Historical Observer
432 No. McCadden Place
The property at 432 No. McCadden Place was purchased in 1925 by Robert G. Stephens (valued at $1,800 for tax purposes), then sold in 1929 (valued at $4,200 for tax purposes), then sold again to Mr. Joseph Brant Banning Jr. He was the grandson of Phineas Banning and son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Banning Sr.…
Read More444 No. McCadden Place
The lot was sold in 1925 to Lucy Powers and was valued at $1,800. The building permit for 444 N. McCadden Place was issued in 1926 showing William Howden, who lived at 313 No. Norton Avenue, and Rollo Howden, 332 No. Norton Avenue as the builders-owners. Tax records do not indicate that the property or…
Read More449 No. McCadden Place, Hancock Park
Mr. Maurice I. Alfred was among the first to build a home on the block. He purchased and built this beautifully tranquil home in 1925. Unfortunately, research has not revealed an architect for this house. The building contractor, M. Burghbacher (of 393 W. 42nd Street), was credited for building the Vermont Square Methodist Church in…
Read More528 So. Plymouth Boulevard, Windsor Square
This house was built in 1926 for Lee Mantle. David F. Picker served as both the architect and contractor. The building permit states an estimated construction value of $20,000 for the 11-room residence. Unfortunately, not much is known about Mr. Picker or his client. However, research indicates that in 1926, Mr. Mantle purchased the land…
Read More420 No. McCadden Place, Hancock Park
The property was purchased in 1925 by John W. Sullivan, who possibly held it as an investment until 1927. The 1925 county tax records indicated the value of the land (for tax purposes) at $1,880 when purchased; then, valued it at $4,080 when Sullivan sold it. It was not uncommon for investors to purchase property…
Read More354 So. Windsor Boulevard – Windsor Square
One of the most famous names in the history of Los Angeles is that of the Van Nuys family. Mr. Isaac Newton “I.N.” Van Nuys had a city in the San Fernando Valley named for him by his old friend Harry Chandler. The family that owed its fortune to wheat farming were also leaders in banking.…
Read More343 So. Windsor Boulevard, Windsor Square
It is interesting to note that the contractor on the original permit, dated 1922, is the same name as the first owner, Maurice B. Korman. One could conclude that the house is extremely well constructed as it was built by an industry professional. Mr. Korman chose Saul H. Brown as his architect. Mr. Brown was…
Read More333 So. Windsor Boulevard, Windsor Square
This classic Mediterranean style home was built in 1914 by Mary Commons. She hired the architectural team of Morgan, Walls & Morgan which consisted of Octavius Morgan, his son, O.M. Morgan, and J.A. Walls. Many landmark buildings are attributed to this design team. Octavius Morgan designed the W.P. Story Building at Sixth and Broadway, the Sisters…
Read More624 So. June Street, Hancock Park
This home is good example of a highly decorative version of Italian Renaissance style. Built in 1928 for Rose and Harry Feigenbaum, it is somewhat eclectic with its Tudor arch door openings and Gothic multi-foil window deeply recessed over the front entrance. More indicative of Italian Revival is the paneled front door faced with wrought…
Read More227 So. Muirfield Road, Hancock Park
The parcel was purchased in 1926 by Marion R. Gray, the first president of the Wilshire Country Club and one of its founding principals. In 1933, the parcel was purchased by Mr. J. A. and Ella Brown, who employed Alfred I. Coffey to design this fine home. Coffey was the City Architect of San Francisco for…
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