437. Duplex (FY 1859)

437. Duplex (FY 1859)
1321-1323 W. First Street
Contributing, ca. 1922

 
Stone steps lead up the terraced lawn to this unusual Craftsman style duplex. The two-story weatherboarded structure with gable-on-hip roof and grouped windows is dominated by its side entrance porches at the front corners of the house. Each porch has battered brick posts, a front arched opening, a roof which slopes down from the main roof, encompassing a small room with a large pedimented dormer. The duplex looms over the street as if ready to take flight.

 

This was another of the investment properties built by P. Oscar Leak (318), who purchased the property in 1919. The first city directory listing was in 1923, when R.A. Thomas, assistant commissioner of Public Works, was the occupant of 1323. The duplex stayed in the Leak family until 1963, when it was sold to Maude F. Shore. (TR, CD)