The Queen on Main's Story
A Bygone Era
Hatti Elizabeth Dafoe married James L. Nine months later they had a son they named Charles; by October of that same year tragedy struck and just 3 months later, James was gone. Due to the laws of the state of California, the property transferred to their infant son- Women's Suffrage had not yet occurred in the state of California, (that didn't come until 1911). Hatti was titled as "Guardian"on the deed. Some time after James' passing Hatti fell in love again and this time to David O'Rear Judy. They were wed November 6, 1894. The county records show that David immediately adopted young Charles and Hatti transferred ownership over to David. Within a year he built her the sweetest Queen Anne Victorian home around- fit for his "Queen". From what the records indicate, David owned Pioneer Livery Stable in town and later when horses weren't the mode of transportation, he converted the livery into a taxi service. Interested in local politics and civic affairs, a prominent citizen, he served on the town board for eighteen years. A census noted under "occupation" with regards to Hatti, she was an instructor of music. David passed in 1931 and Hatti just 7 years later. About that time, Mr. Ben Stephens, a local farmer, bought the home and retired. In the 1950's Mr. Yunker, purchased the home From Mr. Stephens. For around five years Mr. Yunker lived in the home with his aged mother. After that, he moved away and rented the home to a family with five children who lived there for fifteen years. Just about everyone who grew up in Winters during that era were friends with the children as the home seemed to be "Grand Central Station" for kids. Many locals recall playing in the home in their youth, attending slumber parties, birthday parties and playing many a yard game. In fact during a renovation of the yard evidence of such surfaced in the form of an old Hot Wheels and a Monopoly piece to which neighbor and local "Winterite" Brett Dunham happily laid claim, "So that's where that went!" he said as he related, with a wink, his fond childhood memories. In 1983 Mr. Yunker remodeled the home and moved back in. As Mr. Yunker's health failed with age years later, he was moved into convalescent care. The home was sold by his executor in 1995 to local ranchers, Michael and Rhonda Petrillo. The Petrillo's intention was to restore the home and open a Bed and Breakfast but their son fell ill with cancer and plans were put on hold. Their son survived but interests had shifted and the home became a rental. In 2020 the home was sitting vacant awaiting a second remodel to begin by the Petrillos. Then in August of that same year, the LNU Fire raged though the countryside of Solano county where the Petrillo's ranch was. In need of a safe place to be during the rebuilding of their ranch, the Petrillos found "The Queen" offered a peaceful place to reside. After a few months the Petrillos moved back onto the ranch and the remodel of The Queen On Main began soon thereafter. The construction industry was hit hard with supply chain issues and contractor's schedules were delayed due to Covid. The remodel took two years to complete and in January 2023 the Petrillos officially opened The Queen On Main as a short term vacation rental. The home has provided wonderful memories for many, many people since David and Hatti first built their dream cottage. Little did they know the delight it would bring to so many.
