National Register #90001363 - Arena Cove Historic District
Arena Cove, Point Arena, Period 1875-1933

Excerpted from the NRHP nomination

The Arena Cove Historic District represents the commercial maritime activity that formed the backbone of Point Arena's economy from the 1860s to the early 20th century. It was at the cove that lumber, dairy products, and other fruits of local labor were shipped to San Francisco. And it was at the cove that people and manufactured goods arrived on their way to town and outlying areas. One major building (the wharf master's house) was built at the beginning of this period of commercial activity.

The Wharfmaster's House, an Eastlake cottage, is surely the most elaborately decorated residence in Point Arena, the one and half story house has a side facing gable roof with gabled dormer. Decorative millwork adorns the bargeboards at the gable ends. Scroll brackets at the corners of the buildings support the eaves. A front porch extends across the entire front of the house and is supported by the turned posts. A porch roof is supported by scroll brackets atop each of the turn posts. At the center of the porch roof is a small triangular pediment. Windows are wood framed, two over two. At the western façade the lower two windows have shall shed roofed canopies supported by decorative brackets. Beneath the roof volume and overhanging eaves the siding is vertical. The rest of the house is clad in horizontal wood siding. Alternations appear to be minimal. The porch foundation has been altered, but the change detracts little from the overall integrity of the structure. This house is one of Point Arena's most important buildings. It makes a strong contribution to the historic district and is individually significant as well.

The house was constructed for the wharf master, whose work was central to the economic well being of Point arena from the 1860's to the 1920's. Because of it's location on a rise above the cove, the wharf master could be at home and still literally oversee activities at the port. The house was probably built in the mid-1870's. Reputedly, it was prefabricated in San Francisco and shipped fo Point Arena as a kit. Certainly nothing else in town matches it for ornamentation. Turned posts, scroll brackets, elaborate window moldings, decorative bargeboards, and a dentil course all make an appearance. These Eastlake elements typified fancy house built during the era in the larger and less remote California cities, but were unusual in Point Arena where residents were generally contented with functionality. Finally, this house, overlooking the ocean and surrounded by gnarled trees and shrubs, gives an excellent idea of what was considered “picturesque” in the middle of the nineteenth century.