Atherton: Town artifacts have historic value, consultant says Atherton: Town artifacts have historic value, consultant says (October 05, 2005)

** Lindenwood could qualify as a historic district.

By Andrea Gemmet

Almanac Staff Writer

It looks like Atherton officials are going to have some big decisions on their hands this winter. A consultant hired to study and inventory potentially historic artifacts in the town has found that not only are there a number of important objects in town but that it appears part of the Lindenwood neighborhood could qualify as a historic district under the guidelines of the National Register of Historic Places.

Lindenwood is dotted with objects, including streetlamps, urns, benches and statues, that were once part of Linden Towers, the elaborate 1880 estate of Silver King James C. Flood.

Amid much controversy, the City Council in May passed a six-month urgency ordinance to protect historic artifacts by requiring property owners to apply for a conditional use permit before moving, destroying or altering them.

"Not to anyone's surprise, we found you have some significant artifacts," consultant Laura Jones told the Atherton City Council at its September 21 meeting. She surveyed and researched 20 artifacts located on public property and 10 on private property with owners' consent.

"Everyone I spoke to, whether participating or not, respects the value of these artifacts," she said.

The inventory and a final report are due to be presented to the City Council at its November 16 meeting. Once they receive the report, council members are going to have to decide whether to impose regulations that will protect the artifacts or do what they've done prior to passing the urgency ordinance -- leave it up to the property owners and hope for the best.

Ms. Jones said her research focused on two of the town's eras -- the "Gilded Age" from 1870 to 1900 and the "Country Place Era" from 1900 to 1930. She was directed by the council to study only objects 75 years old or older.

"Down the road, will we have the Chip era? The Dot.bust era?" asked Councilman Charles Marsala.

Ms. Jones said it was possible that a future City Council would see fit to add items from the Modern Subdivision era of 1930 to 1950 or even homes that were built in the past few years, which she jokingly dubbed "The Large House" era.

"Right now, Larry Ellison seems like a very important person. Who knows whether in 50 or 100 years our grandchildren or great-grandchildren will even know who he is," Ms. Jones said.

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