By: Architectural Historian Shelley Roff, PhD The broad shady porch at 938, West Agarita Avenue, is this craftsman bungalow's most inviting feature. A broad wood beam spans the entire porch, giving the front face of the house that welcoming appearance. The simple clean lines of this 1925 bungalow are marked at each end by a triplet of square classical posts that support the outreaching gabled roof. The posts are supported by a wood clapboard podium, matching the clapboards of the house's exterior. Exposed rafters and extensive trimwork and molding were typical of the 1920s and 30s era bungalows. The living room has many cozy features, like the built-in bookshelves and brick fireplace with pair of large widows flanking each side. The foundation piers in the front portion of the house have shifted, yet the masonry chimney stayed in place, leaving the house with a few creative, if not charming lines. This a common issue for many houses in San Antonio , due to improper water drainage on the site. The house is fine to live in as it is, however it can be repaired by having the house leveled and a positive grade created around the house to drain the water away. This house has retained almost all of its original wood crafted details that mark its historical period. In the living room, crown molding ornaments the ceiling and a simplified classical molding is used for door and window frames throughout. The living area is separated from the dining by a wide beam supported by craftsman-style curved knee braces. A built-in buffet is neatly tucked in the wall to create a more spacious dining room. In the bathroom and kitchen the original beadboard wainscots are still intact. At least five different types of historic door designs can be seen in this house. Starting with the front door and its charming ornamented screen, it is a typical craftsman highboy design with detailing; however the standard multi-pane window above has been exchanged for a blue and gold, floral-patterned stain glass window. The kitchen and dining are separated by an authentic swing door. A pair of French doors in a bedroom are carved to intersect as a rounded tongue-and-groove when closed. In the kitchen, a quaint thin door with holes punched out in a regular pattern encloses a pantry.
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