the PDF - Long Beach Heritage

Volume 23, No. 4, Fall 2013
Ninety Years of Community Service
of 1902. The Hospital was located at the corner of
10th Street and Linden Avenue, now the site of St.
Mary’s Hospital, cost $60,000, measured 120 feet x
180 feet, and was constructed of pressed brick. It
had screened front porch with Iconic columns and
string courses separating the stories in more or less
classical style. The doctors and board of directors
disagreed about the administration of the Hospital
and in 1907 the Battle Creek Sanitarium Company
of Michigan took it over. The owners of the Sanitarium published post cards that advertised it as ‘California’s foremost health resort,’ although The Daily
Telegram referred to it as a hospital.”
One of the postcards showing the Long
Beach Sanitarium and a Midwinter Bathing Scene
at the beach states, “Bring your friends and spend
the winter at The Long Beach Sanitarium, Long
Beach, California.” It mentions use of the Battle
Creek Sanitarium methods at the best and finest equipped institution west of Battle Creek. It
includes baths of every description, every form of
electricity and with every comfort and luxury one
By Maureen Poe
treasures. One structure that Dr. Ivers notes as sig-
Postcard from the Stanley E. Poe Collection
nificant in urban areas is the hospital which Long
Turning the pages of the book, Long Beach, A His-
F. Starbuck, the Long Beach Hospital displayed
tory Through Its Architecture, by Louise H. Ivers one
can learn about Long Beach’s past architectural
Beach acquired in 1905-1906. “Designed by Henry
his characteristic pyramidal towers topped by finials, seen also in the First Congregational Church
An Interview with Ted Wells
might find in a modern hotel. Graduate nurses only,
as well as gentleman and lady physicians, would
be available. Each room would have a long distance telephone. Long Beach’s climate was touted
as the most delightful all-the-year-round weather in
the world; “Never hot and never cold. Geraniums
(Continued on page 6)
from 1903 to 1927. The Townsends brought Henry
Greene back to the house in 1925 to assist with
moving of the house from downtown Long Beach
Many of you saw the wonderful in-progress restora-
of Greene and Greene is that this house was their
to its current location at the Virginia Country Club.
tion of the Jennie Reeve house on our spring home
largest commission at the time. This straddled their
tour. Following is part of a background interview
Henry Greene expanded the house to meet the
design aesthetic change from traditional arts and
with the owner, Ted Wells, by new LBH Board mem-
needs of the growing Townsend family.
crafts to their own design ideas. It showed the ger-
ber, Steffie Hands, who served as a docent in the
house that day.
mination, development and span of their career,
I have worked on many Greene and Greene
(Continued on page 7)
house?
Nomadic Builder of Belmont, Bluff Heights
A friend of mine saw the house for sale in 2004 and
By Maureen Neeley
thought I would be interested. I was concerned that
Early Long Beach homes fall into several camps:
How did you end up acquiring the Reeve/Townsend
if it did not end up in the right hands, that something bad could happen to it. The previous owner
was Jacqui Heebner, whose husband bought it in
1954. It became an overwhelming house to her.
She wanted the house to have a good steward.
Why did you decide to take on such an extensive
renovation?
Turn-of-the-century Victorians (fairly rare now), versions of Tudors, Cape Cods, Foursquare, and Prairie,
to name just a few. But, the bulk of the inventory is
some version of Bungalow. After a while, it’s easy
to notice patterns in certain houses. One such pattern uses a “falling rock” on the porch pillars. This is
not to be confused with stacked stone, which was
popularized in the 1950s and is now enjoying a re-
Outside of Pasadena, many Greene & Greene
surgence in popularity. No, this is a pattern of pillar
houses are not as well protected. Part of the history
(Continued on page 6)
Cutting’s unusual falling rock porch pillars are unique to Long Beach.
President’s Message
Include
Long Beach Heritage
In Your
Estate Planning
The year is three quarters over and it is now time to
plan for the very busy final, Fun Holiday Quarter;
it is also the time when many of us make our year
You can arrange a bequest in
end gifts to non-profit organizations.
your will or trust or make
I invite you to make Long Beach Heritage a
recipient of your gift this year. I also wish to thank
Long Beach Heritage the
those who have remembered us so generously in
beneficiary of an Insurance Policy,
the past. As you know, we are a non-profit orga-
Bank Account or IRA.
nization and exist through your financial help and
our fundraisers. We need both in order to promote
It’s Easy To Do.
public knowledge and continue in the conserva-
To request a brochure please
tion of significant historic and architectural resources, neighborhoods and the
contact us at (562) 493-7019
cultural heritage of our beloved city. Who would do this if there were no Long
or email us at
Beach Heritage?
preservation@lbheritage.org
We thank you in advance for your past and continuing support.
HISTORICAL PRESERVATION
DEPENDS ON YOU AS AN
HISTORICAL PRESERVATIONIST
Membership Report —
­ September 1, 2013
Preservationist members and above
Benefactor
Carol McCafferty
Vicki & James Cunningham
Mary Klingensmith
Ron Rector
The Ackerman Family
Maureen Neeley &
Nanette Dahlen-wan
Philip & Gillian Klinkert
Gary Roderick
Judy Edson
Rochelle & Doug Kramer
Richard Powers
John Royce & Kent Lockart
Robert Elkins
Duane Kuster
Jenny & David Shlemmer
Ed Sanchez &
Barbara Egyud
Ruthann Lehrer
Betty Sunofsky
Robert & Scarlett Finney
Jim & Kathy Lingle
Terence & Anna Ulaszewski
Kristi Fischer &
Stephanie Loftin &
Sustainer
Melinda Roney &
Walter Wojak
RMS Queen Mary
Associate
Bob & Nancy Latimer
Patron
Mike & Andrea Burrous
Kathleen Bursley
Marsha Jeffer
Geraldine Knatz
Mary Lou Martin &
Chris Byrne
Kevin & Ana Maria McGuan
Marsha Naify
Patty Moore &
Dan Roberts
Preservationist
Josh & Jen Amstone
Sarah & Craig Arnold
Leslie Arrington
Teresa & Edgar Barbee
Dee Barnard
Barbara Barnes
Jill Anne Black
Barbara Blackwell
Barry & Kathy Blodgett
Michael & Kathleen Bohn
Joe Vanderhorst
Carol Frank
Kathleen Fry
Reba Birmingham
Tom & Gina
Rushing Maguire
Janice Furman
Janeice McConnell
Jonathan Glasgow
John & Dianne McGinnis
Kathryn Gregory &
Mary Nan Meyer
Richard Roth
Bettye Mitchell
Carol & Larry Guesno
John & Marky Morel
Liz Handley
Riichard Mosely
Larry Harma &
Marion Nickle
Sharon Reece
Jan Ostashay
Scott Goldfarb
Heather Schaible
Lesley Scheller
Janice & Bary Schlieder
Paul & Judy Schmidt
Neil Schneider &
Dwight Cook
Norbert Schurer
Iris & Dick Schutz
Bonnie Scott
Pamela Seager
Renee Simon
Susan Sklar
Matthew Sloan
Terry & Jeanne Harmon
Meg O’Toole
Wendy Harn & Sasha Witte
Cheryl & Mark Perry
Lynn Brandt
Lisa Harris
Sharon & Ken Pleshek
Contributor
Kaye Briegel
Karen Highberger &
Roger Peter Porter
Dawna & Gary DeLong
Bobbi Burket
Bob & Nancy Foster
Claudine & Paul Burnett
Harriett Ibbetson
Tim & Maria Price
Joan Wells
Rick & Brad Hobbs-Seeley
Enid Busser
Jeffrey Jeannette
Marshall Pumphrey &
Sharon Westafer
Chris Hogan
Betty Chaney
Diane Jordan
Karen & Dick Clements
Dan & Christine Jurenka
Patricia Randolph
Dorothy Wise
Sherry Cragg
Harvey Keller
Catherine Raneri
Christina Yanis
Jean Shapen
F&M Bank
Louise Ivers &
Allen Guerrero
2
Susan Bradley &
Richard Barta
Lou Gaudio
Richard Powers
Roxanne Fitzgerald
Julie Stindt & Jim Meznek
Michael Stugrin
Don & Marlene Temple
John & Patricia Walker
Linda & Morgan Wheeler
California Heights Home and Garden Tour
The lively exterior colors of
this home (right) are just a
taste of what’s on the inside.
This year’s Tour features the
first Mid-Century Modern
home (below). Don’t miss this
beautifully restored home
and garden with period
furniture and fixtures.
Charming Spanish Colonial
Revival home (above) with
fully restored bath and
recently re-modeled kitchen.
A cozy outdoor entertaining
area and garden provide a
The dramatic Spanish Colonial
relaxing retreat.
Revival home (left) on a
raised lot was recently relandscaped in both the front
and back yards, providing
areas for entertaining,
gardening and relaxing.
Please don’t forget to purchase your tickets to
Cal Heights trolley will also be making the rounds of
port Cal Heights Re-leaf, Cal Heights Clean Streets
the California Heights Home and Garden Tour
the homes throughout the day.
and the major project of re-furbishing the historic
being held October 20th. The Guest Speaker this
This year’s Tour features five beautiful homes
lampposts in the neighborhood. Please visit www.
year is John Brinkmann, founder and publisher of
and two gardens. The first Cal Heights Home & Gar-
calheights.org for more information and to purchase
American Bungalow magazine. He will speak at
den Tour was held in 1997 with the guidance and
tickets. Pre-sale tickets are $20.00 and $25.00 the
the Longfellow Auditorium starting at 10:00 A.M.
assistance from Long Beach Heritage. Today the
day of the tour. All tickets include the Cal Heights
The tour starts at 11:00 and the lines close at 4:00.
tour is managed entirely by the Cal Heights Neigh-
Discount Dining Card for various area restaurants.
This year attendees will have the option of cycling
borhood Association and is their major fundraiser.
It’s a very enjoyable way to spend a fall after-
the tour route with bicycle racks provided at each
Proceeds from the Tour are used to produce the bi-
noon and support the preservation of the largest
home by Bikeable Communities Long Beach. The
monthly newsletter distributed to 1600 homes, sup-
Historic District in Long Beach.
Thank You Charlotte Mitchell!
After many years of faithful stewardship, Charlotte has resigned as vice president of the Bembridge House. Chris
Hogan will be the new vice president. Karen Clements wrote this beautiful tribute to her.
“Thank you Charlotte for your care, love and preservation of one of the oldest and most beautiful houses
in Long Beach. Dorothy Bembridge fought to save her home and your work has preserved the house. In your
seven years you were fulfilling Dorothy’s vision and our mission for telling this story of Long Beach on this site. From
the curb to the alley every inch of our landmark is restored for the future and tells of your care. You encouraged,
imagined, implemented and led.
As Dorothy said when her family home was threatened, ‘I will sit on this house as a mother hen sits on her
nest ,’ You have said in your years of work, ‘We will preserve this house [nest] so that many can sit, walk and
wander the structures, grounds and gardens and enjoy history and this story for a long time to come.’
Thank you!”
3
What’s Up at the Bembridge House
By Chris Hogan
At the first PepperTree Court
wedding, almost 150 people
Greetings! This is my inaugural Bembridge House
enjoyed a beautiful marriage
Message — yes, I’m the new Vice-President in
ceremony in what the bride
charge of the Bembridge House. Wow! I do feel
described as an “epic” setting.
honored!
Many of you may not know me, so let me
introduce myself: My name is Chris Hogan and I’ve
been on the Long Beach Heritage Board a few
years now. Last year I shared the chairpersonship
of the Bembridge House with Charlotte Mitchell,
but now I’m on my own. Professionally, I’m an
handsome groom, you’ll see how flawless Pepper-
elementary school teacher and I do live in an
Tree Court and the house were, too!
historic home, but that’s another story. Hopefully,
Hopefully, you enjoyed last month’s Wagon
I’ll get to meet you at one of our Heritage events.
Wheel BBQ. Without realizing it, you also experi-
Of course, I couldn’t be here without the help
enced the new outdoor lighting in PepperTree
and support of the Bembridge House volunteers. All
Court! The ambient low-voltage lighting is some-
of them — the docents, the gardeners, the party
thing the house has needed. You wouldn’t have
planners, the quilters, the Operating Committee
noticed the new sprinkler and drip-irrigation system
members — are incredibly hard-working volunteers
in the Bembridge House gardens. (Our volunteer
and, cliché though it is, beautiful people. I must ac-
gardeners, who have been hand-watering for
knowledge them each again for all their encour-
years, are jubilant!) Between the funds raised from
agement! I’m very lucky that they are continuing
all the special events and grants received, we are
to help. I also know it will be difficult to follow in the
working hard to keep the Bembridge House operat-
footsteps of Charlotte. No one can! She has shown
so much leadership, worked so tirelessly, and been
such an effective role model. She’s also become a
good friend. Thank you again, Charlotte!
So much has happened at the Bembridge
House lately. In late June/early July, a high quality
production independent film used the Bembridge
House as its main location for a two-week shoot.
ing for years to come.
was perfect for the 1915 setting. Somehow, the film
was pulled together from across the country and
in less than a week! (The film should be finished
and airing by mid-September. If you’re interested in
viewing it, go to vanityfair.com/video or youtube.
com/vanityfair.)
The crew and cast loved the house, and couldn’t
Another big event happened at the house in
have been more enthusiastic about the filming
August — the first PepperTree Court wedding! Al-
opportunities there. The film is being edited now –
most 150 people enjoyed a beautiful marriage cer-
watch for “Portend” in the coming months!
emony in what the bride described as an “epic”
The word must be getting out, because interested people have also approached the Bembridge House for shooting music videos (& an album cover) and another short film. Hopefully, each
of those projects will happen. Naturally, the income
generated is important to maintain (and improve)
the property, but the nationwide exposure for
the house is priceless. People everywhere need
to know what a cultural treasure the Bembridge
House is!
In August, the house had a one-day shoot for
setting. The newlyweds were so thrilled to hold their
Please consider using the Bembridge House
scenes to be used in a short educational film for
dream wedding at the Bembridge House! They
& PepperTree Court for your next party or special
Vanity Fair’s website about a suffragette and her
plan to share some of their professional photos on
function. Hope to see you all at our Victorian Christ-
“First March.” It’s an inspiring true story! The house
our website soon. Besides the radiant bride and
mas on Dec. 8!
Long Beach Heritege Board of Directors
Volunteer of the Year
Mary Ellen Mitchell was awarded Volunteer
of the Year at Long Beach Heritage’s annual
general meeting in July.
Here are just a few of the things she’s
done: She created the flyers for the Carriage
House Quilters, which tell about ticket sales
for their quilt raffle. She served tirelessly on
the Advocacy Committee. She organized
Heritage excursions. The popular day at
Santa Anita Racetrack was her project, and
she assisted her husband on the Hollywood
Bowl night.
She spends countless hours
coordinating the Silent Auction at the Awards
Benefit on the Queen Mary. If you’ve been
to the Benefit these last two years, you know
LBH Board — Tina Yanis, Julie Nemechek, Janice Furman, Steffie Hands, Javier Gonzalez, Mary Ellen Mitchell, Mary Kay Nottage, Melinda Roney,
Cheryl Perry, Chris Launi,, Karen Highberger, Chris Hogan, Tami Dowgiewicz, Charlotte Mitchell, Wendy Harn, Sasha Witte and Kathie Fry. Not pictured:
Stan Poe, Louise Ivers, Bobbi Burket, Robert Finney, Scarlett Finney and Jodi Rich.
4
how successful and beautiful it has become
under her management.
Communal Gardens, Nothing New Under the Sun
By Stanley Poe
Currently we have seen a growth in the concept
of community gardens. The idea has seemed to
sprout all over the country. There are many in our
Southern California area. While they were few
and far between in most people’s memories, their
inception began over two hundred years ago in
Britain where they were called “allotment gardens.”
Basically it refers to a plot of land made available
for individual, non-commercial gardening. Such
parcels are cultivated by individuals or families as
opposed to community garden types where the
entire area is tended by a group of people. During
WWII these were resurrected as “victory gardens.”
The concept was developed at the end of the
18th century in England due to poor harvests from
1794 to 1796, the Napoleonic wars, a decline in real
wages, and a lack of employment opportunities
like conditions which are escalating today. A few
souls felt sorry for the people trapped in these
circumstances. This was an unusual attitude since
the prevailing social belief was that hunger was
part of God’s divine plan. Finally it was determined
that hunger was not the fault of the hungry, and
reforms began to take place by the middle of the
19th century. Actually by 1793 there had begun a
movement to provide the laboring classes with a
portion of land. Still by 1830 very few allotment sites
could only be used for growing potatoes on fallow
were able to lead comparatively independent
sites at the edges of fields.
lives and had strong community spirit. These were
During the 19th century land owners would
pedestrian oriented environments and provided
rent small plots of land to mill workers, as well. Since
adaptable mixed use homes. There were play
entire families would be employed by the mills, they
had no chance to go to the market. The mill workers
were allowed to grow all staples. Nutritional benefits
were of primary concern, so these lots went to the
most needy. They were inexpensive, but the land
was only rented until needed for another use. As
the program expanded, it became acceptable to
live in these structures. No matter how limited the
space, it was considered a vast improvement over
five people sharing a room in the cities. Eventually
additions were made. Even though there was no
electricity or running water, the cottage dwellers
learned to share whatever resources they had.
In Germany the movement reached a higher
level of sophistication. Expanding the cottages
with whatever materials could be found became
the norm. Some were even abandoned train cars.
Small businesses were established operating out
of some of the shacks. The German word for the
allotment communities was “Kleingarten.” They
thrived throughout the 19th and mid 20th centuries.
Every
war
provided
more
desirable
building
materials. All the plots were surrounded by neat
fences. Some residents who were employed as
spaces for children. Although not every home had
every amenity, the resources were shared by all.
Some houses even had electricity, and by the 1950s
people shared television nights. The issue of food
security became evident during and between the
wars when black market prices excluded all but
the wealthy. Allotment gardens were of primary
importance for survival.
Due
to
prosperity
and
a
need
for
redevelopment after the war, the government was
persuaded by the thousands of new apartment
dwellers that these communities were a hygienic
and social danger and a general blight on the
urban landscape. Today there are still about 1.4
million allotment gardens in Germany covering an
area of 470 km. In Berlin alone there are 833 garden
complexes.
The concept thrives around the world today.
The Netherlands, Norway and Sweden embraced
the idea in the 19th century. Russia began
allotments during the period of the Peter the Great.
There they are referred to as “dachas” and were
gifts to loyal vassals of the Tsar. After the revolution
most were confiscated, but after WWII a moderate
had been granted. Due to the mechanization of
masons and bricklayers would bring home a few
the farms many people were starving and rioting.
extra bricks to build chimneys, walls, and walkways.
growth took place. Since there are no laws banning
Over the next forty years the allotments grew to
These were in sharp contrast to the tarpaper, wood
squatters, urbanites began gardens so that the
242,542 sites covering 58,966 acres.
and board roofs. Although these allotment villages
multi-stories apartment complexes’ residents could
A parallel reform involved “potato grounds.”
sound shockingly Bohemian, they were actually
grow their own fruits and vegetables and spend
These were quite different from allotments and
well structured and safe environments. The people
time close to the earth.
Save the Date!
Victorian Christmas at the Bembridge House
D
ecember
8,
2
0
1
3
Because Thanksgiving falls so late in November this year, the Victorian Christmas event will be the second Sunday, Dec.
8, from noon to four.
Memories of Olde-tyme holidays will come to life. Once again volunteers from Historic Neighborhood Associations,
Community Groups, and Long Beach Heritage will be lovingly decorating the historic house, inside and out. Our holiday
theme for this year is “Jingle Bells and Sleigh Rides of the Past,” so come to see how the house will be even more
beautiful for Christmas 2013!
This event is always a family-friendly celebration. You will enjoy learning about our holiday traditions as you tour the
home. There will be refreshments and crafts for children in the Carriage House. To enhance the experience, the South
Coast Chorale singers are scheduled to return for more joyous Christmas caroling. Of course, you will want to take lots
of holiday photos, too!
Remember — Victorian Christmas at the Bembridge House on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013 from noon to 4:00. Reservations are
$10 and may be ordered by mail or through PayPal at www.lbheritage.org.
5
Nomadic Builder of Belmont, Bluff Heights
(Continued from page 1)
The 418 Orizaba Cutting house north of 4th Street.
String of Cutting houses on Dakota Avenue north of 4th Street.
foundation in some of our oldest bungalow houses,
contractor / developer / speculator, Cutting must
ta has since been renamed Molino.) These new
using river rock in a dynamic waterfall pattern to
have been one of the fastest builders in the west,
homes were featured in two articles in 1916 and we
form the base of the porch.
putting up a house, then living in it while building
can learn a lot about their original features: “Built-in
the next house. Winifred must have been a saint, for
Conveniences Abound in Cutting Homes.”
Found in only a handful of bungalows in the
Spanish colonial style Cutting home.
she never really settled down until her later years.
In effusive language, the article expounds on
Perhaps she was the designer and marketer, while
the handsome built-in features, including a mission
Merton handled the labor. The couple had no chil-
clock, desk with electric light, bookcases, seating,
must have been quite an adventurous couple.
dren of record.
granite-brick mantle and a 12-foot buffet.
Merton was born in Middlesex County, Massachu-
1914–1920: Heyday of the California Bungalow
Nomads in their own town
In 1914, Merton and Winifred lived at 56 Ocean
They built a home on Coronado the following win-
Place and commenced building 418 Orizaba. The
ter, in 1917, and it was remarkably similar to the Da-
Orizaba house is one lot north of Fourth Street, and
kota homes. The Cuttings continued to live in their
shares a great similarity with 3001 E. Fourth, which
most recently completed house while they built the
Cutting built later that year, while living in the Oriz-
next one, selling each home as they moved out.
aba house. The two homes even share a garage.
Productive nomads, moving quickly, but not travel-
southeastern part of the city, the source of this design can be traced to one builder.
Merton Elwin and Winifred Haydin Cutting
setts in August 31, 1879, son of a farmer, and Merton
learned to be a carpenter. His wife, Winfred, was
born in Washington State of English immigrants.
But, the lure of California was great, and we
find Merton as a land patent owner of the obligatory 160 acres in Shasta County by 1909. Mineral
rights? Homestead Act? No way to know for sure,
Once Cutting completed 418 Orizaba, he
but he was definitely sampling the west. His true
moved into 3001 Fourth Street while he built a string
calling, however, became clear when he moved
of houses on what was then called Dakota Avenue.
south to Long Beach around 1913. A quintessential
(Note that in this section north of Fourth St., Dako-
Ninety Years of Community Service
ing far. By the 1920s, however, the popularity of the
wooden California bungalow was waning.
New Architecture: The Spanish Bungalow
The Spanish Revival began in earnest as Califor-
(Continued from page 1)
and the most delicate summer roses grow and
the benefits of the sun and the sea as healing
bloom in the open air throughout the winter,” states
agents. Wealthy easterners often spent the winter
the caption on the postcard.
in the Los Angeles area not only to escape the
According to Louise Ivers, “Invalids could also
cold and the snow, but also to recover from their
enjoy ‘Tennis, golf, motoring, delightful year round
physical infirmities. In 1923 the Sisters of the Incar-
surf bathing.’ In the late nineteenth century south-
nate Word took over the Sanitarium and a new Art
ern California was described as having a salubrious
Deco building was constructed in 1935-1937 by I.E.
climate which cured asthma and kidney disease,
Loveless.” This year marks the 90th anniversary of St.
as well as other ailments. Tourist guides proclaimed
Mary’s as a significant hospital in Long Beach.
nians embraced the romance of the Ranchos, and
the state saw an influx of emigrants seeking health
and wealth. This adobe sensibility was reflected in
the modern architecture of the stucco bungalows
cropping up around Long Beach. After 1920, Cutting rode this wave, as well, by developing a second design to appeal to the desire for this modern
home. It consisted of a central tower-entry, flanked
by a parapet roof line. The interior followed a similar layout to the previous decade’s floorplan, but
he used twisted pilasters to frame up the arch between living and dining areas.
End of an Era
Volunteers are needed to work our LB Heritage information table at
By the 1930s, Merton was in his 60s and slowing
the Rancho Los Alamitos Children’s Fall Harvest Festival.
70 — his wife at a later unknown date — while living
Sunday, October 27, 2013 | Noon to 4:30 p.m.
Please contact Tami Dowgiewicz at (562) 243-3396
or email kevindowg@sbcglobal.net
If you would like to volunteer your time… it should be a fun event!
down. He died November 15, 1940 at the age of
at 127 Belmont. Merton’s unusual falling rock porch
pillars are unique to Long Beach, mainly because
we didn’t have an abundance of river rock near
town. Perhaps his use of smooth rocks was a nostagic nod to his early childhood in Massachusetts.
Although the Cuttings had no offspring, their houses live on, continuing their legacy of ingenuity and
perseverance in early Long Beach.
(Originally written by Maureen Neeley for the
BelmontShorePatch, 2012)
6
The Edison Building: A Mid-Century Modern Icon
Ratkovich Properties is finalizing their conceptual
The Edison building is now
design for The Edison (City Hall East). Although
in the first stages of an
this building is not designated a historic landmark,
adaptive reuse design as
it has long been on the LBH watch list. Designed
lofts and commercial space.
by Kenneth Wing in 1959 for The Edison Company,
this building at 100 Long Beach Boulevard more
recently served as temporary housing for the Police
Department while the Public Safety building was
being renovated. Empty since 2005 and recently
sold by the former RDA, the building is now in the
first stages of an adaptive reuse design as lofts and
commercial space.
It was the privilege of the LBH Board to host the
developer, Cliff Ratkovich of Ratkovich Properties,
at the recent Executive Board meeting to view the
plans and provide input on the preservation of one
of Long Beach’s mid-century icons. Stay tuned for
what looks like a creative adaptive reuse!
An Interview with Ted Wells
(Continued from page 1)
restorations, in Pasadena, Sacramento and Car-
recreating all the fixtures and furniture. Fortunately,
es, of glass, bronze, and wood takes over 80 pieces
mel. But those were not as extensive for me as this
all the plans and photos of the house, fixtures, and
to assemble. Yet everything at the house looks so
restoration.
furniture were available through the Avery Archi-
simple once it’s completed.
What did the house look like when you first saw it
in 2004?
It had been well-loved and lived-in for 100 years. The
walls were wallpapered, wood had been glazed
with a mahogany-colored stain, and the kitchen
and baths had been redone. It was all in OK shape.
Fortunately, the walls were not moved, which was
a big plus. The bones had not been changed, but
there were hidden structural problems we had to
fix, so it became a visual restoration, and a tech-
tectural Library at Columbia University.
In the past, the owner worked with people
who did not provide proper historical guidance.
Some of those people profited by selling the fixtures. Even this year, a Greene and Greene fixture removed from a Pasadena property sold at
a Sotheby’s auction. This happens to well-known
properties throughout the world. This is a lesson to
everyone to realize that fixtures are legally part of
a real property. Awareness of this can help create
protection.
nical renovation. We had to recreate the kitchen
The biggest challenge has been realistic
and baths, but the other areas of the house have
planning and timing of how things are done to that
original features.
same level of the original quality and workmanship.
Sadly, every fixture and piece of furniture that
We are reproducing the craftsman techniques
belonged to the house had been removed in the
used from over 100 years ago. This is tricky because
1970s and 1980s – scores of light fixtures and doz-
the world is so efficiency- and production-oriented
ens of furniture pieces. The only remaining fixtures
today. But in this house, for example, to build every
were a small cabinet in the dining room, a porch
door means putting together a puzzle of 78 pieces
light, and the andirons in one fireplace. We are now
of crafted wood. Each of the nearly 50 wall sconc-
The house renovation will be done this year.
Then we will move on to the garage. The garden
work will continue on for years. It took 3 years to get
the original roses to grow big enough to plant. We
had to grow them from original cuttings, and there
are 12 types of roses. The hardest rose to find was
the Los Angeles Rose. It did not exist in LA or in the
US. We got cuttings from a rose society in London.
Then there are citrus, a vegetable garden, walkways and fencing that need to be done.
How has this experience been for you as an architectural historian?
My goal as a historian is to help everyone understand how we place ourselves within the historical
context of the time and place of Long Beach, the
culture of southern California, and the people who
make it happen. It is a rare opportunity in historic
architecture to see it in process during a restoration,
and to share this learning experience with others is
one of my goals. To be able to celebrate and preserve the history and heritage of the families that
called it home is also an integral part of the whole
process. I was born in Bixby Knolls, so my connection here spans my lifetime.
Ted Wells is an architectural historian, writer, and
Creative Director of Guardian Stewardship Editions,
a publishing and media company devoted to the
arts, architecture, thought, and culture. He graduated from the USC School of Journalism, and was
the past president of Society of Architectural Historians of Southern California.
7
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Cal Heights Home Tour
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Harvest Festival – October 27
Rancho Los Alamitos
and preservation of significant historic and architectural resources, neighborhoods and the cultural
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December 8
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Long Beach Heritage
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