About the Covina Heritage House


In 1908 it was the new home of the Nash family, headed by one of Covina’s first pharmacists, William Wallace Nash.  Earlier, Mr. Nash had traveled across the entire continent, departing from Maine, before settling in Covina.  Upon his passing in 1927, the Covina Citizen lauded his accomplishments stating, “He was identified with the growth and development of the city and was a member of the Masonic Fraternity, the Lions Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and the School Board.”  The newspaper characterized Nash as
“. . . one of the most popular businessmen in Covina, as well as one of its pioneers.”

Known as Will, Mr. Nash worked at the C. F. Clapp drug store for many years. The year 1908 marked three pivotal events in his life. One was the purchase of the Covina Pharmacy from E. U. Smith for $100 in gold coin. The purchase price included both the business and all of the store’s contents, but not the building. The pharmacy was located on the N. W. corner of Citrus and Badillo streets which Nash operated until his death. Eventually, that location housed a bank.

Secondly, Will and his wife Susie had a Craftsman House built on the south side of San Bernardino Road just west of Third Street.  Subsequently, three generations of the Nash family (the first of whom
was born in 1908 - the third event) occupied the dwelling.  These included William and Susie’s sons, William and Phillip, and William and his wife Alice, and their children, William and Susie.  Susie now lives but a few
doors away from the Heritage House in Adams Park.



When the house was sold to Inter Community Medical Center in 1988, it was slated for demolition along with several other residences to make way for a parking lot.  A long, emotional, and sometimes bitter struggle ensued to save this historic prize.  The Covina Valley Historical Society negotiated with the hospital board and received title to the house for the sum of one dollar provided it was removed from the property
within one year.

Various sites were proposed to display the house including property adjacent to the Covina Women’s Club, and what is now the parking area north of City Hall.  Finally, upon appeal, the Covina City Council stepped up and offered to lease the land to the Historical Society in its current location in Covina City Park.

In the meantime, and virtually up to the last minute, furious, frantic fundraising efforts were initiated to meet the house moving costs of $23,000 and another $10,000 to $15,000 to build a raised foundation and construct an ADA accessible ramp.  Dramatically, only hours before demolition was scheduled to begin, the Nash house, meticulously separated in two parts began to roll westward down San Bernardino Road at 1:00 a.m. on October 29, 1989.

According to Ann Gerhardt, a leader in the preservation movement, Covina’s Chief of Police was shocked to learn about this momentous event after the fact.  But, because it all came together so fast and fortuitously, at the end, the law enforcement notification detail was overlooked.

What does it mean to Covina to have lovingly preserved a Craftsman House? Simply put - the place is a gem. At the turn of the century Gustav Stickley originated the Craftsman design which reflected the American Arts and Crafts movement in American architectural history.  Stickley offered a large variety of plans catering to the middle class.  Craftsman Homes were also known as Bungalow Houses.  Upon exploring the house, visitors note some of the unique features including the use of rich interior woods, leaded glass, a hip roof,
elongated eves, covered front porch, pocket doors, purposeful elimination of hallways, and substantial “built-ins” for storage and display in many forms. Who wouldn’t want to proudly raise a family here?

- Adapted from "A Century Of Change 1908-2008" by Craig Chyrchel

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