Cloid Gray House – 2024

The home located at 1501 West Olive Avenue, is known as the Gray and Bristol House. It is best described as a Brick American with Spanish Colonial and Ranch influences with a timeless design. With its symmetrical designs, the home features a gabled roof covered with grey tiles, adding a classic touch to its appearance. Contrary to popular belief, this is not one of the Taylor brother’s brick homes. The property is situated on the corner of Bellevue Avenue and Olive Avenue. This residence was built for Cloid R. and Bernice Gray by the local prominent home builder Gordon Donald. Ms. Gray was the designer of the home. Gordon Donald was born on January 10, 1895, at the home located at 16 San Mateo built by his father.

The land for the property came from the Southern Pacific Railway and was purchased by Elizabeth Weaver. Then Cloid R. and Bernice Gray purchased the land for ten dollars and built a house at the cost of $13,000 in the summer of 1929. Gordon Donald’s co-builder and local brick mason was Luther Gist also known as “Lew,” who was one of the builders of Redlands Panorama Point in South Redlands in the 1930’s and many other homes around town.

The home at 1501 West Olive Avenue is an example of architectural fusion. This blending style results in a very unique and visually pleasing home that contributes significantly to the architectural heritage of Redlands, California. The Spanish Colonial elements are mixed into the design, adding a layer of decorative sophistication. This is evident in the wrought iron grills and the grey tiled roof of traditional Spanish clay tiles. A small balcony with a decorative wrought iron railing above the bay window enhances the Spanish Colonial charm.

The Ranch influence is apparent in the expansive horizontal orientations and single-story of the home. This style emphasizes a connection to the beautifully surrounding landscape, which flows around the entire property. The wide, unobstructed windows on the front allow for a lot of natural light and seamless views of the vibrant landscaping, blending the indoor and outdoor spaces.

The entrance of the home is very distinctive and welcoming, featuring a beautiful solid wooden arched door with intricate paneling and a small decorative window set in wrought iron. The doorway is framed by an amazing red brick arch, reinforcing the colonial influence. To the right of the door, there is a vintage-style lantern, providing both function and aesthetic appeal. Next to the left of the entrance is a bay window that projects from the facade, providing generous natural light to the interior. Another large window on the right side maintains the balanced symmetry typical of colonial designs.

You may have remembered this home with the green awnings on at one point, but they were not original to the design of the home by Mrs. Gray. Also, a red brick capped wall going around the property once exited before the street was constructed. Now only part of the original wall still exists on the front right of the property after making room for the sidewalk and storm drain.

The Grays lived in the home a few years until July 30, 1932, when the house was part of a trade for an Orange Grove in Highland between the Grays and the Bristol Family. William and Fanie Bristol with their son Howard were the home’s best-known residents. Fanie Bristol died at age 75 on June 12, 1940. William Bristol died in 1941. Howard Bristol, their son, lived in the home until he died in 1997. Owners since have been the Winchers, the Smiths, the Cunninghams, and now the Cozads.

In recognition of its distinctive architectural style and its contribution to preserving the historical and cultural heritage of Redlands, the home at 1501 West Olive Avenue is a deserving recipient of a Heritage Award

The Redlands Area Historical Society acknowledges and expresses gratitude to Daniel and Diana Cozad for their unwavering dedication to this property on the corner of Bellevue Avenue and Olive Avenue. We thank the Cozads, who became the proud owners of this home in 2018 and are preserving its rich history.

Present on June 12, 2024. Research by Thomas Jackson.