History of 329 Craig Street, Walla Walla, WA

Legal Description

Lot 6 in Block 19 of Roberts’ Addition to the City of Walla Walla, according to the official plat thereof of record in the office of the Auditor of Walla Walla County, Washington, in book A of Plats at page 21. Excepting therefrom, however, a strip of land 9 feet in width off the Northerly side of said lot opened to public use as an alley.

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).

The original plat was lost, probably in the fire of 1865. Thus, the earliest plat on file is one made by W. W. Johnson, City Surveyor, in July 1865 that claims to have made corrections to Case’s survey. Johnson’s survey was made the official plat of the City of Walla Walla on September 25, 1866, was filed and recorded July 5, 1867.

A.B. (Alvin Brown) Roberts was born May 17, 1832 in Knox Township, Jefferson County, Ohio. He arrived in Oregon Territory in 1853 and settled in Portland where he established the stone cutting firm of Roberts and Hartle. He served in Company A, Multnomah County, First Regiment from October 13 to December 19, 1855 in what was known as the Yakima War. He fought in what became known as the Battle of Walla Walla from December 7-11, 1855.

After his military service, Roberts went back to marble-cutting in Boise City, Idaho. On September 15,

1858 Roberts married Martha Elizabeth Baxter in Clackamas County, Oregon. (They divorced in 1866.)

A. B. Roberts and Martha left Portland, Oregon in 1859, traveling upriver to The Dalles, and eventually by land on to Wallula, Washington Territory. From there they ventured on to the military Fort Walla Walla, at that time located along what is now East Main Street east of First, where Roberts determined to remain, purchasing property from Tom Hughes near the current northeast corner of South 1^st and Alder Street for $250, which amounted to about 160 acres. He constructed a house of canvas and poles about 150 feet south of that corner.  He fenced in additional land around his rudimentary house and held it until the small town was surveyed.  Roberts was one of 42 men selected to run for city office in 1862 in an effort to curb crime in Walla Walla; it appears he was neither elected nor appointed to office.

Roberts planted what is believed to be the first apple orchard in the valley other than those planted by Marcus and Narcissa Whitman at the Whitman Mission. Roberts sold some of his one-year-old trees for one dollar each and since that proved so profitable, went into the nursery business exclusively, establishing Walla Walla’s first nursery, importing grape vines from Champoeg, Oregon. He rose to much prominence in the fruit industry of the territory and state, much of which was centered in Walla Walla at that time. He was also the father of Masonry in Walla Walla and was first the master of the Walla Walla Lodge No.7.

Eventually A. B. and Martha Roberts extended their holdings, including acreage granted by the United States Government under the Homestead Act that ranged from approximately First Street on the west to approximately Howard Street on the east, and from approximately L Street on the south to Alder Street to the north.  Platted in 1870, the land was recorded January 20, 1871 as Roberts’ Addition to the City of Walla Walla.

10/6/1873, Sheriff’s Deed, Burrell W. Griffin, Sheriff of Walla Walla County, Washington Territory and  Special Master in Chancery to Frank Paine, John G. Paine and Miles C. Moore, Blocks 9, 19, 20, 21 and Lots 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8 in Block 18 in A. B. Roberts’ Addition to the City of Walla Walla, as the result of non-compliance with a judgment of 5/19/1873 in District Court against A. B. and Martha E. Roberts for $1,178.39.

7/19/1878, Warranty Deed, Frank W. and Ida B. Paine, John G. Paine, Miles C. and Mary E. Moore, grantors; B. K. Walker, Lot 6, Block 19, A. B. Roberts Addition, $100.

7/19/1878, Warranty Deed, Benjamin K. and Jennie Walker, grantors, John Lumpp, Lots 5 and 6, Block 19, $450.   John Lump was born in Germany in 1828.  His death certificate discloses that at birth his surname was spelled with one “p” to which he added a second “p”.  He was listed in the 1880 Walla Walla City Directory as a drayman, residence on the south side of Whitman east of Catherine. There is no listing for Josephine Lumpp. Mr. Lumpp continued to reside in various locations with no listing of a spouse through 1892. In the 1893-94 Directory, he is still listed without Josephine, but in this edition his residence is “528 Park.”  In the 1898 Directory, John Lumpp was listed as a capitalist still with no mention of Josephine. Her first listing in the Directory did not occur until the 1909-10 edition, when she was listed as “widow, John Lumpp residing at 528 Park.”  John Lumpp died June 4, 1900 of senility according to his death certificate.

8/6/1879, Deed, J. B. Montague, grantor; Josephine Lumpp, grantee, Lot 7, Block 19, Roberts’ Addition, adjoining the property to the east and constituting part of 528 Park Street.

Josephine Lumpp, née Kirtchner, was born near Chicago on June 19, 1850.  It is not known when she arrived in Walla Walla or precisely when she married John Lumpp, who was reported to be her second husband. (John Lumpp’s death certificate states that Josephine had two prior husbands before marrying John Lumpp.)  She had a son, Carl Strite, from a previous marriage.  The Lumpps had two children, Josie (1879–1887) and Lena (1881–1882), suggesting that Josephine and John were married in 1878, the year he acquired 329 Craig, and the year prior to her receipt of deed to Lot 7 in the name of Josephine Lumpp..  John Lumpp and his two daughters are buried in the Catholic section of Mountain View Cemetery. Josephine’s last listing as Josephine Lumpp in a city directory was in the 1915 edition. A search of city directories for 1918-20 disclosed that in 1917 she married John McNerney and they, along with McNerney’s adult son James, all lived at 528 South Park Street. In the 1929-30 city directory, Josephine was listed as the widow of John McNerney, who died in 1928. Interestingly, the 1933 directory lists not only Josephine McNerney at 528 South Park, but the widow Kate Semler was living with her; they apparently shared the house until Josephine’s death.  While it is fairly certain that John and Josephine Lumpp constructed the house at 329 Craig Street, apparently Lumpp ever lived there and it was mainly rental property during their ownership.  Josephine Lumpp McNerney died in 1938 and is buried in the Masonic section of Mountain View Cemetery.

6/10/1880, Sheriff’s Deed, Burrell W. Griffin, Sheriff of Walla Walla County, Washington Territory and Special Master in Chancery to Frank Paine, John G. Paine and Miles C. Moore, Blocks G, P and Q, 9, 19, 20 and 21, and 6 lots in Block 18, A. B. Roberts’ Addition, $650.

1/3/1881, Warranty Deed, John B. and Ellen Montague, grantors; Josephine Lumpp, grantee, Lot 8, Block 19, Roberts’ Addition, $1,100.

1/8/1891, Deed, W. P. and Christine M. Winans, grantors; John and Josephine Lumpp, grantees, in reference to a strip of land 18 feet wide running through the centers of Blocks 18 and 19…from Palouse Street to Park Street…9 feet off lots facing Craig Street and 9 feet off the lots facing Whitman Street, $1 and other valuable consideration.  William P. Winans was president of the Walla Walla Street Railway Company and secretary of the Walla Walla Water Works.  Later he became president of Farmers Savings Bank.

1/8/1891, Indenture, W. P. and Christine M. Winans, John and Josephine Lumpp, Daniel and Margaret Stewart, P. P. and Evvie A. Pearson, grantors; The City of Walla Walla and the inhabitants thereof, grantees, for a strip of land 18 feet wide running through the centers of Blocks 18, 19 and F in Roberts’ Addition from Palouse Street to Park street, said strip to embrace 9 feet off of the northerly end of lots fronting on Craig Street and 9 feet off of the southerly end of lots fronting on Whitman Street, $1 and other valuable consideration.

2/15/1894, Deed, City of Walla Walla, grantor; Josephine Lumpp, grantee, Lots 5, 6, 7 and 8, Block 19, Roberts’ Addition, $1 and other valuable consideration.

2/15/1894, Indenture, John Lumpp, grantor; Josephine Lumpp, grantee, Lots 5, 6, 7 and 8, Block 19 and fractional Block F, $1 and other valuable consideration.

8/16/1894, Warranty Deed, Josephine Lumpp, grantor; John Lumpp, grantee, Lots 5 and 6, Block 19 and fractional Block F, plus numerous other properties he brought to their marriage, for love and affection.

3/4/1946, Deed, Mrs. Anna Reilly, grantor; Nellie Morse Davis, grantee, Lot 6, Block 19 excepting the 9-foot strip used as an alley, $10.  No information could be found on Anna Reilly.  Indeed, there were few Reillys listed in Walla Walla city directories for the several years checked.  She may have been a daughter of Josephine Lumpp from a previous marriage, or some other relative, since this deed likely may have been granted in connection with probate proceeding.

5/16/1977, Statutory Warranty Deed, Claude J. and Nellie M. Davis, grantors; Wendell W. and Dolores J. Peery, grantees, Lot 6, Block 19, $15,000.  Claude Davis was a Walla Walla fireman and the Davises occupied 329 Craig Street for the duration of their long ownership.

6/15/1981, Seller’s Assignment of Real Estate Contract and Deed, Claude J. and Nellie M. Davis, grantors; Helen C. Swear, grantee, for the contract of 5/16/1977 between Claude and Nellie Davis and Helen and Wendell and Dolores Peery for Lot 6 excepting the 9-foot strip used as an alley.

2/28/1984, Quit Claim Deed, Helen C. Swear, grantor; Wendell W. and Dolores J. Peery, on full payment for Lot 6, Block 19.

8/25/1998, Statutory Warranty Deed, Wendell W. and Dolores J. Peery, grantors; Stan W. Peery, grantee, one-third of Lot 6, Block 19 excepting the 9-foot strip used as an alley, for love and affection.

2/28/2001, Statutory Warranty Deed, Wendell W. and Dolores J. Peery, grantors; Stan W. Peery, grantee, same as the above-listed deed.

4/17/2002, Statutory Warranty Deed, Wendell W. and Dolores J. Peery, grantors; Stan W. Peery, grantee, same as the two above-listed deeds, for love and affection.

10/12/2005, Statutory Warranty Deed, Stan W. Peery, a single person, grantor; Jay M. and Heather M. Babbitt and Jeffrey S. Briggs, a single person, grantees, Lot 6, Block 19, $10 and other valuable consideration.

3/29/2007, Statutory Warranty Deed, Jeffrey S. Briggs, a single person, grantor; Andrew Reed as his separate property, grantee, a fifty percent interest in Lot 6, Block 19, $10 and other valuable consideration.

10/2/2017, Statutory Warranty Deed, Jay M. and Heather M. Babbitt, grantors; Christopher W. and Robyn L. Huether, grantees, Lot 6, Block 19, $375,000.

8/5/2022, Statutory Warranty Deed, Christopher W. and Robyn L. Heuther, grantors; Norman E. and Alison W. Bell, grantees, Lot 6, Block 19.

Construction of Building

329 Craig Street has been vexing in determining an accurate build date.  The County Assessor lists 1896 for the year the house was constructed.  Assessor build dates are generally estimates based on the appearance of the structure.  John Lumpp acquired Lot 6 in Block 19 of Roberts’ Addition in mid-1878.  The 1894 edition of the Sanborn Fire Insurance Map does not show a building at 329 Craig Street.  The next edition of Sanborn was not until 1905 and the house is clearly visible.  Building permits for Walla Walla are preserved at Whitman Archives as far back as mid-September 1907, and no building permit is shown for this house.  Add to this that John and Josephine Lumpp apparently never resided in this house even though he or they doubtless had it built, instead residing at 528 Park Street next door to the east.  The 1898 city directory lists renter William Goodman, no occupation given, living at 329 Craig,  No occupant could be found in the 1900-01 directory, so 329 was evidently empty at times.

Property boundaries on the north side of Craig Street between South Palouse and Park Streets changed, as did house addresses.  Finally, in 2007 through 2009, the house was greatly enlarged and its exterior significantly altered from its original appearance.  No historic photograph has been found showing what it looked like originally.  This researcher is acquainted with Tim Babbitt, father of Jay Babbitt who, with his wife Heather, purchased the house in 2005, had the extension built and altered the exterior appearance.  Tim Babbitt reported that the house was almost a tear-down when Jay and Heather Babbitt purchased it. A permit for the extension was granted 3/19/2007, increasing the square footage of the house from its original 749 square feet by 1,143 additional, for a total of 2,528 square feet.  The Babbitts owned the house for twelve years, but used it as rental property for some of those years.

In conclusion as indicated above, the house likely was constructed by John and Josephine Lumpp circa 1896.  We can only guess at its original appearance, but a reasonable estimate would be a Stick Style cottage probably with clapboard siding and perhaps fish scale shingles on the gable or pediment above the inset front porch.  The porch would have had turned posts, possibly with some lathe-turned ornament.  Small panes of colored glass may have embellished the upper portion of some of the windows.

In the enlarging and reconfiguring of it exterior begun in 2007, some original window sashes were evidently maintained, but the exterior walls were modified by the application of stucco.  Although the house lost its original appearance, that may have been beyond salvaging, the work was done carefully and the landscaping is very attractive.

Resources

• TitleOne Title & Escrow (formerly Pioneer Title)
• Whitman College Archives Walla Walla Public Library
• Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
• Walla Walla City Directories
• Library of Congress
• Cindy Fazio, Cadastral GIS Technician, Walla Walla County Assessor’s Office
• Pam Ransier, Administrative Permit Coordinator, Development Services, City of Walla Walla
• Walla Walla Statesman, various dates