The Jarvis House: Riverside City Landmark #78
Location: 4492 12 St.
Date Established:6/2/1888
Date Visited:6/20/2014
A front view of the Jarvis House decorated for the 4th of July.
According to the book Landmarks of Riverside (pg. 59) there was a real estate boom in 1887. The Jarvis house began in May of 1887 when according to San Bernardino County Recorder’s Records, Emil Rosenthal sold his house plans and seven lots to John T. Jarvis. Emil Rosenthal and John Jarvis met by way of John Jarvis’ brother Dr. Joseph Jarvis, who had arrived in Riverside in 1877.
John T. Jarvis
(March 10, 1847 – January 3, 1932)
John Jarvis is best known in Riverside for being a city councilman in Riverside for 12 years and being the mayor of Riverside from 1926 to 1927. Before going into politics John Jarvis was first and foremost a business man. He helped start many companies including the Royal Steam Laundry, Citizens Bank, and the J. T. Jarvis & Company (which later became Rouse’s Department Store).
Despite being a descent real estate agent and horticulturalist John Jarvis was negatively affected by the bad turn in the housing market in 1887. The house cost $10,000 dollars at the time to finish and was constructed by a man named Charles T. Rice. Unfortunately by the time it was finished there was no money to furnish it according to the story published in the Riverside Press and Horticulturalist.
A frontal view of the Jarvis house in 1920. Riverside Municipal Museum archive.
According to the book Adobes, Bungalows, and Mansions of Riverside the house was changed in July of 1914 from a Victorian Gothic style house to a bungalow style house.
The house today looks a lot like it does in it’s 1920’s picture. The only difference is that of the wrap around porch which has definitely been modified (and the trees have changed). While the official address is on 12th St., the house is easier viewed from it’s cross street of Redwood Drive.
A view of the Jarvis house from Redwood Dr.
A front view of the Jarvis House decorated for the 4th of July.
I love this house. Could you tell me what they use the Jarvis House for today?? I noted there was a house in the backyard.
Thank you…. I love to drive to work on this street, and would love to know more about the Jarvis House.
It is registered today as private residence.
I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s on Pine St. about a block and a half from the Jarvis house. During that time the house had fallen into disrepair. We kids in the neighborhood were absolutely certain it was a haunted mansion. Being so close to the cemetary on 13th St.only added to the rumors.
That is too funny. I gee up then too and lived down near where Sears is now. As kids we walked by there when coming from the movie theatre sometimes. We said the same thing about the house!! I just took friends by their and told them how when I was a kid, we thought it was haunted!
That should say grew
noted, thanks for stopping by, hope you enjoyed the pictures.
I recently came across a photograph of the Jarvis house it is very old and in a old frame I’m sure it is pretty valuable I was wondering if anybody might know who lives in this house or who may want to purchase this picture that I have came across email me happs2777@gmail.com I currently live in Grand terrace but I was born and raised in Riverside California and I grew up on the east side my family has a house that is very old as well which is located on Brockton avenue we are the Thompson family well if anybody might be interested in this photograph that is framed inbox me I’m sure we could come up with a decent price