§ 16.52.840. The Flossie Lewis House.

Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 2.63 and with the recommendation of the Planning Commission, the City Council designates the following building as an historical landmark in the City: The Flossie Lewis House.

A.

Location, Description and Reasons for Designation. Located at 1112 Locust Avenue in the City of Long Beach, this single-family, two-story Victorian house appears virtually unaltered from its original date of construction in 1905. Its most distinctive visual feature is a large cross-bellcast-gambrel roof, with curved stickwork on the gable return. Inside the gambrel are dog-eared shingles. The porch is recessed at the north end, with a pair of Ionic columns on a pedestal support. The ground floor is clad with narrow clapboard siding and has a three-part bay window. Window and door surrounds are surmounted with a cornice. Five (5) cement stairs lead up to the entry, between low rough-cut stonework. There is a small one-story addition on the side with a shed roof. The house is in good condition. Constructed in 1905, this is the oldest remaining house in its neighborhood, and part of the original residential development of Long Beach. It is architecturally unique among Long Beach Victorians for its complex roof forms. There are not many Victorians left in Long Beach; this is one of the most outstanding examples.

The house represents an era when large-scale Victorian houses were an indicator of prosperity among the middle-class, and was built during a time of rapid growth and expansion for the young City. Today, now that many houses from this era have been lost, it marks an important stage in the development of Long Beach.

Flossie Lewis established the first program in Long Beach for recovering alcoholics in 1948. She was widely respected for her generous social contributions. She was an important community leader, considered "the mother of A.A." in Long Beach. Her name became associated with this structure in 1985.

This structure is an outstanding example of Victorian architecture, and is intact on the exterior. Its cross-bellcast gambrel roof form is unusually complex. The corner porch, bay windows, dog-eared shingles and decorative columns are typical features of the style.

B.

The Secretary of the Interior's "Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings" are incorporated by reference, and shall serve as standards and guidelines for future exterior changes to the building. All exterior changes, whether or not they require a building permit require a certificate of appropriateness from the Cultural Heritage Commission. Any exterior alterations, modifications or repair of the structure shall be consistent with the character-defining architectural features, and shall not adversely affect the historical materials, design or detailing.

(Ord. C-7161 § 1, 1993)