The Bruton House, a Gold Coast Landmark

The Bruton House, a Gold Coast Landmark

The Bruton House, which has been named an Alameda Historical Monument, will be the topic of discussion at the Alameda Architectural Preservation Society meeting on Thursday, March 8 at 7:00 pm at the Immanuel Luthern Church at 1420 Lafayette Street. 

Woody Minor, local historian and author of several books about Alameda, performed the research and will discuss the steps necessary to nominate the home for landmark status.  Minor's family has been in Alameda since the 1890 which is one of the reason he is so passionate about Alameda's history.  The Bruton home will be designated Alameda Historical Monument No. 30 later in March by the City Council. 

A Colonial Revival with Queen Anne elements, the Bruton house is one the largest private residence in Alameda with 4000 square feet of living space.  The parcel size is over 13,000 square feet with some of the oldest oak trees remaining on the Island.  The house was built in 1987 by the Alameda firm of Denis Straub & Sons, with Junior Partner Fred P. Fischer serving as the principal architect.  The house is architectural significant as well as historical significant due to the fact the important artists had interaction with the Bruton family.

The home was built for San Francisco businessman Daniel Bruton, Pacific Cost agent for the American Tobacco Company.  The Brutons had three daughters who all became noted regional artists. The house remained within the family through World War II. 

Woody will also discuss Alameda’s Gold Coast which has a great concentration of Alameda’s most impressive homes.  Woody will offer advice on house to research the history of home using Sanborn maps, assessor's maps, deed, building permits, newspaper articles and census data. 

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