HISTORIC QUEEN ANN VICTORIAN
THE STEPHEN MAGEE HOUSE
4529 Sunnyside Drive
PALM HEIGHTS HISTORIC DISTRICT
In 1888 the Inland Empire was a sprawling region laid out with groves of Washington Navel orange trees. The newly connected Santa Fe Railroad was delivering boxcars full of fruit all over the nation. Acres of orange groves were creating a citrus boom that would soon make Riverside the richest per capita region in the country. The groves were peppered with Queen Ann Victorians, stately California Craftsman Bungalows, and grand Farmhouses, the residences of the grove owners. Times have changed since 1888, the groves have faded away but many of the grand old homes still stand. What were once homes nestled within rows of navel oranges are now celebrated reminders of our region’s history.
Period details make this home a unique example of Victorian architectural style.
One of these grand old ladies is currently listed for sale by The Ransom-McKenzie Team with Coldwell Banker Realty. The Stephen Magee House, built in 1888 by Riverside pioneer Dr. Stephen Magee, sits in the Palm Heights Historic District of Riverside. It is one of the two remaining original Victorian homes in the neighborhood. When the Magee family built the home, it was situated on a 20-acre orange grove and faced Palm Avenue. The surrounding groves were owned by prominent Riverside founders including the Tibbets family who introduced the Washington navel orange to the region. In fact, the Parent Navel Orange Tree still stands just blocks away from the home. In the late 1920’s the post war population boom hit Riverside and the city experienced large scale residential development as a result. It was during this time that the Magee House was aligned with a new streetscape on Sunnyside Drive. The development of this neighborhood continued over the 1930’s & 40’s as Tudor, Spanish Colonial, Craftsman, Classical Revival, and Minimal Traditional homes filled in to create a typical Southern California suburban neighborhood. Today this neighborhood has been designated as the Palm Heights Historic District.
THE HOME’S RESTORATION
In the heart of this historic district the Magee House stands proud as a lovely reminder of days gone by. Since purchasing it in 2007, the current owners have taken care to lovingly restore every inch of this beautiful home. Over the years they have found period hardware, wallpaper, fixtures, and paint colors to bring this lovely Queen Ann back to its original glory. As you approach the home, take a moment to appreciate the intricate spindle work, and design detail of the home’s exterior from the ship wheel corner brackets on the front porch to the rising sun above the second story balcony.
Original interior features abound, including ceramic tiles, balustrade work on the staircase, multiple pocket doors, and hardwood flooring.
Upon entering the home, you will be presented with true Victorian style and décor. The high ceilings and prominent baseboards, together with white oak hardwood floors and multiple pocket doors dividing each room are all features that have not changed over time. Even the pocket doors’ push button hardware has been painstakingly restored so that each set of doors works perfectly. Looking up, you’ll notice several original Edison light fixtures, (converted to electric, of course) as well as period balustrade work on the staircase. Multiple fireplaces in the home feature incredibly detailed surrounds which incorporate custom glazed tile and detailed carved wood mantels. The downstairs fireplaces have been converted to gas for convenience of use.
There are six bedrooms and three bathrooms in the Magee home including a full bathroom and bedroom downstairs. The second-floor features four spacious bedrooms and a large common bathroom. The main bedroom boasts, oversized sash windows and a full walk-in closet. All the other bedrooms on this floor are large with high ceilings and oversized windows. The front bedroom has a fireplace and access to the second-floor balcony through a unique sash window style door. The third floor has been converted to a complete en-suite apartment / studio (Many Victorians do not have a finished 3rd floors). This is the perfect attic retreat for your office, art studio, teenager hang out or whatever else you can dream of. There is a whole house fan in this space, as well as supplemental air conditioning to keep the space comfortable in the summer.
MODERN UPGRADES ABOUND
While the home has been restored to reflect its rich history, there are modern amenities that have been added to bring this home into the twenty-first century. The kitchen has a 6 burner Viking cook top & hood, a Bosch dishwasher, refrigerator, and an oversized farmhouse double sink, and custom cabinetry with soft close hinges.
There are 2 separate HVAC systems, one for the first floor of the home and an additional system to control the upper two floors. The entire HVAC system, including the ducting, has been updated in the past 10 years. A whole house fan on the top floor works to help cool the entire house down on summer evenings. The electrical panel was updated to accommodate an electric car charging station as well. The home got a new roof in 2018, which included reflective insulation over the attic room. The exterior paint was also completed in 2018.
Situated on a double lot, this home offers multiple amenities for outdoor enjoyment.
The exterior of the home offers room for numerous activities from patio dining to swimming, and gardening. The back yard has multiple sitting areas, including an outdoor living room shaded by a wood gazebo. An above ground pool offers relief from the warm summer days and a custom spa on the west side of the house is the perfect place to enjoy evening sunsets. The long side driveway offers room for multiple cars, and the carriage garage has been enhanced with interior features such as updated electrical, and lighting.
CALL US TODAY TO VIEW THIS BEAUTIFUL HOME
Located close to all that the lovely city of Riverside has to offer, you’ll be able to enjoy easy access to the Riverside Plaza, as well as Downtown Riverside’s museums, entertainment, and restaurants. Come see all Riverside and the Stephen Magee house has to offer by giving The Ransom-McKenzie Team a call today. We live in Riverside, We love Riverside, and we sell Riverside.
THE RANSOM-MCKENZIE TEAM | 951.237.2044 |CalBRE #01721257
Don’t Forget the Census
You should have already received your 2020 United States Census notification paperwork in the mail. They were sent out in mid-January and all households have been asked to report in so that we have an accurate count for your community.
Our Congressman, Mark Takano, who represents the 41st District which includes the City of Riverside, recently met with Italia Garcia from the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice to discuss the importance of an accurate Census count. Here is the video, in case you missed it. Garcia brings up some important issues, that are directly affected by our Census numbers.
The Census results will help the government determine how much funding our community will receive to improve services and infrastructure. This includes everything from schools and hospitals to roads and transportation. In Southern California, and the Inland Empire especially, population numbers are increasing annually. Since the last Census 10 years ago, our region has experienced a lot of change. Because of this, we need to do everything we can to make sure we are all counted.
Our level of participation in the 2020 Census is vital to assuring that we have fair representation for the next 10 years for our community. Participating is easy, you can fill out the forms online. If you have questions or issues filling out your census, call 844-330-2020 for more details or to complete the Census survey via phone.
Shop, Eat, Enjoy Local
The Riverside Chamber of Commerce has created a local shopping group on Facebook to feature businesses that are open for business during this time of sheltering in place.
As we all struggle with the reality of business not as usual, this is a good resource to help local businesses that are finding creative ways to still offer their product to consumers. Be sure to check this page when you’re shopping so we can keep our local businesses up and running.
Another great resource is from the City of Riverside. They have created a map that shows businesses that are remaining open during this time. The map is interactive and includes businesses that qualify in Governor Newsom’s essential business list. The map includes businesses throughout the city. Check it out!
The Ransom-McKenzie Team truly believes that we are best served by supporting our local community. Be sure to check these resources first so we can keep Riverside’s economy going in these trying times.
Over The Edge for Habitat
For the second year, the Ransom-McKenzie Team has supported Habitat for Humanity Riverside’s Over the Edge fundraiser. Last year, all three team members went Over the Edge and we raised $5,000. This year, we shot for the same goal with just Connie going over the edge.
We once again raised $5,000 to support Habitat’s great efforts in the Inland Empire to provide affordable housing to at-risk families here. This event is a fun opportunity to raise awareness for a dire need in our community while having a good time experiencing the thrill of rappelling off of one of Downtown Riverside’s tallest buildings, Regency Tower on Orange Street. This year’s thrill was even more exciting because Connie, at 82 years old, was the oldest participant to go Over the Edge in Riverside. She made it look incredibly easy too!
Selling real estate in Riverside, The Ransom-McKenzie Team knows what it takes to be able to afford a home. Connie, together with her team members Charlotte and Bob McKenzie, (who are also her daughter and son-in-law), welcome the opportunity to help people find affordable, safe housing in the community. 
Habitat for Humanity’s mission statement clearly states that they “believe that everyone should have a safe, decent and affordable place to call home”. This is why we feel it is so important to not only raise money for Habitat for Humanity but to also raise awareness of the need for affordable housing in our region.
Through the fundraising efforts of the Over the Edge event, Habitat for Humanity Riverside raises funds to help bring their mission to fruition. Prospective homeowners put in sweat equity, and go through extensive life skills training in order to qualify for the Habitat for Humanity’s housing programs. This investment of time and effort gives the new homeowners a feeling of accomplishment as well as pride as they turn the key to open the door of their new home for the first time.
The Ransom-McKenzie Team is proud to be able to be part of this community-building organization. Working together with community partners like Habitat for Humanity helps to make Riverside a great place to live.
The Ransom-McKenzie Over the Edge Team on site. (L to R) Sarah Beresford, Bob McKenzie, Charlotte McKenzie, Roger Ransom, and Connie Ransom
Riverside Food Lab Coming Soon!
Have you seen the twinkling lights on the new marquee at the corner of the Fox Theater’s parking lot? The words “Food Lab” gives a hint about what is happening inside the space at Market and 6th Streets in Downtown Riverside. The marquee’s message states that the Riverside Food Lab (RFL) is preparing to open in the Spring of 2018.
RFL is one of many unique developments from Arteco Partners, a Pomona based, innovative “re-developer” specializing in the “adaptive-reuse of historic structures and in-fill development in mixed-use downtown neighborhoods.” While this building is a newer structure, it is in the heart of the historic downtown.
The Riverside Food Lab concept is a communal food hall with 14 artisanal eateries and bars. Arteco’s President and co-founder Jerry Tessier is excited to bring this idea to Riverside.
“Downtown Riverside, given all the current and planned developments – from the Fox Performing Arts Center to the coming Imperial Hardware Lofts project — is the right venue for this type of niche development. And with the 14 different eateries and bars inside the Riverside Food Lab, you can go with a group of people or you can even just go on a date, and you don’t have to decide what you’re eating before you get there.” – Jerry Tessier
Start your morning with coffee from Augies and end the day with craft beers at Beer Farm. In between there’s ramen, raw juice, creole, BBQ, acai bowls, waffle treats, “Chicano style” Mexican, Lebanese, and wood fired pizzas. These are just the first 11 vendors to join the RFL family.
Besides local food vendors, the RFL plans on local artists creating murals for the walls, and will bring live music and special events to the adjacent patios adding flavor and color to the festivals and events already taking place in our City of Arts and Innovation.
Excitement is growing – stay tuned as more vendors join RFL by ‘liking’ them on Facebook, or visit their website at riversidefoodlab.com.
We love letting our friends and clients know about things going on in and around Riverside. Subscribe to our blog, and visit our webpage at RansomMcKenzieTeam.com to keep in touch!
Holiday Traditions, Time to Share
Happy Holidays!
We love spending time in the kitchen with family and friends. Never is this more special than during the holidays. Our holiday traditions include a number of favorite cookies and sweets that come out only during the holidays. Our Christmas cookies are made every year, just as they have been since Charlotte and her sister Leslie were kids.
Multi-Generational Households May Be The Answer To Price Increases
Multi-Generational homes are coming back in a big way! In the 1950s, about 21%, or 32.2 million Americans shared a roof with their grown children or parents. According to an article by Realtor.com, “Nearly 1 in 5 Americans is now living in a multi generational household – a household with two or more adult generations, or grandparents living with grandchildren – a level that hasn’t been seen in the U.S. since 1950.”
Feeling Stuck in Place?… You Aren’t Alone
Whether you are a renter who is searching for your dream home or a homeowner who feels like your only option is to renovate, you have at least one thing in common: feeling stuck in place.
Median Days on the Market Drops Again!
Throughout this year the median days on the market (DOM) has consistently gotten lower every month. When compared to year over year figures from 2016, there is often a 50% drop in the number of days on the market.
