Historic Property #7: Addie & F.W. Gee House

Address: 818 Spring Street

Year Built: Circa 1904

Architect: Unknown

Builder: J. & J. Blair Land & Lumber Co. (Probable)

Architectural Style: Folk Victorian Raised Cottage

Built circa 1904, this residence was uniquely deeded directly to Addie Alderson Gee upon her marriage to Fredrick W. Gee. As the daughter of late Placerville banker Thomas Alderson and Agnes Blair, Addie enjoyed strong pioneer ties. Her family likely financed the construction, utilizing materials supplied by her great uncles at the J. and J. Blair Land and Lumber Company.

This Folk Victorian Raised Cottage is an ingenious turn of the century adaptation to the sloped terrain of Placerville. A high basement foundation with vertical board and batten siding elegantly elevates the primary living spaces. The asymmetrical facade features a front facing gable, horizontal clapboard siding, and tall windows with molded drip caps. A partial width porch with turned spindles leads to a side dining room door. Its balustrade now features fish scale shingles, likely added later to enclose an original open railing and protect the decking from water damage. Inside, despite modifications to the original floor plan, the original Douglas fir subfloors have been meticulously refinished, and a 1930s attic expansion left behind charming Art Deco sconces.

Fredrick W. Gee initially came to Placerville to mine gold before astutely pivoting to retail. He partnered in Combellack's menswear on Main Street and later launched successful clothing stores in Placerville and Sacramento. Following the passing of Addie in 1922, the estate went to their children, while Fredrick lived until 1968.

Photo courtesy of Dana and Barbara Supernowicz

Originally part of an expansive lot extending to Coloma Street, the property was later subdivided into three parcels, one now housing the historic Shafsky Home. Weathered stone walls at the rear remain as quiet reminders of an earlier estate, possibly the Arthur Piercy residence, which occupied the original lot. Today, descendants of the Gee, Alderson, and Blair families still reside in the region, anchoring the deep and enduring local roots of this historic property.