San Luis Obispo County CA Archives Photo Place.....Paul Squibb House, Cambria ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com November 23, 2006, 11:19 pm Source: Discovering San Luis Obispo County Photo can be seen at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/sanluisobispo/photos/paulsqui59gph.jpg Image file size: 83.4 Kb THE PAUL SQUIBB HOUSE Cambria, California History and Description: One of the landmarks in San Luis Obispo County is the 93-year-old Victorian home of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Squibb. The initial construction of the house began 93 years ago, when F. B. Darke purchased two lots, in the old town section of Cambria, from George Porter on September 1, 1876. Mr. Darke, who was one of the grammar school instructors for the community and who later became the County Superintendent of Schools, was the original owner and builder of the house. On March 1, 1890, a Mr. Paterson, who was a Scottish cabinetmaker, purchased the house. The Paterson family occupied the premises until 1919, whereupon they sold the house to a Mr. Van Gorden. The Van Gordens remained the owners until 1954. It was at this time that Mr. and Mrs. Paul Squibb purchased it. The Squibbs have contributed a great deal by their restoration and refurnishing of the old house. The house is a two-story structure. The ground floor consists of a living room area, dining room, study, kitchen and bath; the second floor has bedroom area, bath and storage area. The outside shell of the house, which was built by Mr. Darke in 1877, was primarily constructed out of Monterey pine. This pine was used throughout the house for all the structural framework, such as the studding, ceiling joists, floor joists and roof rafters. White pine was also incorporated as a building material for such things as finished floors, and the outside porches. The wall structure was composed of Monterey pine studding, covered with muslin, which acted as a sheathing material. The muslin on the exterior wall surfaces of the house was covered with one-inch redwood horizontal siding, called Slabtown. Very little attention was given to the interior of the house compared to how the exterior facade was treated. The interior was primarily left in rough woodwork with only the muslin on the walls, while the exterior facade was very ornamental and detailed. Mr. Paterson elaborately furnished the interior with luxurious cabinets, mantel pieces, and other decorative pieces, which accented and added to the charm and grace of the old Victorian home. The Scottish cabinetmaker also raised the house to provide for ventilation underneath it and installed plumbing. In 1919, Earl Van Gorden bought the house from the Paterson family. There were few, if any, changes or additions which took place during the period that the Van Gorden family occupied the house (1919-1954). In 1954, when Mr. and Mrs. Paul Squibb purchased the house, they were aware that sections of the house had been previously subjected to termite abuse. They began restoration of the degenerating sections and, with much determination, the Squibbs have succeeded in restoring and preserving the house. Their efforts toward the restoration of their home have not only been self beneficial, but rewarding to all who visit the mansion. Sources: Telegram Tribune. January 29, 1966 Mr. Paul Squibb, Owner of the Victorian mansion Additional Comments: Extracted from Discovering San Luis Obispo County by Carleton M. Winslow File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/sanluisobispo/photos/paulsqui59gph.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cafiles/ File size: 3.9 Kb