Protecting the valuable structure from potential demolition. Dr. John Padmos and his wife, Barbara, moved the 25-room Craftsman home to Ladd Road in 1977.

 In Modesto's long history, there is evidence of many beautiful homes and buildings. The 155-year-old city, from its village roots, has progressed in architectural designs like a roadmap of style evolution. Indeed, a drive through the downtown streets leaves you at a loss as to which homes and their design styles could be your favorite. Stately homes continue to line the streets, from Victorian style to Craftsman, Mid-Century, farmhouse, and now industrial. 

If you've been paying attention as you pass on Ladd Road, you'll see a home amid a walnut grove whose past is as interesting as its elegant stature and serene surroundings. While this home has spent the past 47 years comfortably presiding over its 20-acre parcel, it originates at another location.

Originally built in 1911-1912 by W.C. Maze, a real estate dealer and city founding member, the Craftsman-style home was located at 1020 15th Street in Downtown Modesto. The Maze family lived in the house for four years before ownership was transferred to Dr. J. C. Robertson in 1916. The Dr. Porters subsequently owned the American Classic style home, buying it in 1928. Forty-nine years later, the home's fate was at a crossroads. At this point in its history, things began to change. 

In 1975 realtor Dick Vander Wall working at Zagaris Realty, asked his daughter Barbara Padmos and her husband, Dr. John Padmos, to come and see the house, which was located on the street behind his offices. The house and the land were for sale again. They were impressed with the home but struggled with the idea of living in town as John had grown up in the country and preferred that lifestyle for his young family. A year later, when a developer was interested in the land but not the home on it, the house was set to be destroyed. For Barbara, the home was perfect because she loved older homes, and the thought of it being torn down was unimaginable, so with a daring decision, they decided to buy the house and have it moved. After purchasing a peach farm on Ladd Road, the family now had a destination for their future home, and the house on 15th Street was purchased for $1,050.00.

While challenging, relocating a historic home can be a critical preservation strategy, and in this case, allowing a remarkable building to survive was essential to the Padmos family. Barbara was enthused by the sheer quality of the construction and the pure romance of the design. Elegant high-quality woods were used in the construction for features like exposed beams and coffered ceilings. Barbara was told there was only a single knot in all the wood used to build the home. She confirmed this herself and knows right where that knot is today. Elegantly mantled fireplaces, built-in cabinetry, and window seating were the shining stars capturing the essence of Craftsman-style designs. Saving all that could be saved was the first concern when planning the home move. With six fireplaces, removing chimney bricks was one of the first steps in preparing the house. Preserving painted stucco along plate rails was a priority.  The house was then cut in two, loaded onto trucks, and taken on a five-hour drive to its new location on Ladd Road. 

For four years, the home was meticulously reconstructed. The three-story, twenty-five-room home is an elegant display of fortitude and vision. The home's interior has the same original footprint and has been well-preserved. In addition to the five bedrooms and baths, sitting rooms, library, and a butler's pantry, the home's front parlor and dining room are time capsules giving homage to the livable yet glamorous vision of Arts and Crafts design proponents like Gustav Stickley from the turn of last century. Painted plate rails have been restored. The main staircase has the same broad, fluid sweep of stairs as in 1912. The decks off the bedrooms can be seen from the front of the home, and there is no single sign that this grand building was ever sawn in half. This grand house has sustained its beauty through the methodical curation of Dr. and Barbara Padmos. With care, the Grand Dame will stand for another 114 years.

Thank you to Historian David Seymour of the McHenry Museum and Historical Society for his generous collaboration on this article 

Click the QR Code using your phone's photo app to view David's article with additional details on the history of this and other historic homes from 15th Street, or go to the museum website.