Tufts, Joshua B., House
Also known as: Longview School or, Tufts-Longview-Anderson Home
Why it's listed
Built in 1890 at the corner of Fifth and J Streets in Davis, this two-story wood house was constructed by its owner, Joshua B. Tufts, with help from his two sons. Tufts served the town as Justice of the Peace and Postmaster and was active in the Presbyterian Church. The house mixes Victorian ideas: fan brackets, fish scale shingles, bay windows, turned woodwork, and stick-like gable braces borrowed from the Stick Style. Colored leaded glass appears in the attic and front door windows, and much of the original interior survives, including a spindlework mantelpiece. After Tufts died in 1914 the house changed hands. In 1962 it became home to the Longview School, an alternative school, until the school moved in 1971. It is now a private residence. It is valued as one of the few remaining buildings in Davis from the 1890s and as a local example of eclectic Victorian design.
Significance in brief: The house is tied to the development of Davisville and is considered one of two remaining Davis homes reflecting the more opulent expressions of Victorian architecture. It was built by Joshua B. Tufts, an early and prominent resident. Within the local context it is a significant example of a local builder's eclectic knowledge of Victorian styles. It also housed the Longview School from 1962 to 1971.
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 79000571, listed September 6, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 434 J St, Davis |
|---|---|
| County | Yolo County |
| Listed | September 6, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79000571 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architect / builder | Joshua B. Tufts and his two sons |
| Architectural style | Eclectic Victorian, with borrowed Stick Style elements |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Good condition inside and outside; functions as a private residence, with a later addition on the south side housing a breakfast nook. |
| Acreage | 0.2 |
| Coordinates | 38.54781, -121.73615 (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 79000571.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q133571739
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.