J FISHER & SHEPARD /ARCHITECTS & PLANNERS INC
October 31, 1975

Mr. Robert H. Steinbach,
Director of Research & Interpretation
Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board
Post Office Box 1987
St. Augustine, Fla. 32084

RE: Restoration Joaneda House Project Inspections
Dear Bob:
The following inspection notes for the referenced project are forwarded for
your information and the record:

A. OCTOBER 16. 1975 INSPECTION:

1. Present: Robert Steinbach and Herschel Shepard.

2. At southeast corner, provide 16 ga. minimum 11 in. wide galvanized
steel straps approximately 2 feet o.c., anchored by expansion shields set in
mortar. Purpose of straps is to bind south and east walls together. Grout
vertical crack in south wall.

3. Window sill notches are now apparent at the door to the East Room
through the south wall, indicating this opening may have been a window origi-
nally. However, it is possible the opening was first a door, then a window,
then restored as a door.

4. All coquina blocks in the north-south partition wall of the main
structure are "shiners" with stack joints where partition abuts exterior walls.
The partition is probably original because plaster on exterior walls does not
continue through the stacked joints, and there is no precedent of unplastered
interior coquina wall surfaces known in St. Augustine (per Robert Steinbach).
A strong indication that the partition is original is at the foundation where
it is evident that partition blocks and exterior wall blocks were set with
unfinished faces and then trimmed plumb.

5. A previously undiscovered early door is apparent in the south wall of
the West Room, the west jamb of which is approximately 8 inches east of the
known door to the Southwest Room.

6. At the fireplace, shore the two large coquina blocks in place two
courses above firebox opening. Remove the coquina lintel blocks and the coquina
block course above. Reset the flat bar lintel if possible and reset the origi-
nal coquina blocks. Rebuild the firebox to the drawings.

7. If possible, revise the kitchen cabinet layout to conform to the Villa
Longa kitchen.

8. All wood members now visible at windows appear to be of recent manu-
facture, but closer examination is necessary.


456 UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD NORTH / JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA 32211 / TELEPHONE (904) 725-1112
GEORGE RYAD FISHER, AIA / HERSCHEL E. SHEPARD, AIA









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9. The north wall plate contains nails that are apparently early cut
nails with hand-wrought heads. However, the nails are badly deteriorated
and further examination is required.

10. All of the north wall plate shall be replaced with a similar pres-
sure-treated member 4 in. thick by 5 in. wide.

11. Anchor wall plates with " diameter galvanized bolts, 12" long,
placed in non-shrink grout pockets spaced between every other joist.

12. Anchor wall plates into the top of the joists with one 1" galvanized
lag screw at each joist. Due to the top of the north wall being out of plumb,
it is necessary to extend the length of the joists when rebuilt in order that
they extend beneath the plate.

13. Provide a galvanized hurricane clip on each side of each rafter at
the plate.

14. A probable sequence of construction discussed by Shepard and Stein-
bach, as evidenced by the placement of materials, is as follows: The first
floor masonry walls were built, then attic floor joists were installed. The
chimney and west gable wall were then constructed. The roof rafters were
placed next. Finally, the east gable end and possibly the filler partition
above the south wall were constructed.

15. Two rectangular holes flanking the chimney were discovered in the
west wall of the attic, one on each side of the chimney. The jambs taper
slightly in toward the outside wall surface. There is no known precedent
elsewhere in St. Augustine (per Robert Steinbach). The holes were probably
utilized for attic ventilation and if so, it is probable that at least one
similar vent hole was centered in the east gable end, all evidence of which
was removed when the later window was installed. It was agreed to install
fixed glass as close as practical to the interior wall surface of the nor-
thern vent; the southern vent is blocked by the adjoining building. The
stucco sill shall be sloped to drain to the outside.

16. All masonry door and window lintels shall be reinforced with angles
as detailed on the drawings, hot-dip galvanized.

B. OCTOBER 28, 1975 INSPECTION:

1. Present: John Griffin, Robert Steinbach, Herschel Shepard, Harvey
Manss and John Nelson.

2. Mr. Nelson observed that the chimney is not centered above the fire-
box but is located several inches to the north of the firebox center line.
Apparently the chimney is centered on the building, but dimensions need to
be rechecked.

3. The main electrical panel shall be relocated to the south wall of
the East Room.

4. Sill notches at the south window of the Southwest Room indicate this
opening may be original.








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5. Exterior shutter tiebacks were at one time located approximately
adjacent to the sills of all first-floor east and north windows except at
the door in the north wall of the West Room. The lack of tiebacks at this
door is a strong indication that this opening was originally a door open-
ing and not a window as postulated in earlier reports. Steinbach has also
found floor joist notches and other evidence at the sill indicating the
door opening was quite early.

6. One wooden tieback block remains in place, and the end of an iron
drive pintle was found lodged within. All other tieback blocks were re-
placed at some time with brickbats or coquina.

7. There is no evidence of shutter tiebacks at the south window of
the East Room. This can either indicate that the window was not original
or that shutters were not necessary since this opening was protected by the
porch roof and was regarded as relatively secure.

8. In the east wall, three additional tieback block holes are evident.
They are now filled with masonry, and are located at approximately half-win-
dow height. Apparently the central tieback served both flanking windows.

9. The kitchen cabinet layout will be revised as follows:
Looking south from the interior, left to right:
Two-compartment sink; dishwasher; blank cabinet front.
Looking west, left to right:
301" range/oven; refrigerator.

10. Although evidence noted above strongly suggests that the north door
opening of the West Room is original, it was agreed to restore the opening as
a window since the evidence is not entirely conclusive, and the adaptive use
of the structure makes a window desirable.

11. It is now obvious that no existing wood members at window openings
are original.

12. Portions of early shingles found by Steinbach in the attic eave spaces
indicate the shingles were planed or draw-knifed smooth with a butt thickness
of approximately 0.4". Similar shingles are available from Koppers and will
provide a Class B roof. These shingles should be substituted for the hand-
split shakes specified.

Best regards,



Herschel E. Shepard.

y Mr. John Griffin.

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