Two real estate properties of significance to Star Trek history have recently gone on the market, and the sellers are reaching out to the fan community. The properties are the location of Gene Roddenberry's birthplace in El Paso, Texas, and the final home of James Doohan in Redmond, Washington.

In 1921, Roddenberry — the "Great Bird" — was born at 1907 E. Yandell Drive in El Paso, according to research done by the city, and since 1969 that address has been a commercial property in an industrial district. Four years ago the location received a lot of media attention when the City of El Paso declared October 4 of that year "Gene Roddenberry Day" and marked the site with a wooden plaque (see picture at left), and a local councilman hosted a visit there by Roddenberry's son, Eugene Jr., on his way to dedicating the newly-renamed Gene Roddenberry Planetarium (related story).

At the time, until last year, the 1907 address housed a flower shop, sandwiched between a machine supply outlet and an orthopedic lab. Currently, though, that storefront sits empty.

The original owner/developer of the property died last year, and his widow wishes to sell off the remainder of her husband's estate and move to another city to be closer to her grandchildren. Her son, Joe Dyoub, has committed to finding an appropriate buyer for the Yandell asset.

"I have always been a Star Trek fan, and wanted to reach out to the Trekkie community to determine if some loyal and secure investor might step forward before the property went on the commercial market," Dyoub said. "Many in the real estate industry that I have talked to 'don't get' Star Trek. Therefore my fear is that the future owner may not preserve this location for future generations."

He's hoping to find a buyer who will convert the storefront to a Star Trek-themed café or souvenir shop, or something along those lines.

Anyone with a serious inquiry about the property can contact Dyoub by e-mail at jdyoub@comcast.net.

Up in Washington state near Seattle, there is a similar situation, but involving a residential property. James Doohan ("Scotty") died last year, and his widow, Wende, is now looking to sell the house they lived in together for 10 years, and where they raised their youngest child who was born in 2000. "Sarah and I have to move to a smaller location with far less overhead," Mrs. Doohan explained. She said that several people have encouraged her to push "the 'Scotty' angle" in marketing the house to ensure a relatively quick sale.

The French Farmhouse-style estate was built for the Doohans in 1994-95 (they moved in on Jimmy's 75th birthday) on a 5-acre lot in Redmond. The two-story 4,350 sq. ft. home hit the real estate listings last Friday with an asking price of $1.4 million. An open house took place Sunday, and another is planned for next weekend.

To learn more about the home and to see more pictures, visit www.johnlscott.com/58233.

To make an inquiry, click on "Request Info," or contact the agent, Lisa Roberts of John L. Scott Real Estate, at the phone number shown on the page, or by e-mail at lisa@lisaroberts.net. Serious inquiries only please!! (Remember this is a quiet residential neighborhood, so looky-loos are discouraged.)