History of 517 South First Avenue – Walla Walla, WA

Legal Description

Beginning at a point in the easterly line of First Avenue South which point is 6 feet northerly, measured along said easterly line of First Avenue South, from the northwest corner of Lot 20 of Evans’ 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 “C” of Plats at Page 3, and running thence northerly along said easterly line of First Avenue South, a distance of 64 feet; thence at right angles easterly 127 feet, more or less, to the westerly line of the property heretofore owned by T. S. Linton; thence at right angles southerly along the said west line of said Linton property, a distance of 64 feet; thence westerly in a straight line to the point of beginning.  (An abbreviated legal would be Evans’ Tax 5, Lot 20.) Subject to easements, restrictions, covenants and reservations of public record or in apparent use.

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, W.T. 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. 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.

Alvin B. and Martha E. Roberts on 3/8/1871, deeded a parcel of land to R. J. Evans for one dollar that is described in the chronological listing of deeds to follow.  In 1894, Evans heirs had the land surveyed and platted into 23 building lots.  Evans’ Addition to the City of Walla Walla was filed 8/21/1894.

12/19/1868, Warranty Deed, A. B. and Martha Roberts, grantors; S. S. Coston, grantee, …being a portion of [A. B. Roberts’] land claim commencing at a point where the center of the road leading south from Second Street crosses the south line of said A. B. Robert’s land claim, running thence northerly along the center of said road 23½ rods, thence due east 48 rods, thence south to intersect the aforesaid south line, thence along said line to the place of beginning, containing 7 acres more or less, including what eventually became 517 South 1^st Avenue, $700.

3/2/1870, Warranty Deed, S. S. and Francis A. Coston, grantors; America J. Evans, grantee, same legal as above, $900.  A. J. (America) and R. J. Evans operated A. J. Evans & Company, hay and grain, at 202 East Main. In 1894, Evans heirs had the land surveyed and platted into 23 building lots.  Evans’ Addition to the City of Walla Walla was filed 8/21/1894.

12/3/1887, Lease of Land, R. J. Evans to ChungTom (Chinaman), Witnesseth that the said party of the first part does by these presents lease and demise unto the said party of the second part all of the Estate land and premises known as the Evins [sic] Estate situate [sic] lying and being in the south end of the said City of Walla Walla together with all the hereditaments and appurtenances hereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining for the full term of 5 years from the first day of March A.D. 1888 at the annual rent or sum of $252.00 lawful money of the United States of America.

10/15/1892, Warranty Deed, William H. Evans, grantor; Jacob T. Arrismith [sic], grantee, same legal as Warranty Deeds with the following addition: excepting and reserving therefrom however and from the   operation of this deed all the following described lot piece or parcel of land, to wit: commencing at the southeast corner of  Lot 8 in Block 15 in Roberts’ Addition to the City of Walla Walla, State of Washington running thence in a southerly direction in a continuous straight line with the east line of said Lot 8 about 72 feet to a point that would intersect at the north line of Whitman Street if the said Whitman Street should be extended west in a continuous line; thence at right angles running westerly about 193¼ feet to a point that would intersect the east line of First Street if the said First Street should be extended south in a continuous straight line; thence northerly to the southwest corner of Lot 5 in said Block 15; thence easterly along the southerly line of said Block 15 to the place of beginning, the portion so excepted being the same land conveyed by R. J.Evans et al to Jacob A Konoyer by deed dated February 28^th 1888 and recorded in Book 40 Deeds page 484 Records of Walla Walla County State of Washington, $2,500.

12/29/1893, Warranty Deed, E. C. Evans, grantor, Caviness & McDonald, grantee, …commencing at a point on the south boundary of A. B. Robert’s Homestead Claim from which the southwest corner of the north half of the northeast quarter of Section 29 in said Township and Range bears west 298½ feet, thence north 25° west along center of road leading southerly from 2^nd Street Walla Walla City 3 chains and 95 links, thence north 65° east 10 chains and 44 links, thence south 25 degrees east 8 chains and 56 links to the south boundary of said Robert’s Homestead Claim, thence west along said south boundary line to place of beginning, excepting and reserving therefrom however and from the operation of this deed all of the described lot piece or parcel to wit: commencing at the southeast corner of Lot 8 in Block 15 in Roberts’ Addition to the City of Walla Walla State of Washington, running thence in a southerly direction in a continuous strait [sic] line with the east line of said Lot I about 72 feet to a point that would intersect the north line of Whitman Street if the said Whitman Street should be extended west in a continuous straight line, thence at right angles running westerly 193¼ feet to a point that would intersect the east line of First Street if said First Street should be extended in a continuous straight line, thence northerly to the southwest corner of Lot 5 in said Block 15, thence easterly along the southerly line of said Block 15, thence easterly along the southerly line of Block 15 top the place of beginning, the excepted being the same land conveyed by R. J. Evans et al to Jacob Konoyer by deed dated Feby 28, 1888 and recorded in book 40 deed page 484 records of Walla Walla County State of Washington that he is the owner in deed simple of the undivided 1/4th interest in and to said premises that they are free from all incumbrances [sic] and that he will warrant and defend the same from all lawful claims whatsoever, $2,500.  Grantee McDonald was Mordo McDonald, a stock dealer who operated McDonald’s Feed and Stables at 4^th and Poplar.  The building has been meticulously restored and is home to Misbehaven Spa and Salon.  McDonald took up residence in his new home on Lot 21 at 521 South 1^st in 1901.  517 South 1^st was built next door north of the McDonald home.  The land circumscribed in this deed predates by eight months its being platted into building lots and thus does include what became Lot 20.

1/17/1894, Quit Claim Deed, R. J. Evans, grantor; William H. Evans, Clara E. Arrasmith, Ernest C. Evans, Maggie M. Workman, children and heirs of America T. Evans, deceased, grantees, same legal as above, $10.

12/4/1901, Warranty Deed, Mordo and Belle McDonald, grantors; William P. Winans, grantee, …Beginning at a point 6 feet north of the northwest corner of Lot 20 in Evans’ Addition to the City of Walla Walla, and running from thence north along the east line of 1^st Street 64 feet; thence at right angles in an easterly direction 127 feet more or less, to the west line of the property now owned by T. S. Linton; thence at right angles southerly and along said west line 64 feet; and thence at right angles west 125 feet more or less to the point of beginning.  Also a right to use the driveway now used as such along the line between and on Lots 19 and 20 of said Evans’ Addition to said city, $650.  This deed marked the first sale of Lot 17 excluding other properties.

10/14/1904, Agreement, Mordo and Belle McDonald, George E. and Viola Kellough, William P. and Christine M. Winans, …an easement for driveway purposes over and across portions of Lots 19 and 20 for the mutual benefit and advantage of all parties, to wit: the south 6 feet of Lot 19 and the north 6 feet of Lot 20, $650.  George Kellough owned a men’s clothing and gents’ furnishings store at 206 West Main.

8/19/1931, Ren Thompson, County Treasurer to The City of Walla Walla, Notice of County Treasurer’s Sale.  On 6/27/31, 23 parcels in various Additions to the City of Walla Walla were purchased by the city for street improvements, right of ways, and other easements.  Included in this purchase were the southeast 6 feet of Tax no. 6, Lot 19 and the northeast 6 feet of Lot 20, Evans’ Addition.

9/23/1959, Warranty Deed, Catherine V. Winans, a single woman and Eugene C. Eppinger, grantors; H. Ward and Elsie I. German, grantees, $10.  The Walla Walla County Auditor’s online deed search does not mention in the legal description that this sale involved Lot 20, despite the fact that that is the lot described in the legal description.

8/23/1995, Quit Claim Deed, H. Ward German, grantor; Elsie I. German, grantee, for love and affection.

4/6/2021, Lack of Probate Affidavit, Estate of Elsie I. German, grantor; Allan Lee German, grantee.

5/3/2021, Statutory Warranty Deed, Alan Lee German, grantor; Jose Manual Villalobos, Jr., grantee.  The Walla Walla County Auditor’s online deed search discloses that this is Lot 20 of Evans’ Addition.

Construction of Building

The County Assessor lists 1902 as the year the house at 517 South 1^st was constructed.  Doubtless the accuracy of this date – Assessor build dates usually being estimates – is due to the prominence of the man who had it built.  Phillip Moore Winans was one of three children born to W. P. and Lida Winans.  William Parkhurst Winans was one of Walla Walla’s most prominent early citizens.  In partnership with Raymond R. Rees, he first established the Rees-Winans Mercantile on the northeast corner of 2^nd and Main in 1874, initially occupying a small brick building on that corner that her formerly housed the Kyger & Reese (different spelling, no relation) Mercantile.  In 1876, Winans and Rees determined to construct a larger building to house their successful business.  However, by 1889, Winans and Rees decided to erect an even larger building to house their mercantile. In the mid-90s, W. P. Winans withdrew from the mercantile business and opened the Farmers Savings Bank on the main floor of the Rees-Winans Building.  The building still exists but is not recognizable as the former Rees-Winans Building, having been thoroughly “modernized” in 1951 and renamed the Jones Building.

From the list of deeds, it can be seen that on 12/4/1901 W. P. Winans purchased the land on which 517 South 1^st stands from Mordo McDonald.  It would appear that the purchase was made for his son, P. M. Winans.  No deed exists for a transfer of the lot from father to son.  The 1902 city directory listed him as employed as a teller at First National Bank and residing at 108 Newell Street.  No directory was published for 1903, but the 1904 directory lists P. M. Winans as an assistant cashier at First National Bank with residence at 517 South 1^st.  Because the land was purchased in December of 1901, it is reasonable to list the build date for 517 South 1^st as 1902.  The house remained in the Winans family for 47 years.

Phillip Winans was born in Walla Walla in 1874, attended public schools, the Whitman Academy and graduated from Whitman College.  Before going to work for First National Bank, he worked briefly in his father’s bank beginning in 1895.  Phillip married Rose Blalock, the youngest daughter of another prominent Walla Wallan, Dr. Nelson Blalock, in 1899.  Rose died in 1914, and Phillip married Catherine Eppinger of Portland, OR in 1916.  The Winans were member of the Presbyterian Church.  Phillip was a Mason, a member of the Walla Walla Commercial Club, and a board member and treasurer of the Walla Walla Golf Club.  He died in 1955 and is buried in Mountain View Cemetery, as are both Rose and Catherine Winans.

In September 1959, Catherine Winans sold the house to H. Ward and Elsie I. German.  It remained in the German family for an even longer period of time – 62 years, until the death of Elsie German in 2021 at the age of 109 years!

The house is a large, two-story Dutch Colonial (Winans ancestry was Dutch) with a fore and aft gambrel roof and clapboard siding.  Window openings along the sides of the roof allow natural light to enter.  The façade is asymmetrical with a large, comfortable front porch on the right and a bay window on the left perhaps being the only feature breaking the otherwise straightforward lines of the comfortable appearing house.  It is well-maintained, and the current owners have done extensive work improving the landscape around the house.

References

• TitleOne Escrow & Title Company (formerly Pioneer Title)
• Whitman College Archives
• Walla Walla Public Library
• Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps (various years)
• Walla Walla City Directories (various years)
• Cindy Fazio, Cadastral GIS Technician, Walla Walla County Assessor’s Office
• Direct and Reverse Indexes to Deeds, Walla Walla County Auditor’s Vault
• Lyman, Prof. William D., Lyman’s History of Old Walla Walla County, Vol. 1, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1918
• Standard Atlas of Walla Walla County Washington, Geo. A. Ogle & Co., Publishers & Engravers, Chicago, 1909