Alex Cameron, Chris Ennis, Harvey Shaw, Milton Aldrich, Mike Toner, F. M. Lowden, Philip Yenney, Hiram Nelson, W. O’Donnell, Jas. McInroe, Thomas Quinn, John Dooly, John Alheit, B. Ferrell and John G. Paine, plaintiffs vs. The Walla Walla Consolidated Agricultural Society, a Corporation, defendant), 44 + 12 + 2 acres “more or less” in Sections 21, 22, 27 and 28-7-36 sold to plaintiffs for a bid of $20,795.85. William P. Reser settled in Walla Walla in 1865, in 1889 becoming Washington State’s first senator.

3/27/1903, Quit Claim Deed, Harvey and Martha Shaw; Hiram and Sarah A. Nelson; Alex and Gean Cameron; F. M. and Mary E. Lowden; W. P. Reser, Trustee and W. P. and Linda Reser for themselves; and Sarah Aldrich to The Garden City Land Company, a Corporation, 44 + 12 + 2 acres “more or less” in 21, 22, 27 and 28-7-36 $1.

4/23/1903, Sheriff’s Deed, Charles S. Painter, Sheriff to W. P. Reser, Trustee, in action against The Garden City Land Company, a Corporation, 44 + 12 + 2 acres “more or less” in Sections 21, 22, 27 and 28-7-36 sold to the highest bidders named in the Certificate filed 5/29/1895 for $20,795.85.

11/3/1903, Warranty Deed, The Garden City Land Company, a Corporation, duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Washington, grantor; Joseph McCabe, grantee, 44 + 12 + 2 acres in Sections 21, 22, 27 and 28-7-36, $17,500.

Joseph McCabe was vice president and general manager of the Walla Walla and Columbia River Railroad. W. D. Lyman in Volume 1 of his 1918 history of Walla Walla County wrote he was “…a railroad builder and manager of conspicuous ability and who continued at the head of the line until he was drawn into important railroad work in New England.” McCabe and his wife, Ella, built the house at 253 Marcus Street in 1899 that is generally thought to have been built by Dr. Nelson Blalock; Blalock did not become owner of the house until 1903.

Watertown Addition began as a township east of the then-east city limit of Division Street. It was platted originally by Joseph and Ella McCabe and filed on 11/4/1903, with Blocks “A” through “E” lying north of Alder Street and Blocks 5 through 15 south of Alder. Watertown Addition was replatted, approved by all property owners, and filed 5/14/1906.

5/11/1904, Quit Claim Deed, Chris and Annie Ennis; Milton and Sarah Aldrich; The Walla Walla Consolidated Agricultural Society, a Corporation; Philip and Rachel Yenney; Frances Dooly, widow and residuary devisee of John Dooly, deceased; John G. Paine, unmarried; Clara Louise Quinn, widow and residuary devisee of Thomas Quinn, deceased; Rose Alheit, widow and residuary devisee of John Alheit, deceased; B. and Caroline Ferrell; W. O’Donnell, unmarried; James and Jennie McInroe; Mike and Julia R. Toner to Joseph McCabe, 44 + 12 + 2 acres in Sections 21, 22, 27 and 28-7-36, $1.

5/4/1906, Warranty Deed, Joseph and Ella L. McCabe, grantors; Elmer S. Foss, grantee, Lot 2 Block “D” and Lots 2, 3 and 4, Block “B” of Watertown Addition, $1,200. Mr. Foss was a carrier for the United States Postal Service. His residence was listed as “Alice cor[ner] Green.” Although there is no Green Street on the plat map for Watertown Addition, this appears to be a reference to Roosevelt Street, since the two streets west of Roosevelt are Blue and White, and Bellevue, the next street after Blue, was originally named Red prior to the Russian Revolution in 1917.

12/19/1908, Elmer S. Foss et ux, grantor; Joseph A. Waddell, Lot 3, Block “B” of Watertown Addition, $500. This is the earliest transaction that involves only Lot 3 in Block “B.” Joseph Waddell’s employment in the 1908 city directory was listed as Express & Drayage at 9½ South 1^st, but more important that directory contains the first listing for 1146 Alice (now Hobson) Street.

3/8/1922, Indenture, Joseph A. Waddell, grantor; Agnes M. Waddell, grantee, “in consideration of love and affection I have for my wife.”

4/4/1922, Assignment of Contract, Agnes M. Waddell, assignor; Lisle Minion, assignee, “a contract embracing $3,000… payable on basis of $35.00 per month…” for Lot 3, Block “B.” No listing for Lisle Minion could be found in city directories.

6/8/1922, Agreement for Deed, J. A. and Agnes M. Waddell, grantors; Eugene Gallaher, grantee, $3,800 payable in “$800 cash and $3,000 balance at $35.00 per month plus interest of 7% per annum…” Eugene Gallaher was listed as a repairman with residence at 1146 Alice Street.

10/31/1925, Assignment of Contract, Agnes M. Waddell, assignor; Ora E. Hunter, assignee, “…do hereby sell, transfer and assign… all my right, title and interest in… Lot 3, Block “B,” $1 and other valuable considerations.

7/13/1926, Quit Claim Deed, Lisle Minion, a bachelor to Agnes M. Waddell, $1.

7/16/1937, Quit Claim Deed, Ora E. and William D. Hunter to Eugene and Ora M. Gallaher, $10.

8/11/1937, Warranty Deed, Eugene and Ora M. Gallaher, grantors; Harry U. and Vera Berney, grantees, $10 and other valuable considerations. By this point, Mr. Gallaher was wire chief for Pacific Telephone & Telegraph and was no longer residing at 1146. Harry Berney was a warehouseman for Walla Walla Produce Company, a family business at 201 East Main; he and Mrs. Berney also did not reside at 1146. From city directories, it appears that 1146 was rental property until approximately 1944.

6/16/1938, Quit Claim Deed, Vera P. Berney, otherwise known as Vera Whitney Berney to Harry U. Berney, as his separate property, $10.

2/24/1939, Warranty Deed, Harry U. Berney, owner in his own separate right, grantor; C. E. and Jennie Simonds, grantees, $10 and other valuable considerations. Simonds was owner of the Izzard Store, groceries and meats, at 111 South 2^nd; Mr. and Mrs. Simonds also did not reside at 1146.

6/28/1943, Warranty Deed, Kyle McDaniel, as Executor of the Last Will & Testament of C. E. Simonds, deceased and Jennie Simonds, deceased; grantor; Stephen and Louisa Ringhoffer, grantees, $10 and other valuable considerations.

4/13/1944, Warranty Deed, Stephen and Louisa Ringhoffer and Floyd and Ardella Pannett, grantors; Harry B. and Harriet M. Aiken, grantees, $10. Neither the Ringhoffers nor the Pannetts resided at 1146. Harry Aiken was an engineer for the Union Pacific Railway Company. Mr. and Mrs. Aiken did reside at 1146 and Mrs. Aiken, as a widow, remained at the house until sold in 1968. All ensuing owners have resided in the house

6/4/1968, Statutory Warranty Deed, Harriet Maria Aiken, a widow; grantor; Clifford C. and Elizabeth C. Widmayer, grantees, Lot 3, Block “B”, for “love and affection for the grantees herein.” Clifford Widmayer was vice president of Derby Electric, 210 E. Main.

4/11/1978, Statutory Warranty Deed, Clifford C. and Elizabeth C. Widmayer, grantors; M. R. and Myrna H. Bowen, grantees, $10 and other valuable considerations. Melvin Bowen was a brakeman/conductor for Burlington Northern Railroad and Myrna Bowen was a teller at the main office of Baker Boyer National Bank.

10/2/1980, Statutory Warranty Deed, M. R. and Myrna H. Bowen, grantors; Howard S. and Donna K. Price, grantees, $10 and other valuable considerations. Howard Price was self-employed, listed as custom harvest.

2/9/1983, Quit Claim Deed, Howard Stevenson Price to Donna K. Price, as part of a dissolution settlement.

9/4/1986, Statutory Warranty Deed, Donna Kay Price, a single person, grantor; Michael D. and Mary L Freeman, grantees, $10 and other valuable considerations.

6/15/2001, Statutory Warranty Deed, Michael D. and Mary L. Freeman, grantors; Mark and Karen Riomondo, grantees, $10 and other valuable considerations.

7/27/2005, Statutory Warranty Deed, Mark and Karen Riomondo, grantors; Paul C. Jubb, an unmarried man, as his separate estate, $10 and other valuable considerations.

6/9/2014, Statutory Warranty Deed, Paul C. Jubb, grantor; David Alan Schroetlin, grantee, $255,000.

7/13/2017, Statutory Warranty Deed, David Alan Schroetlin, grantor; Barbara A. Delauter, grantee.

Construction of Building

The Walla Walla Assessor dates construction of 1146 Hobson Street to 1911. Although Elmer S. Foss purchased four lots in Watertown Addition that included Lot 3 of Block “B” on May 6, 1906, he was listed in the city directory for 1905 as residing on Alice Street at the corner of Green Street, a street that cannot not be found on the Watertown plat map, though as mentioned above, it was likely a reference to what is now Roosevelt. Since 1146 is not on a corner, it is unlikely that Foss had the house built.

Since 1146 is near but not on a corner, and Foss also bought the adjoining corner lots on both sides of the street, and sold Lot 3 for only $500 in 1908 there is some question as to whether Foss had the present house built. On the other hand, since no building permit is on file for the original construction of the house during the period after Foss sold it on December 19, 1908, and building permits are intact from September 1907 for several decades and show only a permit for an addition issued to the new owner on October 3, 1908 prior to his purchase, there is a strong presumption that Foss or someone else built at least a portion of the home prior to his sale of the home in late 1908, particularly since the new buyer is listed in the 1908 directory as residing at this address.

In December 1908, Joseph Waddell purchased Lot 3, Block “B” from Foss, and the city directory for that year indicates that he lived at 1146 Alice Street. A search of all permits starting with that month turned up no permit to construct a house at 1146 Alice Street. However, on 10/3/1908, Waddell was issued a permit for “moving barn and building addition” on Alice Street, for which he paid a fee of fifty cents. Unfortunately, it was not specified if the addition was for a house or for the barn he wished to move. Nonetheless, the above information indicates the house was most likely constructed by Foss or someone else prior to September 1907 and added to by Waddell in 1908. A build date of “circa 1907” would therefore appear appropriate.

The house is a one and one-half story craftsman, essentially square, but with a slight projection to the rear at the southwest corner. It has a hipped roof with a projecting gable dormer over the centered front porch and slightly projecting oriels at each side of the porch. Siding is clapboards with fishscale shingles facing the dormer and a band of dentils that span the dormer between the two round supporting columns. This detailing, more reflective of the craftsman style, has been added over the past decade, reversing earlier non-contributing modifications to the exterior that included mustard yellow aluminum siding.

Resources

• Pioneer/Columbia Title
• Whitman Archives
• Sanborn Fire Map, 1905 first edition and 1923 modifications
• Walla Walla County Auditor
• City Directories, various years
• Lyman, Prof. William Dennison, Lyman’s History of Old Walla Walla County Embracing Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield and Asotin Counties, Vol. 1, S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, 1918
• Gilbert, Frank T., Historic Sketches of Walla Walla, Whitman, Columbia and Garfield Counties, Washington Territory, and Umatilla County, Oregon, A. G. Walling Printing and Lithographing House, Portland, 1882
• An Illustrated History of the Big Bend Country, Embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin Counties, State of Washington, Western Historical Publishing Company, 1904 (online)
• Oregon Secretary of State, Biographical Sketch of William Matzger, sos.oregon.gov/archives
• United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, General Land Office Records (online)
• WABios/crussell.com
• findagrave.com