The Clinton Whitmore Home is on its way to receiving protection on the National Register of Historic Places.
The owners of the home, Cary and Nancy Pope, asked the city to look into placing it on the list to preserve it as a historical place.
The home, located at 2732 Fifth Street, was constructed in 1903 by Clinton Whitmore, who was the son of Ceres founder Daniel Whitmore. The Daniel Whitmore Home - which is Ceres' first home - was purchased in the 1980s by the city and already protected as a national historic place. The sprawling mansion stayed in the Whitmore family until 2005 when it was purchased by the Popes. They've turned the run-down house into a showcase house which is rented out regularly to private events.
"If there ever was a historical monument that needed to be preserved, this certainly is it," said Mayor Anthony Cannella.
Brian Briggs, the city's Redevelopment and Economic Development Manager, was eager to see the house preserved as a historic place "may be used to attract businesses that cater to consumers of California history."
Audience member Len Shepherd commented that he had a chance to visit the mansion in November and said the owners have done a great job of preserving it.
The Popes are planning to use part of the undeveloped ground near the mansion for the construction of Victorian Village, a classy-looking 30-unit senior citizens complex. The approval process included splitting the 2.6-acre parcel into three separate parcels. The Popes plan to keep the mansion available as an event center while Victorian Village develops around it. The $5.6 million apartment project would occupy the northeast corner of Fifth and North streets.
The owners of the home, Cary and Nancy Pope, asked the city to look into placing it on the list to preserve it as a historical place.
The home, located at 2732 Fifth Street, was constructed in 1903 by Clinton Whitmore, who was the son of Ceres founder Daniel Whitmore. The Daniel Whitmore Home - which is Ceres' first home - was purchased in the 1980s by the city and already protected as a national historic place. The sprawling mansion stayed in the Whitmore family until 2005 when it was purchased by the Popes. They've turned the run-down house into a showcase house which is rented out regularly to private events.
"If there ever was a historical monument that needed to be preserved, this certainly is it," said Mayor Anthony Cannella.
Brian Briggs, the city's Redevelopment and Economic Development Manager, was eager to see the house preserved as a historic place "may be used to attract businesses that cater to consumers of California history."
Audience member Len Shepherd commented that he had a chance to visit the mansion in November and said the owners have done a great job of preserving it.
The Popes are planning to use part of the undeveloped ground near the mansion for the construction of Victorian Village, a classy-looking 30-unit senior citizens complex. The approval process included splitting the 2.6-acre parcel into three separate parcels. The Popes plan to keep the mansion available as an event center while Victorian Village develops around it. The $5.6 million apartment project would occupy the northeast corner of Fifth and North streets.
