An October, 1892, building permit for two two-story houses (863 and 859 Emerson) to be constructed on this block facing Venice Street (later Emerson) was issued to property owner Martin Melhorn, who was a real estate investor and is sometimes listed in building permit records as a builder. He did not live at either residence. The earliest residents of 863 Emerson were Henry and Edwin Wagner, who are listed at the address in the 1894 city directory. Research revealed little about the Wagners.
