152 Chattanooga Street

This elegant home, completed about 1888 (water service date) and confirmed through structure maps and tracing the addresses, was designed by architect John Marquis for owner Robert D. Mc Elroy. Marquis was well known as the architect for the Nightingale House (San Francisco landmark #47) at 201 Buchanan Street.

An Eastlake-style home, there are numerous architectural motifs. Eastlake in San Francisco could be described as almost an overabundance of ornament of all kind: oversized brackets and columns, myriad carved and turned decorative appliques, and the combination of different types of siding. Ultimately at 152, these different elements are brought together to form a harmonious whole. The small square panes in the upper sashes of the windows may once have held multi-colored panes of glass, perhaps complementing the deep red transom over the front door which still retains the original address number. Originally 122 Chattanooga the house number changed to 152 as new infill homes were added. Beautiful clear beveled glass squares remain in the upper front parlor and second floor master bedroom windows. The same beveled glass is repeated on either side of the original front double door.

Mc Elroy included interior features that clearly were meant for his own family. It was not a house built for speculation. He included five spectacular mantles with original tile surrounds both in the main floor parlors, the second floor master bedroom and an original Inglenook mantle in the hallway entrance. The Inglenook mantle and fireplace is complete with beveled mirror, seats on either side, gas light fixtures (now electric) and original floor tiles.  When first built, the water service records describe running water throughout the home with washbasins, one bath, two water closets, laundry tubs and wash trays. A later addition was irrigation for the garden. The footprint of the house has mostly remained unchanged.

The home was designed for Mc Elroy and his young family in the fast growing Noe Valley.  As a real estate agent, working in his father’s real estate firm Robert McElroy Real Estate in the Phelan building downtown, he probably built his home in anticipation of the real estate boom expected with new rail lines connecting the area to downtown. However, he seems to have held the house longer than speculation would require. He clearly was raising his family in this home. Most of his real estate speculation seemed to have been in the fast-growing Western Addition.

In the 1900 Census, he (55) occupied the house with his wife Caroline (36), son Robert, Jr, (13) and a servant Anna O’Farrell. It was a large home, with a small family living in the space. Sometime between 1900 and 1906 the house was transferred from Robert D. Mc Elroy to William Little.

The Little family lived here until 1916. In the 1910 census, Lena Little (46), now a widow with her own income, was living in the house. With her were several young women, three daughters, Hazel Lang (23, from an earlier marriage), Edna Little (12), and Norma Little (10) all single, and one step daughter Margaret (Lucre Marguerite) Little (19, perhaps Lena’s husband’s daughter). There were a number of property transfers within the Little family after husband William Little passed away in 1906 and his estate was passed to the women living there. By 1916, Lena Little and Nettie and H.M Thomas sold the house to Jacob Blank. Blank was a photographer with a studio and residence in the Mission and held the house for rental. Fritz (a milk man) and Antonnia Schmidt purchased the house in 1924 and lived there until 1945. A young woman, Kay, daughter of Charles Hober was married in the house, perhaps to a Schmidt family member or simply family friends. Fritz died in 1945, and Antonnia continued to live at the house for another 10 years. In all, the Schmidts lived in the house for 30 years. It was sold to the Callaghan family in 1955 and became a rental property again until Bill and Barbara Westbrooke bought in the 1970’s adding Bradbury and Bradbury wallpapers in the parlors. M. Desmonde and Dana Anderson Breau bought the house in 1987, adding the brickwork along the side of the house and driveway, as well as the finished basement.  They also updated the kitchen and family room in the back of the house. Both owners did huge improvements!

When Mark and Katherine Perl bought it in 1994, they were searching for a music room to house Kathy’s collection of keyboard instruments, as she is a professional musician. The Perls discovered the beauty of this home and have loved it from their first sight. They raised their two children in the home, and shared their love of music with the community. For 15 years they held “Chattanooga Chamber” concerts in their parlors, hosting up to 50 people for each performance. This house lends itself perfectly to hosting parties or concerts–in the open double parlors, adjacent to the entryway. Please enjoy their home for visual and perhaps musical treats!

Research from Bill Kostura, historian, commissioned by Kathi Perl                

Edited Gail Baugh, 2024