Kruse Building

Once housing the Wells Fargo & Company express office, this is the only Victorian commercial building in Healdsburg with its original upper story facade still intact. Many two story brick buildings such as this once ringed the Plaza. Although hailed in 1900 as the "most modern" commercial building in Healdsburg, it has undergone three subsequent street level renovations. The Kruse Building was designed by San Francisco architect, A.J. Barnett, who specified that it be built with high quality terra cotta brick quarried in Placer County and San Rafael. The strong masonry probably helped it withstand the 1906 Earthquake. The first owner, Frederick Kruse, along with his brothers James and August were for many years agents for Wells Fargo and Company. A dentist and a photographer were among the many occupants of the second-floor offices. The interior of the second floor has been restored and serves as guest rooms for the Healdsburg Inn on the Plaza..

Built in 1900, the Kruse building is an example of an Italianate false front commercial building. Italianate buildings developed as part of the picturesque, or romantic movement, which emphasized an idolized view of rural living and the importance of nature. The style became popular in the U.S. starting in the 1850s. Its rambling, asymmetrical form, derived from Italian farmhouses, was considered pleasing and was a rejection of the more rigid classical styles such as Greek Revival. Characteristics of Italianate style include asymmetrical massing (in residential buildings), pronounced ornamental cornices and friezes, decorative brackets, overhanging eves, low pitched roofs, an emphasis on verticality, square cupolas or towers, small entry porches or wrap-around porches, Italianate porch columns, and decorative window surrounds.[1] Oriel (bay) windows on upper stories and cast-iron columns are common on commercial buildings.[2]^, [3]

This building was constructed for Fred A. Kruse who engaged architect Absalom Joseph (A.J.) Barnett to design the structure. Born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1853, Barnett’s father, George, was a prominent midwestern architect. George had three sons, all of whom became architects. A.J. Barnett came to California in the 1880s and became a well-known San Francisco architect. He designed many of San Francisco’s Victorian homes and commercial buildings. Barnett helped design the San Francisco Palace Hotel and many commercial buildings on Market Street, most of which did not survive the 1906 earthquake.

Healdsburg contractor W. H. Chaney constructed the building for Kruse. When completed, the Healdsburg Tribune noted, “A Fine Building, F.A. Kruse Block Completed. The Home of Handsome Stores and Up-to-Date Dental Parlors.”[4] The paper called the building “a substantial ornament to the town.” When completed, the Kruse Building was considered “Healdsburg’s most complete modern structure.” [5] The Tribune also noted the building’s fine brick construction. The brick construction was not praised for long, however. During the 1906 earthquake several thousand dollars’ worth of damage occurred due to the collapse and buckling of those fine bricks. Interestingly, the business inside the buildings received relatively minor damage.[6] Businesses initially located in the building included Wells, Fargo & Co., Western Union Telegraph, dental offices, a shoe store, and a millinery shop.

In 1996, a Commercial Restoration Award was given to Genny Jenkins for the restoration of the building. Legend has it that this inn is haunted by Ms. Edith Smith, who once worked in the building.[7]

[1] Architectural Styles of America and Europe, Italianate, https://architecturestyles.org/italianate/, October 2011

[2]  Moore, David W., Historical Studies Report No. 2011-01, Guidelines for Assessing the NRHP Eligibility of Commercial Historic Districts in Crossroads Communities in Northwest-Central Texas, Texas Department of Transportation, Austin Texas, August 2011, pp 35-38

[3] Longstreth, Richard. The Buildings of Main Street: A Guide to American Commercial, pp 24-31

Architecture. Washington, D.C.: The Preservation Press, 1987.pp 83-85

[4] Healdsburg Tribune, A Fine Building. F.A. Kruse Block Completed, Volume XXV, March 7, 1901, pp 1.

[5] Healdsburg Tribune, A Fine Building. F.A. Kruse Block Completed, Volume XXV, March 7, 1901, pp 1.

[6] Allyn Peter G., Absalom Joseph Barnett (1853-1918), The Society of Architectural Historians, Missouri Valley Chapter, Vol XVI, Number 1, Spring 2010, pp 1-3

[7] Dwyer, Jeff, Ghost Hunter’s Guide to California’s Wine Country, Pelican Publishing, 2008, pp 169-170