The property’s landmark status and designated trees are part of its documented history.
The City of Davis designates 2727 Russell Boulevard, known as Four Palms, as a Municipal Historic Landmark. The black walnut trees planted along Russell Boulevard by the LaRue family in the 1870s are separately designated Landmark Trees and form the Avenue of the Trees. A roadside marker also identifies the Lincoln Highway, the transcontinental route that passed through Davis, according to the Historical Marker Database.
The Sacramento Bee reports that the rear half-acre is technically buildable and that the property could potentially accommodate two accessory dwelling units in the future.
What the historic designation means
According to the City of Davis Municipal Code, Article 40.23 is intended to identify, designate, protect, enhance, preserve and use historical resources. The code provides the policy framework for evaluating changes to Four Palms and its site, although the sources reviewed here do not specify which project-level approvals a future owner would need for a particular alteration or construction proposal.
The sale and the property
The three-story Victorian is listed for $3,315,000, according to the Sacramento Bee. Listing materials describe a 3,682-square-foot, five-bedroom property on 1.34 acres, with 2.5 bathrooms, a saltwater pool, sport court, gardens, barn, sheds, private well, owned 9.5-kilowatt solar system and propane generator, according to Ginny Parks Real Estate.
The house is identified as a Stick-Eastlake Victorian built in 1887 with first-growth redwood framing and original cedar shingles, according to the listing materials. It was built by H.M. LaRue and later served as the working headquarters of Arlington Farm, the LaRue family’s agricultural operation, which covered about 2,060 acres, according to the Sacramento Bee.
A documented link to UC Davis history
LaRue’s son, Jacob Eugene LaRue, was involved in efforts to bring the University State Farm to Davisville, the institution that eventually became UC Davis. In May 1905, Gov. George Pardee and state farm commissioners stopped at Arlington Farm during a tour of potential Yolo County sites, according to the Davisite.
The University State Farm later became UC Davis. The university later named La Rue Road for Jacob LaRue in recognition of his role in bringing the institution to Davis, according to LocalWiki.
Ownership and stewardship
The property has had four owners since its construction. The Romani family followed the LaRue family and updated infrastructure and remodeled portions of the building, according to the UC Davis Emeriti Association and the Sacramento Bee.
The current sale puts the former Arlington Farm headquarters back on the market with its future shaped by both historic designation and the limits applying to the surrounding landmark trees.
