Einstein House, Fresno

Einstein House is a notable example of the English Arts and Crafts movement in American architecture. Designed by architect Edward T. Foulkes and completed in 1912, the house was commissioned for Louis Einstein, a prominent merchant, banker, and civic leader in Fresno County. Born in Germany in 1847, Einstein's entrepreneurial journey led him from San Francisco to the San Joaquin Valley, where he eventually established himself in Fresno.

The Einstein House exhibits a distinctive architectural style characterized by its picturesque rooflines, porches, and a general massing that echoes the English Cottage aesthetic interpreted through American Craftsman principles. The exterior walls are constructed of brick, varying in thickness from 12 to over 18 inches, and finished with plaster directly applied to the brick surface.

An elaborate bay window commands the center of the main elevation, accentuated by a balcony at the second-floor level adorned with a solid railing featuring intricate circular details. The projecting roof over the balcony enhances the prominence of the center elevation with its upward-curving roof line.