The Marentis House is the finest example of Victorian Gothic design in San Juan Bautista.

The builder, George Chalmers, was raised in New England, where he was influenced by Alexander Jackson Davis. Davis illustrated a much-utilized design book of the 19th century, Cottage Residences.

In San Juan Bautista, where building styles range from Spanish and Mexican period adobes through most of the major 19th century eclectic revivals and the styles of the first two decades of the 20th century, the Marentis House is one of a few surviving examples of early rural carpenter styling and construction. The simple but fine lines, symmetrical massing and monochromatic detail of expression are typical.

Source: NRHP nomination submitted in 1984.