St. John's Historic District - Walking Tour

• Built: 1885
• Relocated to Current Site: 1908
• Style: Victorian Cottage

A Home with Stories to Tell

Built in 1885 and relocated to its current site in 1908, this Victorian Cottage has been a residence, a business hub, and a reflection of Napa’s evolving history. Constructed of old-growth redwood—complete with saw marks from an enormous 36-inch blade—this home retains the character of its past while embracing thoughtful updates for modern living. Its recent three-year restoration, led by architect Jackie Mendez and contractor Mark Dew-Hiersoux, has breathed new life into the property while preserving its unique charm. The owners, Janet and David, designed the interior with an eclectic and historical style, ensuring the house’s “soul” remains intact.

Inside, the house is a blend of old and new. Ethernet cabling, app-controlled lighting and locks, and ductless HVAC units bring the convenience of modern technology, while original features like the Douglas Fir floors, handmade architectural details, and historical fixtures anchor the home in its past. The center hall is built of muslin, newspaper, and horsehair walls, evidence of early construction methods, alongside heirlooms like a portrait of Janet’s grandmother and a vintage Staffordshire poodle lamp.

Each room tells a story. The living room features a fireplace mantel repurposed from salvaged materials, paired with custom artwork inspired by the owners’ love story. The kitchen, once a three-sided porch, now boasts a LaCornue stove like chef Julia Child’s, French Baroque carved oak window frames (each weighing 145 pounds), and whimsical champagne cork floor plugs.

Throughout its history, the home has hosted Napa families and businesses. From the Bird family in 1908 to the Imperial Tamale Parlor in the 1920s, its walls have witnessed generations of life and enterprise. Today, this restored gem stands as a vibrant tribute to Napa’s architectural heritage and the creativity of its stewards.

• Built: 1917
• Style: Craftsman/Arts & Crafts Bungalow

A Craftsman Treasure With a Colorful Past

Built in 1917, this Craftsman-style home on Vallejo Street has a history as vibrant as its restored details. The house is a testament to careful renovation and the owner’s deep connection to Napa’s architectural charm.

Scott, the current owner and a Napa resident since 1959, purchased the house in 2016. It wasn’t until after the purchase that he realized he had visited the home decades earlier, in the 1970s, when a friend lived there. A sailor with an eye for design, Scott immediately saw the home’s potential and embarked on a thoughtful restoration. Working with Rich Yarlott of Yarlott Construction, he preserved original elements like the Douglas Fir floors, beadboard ceilings, trim, and doors—some of which were cleverly converted into pocket doors. A rough texture on the walls expresses the organic nature of the home.

The house has seen its share of notable events and residents. In the 1910s, Fred and Elaine Nussberger lived here, next door to their family in the Italianate-style home. In the 1920s and 30s, Louis Bertain, a Napa Steam Laundry owner, and his family lived here, hosting lively French Club card parties. By the 1960s, it was home to Nora Donohoe, who hailed from County Kerry, Ireland, and left a legacy of 33 grandchildren.

Today, the home brims with character and personal touches, from the whimsical Santa on a sailboat in the front yard to pottery crafted by Scott’s grandmother in Utah in 1922. This house is a celebration of its past and a warm welcome to the present.

• Built: 1875
• Style: Italianate

A Victorian Gem with a Storied Past

Built in 1875, this Italianate home has witnessed nearly 150 years of Napa’s history as a beloved residence for prominent families and host to moments of joy, creativity, and even a bit of drama. Constructed with wood windows and old-growth redwood, the home’s craftsmanship and historic details remain intact, while thoughtful updates and personal touches bring its charm into the present day, stewarded by owners Meghan and Robin.

Step into the living spaces and find yourself surrounded by stories—both historical and artistic. Paintings by the late Calistoga artist Ira Yeager, a family friend, adorn the walls, including portraits of opera legend Maria Callas, an inspiration for Meghan, who is also an opera singer. A Japanese chest paired with a Chinese cloisonné lamp adds international flair, while original built-ins preserve the home’s character.

An 18th-century French chandelier illuminates the dining room along with a Federal-era 1830s sideboard with pineapple details, original glass, and hardware, purchased by Meghan’s father. The room’s warmth is complemented by finished subfloors that echo the house’s resilient history.

The staircase features fleur-de-lis Lincrusta wallpaper, a Victorian invention that mimics ornate plasterwork. Tales of past residents come alive, like a former tenant who left an upstairs tub running, creating a cascading waterfall down these same stairs.

Notable residents include the Nussberger family, who hosted lively gatherings, as well as the Schuppert family, who owned the home until the early 1960s. Meghan and Robin purchased the house in 2017 and utilized the Mills Act to restore the home and sought an easement to protect the structure from changes or demolition.

This house is more than a home; it’s a living museum, blending artistry, family legacy, and a deep connection to Napa’s rich heritage.

• Built: 2010
• Original Home Constructed in 1910
• Style: 21^st Century Cottage

A Modern Tribute to Historic Charm: A 21st Century Cottage with 1910 Roots

This charming home, built in 2010, stands as a tribute to its historic predecessor, a cottage originally constructed in 1910 as part of the Coleman Ranch Plum Farm. New owner Maria purchased the property with the intention of restoring the original structure, drawn by its historic character and community-scale design. However, restoration proved impossible due to structural issues. After a three-month hiatus, the owner designed a new home that reflects the spirit of the original, utilizing a thoughtfully chosen 1400-square-foot floor plan reminiscent of early 20th-century catalog homes.

Crafted by contractor John Lowe, the house blends seamlessly with its historic surroundings while standing out with its sky blue paint. Historic details, such as wood double-hung windows, redwood siding, and period light fixtures—like a chandelier sourced from San Francisco and sconces from a ca. 1910 house in Gilroy—give the home timeless charm. Decorative moldings with bullseye details further enhance the interior.

The garden continues the theme of thoughtful design, featuring an edible array of plants that “look good, smell good, or taste good.” The backyard includes a variety of fruit trees—grapefruit, Meyer lemons, peaches, and more—alongside blueberries and peonies. Even the garden shed was built using extra materials, embodying the owners’ commitment to resourcefulness and aesthetic harmony. This 21st-century cottage is a celebration of history, functionality, and beauty.

• Built: ca. 1908
• Style: Victorian

A Family Home Through the Generations

Built circa 1908, this charming Victorian has been a cherished family home for over a century. Built as one of the “triplet” houses, it retains its original sightline while its counterparts were raised. Rich with history and lovingly preserved, the home has seen generations of life and love, first as the residence of the Bonaguiso family—a large Italian-American family deeply rooted in Napa—and now as a welcoming retreat for its current retired owners, who often host their own family gatherings.

Purchased in 2011, the home has been meticulously maintained and thoughtfully modernized. The original moldings and lathe remain. After the 2014 earthquake skilled restorers installed new wood windows and replaced the cracked plaster, keeping its historic character intact. Warm Douglas Fir floors, a remodeled kitchen, and an inviting dining room make it the heart of the home. The owners have infused the space with their personal art and artifact collection from travels around the world (from Prague to New Zealand), adding a global layer to its historic charm.

The enclosed back porch, once open, now features an additional bath, while other updates include a reimagined master bathroom.

From the Bonaguisos, whose story includes a barber, a young basketball star turned pharmacist, and a bakery worker remembered for her radiant smile, to its present-day owners, this house remains a testament to the enduring joy of family, home, and community.

• Built: 1878
• Style: Queen Anne Cottage

A Timeless Treasure: Restored Queen Anne Cottage with Hidden Angels

This 146-year old Queen Anne Cottage revealed hidden treasures during its 2015 renovation by local realtor Joe Brasil, including angel and cherub figurines tucked behind beams and in crawl spaces. Once dilapidated, the home underwent a stunning transformation—from a maze of small rooms into a light-filled and inviting living space with a modern kitchen. Updates included all-new plumbing, electrical systems, and roofing. The original 11-foot-high ceilings remain intact, adding a sense of spaciousness to this 1,200-square-foot home. Many other original features endure, including the stone foundation, red oak flooring, doorknobs, and window latches.

Originally a two-bedroom, 1-bath layout, the home was transformed to include a third bedroom and second bathroom. One of those bedrooms was recently converted into a deluxe closet and laundry room combination, featuring a gorgeous light fixture and whimsical bumblebee-patterned wallpaper. The attached bathroom boasts a beautifully repurposed wooden door, thoughtfully salvaged from another part of the home.

Current owners Lori and Dwain Bitter operate Dalia Staging & Interior Design, a business that they started when they moved into this home in 2016. Previously, they had enjoyed their Victorian house in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district and a one-bedroom cottage in Maine that was once a fishing shack. Seeking a Victorian that was small and open like their Maine retreat—but with more bedrooms—they fell in love with this home at first sight.

As loving stewards, Lori and Dwain have not only overseen key upgrades but have added their own distinct style. The entryway features stunning wallpaper with an antique motif in contemporary tones, while a black-and-white mural defines the living space. A faux fireplace brings warmth and echoes the charm of a bygone era.

Along the back edge of the property stands a line of redwood trees, providing welcome shade and a cool retreat during the summer months. According to local lore, these trees trace their origins to a decades-old 4-H project, when children were given redwood saplings to plant in their own backyards—a living testament to community spirit and the passage of time.

Priscillia de Muizon, Inkwell Story Studio

www.inkwellstorystudio.com

• Built: 1904
• Style: Dutch Cross-Gambrel Colonial Revival

A Historic Revival: Cross-Gambrel Roof Landmark Now Home to L’ AGENCE Napa Valley

Florence Ropelewski’s recent purchase of this historic landmark building was a dream come true. She envisioned a headquarters near downtown Napa for her real estate business, L’ AGENCE Napa Valley—a welcoming space designed not only for work but also for hosting community events focused on homeownership education.

Renovating a house that has weathered floods and earthquakes was no small feat. A previous owner had raised the foundation to address structural issues but restoring the house to its former glory required additional expertise. Florence hired an engineer to remove a dividing wall that had been added during a previous renovation, restoring the space to a layout more consistent with the original design. Ulrika Edin, an expert in Remodel Design, Interior Design & Styling, led the renovations, carefully preserving original materials like doorknobs, doors, windows, and the stairway banister. The engineered wood flooring was replaced with hand-laid herringbone white oak, restoring a more authentic, timeless look. A rain chain gutter was added to prevent ongoing water damage.

The building has been transformed into a functional workspace with multiple offices and a conference room. The interior remodel stays true to the building’s historic roots while infusing Parisian old-fashioned charm. For instance, a mid-century light fixture made of raw copper, which will look more antique over time. This transformation pays tribute to Florence’s French great-grandmother, who accepted real estate commissions in the form of antiques.

Florence has already begun hosting workshops with loan, tax, and estate specialists, aiming to “de-mystify” the home ownership process. At her “Real Estate, Cafe, and Croissant” monthly meet-ups offer a relaxed setting where community members can ask questions about buying a home.

Florence envisions the Main Street building remaining L’AGENCE’s home long after her career winds down, with her children or another Napa Valley local continuing its legacy as an integral part of the community.

Priscillia de Muizon, Inkwell Story Studio

www.inkwellstorystudio.com