The Process

Riverside is a well-documented place with a robust and long-established community of historians (including the Riverside Historical Society, which traces its roots to 1903). Researching the history of your house begins with exploration. I search the city's records, genealogy archives, federal censuses, old city directories, historic newspapers, and other sources to determine if the history of your house is available for discovery. The historic record does contain gaps at times—if that's the case, you'll only be charged an initial discovery fee, and I'll share what information (if any) I found. I am providing this service for houses located outside of Riverside on a case-by-case basis: please email me for more information.

The process continues with a personal visit. You'll walk me through your house and together we'll discuss any details of interest, including possible alterations made after its initial construction. I'll take notes, measurements, and photographs. This process typically takes three to four weeks. Once I have enough content assembled, the creation of the book begins.

The Book

Your custom house-history book is professionally designed and printed in the USA. The hardcover book is 11" wide x 8.5" high (22" wide when opened). It's printed in full color on premium 450gsm paper and bound with a seamless, lay-flat binding for a sturdy, album-style experience. The page count typically runs about 48 pages—that number may shift one way or another based on the content of your book.

The Content

Taking a deep dive into the history of your home and all things related, the book includes:

• At-a-Glance Overview
• Riverside history
• Riverside in the year your house was built
• Neighborhood history
• Architectural style overview
• House description
• Biography of the architect or builder (if known)
• Biography of the original owners
• Neighbors during the original occupancy
• Later occupants of the house
• Alterations (if any)
• "Why this house matters" summary