What is important to note about this day of history is the fact that Steve spent most of his first 18 years here and didn't pay attention to Whittier's 109 locally designated historic landmarks and four historic districts. This was all new to him.
Our tour took us through seven decades of this interesting town's past.Let's begin at the beginning, at the Bailey House (1868). The wood-framed cabin was built by Joseph F. Gerkens and was originally 20 feet by 24 feet. Eventually additions to the house increased the overall size and the number of rooms to six.Jonathan and Rebecca Bailey moved into the ranch house and lived there until 1894. The Baileys were the first residents of the new settlement of Whittier (a Quaker Colony). The City’s name was chosen to honor the 19th Century Quaker poet, John Greenleaf Whittier.The Chase (1894) residence is a two-story structure in the Victorian style of architecture. Some of the architectural features include decorative brackets, fish scale shingles, a mansard roof, spindlework detailing and a boxed cornice. It is so cool to just stroll by something so old and so well blended into the neighborhood.This 1901 home belonged to the Briggs family, a prominent founding family in the City. William P. Briggs was a citrus rancher, a charter member of the First Friends Church, and the first Justice of Peace for the Whittier Township.
I was immediately drawn to the Paradox Hybrid Walnut Tree (1907). Mr. George Weinshank planted this now 13' in diameter tree as an agricultural experiment. Mr. Weinshank taught agriculture at the Whittier State School and it is believed that his planting of the tree was connected to an experimental planting conducted through the University of California, Department of Agriculture. The tree is an unusual cross between the Black and English walnuts ( a hybridization originally created by Luther Burbank ), and is believed to be one of a kind today. It is a living reminder of the once flourishing walnut industry in this part of Southern California, though it is suffering currently. Sadly, its 100 foot canopy is no more.
The First National Bank of Whittier (1922) is the best remaining example of the Beaux Arts style in the City. The site has been the location of at least four banks, which have had an important role in the commercial development of the community. Additionally, the structure is of significance at the National Level due to the fact that it housed the law offices of Richard Millhouse Nixon, the 37th President of the United States. The building is a six story reinforced concrete bank and office structure with facades clad in terra cotta and elaborate design elements in the ornate Beaux Arts Revival style.
I could find nothing about Mr. Byron W. Hicks but I just love discovering proof of his work almost 100 years after he finished the job.The St. Matthias Episcopal Church buildings of 1929 and 1952 exemplify the Spanish Colonial Revival architectural style due to their smooth plaster finish, red "S" tile roofing, open air courtyard, and unique tower element. The church structure serves as a landmark, and is one of few remaining Spanish Colonial Revival buildings found in Uptown.The Cool-A-Coo Building was built in 1930 for the Whittier Ice Cream plant. I love the the Art Deco influence on the design of the building. It's unclear as to when production of Cool-A-Coo ice cream stopped here. "Cool-A-Coos" were vanilla ice cream sandwich between oatmeal cookies, covered with chocolate and a favorite at Dodger Stadium.Built in 1932, the Wardman Theater was financed by Aubrey Wardman, a local businessman and influential member of the community. The total construction cost approximately $1,000,000.00 at the time (the photo could not capture it). Both the date of construction and the exterior appearance of the theater structure indicate the Modernistic style and art deco influence with its smooth texture finish, the main tower element, decorative angular relief elements, and an overall rectilinear quality.
“No longer forward or behind
I look in hope or fear,
But grateful, take the good I find,
The best of now and here.”
-John Greenleaf Whittier
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1 comments:
What a great find! Love that ice cream plant. And the bank. So much detail. So much pride in the building. So cool.
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