Ebell Club of Santa Paula
Also known as: Ebell Club; Santa Paula Theater Club
Why it's listed
Built in 1917 at 125 S. Seventh Street in Santa Paula, this shingle-and-stone clubhouse was a gift from Alice Stowell McKevett to the local Ebell women's club, in memory of her husband. Los Angeles architects Hunt and Burns designed the Craftsman building, which shows English Revival influence, and a matching English-style garden. Contractor William A. Hudson built it. A bellcast clipped gable roof sweeps low over walls of wood shingles and fieldstone, and the interior features exposed trusses, dark woodwork and a stage that opens to both auditorium and dining room. A dining room, kitchen and caretaker's apartment were added in 1928 in the same style. The grounds became a public park after the city acquired them in 1921. The property was recognized for its architecture, its landscape design and its role in the women's club movement and local philanthropy. Since 1988 it has housed a community theater, with temporary raised seating added in the auditorium.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues significance in architecture, landscape architecture and social history. The building is an outstanding example of shingled Craftsman style with English Revival influences. Its English-style garden is the only planned landscape of its kind in Santa Paula converted to a public park. It is also the only women's clubhouse in the city and is tied to the McKevett family's philanthropy.
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 89000949, listed July 20, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 125 S. Seventh St., Santa Paula |
|---|---|
| County | Ventura County |
| Listed | July 20, 1989 |
| Reference number | 89000949 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1917-1939 |
| Architect / builder | Sumner P. Hunt & Silas R. Burns, architects and landscape architects; Wm. A. Hudson, contractor |
| Architectural style | Bungalow/Craftsman |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Now used as the Santa Paula Theater Center, a community theater, after being deeded to it in 1988; the park is publicly owned by the City. |
| Acreage | 1.3 |
| Coordinates | 34.35163, -119.06519 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 89000949.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14681900
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.