By Harrison Power
Nestled between office buildings on Fourteenth Street across from Graceada Park is a quaint yet stately bungalow, the last on a block which originally was lined with homes from the early 20th century. The Kerr-Maddux House at 1126 14th Street was built in 1908, part of a building boom in Modesto at the time as post-Victorian downtown development continued. Many know the bungalow, Queen Bean Coffee House, as a downtown staple for coffee and community space, but the bungalow’s time as a residence spanned 95 years across three owners and families, which helped contribute to the home’s lastability in an area of downtown which transitioned from primarily residential to commercial. Though changes were made to convert the home into a business, remaining original features and connections to early prominent Modesto citizens highlight the significance of the Kerr-Maddux House.
The original owner of 1126 14th Street was Mrs. Priscilla E. Kerr (1845-1913), an immigrant from England and pioneer Central Valley educator. She moved to Modesto in 1903 from Salida following the death of her husband. In March 1908, she sold her large home located at 1120 13th Street, and then purchased a lot on 14th Street to build a new residence for herself. By April 1908, construction on 1126 14th Street was underway, overseen by contractor F. M. Brown. Kerr requested the new home to be built in the style of a bungalow that Brown had built in Pacific Grove, which Kerr had seen while vacationing there. On December 17, 1908, the contractor was in the final stages of completing the interior finishings of the cottage, bringing the cost of the home to $2,500. Five years later on June 1, 1913, Mrs. Kerr passed away at her home.
While it is not clear exactly when the home was sold by the Kerr estate, the bungalow was identified as the Maddux family residence by 1916. The second owners, Mr. Lafayette Jackson Maddux (1854-1941) and his wife Mrs. Mary Blythe Maddux (1856-1936), came to Modesto circa 1880 and were both incredibly involved in civic affairs. L.J Maddux established a law practice in the fast growing city, which led to a lengthy legal career and decades of public service in both elected and appointed positions: Stanislaus County District Attorney (1904-1915), California State Senator (1915-1919), and Stanislaus County Superior Court Judge (1934-1936) upon appointment by Governor Frank Merriam following the death of L.W. Fulkerth. Maddux also had served on the Stanislaus Board of Education, Board of Directors of the Preston School of Industry, and the California Industrial Accident Commission.
Mary Blythe Maddux, though listed simply in census records as a housewife, engaged in Modesto local affairs and had her own public service accomplishments. She was appointed to the County Probation Committee in 1911 and the County Welfare Commission in 1919, and served on both until her passing at the home on April 5, 1936. Upon the death of L.J. Maddux on October 30, 1941, the SF Examiner called him the “Grand Old Man of California Public Affairs,” and Governor Culbert Olson was quoted stating, “He was an example of American citizenship, a splendid public servant and a fine gentleman…All citizens of California mourn his loss.” In 1954, Modesto named the new youth center in West Side Park (César Chávez) in his honor.
By 1942, Mr. John Aubrey Morgan (1894-1981) and Mrs. Estelle Bond Morgan (1902-2002) were the third owners of the bungalow. In 1952, a building permit was listed for a new roof, likely when the terracotta tile roof was added. John A. Morgan was a grammar school instructor for the San Joaquin School District, and Estelle B. Morgan was also a teacher. She was the last resident of the bungalow before the home was eventually purchased and converted into a coffee house, opening as the Queen Bean in 2004.
The Kerr-Maddux House has been the home of the Queen Bean Coffee and Social House for nearly two decades, now owned and carried on by Ruhi Sheikh and Sam Pierstorff. When asked about the home’s history and plans for the future, Sheikh and Pierstorff said, “As stewards of Queen Bean Coffee & Social House, we are committed to building for the future while honoring its rich past. We love this historic space as much as the community, and we take our responsibility very seriously. With a deep respect for the artists and creatives who have shaped this space, we are transforming Queen Bean into a cultural arts epicenter—a place where anyone and everyone can feel at home. Our vision is to restore Queen Bean to her original beauty and make this a destination that Modesto can be proud of for years to come.” As the Kerr-Maddux House approaches its 116th birthday in December, the community should share in celebrating the historic bungalow and its ties to early prominent community leaders.
