One of Sacramento's most beautiful homes (actually it's a 2-for-1)*

Today, 2009 23rd & 2015 23rd stand in symmetry, as built by William Murcell and J. W. Haley in 1913

The Sacramento Bee, March 21, 1912 Murcell & Haley, William Murcell Building Permits on 23rd Street

*To be fair, these homes are not on Bungalow Row, and were built roughly 5 years after our little Bungalow Row on Q Street, but I am easily distracted, and these are just a few blocks away, in Sacramento's Poverty Ridge Historic District.

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Wright & Kimbrough advertised the newly constructed Praire Style Home at 2007 23rd street (which is now 2009 23rd street) in November, 1914.

The ad reads:

Open for your inspection to-morrow--Sunday--1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
No. 2007-23d (T and U Streets)
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One of Sacramento's most beautiful homes
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THE style of architecture of this home is suggestive of the Italian Renaissance. The artistic lines of design, the buff stucco walls, the many French glass doors, the cement terrace and veranda with brick steps and stucco buttresses, the lawn, flower beds and auto driveway--all complete--give it an exterior appearance decidedly elegant.
    It is a very beautiful home with so many qualities of unusual merit and with such an inviting air about it that it immediately appeals to the family wishing a home of true distinction and real comfort. 
    Convenience is prominent in the interior arrangement. There are ten rooms and a sleeping porch, the bath room, butler's pantry and reception room lavatory.
    Artistic French doors open from the spacious veranda into the front living room, the reception room, the dining room and the sun room and also connect the different living rooms.
      The finish in the living rooms is very rich--white enamel with mahogany trimmings. The coved ceilings are tinted in colors that harmoniously blend with the particularly beautiful imported paper on the walls.
    Very handsome ceiling and wall electrical features.
    Hardwood floors in the living rooms. Tile fireplace in the front living room and the dining room. This front room is 16 x 27.4 feet and is an unusually fine room. The library is off the reception room and contains built-in bookcases and large closet. The fireplace in the dining room is flanked on each side with built-in china closet. The sun room is just off the dining room. Lavatory off the reception room, butler's pantry and kitchen complete the lower floor.
    Upstairs there are four bed rooms, sleeping porch with southern exposure and a complete white enamel bath room. Each bed room floor has a hardwood border. The front bedroom is 14 x 27.4 feet and has a fireplace, two closets and a dressing room with built=in chest and a clothes cabinet.
    The entire house is heated by furnace in the cement basement.
    Roof garden over the garage.
    This beautiful home is No. 2007--23d Street--(T and U)--occupies a valuable 60 x 80 ft lot on an improved street in a district of many handsome and expensive homes--just off Sutter Heights. It is  brand new---never been occupied. It is for sale at a price that makes it a splendid home buy. In fact, the lot could not be purchased and the house built for the amount of the selling price. Easy terms will also be arranged if desired.
    It will be open to-morrow--Sunday--from 1 p. m. to 5 p. m. An inspection will prove a home treat for you.
    There are so many features and artistic qualities about this home that it is impossible to describe  them all in this space. In addition, a word picture is never the same as the picture registered on the eye. You must see the home yourself to thoroughly appreciate it.
    The immediate sale of this property at the surprisingly low price is assured, so do not delay inspecting it, 

Wright & Kimbrough
817 "J" St.
Phone
M. 721

View of 2015 23rd Street entry, with the shared courtyard and garage area between the homes

2015 23rd, in the forefront, was the home of William Murcell. 2009 23rd was the home of Judge Peter J. Shields

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2009 23rd Street

The Sacramento Bee, January 1, 1916 Judge Peter Shields acquires the home on 23rd Street, with trade and cash deal, brokered by Wright & Kimbrough

    The home at 2007 (now 2009) 23rd Street was sold to Judge Peter J. Shields, who was an important figure in Sacramento and Davis History. There was an identical home constructed just South of this home, and here resided the builder, William Murcell. The homes were built by the firm of Murcell & Haley, who were major builders of the era, taking on commercial, government, industrial, and residential projects. Since Murcell lived at the Southern address (2015 23rd Street) and Haley seems to be the one who sold the Northern address (Now 2009 23rd Street, Was 2007 23rd Street), it seems that the building team each took possession of one home when they were finished.
​   At the time construction began on these homes in 1913, the firm had just completed the Frommer Building, located on the Southwest corner of 11th and K Streets, just across from the State Capitol Park. The building went on to become the Hotel Regis, and has lodged residents and businesses near the State Capitol continuously over the past century.  Murcell & Haley worked together until 1915, when J.W. Haley left the firm to become half-owner of the James Remick Automobile Supply House. 

Sacramento Union, May 25, 1912 Architects Drawing of the "Soon to Start Frommer Building" built by Murcell & Haley

Hotel Regis/Frommer Building stands today near the State Capitol at the SW corner of 11th and K Streets

NoeHill- Hotel Regis

Both homes still stand today, with ample car access and garage space between the two. It's interesting that one of the builders of these homes left contracting for the automobile industry, as these were some of the first homes built with an auto-centric focus.

 
In 2015, the home at 2007 23rd Street was opened to the public as a part of Preservation Sacramento's Annual Home Tour, and I was fortunate enough to tour it. The Sacramento Bee also did a nice article about it, with an interview with the current owners and some photos. I've linked that below, along with a couple of other resources.

Sacramento Bee Article- Peter J. Shields Home
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Newton Booth Neighborhood Association- Peter J. Shields Home

UC Davis Alumni & Friends- Peter J. Shields

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The Sacramento Bee, Nov 03, 1915 advertisement- J.W. Haley had just joined the firm of Jas. S. Remick, leaving contracting and building behind for the automobile industry.