No one is quite sure when this classic California bungalow was built — guesses range from the 1920s to the '40s. It's unusual to find such a house in what was then the boondocks, far from Tucson.

Jim Davis / Arizona Daily Star

Related articles:

House poll

Other articles by Brian J. Pedersen:

Message on wall is a spiritual remnant Skrappy's settles into new digs Tucson youth center settles in to new Downtown location Three Tucson men indicted on child pornography counts 3 years given in ID theft; Honda patrons victims South Tucson looks at trash-pickup feesThose NM fireworks could bring fines, jail10 buildings have 63 violationsWoman pleads guilty to cash-smuggling attempt at border Upright wing with doorway is an artistic flight of fancy

Administrative & Professional
Tucson Urban League
CEO/President Trades/Construction
RANCHO RESORT
MAINTANANCE POSITION Finance and Accounting
Charles E. Gillman Company
Accounting Specialist Sales and Marketing
Everready Glass
Sales Reps Mechanical
Komatsu Equipment Co
Resident Field Mechanic Administrative & Professional
Jorgensen Brooks Group
Counselor

A house that could date to the late 1920s — and is slated to be torn down in the near future — has gained the attention of both preservationists and the town of Marana.

The California-bungalow-style home, on the southwest corner of West Ina and North Silverbell roads, is in the middle of a 10-acre plot that developer Richard Shenkarow plans to turn into a retail and office complex called Silverbell Crossroads.

Its rezoning already has been approved by the Marana Town Council, and Shenkarow said the project is expected to move forward once Marana finishes widening Silverbell between Ina and North Cortaro Road. That work is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

In the meantime, Shenkarow says he's offering the home to anyone who is willing, and can afford, to move the home off the property.

"If I could find a lot … I'd keep it," said Shenkarow, who offered the house to Marana to use in its Heritage Park. "The cost of moving it is horrendous."

Moving the house is not the best option, said Ken Scoville, a retired teacher and an advocate of historical preservation.

"What he should do is save the building and incorporate it into the project," Scoville said of Shenkarow, calling the developer's offer to give the house to anyone who will take it a "hollow" one.

"Moving the house is not a good strategy. I think it would be a great place for a lunch restaurant. It would give people a better connection to the past."

The house, with about 1,800 square feet of living space, has a basement and includes a porch made of volcanic basalt rock that was mined out of the former quarry at the base of "A" Mountain. That puts the house's history back to at least the 1940s, Scoville said.

The exact origins of the home — which is believed to be called the Nourse House — are still being determined, said Su Benaron, Marana's cultural-resources manager.

Benaron said the home is being documented by archaeological and architectural consultants, part of the process associated with the Army Corps of Engineers 404 permit that the Silverbell Crossroads project needs to move forward.

Benaron said the town originally turned down Shenkarow's offer for it to acquire the house and try to move it elsewhere, possibly to the Marana Heritage River Park, being built along the east side of the Santa Cruz River. But the town now is reconsidering it, she said.

"We're going to look into that again," Benaron said. "I know that the town cares about the house, and they want to make any effort to preserve it in some way."

Benaron said she believes it's more likely that the house will be moved rather than have it remain on the property and become integrated into the development plans, which Shenkarow said will include buildings using rammed-earth construction and a lot of glass and diffused light.

"A lot of people in town love that house," she said. "It would be nice if we could do something to save it."