By Harrison Power
Nestled between office buildings at 1126 14th Street across from Graceada Park is a quaint yet stately bungalow, the Kerr-Maddux House, the last on a block originally lined with early 20th century homes. Many know the bungalow today as the Queen Bean Coffee House, but the home’s time as a residence spanned 95 years across three families, which contributed to the home’s lastability in an area of downtown which transitioned from 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 the home was Mrs. Priscilla E. Kerr (1845-1913), an immigrant from England and pioneer Central Valley educator. Kerr moved to Modesto in 1903 from Salida following her husband’s death. In March 1908, she sold her large 13th Street home, 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, bringing the cost of the home to $2,500. Five years later on June 1, 1913, Mrs. Kerr passed away at her home.
The Kerr estate sold the bungalow to the second owners, Mr. Lafayette Jackson Maddux (1854-1941) and his wife Mrs. Mary Blythe Maddux (1856-1936), who were living there by 1915. They had come 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 served on the Stanislaus Board of Education, Board of the Preston School of Industry, and the California Industrial Accident Commission.
Mary B. Maddux was very engaged in local affairs and had her own public service accomplishments. During World War One, Mrs. Maddux was very active in the Modesto Red Cross chapter and became its President in 1917, then later supported the production of masks to protect against the influenza pandemic in 1918. She was appointed to the County Probation Committee in 1909 and the County Welfare Commission in 1919, and served on both until 1934. On April 5, 1936, Mrs. Maddux passed away at the home. 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 stated, “He was an example of American citizenship, a splendid public servant and a fine gentleman.” Later, the City would name its new youth center in West Side Park (César Chávez) in his honor, officially dedicated in 1954.
By 1942, Mr. John Aubrey Morgan (1894-1981) and Mrs. Estelle Bond Morgan (1902-2002) were the third owners of the bungalow, and both worked in education. Estelle Morgan was the last resident of the bungalow before the home was eventually converted into a coffee house, opening as the Queen Bean in 2004.
The Kerr-Maddux House has been the Queen Bean’s home for nearly two decades, now owned 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, Modestans should share in celebrating the historic bungalow and its ties to early prominent community leaders.
Special thank you to Peter and Jeanette Dunckel for providing pictures of the Maddux Family, and to David Seymour and the McHenry Museum & Historical Society for assisting in their availability.
