This residence was built in 1914 for Nathan A. Twist, president of the William Lutz Company. In 1922, Dr. Jess Burlew, one of Orange County’s most prominent physicians and surgeons, and his wife Bessie purchased the house. Dr. Burlew received part of his medical education from the Mayo Brothers, and was active in medical and community affairs throughout his career. The Burlews owned the property until 1941, when Mrs. Burlew died. In 1944, Dr. Herman and Virginia Basler bought the house and converted it into one of the first proprietary convalescent homes in Orange County. Mr. Basler was a chiropractor who settled in Santa Ana in 1939. The Twist-Basler House/Basler Home continued to be well known in Santa Ana for over forty years, until it was sold in 1986.
The Twist-Basler House/Basler Home is significant on several levels, satisfying at least two Santa Ana Register criteria: Criterion 1 (“distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style”) and Criterion 4b (“associated with famous people, original settlers, renowned organizations and businesses”). It is a notable remnant of the period during which North Broadway was a desirable address for many distinguished Santa Ana citizens. Indeed, old postcards, circa 1910-1920, present North Broadway in several views, including at least one image of the then Twist House. The property is also significant for its association with the locally prominent physician Dr. Jess Burlew and for its long-time use as a convalescent home owned by the Baslers. Architecturally, while the building has been altered by the façade addition, it retains many of the architectural details of its Tudor Revival style, particularly the half-timbering and crenellated roofline of the medieval prototype. Character-defining exterior features of the Twist-Basler House/Basler Home which should be preserved include, but are not limited to: cross gabled roof; clay tiling and finials; stucco exterior ornamented by half-timbering; gabled porch and entry; crenellated parapet; and original fenestration where extant.
Click here for the City Register of the Twist-Basler House
Click here for a construction photogallery |
