Allen-Sommer-Gage House
Also known as: Gage House
Why it's listed
Built in 1861 at 410 Normal Street in Chico, this wood-clapboard Greek Revival house was erected for R.H. Allen on a half-block bought from General John Bidwell, who had laid out the town the year before. The lumber was hauled by ox team from Nimshew. Doric columns mark the doorway and porch, and a balustraded second-story veranda opens through paired French doors. The nomination describes it as the oldest family residence of its size and quality in Chico, predating the Bidwell Mansion by at least four years. Allen, a teacher, opened a private school on the upper floor in 1862; it later served as the first public school in the new city district. C.J. Sommer, a jeweler and watchmaker, bought the house in 1880, and it has stayed in his family since, apart from rentals to two presidents of the Normal School. Interior remodeling, a bathroom, and later additions altered the house, but its facade and garden setting remain largely intact.
Significance in brief: The nomination presents it as the oldest family residence of its size and quality in Chico, predating the Bidwell Mansion by at least four years. It is also a rare Greek Revival example in an area where Italianate houses are more common. It is tied to early local education and to the Sommer family, prominent in Chico commerce and civic life.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 77000288, listed April 13, 1977. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 410 Normal St., Chico |
|---|---|
| County | Butte County |
| Listed | April 13, 1977 |
| Reference number | 77000288 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 (specific date 1861) |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Education, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition and occupied, with alterations over time; used as a private residence. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Within district | South of Campus Neighborhood |
| Coordinates | 39.72660, -121.84138 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 77000288.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q130751392
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.