‘The battle to save Scheller House was an important milestone for PAC*SJ. It was the group’s first legal battle . . . [and] a crucial step in PAC*SJ’s growth and development.’

by Sharon McCarthy, February 2002

Having survived several close calls with demolition, years of neglect, and a legal battle, the fate of the historic Scheller House at San Jose State University (SJSU) is finally secure. The renovated Scheller House has reclaimed its status as a vital part of the campus infrastructure.

The preservation of the Scheller House represents the culmination of over a decade of effort and is due largely to PAC*SJ’s successful litigation against SJSU in 1994 for non-compliance with state preservation law. “The house would make an excellent contribution to the San Carlos pedestrian mall on which the University is spending $3.7 million,” PAC*SJ board member Tom Simon presciently said at the time. Simon was among the leaders of the preservation effort.

Santa Clara County Superior Court (now federal) Judge Jeremy Fogel ruled that the house was historically significant and needed environmental review before demolition. He enjoined SJSU from razing the structure with only two weeks to spare, after SJSU, the city and county all refused to take action to save the building. Judge Fogel required SJSU to submit the building to the State Office of Historic Preservation so that it could be added to the State’s Historic Resources Inventory. As a result, then newly-appointed SJSU president Robert Caret agreed to save the house.

The restoration completed, Scheller House is now home to several SJSU offices including Associated Students, Campus Recreation, and Special Events. The house is also available for other university functions.

One of the most significant aspects of the house, the identity of its architect, was discovered quite serendipitously. Scheller House was designed by noted San Jose architect Theodore Lenzen. After emigrating from Prussia to Chicago in the 1850’s Lenzen moved west, opening his own architectural firm in San Francisco in 1859.

By the end of the 1860’s Lenzen had become one of San Jose’s most prominent architects. His work included the Old City Hall, San Jose Normal School (SJSU), Carnegie Library, and the Fredericksburg Brewery, all no longer in existence. Other works of Lenzen’s include the Security and Leticia Buildings on South 1st Street near San Fernando, Oddfellows Hall at 3rd and Santa Clara Streets, Santa Clara University, and the spires of St. Joseph’s Cathedral at Market and San Fernando. By the late 1880s Lenzen could count upwards of 600 structures, primarily public buildings, to his credit. As prolific as Lenzen was (at one time on nearly every block in San Jose there could be found a Lenzen designed business or residence), fewer than half a dozen are known to survive. Scheller House represents a rare example of Lenzen’s work and might in fact be the only surviving sample of his 20th century residential designs.

Scheller House was built in 1904 by Henry Beaumont Martin, a local business owner who settled in San Jose in 1863. In 1899 Henry B. Martin married Louise Scheller, and within the next few years commissioned Lenzen to design the house at 301 Fifth Street. The Martins moved into their new house in 1905 and shared it with Louise’s brother Victor, and their widowed mother. Though he only resided there from 1905-1915, it is Victor Scheller for whom Scheller House became known.

Born in 1865, Victor graduated from Santa Clara College (now University) in 1886. He went on to earn a law degree from Hastings College of Law in San Francisco in 1889, graduating with honors. In 1890 he became the state’s youngest district attorney. After serving two terms, Scheller left public office and went into private practice in San Jose. He remained active in civic affairs, co-founding the San Jose Chamber of Commerce in 1900 and acting as its president until 1911. Scheller also served as the president of the Santa Clara County Bar Assocation and the Santa Clara Alumni Assocation.

Scheller House is an example of California Colonial Revival architecture. The asymmetrical façade created by the home’s off-center entrance represents a less common variation of the Colonial Revival style. The 5,200 square foot house also retains many of the unique interior design elements that illustrate the craftsmanship of the period. These include oval shaped rooms with curved windows, natural woodwork-door and window frames with elaborate molded lintels, a staircase with a curved balustrade, hardwood floors with patterned light and dark wood inlays, high coved ceilings with picture moldings and wide natural baseboards, a ceramic tiled hearth, built-ins, and museum quality leaded beveled glass windows. Aside from its value an architectural gem, Scheller House provides a window into life in early 20th century San Jose. Both the Scheller and Martin families played important roles in the development of Santa Clara County and San Jose.

Scheller House provides a tangible link to San Jose’s past and an invaluable tool for discovering and understanding the individuals who were instrumental in building the city’s infrastructure and institutions. PACSJ is pleased to see the once dilapidated building now looking as elegant as ever and being used and appreciated by the students of SJSU.

The battle to save Scheller House was also an important milestone for PAC*SJ legally. It was the organization’s first battle, cautiously undertaken because of the expense and resources required in it. In retrospect, it was a crucial step in PAC*SJ’s growth and development. It expanded public awareness of the group’s activities, brought in additional financial resources, and gave PAC*SJ the experience and foundation to go on to save other buildings, including the Jose Theatre and Montgomery Hotel.