Cheery Lynn Historic District

Bounded by Flower Street, Earll Drive, 16th Street and Randolph Road.

Period of Significance: 1928-1945

The Cheery Lynn Historic District is located in central Phoenix, Arizona, approximately three miles from downtown. It is composed of 68 properties along both sides of Cheery Lynn Road and along a single side of both Flower Street and Earll Drive. The district boundaries roughly coincide with the original Cheery Lynn Subdivision plat. The plat was recorded in 1928 and contained 80 lots, including eight lots fronting on 16th Street. Several of these lots have not been included in the district as they no longer contain contributing resources.

The district is composed entirely of small single-family homes. A single two-story residence is located on Cheery Lynn Road, otherwise all of the homes are single-story structures. The houses are uniformly placed along the 60-foot wide streets with shallow front lawns and little variation in the building setbacks. With the exception of corner lots, lots are 60 feet wide and vary from 75 to 135 feet deep. In several cases, adjoining lots have been combined to create larger sideyards. Detached garages with styling similar to the main house set to the rear of many lots. Mature vegetation with traditionally landscaped yards create a picturesque neighborhood setting for the district.

The Cheery Lynn Subdivision, and many of the homes within it, were built on speculation by William Fosburg and M.E. Carr. William Fosburg was the owner and M.E. Carr was the "designer and superintendent of construction." The first fourteen homes were completed by January 1929 and by the end of 1935, 46 homes had been completed. After 1935, construction dropped off sharply. Only another half dozen homes were completed prior to World War II. Vacant lots were gradually filled out following the War.

Homes in Cheery Lynn are compact and generally square or rectangular in plan. Massing varies and variations in roof pitch and form are the most distinguishing characteristics. Originally the homes in Cheery Lynn were advertised as "ultra modern English type homes." In fact, the English and Tudor Revival styles were the dominant styles through 1930. After 1930, Monterey and other Spanish Revival styles became the most popular and dominated construction through the 1930s.

The majority of the contributing properties in Cheery Lynn were constructed in the 1930s. Their architecture is reflective of the popular English and Spanish Revival styles of the era. English Tudor and Cottage styles account for 18 (33 %) of the 55 remaining pre-1940 contributing buildings. Spanish and Monterey Revival styles account for 27 (49%). Bungalows and pre-War Ranch style homes each account for only 9%. Following World War II through 1950, homes were built in the Ranch style

. The English-influenced Period Revival styles are recognized by their distinctive high-pitched roofs and irregular massing. In Cheery Lynn, about a third of these are built of exposed red and variegated brick; the remainder are sheathed with stucco. Projecting entry vestibules or small porches are common. Windows are wood, both double-hung and casement. Detailing is sparse, limited primarily to cornice molding or exposed rafter ends.

Monterey Revival is the most common of the various Spanish Revival styles found in Cheery Lynn. With only three exceptions in Cheery Lynn, these homes are almost always finished with stucco. Most have a flat roof, sometimes in conjunction with low pitched gables over a portion of the structure or projecting over an entry or front facade. The gabled portions are always covered with red clay tiles. Clay tiles also are used for porch roofs and as detailing along parapets. In this district, windows are about evenly divided between wood casement and wood double-hung sash. Several have steel casement windows. Porches are typically incorporated into the main building as vestibules or arcades. Low walls and wing walls are sometimes used to create courtyard-like spaces or entries. Vigas and canales are common as are arched doorways or vestibule openings.

Bungalows in Cheery Lynn are all constructed of brick and all have gabled roofs of low to medium pitch. These bungalows are typical of this architectural style found throughout Phoenix. Roofs have both front and side orientation and windows are either wood-casement or wood double-hung. Facades vary in each case through employment of different porch forms and detailing. Exposed rafters or beams are common, stick and lattice work, brick piers and shingle siding also are present.

The integrity of the district is fairly high, with 85 % of the buildings contributing to the historic significance. The non-contributing homes do not disrupt the overall pattern of development and do not significantly detract from the historic character of the neighborhood. Within the district there are presently 68 homes and only five of the original 80 subdivision lots have been excluded. All of the original lots within the district are occupied by dwellings or have been incorporated into adjacent yards. There are no vacant lots. Ten houses are noncontributors, three have been substantially altered and the others were built after 1950.

  Source: https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/09552ac2-48a2-4cd3-a1f5-a9eac61e34f1