GILROY
– Before the track homes, apartment complexes and golf course
estates that house the people of Gilroy today, there was the few
yet fabulous custom homes that put roofs over the heads of the
founders of this city.
GILROY – Before the track homes, apartment complexes and golf course estates that house the people of Gilroy today, there was the few yet fabulous custom homes that put roofs over the heads of the founders of this city.
Built in 1897 by Mr. Robert Cobb, a noted local businessman, the Cobb House has sat at the corner of Fifth and Hanna streets for more than a century, and is part of the historical walk downtown.
“As a Realtor, this has always been a desirable part of town to live in,” Realtor Kerry Duerr said. “The houses surrounding it are of similar background and it’s conveniently close to downtown.”
The historical presence of the Cobb family is seen throughout the street signs in Gilroy. There children married familiar street sign names like “Thomas,” “Eschenburg,” and “Whitehurst.”
For more than 100 years, the Cobb house was kept in the hands of its family members being passed down from generation to generation, but two years ago the family could no longer care for it, and the house was handed over to Curt Gibbs, who has spent more than two years giving it back its original look and charm the Cobb family chose for it more than a century ago. Gibbs also added some improvements like updated plumbing and electricity.
Gibbs has done 10 professional restorations, but said he didn’t just buy the house to restore it.
“I think it takes the right kind of person to appreciate an old custom home,” Gibbs said. “Houses are very personal, and when you’re fortunate to live in an old home like this, things are built to the original owners’ liking.”
Gibbs, who compares restoring homes to restoring antiques, said there is something about the layout of this home that brought his family together.
“I’ve lived in larger homes where my kids have big rooms and even though this house isn’t small, it just seems like the layout of it brought us together more,” he said.
Duerr said Curt’s wife Lynda agreed.
“Lynda told me that out of all the houses the Gibbs family has lived in, this was her favorite by far,” Duerr said.
The 2,200-square-foot house’s structure is built from redwood trees, which Gibbs thinks came from nearby Mt. Madonna. The back porch, where Anne Cobb spent summer evenings watching her children play, was turned into a recreation room for new families to enjoy each others company. The oversized china tub was saved, and new subway tile was added to update the bath and add functionality.
Another new addition to the house is a granite island in the kitchen to add extra cooking preparation space. One thing that was kept, and ultimately gives this house a true feeling of the time in which it was built are the appliances. Gibbs found a company in Los Angeles that restore vintage appliances. The stove and refrigerator are like a scene out of an old movie.
“You rarely see a house with the originals,” Duerr said.
When planning the restoration project, Gibbs brought in the pros to make sure the work was top notch. Robert Sweitzer of www.arts-crafts.com gave his expertise to make sure the correct period base color and accents were consistent.
“Curt wanted to try and bring back the new look it had in 1897 when it was first built and not try and give it a look of 2003,” Duerr said.
Landscape architect Karen Aitken, who has done a considerable amount of work at Bonfante Gardens, was brought in to create an outstanding exterior look and Endless Pools installed an oversized swimming pool with adjustable current and deck for year round backyard fun.
Duerr, of Alain Pinel Realtors, has been on board since the restoration project began.
“I could never visualize it,” she said. “Seeing the work in progress was just amazing.”
The Cobb home is currently for sale by Kerry Duerr. Interested buyers or those just curious to see the beautiful city landmark can call 776-3285.
