Peter J. Weber House

• Comment: Large number of unsourced claims. See WP:CIRCULAR. Mattdaviesfsic (talk) 19:26, 11 January 2023 (UTC)

• Comment: None of the sources used are reliable (user generated). Is listed as a National Historic Landmark or a state registry? Those generally meet the notability guidelines. S0091 (talk) 19:48, 4 November 2022 (UTC)

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Overview

The Weber House

Conceptual sketch of The Weber House by Peter J. Weber, 1932.

Mosaic bathroom tile designed by Peter J. Weber.

Designed and built by architect Peter J. Weber in the 1930s as a family residence and conceptual showcase of his creative work, The Peter J. Weber House (also known simply as "The Weber House") is City of Riverside Landmark #52 located at 1510 University Avenue, Riverside CA 92507. The house is notable not just for its architect (Peter J. Weber was the lead draftsman for the architectural firm of G. Stanley Wilson and later an architect in his own right), but for its eclectic Depression-era design and its reliance on salvaged materials. Bricks were reused from a local high school that was being demolished, used cardboard boxes provided insulation in the walls, bathroom mosaic tile was created from broken scraps purchased for $5 per barrel from Gladding, McBean, and the exterior woodwork was stained with used crankcase oil. Built between 1932 and 1938, the house features an abundance of recycled and reclaimed materials and finishes, ornate hand-carved details, colorful decorated ceilings painted by a visiting Hungarian refugee in the 1940s, and some ahead-of-their-time systems including a roof-mounted solar water heater enclosed by repurposed Model T windshields and seismic fittings in the basement to protect against earthquake damage, informed by Weber's early work with architect Julia Morgan following the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire. Many of the house's design details were inspired by Weber's year-long honeymoon travels in Europe and North Africa, in particular Moorish architecture and Tudor Revival architecture. The house was initially designed to be expanded into a multi-bedroom private getaway for guests, but Weber never finished the intended expansion for a variety of reasons: the birth of his son in 1937, the shift of vacation destinations from Riverside to Palm Springs, and a lack of financial resources. The house was surrounded by 8.8 acres of citrus, stone fruit, and nut trees inspired by groves Weber had seen at the Generalife Gardens at Alhambra in Granada, Spain, and bordered a branch of the Gage Canal at its south end. As commercial development grew around their home in the 1950s, the Weber House served as a family home for Peter, his wife Clara, their son Peter N. Weber, and Clara’s mother Amelia Hartnett until 1972, when the Webers relocated to Leucadia.

Saved from Demolition

The Weber House remained under ownership of the Webers for the next eleven years. In the early 1970s, it was briefly occupied by grove workers, but eventually the grove was torn out and the property was divided into four parcels for sale, including a parcel containing the Weber House. Various renters occupied the home for short periods, and it sat vacant briefly until 1979 when the Webers began renting to two graduate students from University of California, Riverside, Lisa Conyers and Bob Kneisel, who later became a founder of Pasadena's Bungalow Heaven Landmark District. Conyers and Kneisel began the work of restoring and maintaining the house and archiving its history. Through their efforts along with Riverside’s Cultural Heritage Board, local advocacy group Old Riverside Foundation, and Alan Curl of the Riverside Metropolitan Museum, the house was recognized as Riverside City Landmark #52 in 1981. An extensive review was done, and it was determined elegible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places, but the nomination was opposed at the time by Weber’s son Peter N. Weber, who worried National Register status would affect his ability to sell the property. After the death of Peter J. Weber in 1983, the parcel containing the house was sold to Days Inn for redevelopment, who initially sought demolition or relocation of the house. Riverside's Cultural Heritage Board and Old Riverside Foundation, along with local preservation-minded individuals, convinced the new owner to keep the house intact. Peter N. Weber later recanted his support for demolition and came to treasure his boyhood home, documented its history, and gave tours. Old Riverside Foundation has been the occupant and caretaker of the Weber House since 1990. It has since been restored to much of its original condition and is available for tours. The Weber House was included in California's first statewide "Doors Open" event in 2022. It has been determined eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places; certification is currently under consideration.