State ofCalifomia- The Resources Agency ~l'i!naryl#: D$PARTMENT OF PAJU{S AND RECREATION HRII#; ~ IO·~V~'I'f PRIMARY RECORD Triaomial: ·NR.BP· Stal:ll• Cl!d~ 5Sl Other .tJstjJlg,: 0 Vpdate o., supplemj!ltt Review C~Jdt: Revkwer: Date: . Sept. 15, 1999 Page 1 of 4 'ROs..._N.t.,.oi'Niuahor(Aulgnolllil'll
The George H. Prudden Ho..,_- Ma
1',51>. Domiprioa or fl!l.,.,... t:i Dnwlng (Vlew,do&e,...... ,ll)l Vti.St Elevations Photo# t 11.2 •Pii. ~c~~•"'""$otu«eo «#1 Front [West] Elevation 0 Prollllilltde llll Hblo>rio Clllolht 1926 Faetlllll: Orlgnaf. Plan circa.t930 & Newspaper.Accounts •P1. o....w-~' ParkorH•. Jacluion 5159 Marlborou9h Dr. San DJ~go. (;A92116
"1'&. ~11111'1_...... ,_)< Parki!J' H, Jap~~on .5'159 Marfborl)uglt J)t; Front [West] Elevation #2» San Diego, CA921t~ Sept. 1 , 1999 •l't•. ~ £&I ~· Oupdated: January 16, 1927 •l'iO.TJ!POotS~~)~ Lt>C!il R~glst<;r Non!lnaj!oo
"''lL i!epor! at-lion (CitO ,....."1 ...pott ....t othoi' ...,....., ..,. eoter • ...... ,~): J~WJ<.!;on, Par~er fl. G~rge H. Prudden Hcuse; Historic Site Desigation Repllo, !l•pt 15,1999. *-"""""'-it< 0 l'l® t8l r.- Mop £l!l Sketdt Map fl!l C-lkm SbooiJ fl!l!W~~~ng, -·-.! o-.1;;.,. J!o CPR 523A (1/95) Stnte of Cnllfornia - Tho Re50UI'U:I. Ag~~<:r Primary#: DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECRE,'\TION HRI#: BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECTRECORD Page 2 of 4 •NRHP Slatus Code: 5Sl •Resource Nome or Number (/.olgned by Retonler): George H. Prudden House Bl. Hlstcrl¢ Name;. George H. f'ruciden House 112. Common Name:. Parl •B7. Moved? ~No. tJ y.. Q. Unknown [laO>: Originai Locution: •:as. Related F~tures: 1-story; 2 <:ar garaae on N/E comer oflol. Landsoap.ed on the Wes1.[front}, North Courtylml, and East along the driveway, The driveway baa brick paving. ·Three pergota.s. .,over the m.aln portiOn .of the driveway. Tile South patio is enclosed. B9a. Arcbilloct: RichardS. Requa, AlA B9b. Builder: 'B10. Significance: l'hcme: Architecture & Owner Areo: Amo.re festlvldlous Suburban· Archflectu111in San Dlega In the 1920's. Porio. ~ fml)urt:am;~b~ tmru ofhistoricaltW anJtl.t:eettU'llh·ootext.·us·-'defllred- ~Y· theme •. p~od,lllld gtOgn~pbic !itUpe. ..U:.o-add.reu integrity~) This historically signif1C811t home was design8(! by Rlchar'9 S. Requa, AIAat a time when his firm, Requa & Jackson was setting the standards for Mediterranean style Architecture. The caliber. of his clients indicates h& was tne popular 'architect of choice' during this period. The Monolith Portland Cement Co., twice sponsored his Mediterranean photographic trips and published the resulting books. Atc:hltecti.Jral featuru photographed in $pain ware used on the home that is the subject of this report. Not only was it the Mod&l Home for an upscale fast San Diego S~iVision, it served at. an example of his COJ1Ciipt of ' Southern Cialifomia .Afchitecture' for him .and the real estate Qev&lopm«rt community as a whole. Photos. of it were consistently used in both Architecturel.and Real. Estate articles in newspapers and industry publications. In addition, Its first owner, George H.. Prudden was a pioneer in the field of aviation, both locally and nationally; He was the aeronautical engineer for the Chamber of Commerce., and active In all Civic .affairs. The company he founded, Pruddan~ Diego. Airplane Co. is now Solar Turbines International, fne, The survey and site report he was requested to prepare fOr the City, placed Lil'ldbergh Field were it Ia today. LiSted in 'Who's Who in Aviation', his Hst of 1$t in the field of aviation is impressive, · · BU. A.dciltlonul Re•oum.Attributes (List uttributeo ~nd <~~ •B14 •.Evaluator: Parker H. Jacks<>n 'Pate of :Evaluation: SepL 15. 1999 PI'RSZ!B (1 /!15) State of Cal!fomlu • The Resources Agency Primary 1#: DEPAR.TM:ENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRJil LOCATION MAP Trlaomlal: Page 3 of 4 •Resource Name or Number (Assigned by rea~r®r): George H. Prudden House •Map N•m•: Kensington Heights, Unit 1 Scale: *Date orMa.p: 1926 ' I.IIIIIT .N" I fMVIS··It~£1\'' CJI --..-... ~ ... ~~"""' ,.e,... George H. Prudden House Unit 1 Subdivision Map 1926 Davis-Baker .Co. Promotional Brochure OPR 523J (1illS} State of California • The Resources Agency Primary#: DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND REClUtATION HRIII SKETCH MAP T rlnomial: Page 4 of 4 •Resource Nome "r Number (Assigued by recorder): George H. Prudden House 'Map Name: Original1926 Floorplan *Stale: •Dale oC Mop: 1926 Map Based on 1926 Newspaper Article Room Designations Added. by Evaluator DPR 523~ (1/95) • Required information Slate ofCalltomia • TheRa- Agency D!n'Aal"MENTOFPAJU PaF 1.. .of 28 . . ·~utce l'Wite ill' NIP• ~Assigned by .recQrder): Geor!Je H. Prudden House •Reeorlled b)': Parl\e.r H, Ja~kson "Dale: Sept. 15, 1999 IJI Coatin~1l tJ{jpdate Richards. R.equa, AlA on the Kensington Heights Site for the Model Home. · The firm of Requa & Jackson were the 'Archltectura!Review Board' for the Subdivision. Circa Feb. 1926 <<<< v Below • Circa (Jet. 1926 l§ . v The Tract Office atthe SIE comer ofMarlborough Dr. &. Hilldale Rd. In the distance is the Model Home. In the foreground is the unique Electrolier Street Lanp. State ofCalil'ornia • The Raoureet Agmcy DEPART?dENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION J>rimarrik CONTINUATION SHEET HRWrrinomlal: Page 2 of 28 •Jtesour« Name <>r Nluilw (AIIigned h:r teetmier): George H. Prudden House •!toocorded by: Parker H. Ja~>kson *Daie: Sept. 15,1999 l810mw.u..&a QUpdate Comparison of Architectural Features 5159 Marlborough Dr .• 1.999 Shed Roof Feature· 1999 'Architectural Details Spain and the Mediterranean' Section I • Plate 102 Ronda, Spain Richard S. Requa Photograph • 1926 Master Bedroom Window Treatment -1999 State o£ California - The Rellourtes Agency DEPAR'I'MENT ()f PJ\RKSANDRJ!CREATION l'rhll..., ·"' CONTINUATION SHEEt HRliHTriiloiDial! Pa,e3 of 28 ·~Nam~.lii'Nmnber(i\Uipedbyreellrde.-): George H. Pruddan House "Re 1926 Construction Photographs Rough Stucco West [front] Elevation 1926 Landscape Architect Milton P. Sessions' Shadow He Autographed 'Before Milton' -1926 Foreground 'dirt' is Mlddelslx Or. Unique Chimney Design • 1926 'U' Shaped Flo South Elevation on Middlesex Dr. - 1926 Rogen & co. Executives Inspecting the .Sfte - 1926 Original Parkway Trees - Eucalyptus [They financed the construction} Landscaped by Milton P. Sessions Of>R523L {11!16) State of Car.tornia -The Re$0UJ'U$ Agency DEPARTMEI'ITOF~AIU(SM'IDRECREAl'ION l'rlmartl: CONTINUATION SHEET HIU!Ifl'rinomial! Page 4 of 28 :oRe$o!lrceNameorNIIIIIber(Anipecl.byruorderl: George H. Prudden House. *Recorded by; Pa~er H. Jacks.on *Dale:. Sept. 15, 1999 lEI ContiniJitioa 0 trPdate Publications The Rural Home That Inspired the Artist's Rendering of Requa's Photograph ·1926 Design for the Model Home Section A, Plate 2 [Orlglnall11 Full Golor] 'Architectural Details Spain and the Mediterranean' OPR SZll (11!l<5) State of Ca6fomia ·The llaeurte$ Agency DEPARTMENT QFPARKS AJIID RECBEATlON l'rimlU'f .6< CONTINUATION SHEET HRWJ'rinomial: Pq;e 5 of 28 ·~urceNameorNuJIIbe~(~by-order): George H. Prudden House "Recorded by: Parker H• .Jacl(son *Date: Sept. 15, 191}9 181 Co11clmaatioa 0 Update San Diego Union • March 28, 1926 is·ready to .$tart, in KENSINGTON HEIGHTS "First house ft> be mod eli <>i S9utbern ..CaHf OPR 5ZlL (11S6) Stak of California - The .Raourtet Agcney DEPARTMENT OFPARKS.AND.RECREATION l'rimary 11: CONTINUATION SHEET HIWIITrmomial: Paae 6 of 28 ·li$~Name Local & National Publicity :;;;c..;;;,_.~_;,.. ...,,~,_.,.,;,,~~:.~·~ ~).;"''':8_1>· .. ·:. '·---~----...,.,...:; Small HottseArchitecture. :~~:;::·;: 2·::.. Southern San Diego Union July 25, 1926 ARCH!TT:CT .AND t/'-"C1Nt;:r;~,' ""'""--~.-;-.wn~~ San Diego Magazine April1928 The home continued to represent the 'Southern California Architecture' Style long after the its 1926 'premier. '"''-···~,.~-··"···-· ~-,.._,: :0,...,1,_;,;~ >~J·~· r.;,,.,_~>"/\1-11)'" bJ>Tm'l!' OI'R 5~ (11$6) State of California - The Resources Agency DEPARn{ENT Oii' PARKS AND RECREATION Primary~ CONTINUATION SHEET HRIWI'rilmmill: h&e 7 of 28 ·~n:eN-ofNumber(Agipedbyreeordcr); George H. Prudden House •Recorded by; Parker H. Jackson *Date; Sept. 15, 1!199 llll Conliaaatioa lJ Upcllite Publicity . . - ' .m· -.w· __'nm<;~~ ·mWK:· ~~- M"Ounrd, .. '¥At(r!Ut ~ :oo ::f~:f£~::~~}~~~~£}:Efq~~I!i~i I r:•~r'l"~" 1.~ ,'i{l,l'rM ,,.,[!~~. ,,,·r(\1 .!_lw· .hi.~t"~lt li!r) .M~lnn l:n·\ 1 Jfo•Nii / 'II , :,4., ~~n\rr, ~ ,t.,,,.,-_, : ·: ··~~···~~<\";~;;py·h;:, T'hl~,~:>;t.~~- f~'IH 1 ~~r~.:;.""'"" .,f ~~,,..,.w, I·:•·Y.J-m, 1:·~··"" ~ ..:~;~ 1!1 11:~~~~-~:1 Jir<'f,t~l~ ',..,>tH" ·.')1• "'W'"' ,.,,.,.., '~f f\\_,J ?',P·r.<~, "''"F'l·(:t~·~ bt< 1/1"11-:' J '11.\.¥.\tm, l• l·~h~ rr""~~·;.,J. ll1!·,f>J'·-·.1''ll~~'m:t'~f San Diego Union - oPR 5Zll (t/95) State nfCalit'ilmia • TheResourees Agency DEPAR'J"MENT OF PARKS ANI) RECREATION Primaey#: CONTINUATION SHEET BRWfrillomial: Pale 8 of 28 •Resourt~~NaJlll!orNulllbtr(A$signedbyrecnnlu): George H. Prudden House •:Recordi!dby: Parker H. Jackso!l *Dale: S.ept.15, 1999 lllJContinualloa OUpdate Publicity ---··:-·- ---."""-·IWM wy~JM·\.oilot ·w· ~~~- IOOI·'JOii,t"'-·'"L,Ioiiil:-sy' :~ill'r ~-, ... ~-:-; Pttm·,.anJ·:OmrJl"rf. ...(;.:h ~;.;...... -.DmGI'),. ~AJ'.nl'£.\llOA. t.mt»:ar:: -~nro, ~~·:t 1m· ~~" N11~m~,·8uiM.In!j'.A&~ty ~;... Uf--792 MONTHLY FOR H San Diego Union· Oct. 2, 1927 CPR S23l (1/Be) State of C&llt'omia - The Resoured Agency· DEPAli.TMJLlliT.OF PARKS Al'1D RECREATION Primary II: CONTINUATION SHEET HRI/Iffrinomial: Page 9 of 28 •!UsoUrceNameorNwnber(Asoignedby~: George H. Prudden House •&cot~ by: Parker H. Jackson "Date• Sept.15, 1999 llliContinuat\Oa IJtJpdate Publicity Model Home Opening Day Feature Article • Nov. 14, 1926 San Diego Union State of California • The JWources Agency DEPARTMENrOFPARKSANDRECREATION PMI•l'J' /#: CONTINUATION SHEET HRlflltrriilomial: Page 1 0 of 28 . •JWollr'te Nlulte or Number (Aisiped by recorder}: George H. Prudden House •Recorded by: Parl!;er H. Jack"on •nate: Sept. 15, 199'9 ll!l Coutlnuatioa tJ Update P5v.Pbotograp&s<~a, Portion of Davis-Baker Co. Advertisement San Diego Union • March 28, 1926 REQUA LAfS OUT ·FUNDAMEN.. TAtS. of· ARCHITECTURE for ALL HOMES in KENSINGTON HEIGHTS·· Jn cen.....,, the buU41i'lp are .lttw Ia Jti'OJ'll)f'(lon lllltl rambllnc In eh..,.etn, 11lmple, Jntormad and Vft1lNtentlou• in dllllfc.n •ml trMtm-.nt. The. utPrlor Ja. lltuceat!d l.n aett Wltrm ton" harrnunllltW ll'td'l th• planUnJt, · The •\lrtace .Ia llllt~:htl7 une•en, wlthuut llttn•JJtl or uiHJu. toxq:~eeratlon. AU corntl'IJ an roullclelf, avotdl"- t~H~Cita!dt:altJ' .Ua*cht. . JlltQ...... The. Nl<'lfll aN! tow pitched, not tolteeelflnc 1,4 JJft~b. 'anff 'eover.. t wtth hand-rlnlahed terra cotta .roonq til"'•• ''.MIM.Ion" llhaP*; or thlncl~ wtttt wood , llhlnClM only, left to ._nt.•r .,.. ~~ta1114'd !r. 4arfe tvttit. to harmnnflle 'wtth tbtt P!lttwtor a.acl Uttt land..eapln~C. Vlal,rtmf{l . "'lth l'llmplfll t•la,.tf!r~ parafH"'a rna:r be .u.c~ In eumWmllton t!rilh UM pitch~ reut11,·nr•t to ••~ ""' ot the ~,.u,.,a...-.·t•lr.n,nl• •a.,ePtM. AU wtndn-w, 4nnr attff "'""'" ePf!nlfiCtl ahall hfJ -11 J»'r•nt•l'tll•.,._ tnr the watt fai"Nt In whirh thfl7 ""' Mitt, llin.l Plllnecl In pl,.lllllltll' ,..._, tl•.n to oUi•r o~nlt•ll'" 1nd the outline vt Utelr t•radf'll. · The tram~'~~ fur tb• OIM!III'*Ji aball 1M! -. b!I.C!k truin the Utl't'for r~aee flf -'ht at )eat two tncoha. atut the lltu~ r ..urne4 Into th4! tnune.. 'the fraftiM. . to be narrttW. wttho11t outllllfte e&lllnp. and to ha.-e Ule• eU4Ntt .... t.elftlr · Mt tn tbmll, aubHtantlal muonry 'lqjllt. . . . • ·• Ornaments u..t with ttl'ftt r.ati'I&Jot and 4flllr.rtmJnatfntt. and "ot wl.thout a f!f.!Nnlle r~n &lid purllfJH, lfhnpko. weU•deat.rn•d mf'IU1•!~ . Jnc11. corn"b+la, ltt~&ebbt, er•lumn11. etc~. al'tr ,.rml-.bltt wfJ«~re they ~~~ lift. taaed to loud effocf. and app.ur to have 110me de.nnJt.e. JJtrucUJ.rat . purP•.t144". · l!!xt•rtor a.U rarth·.-nf'M, Inte.l'f!llt . and 1·.harrn obtatntd. ntbP:l' by . wrought lf'f.'ln, ...,..,,, t)l' lltu~. window J1'lll-. wbutte.f'l. b&l<,:o~l~ Ji,tld ••th&r 11hntlar J'li'I&IJUr..l tuhtra...... · rartlcullf••~tttentlntt a!udl b!l ct••n t& the d~J•. n, proportJoJt• •n4 ttnl"h nt all ..,,.., .. l'lf tM buUdlnKJt. VIIJM, orn~~.t• or vret•ntlou• frf#JUI are not lf<>od. •l'l!hltt«ure .tn any UJ'Itt. . )fU DPR 5231. (1/96) State of California • The Resettreef Agency DEPARTMENT OF l'ARKS AND RECREA'l'lON Primuttl: CONTINUATION SHEET HIU#ITriliOIDial: Paae 11 of 28 •ResoumNIIIM!ll'Number(Assigned'.byruorder): George H. Prudd&n House •Recorded by: Parker H. J11ckson *Date: Sept. 15, 1999 lllJCoutiautioa 0 Update Publicity Above Center· Living Room Bottom • Breakfast Room Large 10' window, left, For Photo Detail overlooks enclosed Patio. see Wall Sconces remain In Continuation Sheet #13 1999 home. San Diego Union November 21,1926 San Diego Union August 19, 1928. From the very beginning in 1926 the Model Home was a continuing 'feature' new story. State of California • The Rtsourtet Agency DEPARTMENT OF PARJ(S ANnREClU!A.TlQN l'risnAey II< CONTINUATION SHEET HRIIIITrinomial: Paae 12 of 28 ·~urce Name or :Number (Assigned by reeorcler): George H. Prudden House •Rl!corded by; Parker H. Jackson *Date: $ept. 15, 1999 1lil ~a#oa t:l tJpdate San Diego Union San Diego Union April 4,1926 August t, 1926 ------1' :;:;;;;::~;:;t::z:~£~,1::..;, ~; .:r~--s;~:.;r;:-:: >"- ;; .;..:::::.::. : .. : ~·{ .- B.>>> <<< KENSINGTON HEIGHTS Pj;'YI~:.~~____ _..,. B.>>> "A part of the famops Alhambra is being restored, said Requa, I watched with interest, the method "R. S. Requa has laid down the <<< P.qe 13 of 28 ·!Wou~Narm.orNumbu(J\ssignedby.reeGr4eri: George H. Prudden House •Riocor!led by; Parker H. Jackson *Daie< Sept. 15, 1999 !BlCont:inutioll 01Jp Benb.ough's was the Leading Home Furnishings Store in San Diego in the 1920's. On the Left is their Breakfast Room furniture. Below is the Benbough Furniture Co. ad for the Model Home Open House. 1\ENBOUGH'S The Loggia is through the Frenchdoor in the center of the invite~ picture. To its right another to visit the set opened on the Verandah. SPANISH HOME The door on the teft went into ~they Dave furnished the kitchen. in San Diego Union November 14, 1926 OPR 5:13L (1~ S,l:lltll' (t( Cali!llmill •• 'fb~ n.-~trm,IIJ~tMY !>EPARTilfE:m:"QJ',P,>JUGS,~'Ill,~TfOO ~ey#l CONTINUAl'lONSHEET H:ltWI'~al: l'4p, 14 , of 28 ,,, ~~_,~~Jitill~rr~{A.~\illy,N~k SeorgeH.PrudOI!nH~se ·~111: P<'l,!i\!ltrlf.Ja~ll$c>n "'~ llispt 15,199!:1 111e"'~ O~Jif• ~,~Jc'"'~ Candid Photos o,f Rf.\l'qua & Friends 1928 .Mediterranean PltotographlcTrip Photographs From Milton P. Sessions 'I ! I I' "Relaxing in Venice" "Clowning Outside Ronda, Spain" Milton & Requa Milton • Mrs. Requa [center] • Requa State.~( Clllil'omia - The Raourccs Agency DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND 'RECREATION PrimlQ II: CONTINUATION SHEET BRI#JTrillomlal! Pace 15 of 28 •RaoufCii Nami: ~r Numher (Assigned br reeol'llor): George H. Prudden House •&c~ 1927 George H. Prudden, Founder of Prudden-San Diego Airplane Co. with his plane in background. 1st owner & occupant of the Kensington Heights Model Home designed by Richard S. Requa, AlA. >>>> TheXM-1 v The 1st plane to be built by v v the Prudden company. v The factory was a former cannery building at the foot of Juniper St., where Solar Turbines lntmational is still located today. OPR 5231. {lill6) State ofCalil'ornill • The Raourcet; Agency DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION Primary If: CONTINUATION SHEET HRlii/Trinomlal: !>age 16 of 28 ·~oaree Name ot N11111~(Assiglled by recoomr}: Geo.rge H. Prudden House •Recnrded by; Pate: Sept. 15, 1999 1111 COIIfulutioa. CjUpdate San Diego Union· November 13, 1927 OPR 523L (1JS5) Slate o!Califomia - Tbe.Rel!ourtct Agency DEPARTMENTOFPARKSANJ)kECREATION !'rimal'l' If: CONTINUATION SHEET URIII/'l'rlnomial: Pace 17 of 28 ·~NameorN\IIIIher(A$$ipedbyrecorder): George H•. Pnn:lden Ho.use •Ri!cordl!dby: Parker H, Ja.ckson *Date: Sept. 15, 1999 IElCcmtmuatioa [Jtlpdlltl\ Mrs. Nancy Margare.t .Prudden Famous Airplane Builder Seleds Homesite in Kensil!gtonHeights G.>orge H .. Pt'ld.den; fotmerly chief engineer· qf the. -Stout A1FMn:t:ill .A1r~ plan~ Co., ·th~ d.fasigrn>...l' at :the l?Ord pla:n~ nm.t. chief.. engineer .f~. the government. has $tU-l't00. -an_ airplart.e • plant ;n ..Snn :Oi!i.igc~.. · .. In s.eJectfni:r a ·sit:O tor hie:;; ·_pe;rmanent :hom.e San Oi.ego Union The San Diego. Sun November 13, 1927 May 1927 OPR 523t (1/S5) State ofCalifumia • The Raeurtes Agaley DEPAATMENT OF PARKS ANI) RECREATION Primary./#: CONTINUATION SHEET HRIII/Trinolllial: Page 18 OF 28 •Re$Qurce~MNIIIIIher(Assignedby ret~~rder): Geo.rge H. Prudden House •Recorded.b)'; Plltlter H. Jac.kson *Date: Sept. 15, 1999 12JOI.ali011 0 Update Original Stock Certificate of George H. Prudden's. January 21, 1928 CPR 5Zll (1/96) ·-- State oC California - The .Resoureell Agom:y DE,ARTMENT.OFPARKSAM).RECJmATION Plimar:r.l: CONTINUATION SHEET HRI#ITrinomial: Pall" 19 of 28 •Raoun:e NAimco Prudden-San Diego Airplane Co. -Sales Brochure Front Cover & 1st Page. The only known copy is in the Archives of Solar Turbines International. 'The PRUDDEN ALL MBTAL-TRI-MOTOR TRANSPORT ph,.t$h·QphQisterecl chai.r.\1 .. M\meY w~.no_-obj~t Jn ij;{vlng the cabin the. $!!me. appointments. ond <;~ven·lences -that: wUJ be, .-..t1lf SAF.E.;.ommereial nhplW1c, .one-that .can.stij;)port itSdf fuund -In ·the m;o.rt expeml.W: C.US,f.oJI'L~bt;ilt: _r:nolor ~aT bodiel>. Y-:ill. in-the air flrtattc.ia.Jiy ~ well M tneehaniC?HY, From t.he 1·~. floor is .c'oVI!:rtd with ~ Soft: ea.rp!'.t, _t.l.'V! wnl~s d~ade_ned passenger$'· .~tand~'Kiint n-o p!arw. ·embodies n:wr~ of the- actuaJ against noise by woolen Hnir'lg arid the w.a!l.s ·and ceiling itnd it:np~ess( ..·e 'facwc or~afety.; tht.·o.ne paramount thing_ tl'~t f\nishe.d !-n the flncst:· grndc·of plu~h. Ash trays_, i:nlrrors nnd is prereq_"i:!llte to the de.vdC;apment .of .pt..~b~1c ·J':Iattcnagt C!f ~il' o,luplicate tdttmel;ern: are _provtded afl# a _toilet -aft. comp~ lfne~>. The timidity ;a.nd pa.r«::\onable."c:uutiousncss. of the pobH~ th"C careful .'ltudy that ha$· been ·made to p-r;ov!de ~ery po&o if~- .swe~1t 8ai.d!!r an.d u. pt'()fitable·safcr pll5&:().gc1' ~Mn€.!'18 ff~lts. $lbhu:onYenit:nco<)· {of" the: comp)e_te .content. .'o-f the pa.-•J&.mgi;:r~" Thlil Hnes have a: delk!H;e ~ppeal and the JlJ~riousl_y aPPQint-ed AU h;a~Hlf3c_- fs e_arried-fn a ~pat<~.t¢_ comparttrten.t 1¢ck¢: in th¢ inter'toc i!;l:~omfmtaP!el!.lnd .roqn1.jl wi.th:large-deepi':£-CUShioned, t~r <,>f the fuselage. State of California - Tbe Rtlourees ~ DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RE Psae 20 of 28 •R:efourteNJiml:orNum~r(~ by.rec:order).: George H. Prudden House •Reel)rded br, P .. By George H Prndden OPR 523l OIS6l State of California - The Resoun:es Ageru:y DEPARTMil'rr OF PARKSANDRECREATfON l'rimllry *' CONTINUATION SHEET HJU/NTriaomlal: Paa;e 21 of 28 ·~~r;rNIIIil~(Auipedbyrecorder): George H. Prudden House *R«orded by; Park-er H. Jackson *Daie: Sept. 15, 1999 lEI Conthluatloa t:1 .trpdllt6 San Diego Magazine- 'Aviation Issue'- August 1927 PSIL PboiOgt'llJIIB rc-lleil) Below, the 'assembly line' at the Prudden-San Diego Airplane Co. 11 San Diego's Proposed Municipal Airpxt andAira:aftManufacnu1ng Center '' 1 !I I -!t 'l ~ il~ k~ .. iiB An artist's !l:r:: ;i:;!; rc rendition !i~ of the propose airport. Pruddendid the Location survey& Report. State of Calif"mia • The Rcsourea Agency DEPARTMENT.OF.PARKS ANJ).R:EC'lmATtON l'rimlll711: CONTINUATION SHEET HRI!I/Trinomial: Page 22 of 28 •JiesOurw Name or NumliU (Assiguell br recorller}: George H. Prudden House •.Recorded by: Parker H. Jackson *Date:. Sept. 15, 1999 llll Ointiauati~ IJ JJpdatf: ),:.., ·=·; SAFETY ECONO~Y DU.RABILITY . y . Prodden-San.DiegoAirplane· Company hiDt o!Juniper Street SanDlego, CaL View of the Factory at the Foot of Juniper St. [a former fish cannery] San Diego Magazine August 1927 • 'Aviation Number' Full Page Ad San Diego Union Apri129, 1928 OPR 523lc {11S6) Slate o! California • The DEPARTMENI' OF p~ourca Agency CONTINUATION;~noN HRIM'rinomial: Paae 23 of28 •Re:wlft'C.e N.lme· · orN~r(Asligned• . . by .recorder): George H. Prudden House •Recordedb. y: Parker H, Jackson Date: Sept. 15, 1999 llll Contmutioa 0 Update San o·•ego Magazine -F e b ruary 1928 -·=---~- • capitalizirtg on the A1R CAPITAL By Mzjot T. c. Macaulay' (;l,.i"""" o~/,.iali'n C""miiU<, o,.mbd' 4 c,mm The Prudden San Diego Airplane co tri-motor · all-metal >>>> XM·1 'pioneer' airplane. The 'new' »>> Lindbergh Field. In the 'early days' Federal Airport regulations designated a Circular Runway. DI'R .523l (ti96) State of California - The Raouren Agcney DEPARTMENT .OF PARKS AND. RECREATION Prima:ry.il': CONTINUATION SHEET HRtlifrriaomial: Pace 24 of 28 ·•'RaouneNameorNuinber(Aislgmd;by.recorder): George H. Prudden House •lle<:orded b;r; Parker H, Jackson *Date: Sept. 15, 199"9 !21 OmtiuatiOD; 0 Update san .H. 'LAND AT ONCE' The 'policing plane' during Southern the Mass Air Flight Demonstration : ::: flying Bt.ls.iness ·n·1 .... ·.· · ....·.• · ls ~.·rv.~on: ·•·a" ·.s:=-... ·.t.-~t ·~···.·.·. - ·• · · " '"r''"r r1ere . The San Diego Sun. Februa;;;;, 1928 CPR 523t (1ill5) State of Calilornia • The Reoeurte. Agaley DEPARTMENTOFPARKSAND.UCREATION Pri!Dary j; CONTINUATION SHEET lUUIIITrlnomlal! Pall' 25 of 28 "Reso~NanttorNIIDiber(Assipedbyrecorder): George H•. Prudden House •Reeordild by; Parker H, Jackso)l *Date:. Sept. 15, 11199 llliCon~llllliOlt OUpdate The Early 'Artistic' Photography Of RICHARD S. REQUA These & the following pages 'The Draftsman' are from an Album of Requa's. Self Portrait Richard 5. Requa He developed & printed his own photos. circa 1905 Note the composition of 'Requa in the Vineyards of the photo and the East San Diego County' attention to 'perspec1iVe' Slate of Califarnia • The ~ources Agency DEPARTMENTOFPARKSANQ .. REC'REA'l'lON l'linlary·.lf.-, CONTINUATION SHEET HRIIItrrinomlal: Paae 26 of 28 ·~lifteN.....,orNuinber(Assignedbyreconler).: George H. Prudden House •~W:orded by: Parker H, Jackson ~Date: Sept. 15, 1999 ll!l Ql•tinu•riott 1;J Update The Early 'Artistic' Photography Of RICHARD S. REQUA These are from an Album of 72 photographs taken /:)y Requa in the early 1900's, when he 1st came to San Diego. He did his own de.veloping & printing. · A family member has the Album & identified the girl as his Sister, Harriet. The boys most likely are his brothers. DPR 5ZJl {11~) State ofCalif<>rnia ·The llalllln:et Agency: DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION l'riutaey Jr. CONTINUATION SHEET HRli#ITriaomial: Page 27 of 28 ·~)11-orNt~mb PS..PbotOgnplt$ fCo-ued) The Early 'Artistic' Photography of RICHARD S. REC~UA circa 1905 These are scenes from the San Diego Waterfront. His composition of the elements of each photograph was complimented by how they were set on each page. CPR 5Zll (1/95) State of California - The IWourus Agency DEPARTMENTOFPARKSANDR.ECREATJO.N l'rimary.ll: CONTINUATION SHEET HRJ:Ii!Trillomlal: Paae 28 of 28 •Resource N~ ot~r(A$sipedby recorder): George H. Prudden Ho.use •IW:or<*lby: Parker H. Jackson *»aii!: Sept.15, 1999 llllbmtilluati.bll Ptr!lifate The Early 'Artistic' Photography Of RICHARD S. REQUA He was equally at home photographing people, landscapes and objects. Note the lighting. HSB# ;394 Date of Designation /tJ-C{f!- 6/9 HISTORIC SITE DESIGNATION REPORT GEORGE H. PRUDDEN HOUSE KENSINGTON HEIGHTS 1926 MODEL HOME Designed by Architect RICHARD S. REQUA, AlA 5159 Marlborough Dr.* San Diego, CA 92116 Prepared by the Owner Parker H. Jackson 5159 Marlborough Dr. San Diego, CA 92116 [619] 284-0547 Sept. 15, 1999 •Original Street Address 5171 Marlborough Dr. Table of Contents George H. Prudden House A. Introduction 1. Purpose --:-:--::-:------l 2. Date of lnvestigation ______--L 3, Summa~------L B. Research Methods 1. Site & Area Analysis ______"- 2. Architectural Analysis ______.. 3. Owner Significance AnalysiS·------~ 4. Information Recources __:---:----=--::--:------£.. 5. Historic Significance Determination Criteria, ______,._ C. Statistical Data 1. Historic Names ______---"- 2. CommonNames ______~ 3. Location ______,. 4. Parcel Number-:------~ 5. Legal Description ______, 6. Present Owner ______...... >~. 7. Zonin!J------"- 8. Classification ______~ D. Historical Significance______,., E. Architectural Description ______-!!. F. Historical Background------~ 1. The Architect::------_g_. 2. The Original Owner·______]£.. 3. The Subdivision, ______--1!1 G. Conctusions•------.!.!2 H. Appendix One - Chain of Title•------___j'"': Appendix Two - Prudden 1st's, ______~_.LQ Appendix Three - DPR Historic Property Recording Forms• ______!.;t George H. Prudden House- 1 A. Introduction 1. Purpose This goal of this report is to document and establish the historic relevance of the residence at 5159 Marlborough Dr., San Diego, CA 92116. There is a threefold historic significance associated with this home: 1. The original owner was George H. Prudden, founder of Prudden-San Diego Airplane Co., [now Solar Turbines International] and author of the 1927 Survey/Report for what is now the location of Lindbergh Field. 2. It was designed by one of San Diego's most prominent architects, Richard S. Requa, AlA and is a graphic example of his Architectural philosophy which he labeled 'Southern California Architecture'. 3. It's design and use as the 'Model Home' in the marketing of San Diego's only non-coastal 'upscale subdivision' - Kensington Heights and the use of the Architectural Firm of Requa & Jackson as the Architectural Review Board for the homes built. 2. Date of Investigation This report is the result of several years [1985-1999] of research covering the Architect, the Initial Owner and the Subdivision, by the homeowner, Parker H. Jackson. The result has been the creation of my private 'archives' and databases [662 entries of Published articles on Requa from 1908 to 1998 & 493 entries of his Architectural Projects from 1911 to 1939] This private collection consists of hundreds of photocopies of newspaper & periodical articles; original & copies of historic & family photographs; videotape copies of his films; all of Requa's books; the largest collection of his original photographs from his 1926 Mediterranean trip; and personal interviews with family & friends relating to the above subjects. My research files on the Kensington Heights Subdivision includes photos, original maps, its original Sales Promotion·brochure, photocopies of virtually every newspaper, periodical article & advertisement from 1926 through 1930. These files were the basis of an article on the subdivision written for the 'Journal of San Diego History' [Vol41, No 2, Spring, 1995]. These efforts led me to George Hall, the 'historian' for Solar Turbines International, and additional biographical background on George H. Prudden, the founder of the company. In addition, I devoted several years to the preservation, repairing, and computer cataloging of the entire San Diego Historical Society Architectural Collection. On May 10, 1994, SOHO honored me with the 'Ed Scott Memorial Award' and an accompanying 'Special Commendation' from the Mayor for these efforts . I acted as an independent observer documenting by digital camera and video tape the historic restoration of the House of Hospitality in Balboa Park. I've reprinted Requa's 1937 book, 'Inside Lights on the Building of San Diego's Exposition: 1935'. I've given lectures sponsored by the San Diego Historical Society on Requa's career and the 1935 Exposition. 3. Summary This residence incorporates a uniquely significant combination of all 3 elements relevant to historic designation - prominent Architect, Original Owner, & Location. It is virtually unchanged in its original exterior & interior physical features, as well it retains many of the original basic landscaping elements. Richard S Requa AlA made 2 architectural photographic trips to the Mediterranean, publishing 2 volumes of 'architectural detail photos' as the result. He incorporated some of these photographed features in this residence. Specifically, the exterior facade; window & wrot iron treatment; roof style & tile; the exterior chimney & interior fireplace. In numerous feature articles, he referenced this residence as a perfect example of his 'Southern California Architecture' style. George H Prudden was a contemporary of Claude T. Ryan and B. F. Mahoney at a time the airplane industry was beginning in San Diego. The formation of Prudden-San Diego Airplane Co. attracted as it officers such prominent San Diegians as Bruce B. Starke and Ed Fletcher. Prudden was the Aeronautical Engineer for the Chamber of Commerce. At the request of the Chamber and the County Board of Supervisors, he was commissioned to do a study and prepare a report on his recommendation for the location of the San Diego Airfield. His report placed it where we have it today. He was one of the seven people that was at North Island to see Lindbergh off when he headed East with the 'Spirit of St. Louis'. Not only was the new company an important facet in San Diego's 1927 economic development, it remains today as, Solar Turbines International, Inc., an important force in both the local and international economy. Kensington Heights was the last plot of land to be developed in the Kensington area of Eastern San Diego. George Forbes bought the 113 acres of choice Mission Valley rim property and brought in the Davis-Baker Co. of Pasadena to handle the layout & marketing of the subdivision. From the beginning, it was promoted as an upscale, architecturally restricted area of generous size lots with 30' setback frontages on curving streets bordered by landscaped parkways. A distinct contrast to the earlier smaller Kensington area lots and 'grid' street plans and those found in Mission Hills, Coronado Areas. It was referred to as the 'Pasadena of San Diego' -inland location with Mission Valley & mountain views with a moderate climate. In addition to having Richard S. Requa, AlA design their 'model home', they had the firm of Requa & Jackson act as the subdivision's Architectural Review Board. Builder's plans were 1st submitted to them and specific changes recommended for both exterior and interior features. George H. Prudden House - 2 The present owner has retained the historic integrity of the residence, its site and interior features, and landscaping, based on his extensive in-depth research of the Architect, Original Owner & Kensington Heights. B. Research Methods 1. Site & Area Analysis It began with the securing of a complete copy of the initial Deed, which spelled out the specifics of a building's location on the lot, frontage setbacks, & all the various restrictions. Contact with a neighbor, who personally knew the George Forbes family, resulted in the securing of construction photos of the house and original subdivision maps dating to its 1926 beginning. The newspaper microfilms of the 'San Diego Union' were screened from 1926 through 1930. This resulted in two 3" ring binders of photocopies of weekly articles and advertisements on the development and marketing of Kensington Heights. An original Sales Brochure was found a Book Fair. I purchased from a neighbor, the original letter from the Requa & Jackson office, signed by Requa, detailing the changes they recommended for the house to be built. In 1993 I interviewed Landscape Architect Milton P. Sessions, who did the original 1926 plantings for the residence. He gave me 2 of his photographs showing the house 'before and after' his efforts. 2. Architectural Analysis The association of Richard S. Requa, AlA with the Davis-Baker Co. led me into in-depth research on the Architect. [See, Continuation Sheet #1] Using the newspaper microfilms and Reader's Guide, it became obvious from the volume of published material, that Requa was prominent as a architectural trend setter. He expounded his 'Southern California Architecture' style through his newspaper series and feature articles in both local and national magazines. It became a generic label used to describe our area's architecture in the 1920's. Requa, in his articles specifically refers to this residence as representative of what he is talking about architecturally: 'Simple, Honest and Beautiful', Says Architect of Model Home, - I consider the Model House in Kensington Heights a splendid example of small-home architecture in the Southern California style. Its design is not Spanish, Moorish nor Italian, yet it suggests the delightful domestic architecture of the western Mediterranean countries. Its style is, moreover, thoroughly American and typically southern Californian. - The plan of the house is particularly well suited to the requirements and advantages of its delightful environment.-ln short, it is a real southern California home, containing all the essentials for health, comfort and happiness'. !SmJ_ Piego I Jnjon] Also, other authors specifically referred to this residence and used photos of it in their writings about the architecture of our area. [See, Continuation Sheets #6, 7,8,9] Requa has titled one of his 1926 16mm motion picture film's "Development of the Architectural Style for Southern California", with the subtitle, "Mediterranean Ideas as used in developing an Architectural Style for California". The closing scenes of the film feature the unique chimney treatment for the house in this report. I have an original Requa photograph, with his typed caption on the back, of the 'rural home' in Ronda, Spain, as well as the portfolio pictures of the window details he incorporated in the house. [See, Continuation Sheet #2] 3. Owner Significance Analysis 1 started with the 1926 Kensington Heights newspaper references of Prudden's purchase of this residence. [See, Continuation Sheets #16, 17] My association as a volunteer at the San Diego Historical Society's photograph collection resulted in discovering Prudden's 1927-8 photo album documenting the building of his first airplanes and the other prominent people he was associated with. Until that time, the Archives didn't know who he was, his background or his connection to Solar Turbines. I provided the 'link' through George Hall, Solar's historian, who was unaware of the album's existence, but had 1st hand biographical background material on him. The result was a complete picture of Prudden and the role he played in developing San Diego's early airplane industry. [See, Continuation Sheet #15, 18, 19] In addition, the copies of the Chamber of Commerce monthly, 'San Diego Magazine' and the newspaper microfilms documented articles both by and about Prudden and his company. [See, Continuation Sheets #20,21 ,22,23,24] 4. lnfonmation Resources The principal sources of research on the Architect, Owner and Site are the owner's personal archives developed from the resources of: San Diego Central Library Newspaper Room UCSD Library Newspaper Microfilms San Diego Historical Society Photograph and Architectural Drawing Collections Solar Turbine International, Inc. Archives County of San Diego Deed Records San Diego City and County Directory San Diego Chapter AlA La Mesa Historical Society George H. Prudden House - 3 Requa Family Members Personal Interviews 5. Historic Significance Determination Criteria Guidelines for evaluating the historical significance was based on: a. National Register of Historic Places Bulletin #15. 'How to Apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation', revised edition, 1991. b. 'Instructions for Recording Historical Resources', State of California Department of Parks and Recreation, Office of Historic Preservation, March 1995 c. 'Guidelines and Procedures for Designation of Historic Sites', City of San Diego Historic Site Board, n.d. C. Statistical Data 1. Historic Name George H. Prudden House 2. Common Names Parker H. Jackson Home Kensington Heights Model Home 3. Location 5159 Marlborough Dr. San Diego, CA 92116. [1926-32 5171 Marlborough Dr.] 4. Parcel Number APN: 440-180-1500 5. Legal Description Lot 1, Block 8, Kensington Heights, Unit 1, Map 1875, Filed Jan. 4, 1926 6. Present Owner Parker H. Jackson 5159 Marlborough Dr. San Diego, CA 92116 7. Zoning Residential - 1 8. Classification Type: One story building Historic Use: Model Home for the Subdivision & a Representation of the 'Southern California Architecture' style Current Use: Domestic-Single Family Residence Period of Historic Significance: 1926-1929 Architect: Richard S. Requa, AlA Builder: Davis-Baker Co. Architectural Style: Southern California Architecture Historical Significance: Architect & Architectural Style; Owner; Subdivision & Site D. Historical Significance --George H. Prudden was one of the pioneer leaders in developing San Diego's airplane industry. So it is natural that he would choose the area's newest prestigious residential area, Kensington Heights for his home. I also, found that his 'rival' B. F. Mahoney lived in a Mission Hills home designed by Requa & Jackson, so the 'prestige of the architect' most likely further influenced his residential selection. It was a 'status symbol' and showcase for his business entertaining. --Requa used the house as a physical example of his architectural style. He equated the climate of Andulsia, Spain, with our area and incorporated many of the architectural details he photographed there, in its design. His motion picture films of his 1926 Mediterranean Trip were shown at the model home. -The 1920's saw real estate subdivisions of all sizes and styles appearing throughout the Greater San Diego area. It also experienced an influx of wealthy Easterners, who were the potential buyers for architect designed homes in the more expensive tracts. The Davis-Baker Co., in all of its advertising and sales brochures, dwelt on the exclusiveness and location of its properties. It specifically urged the buying public to visit the model home and feel free to copy its Mediterranean features. It extolled the 'valley rim' views, spacious lots and ease of 'commuting' by either trolley or auto to Downtown San Diego. George H. Prudden House - 4 E. Architectural Description Richard S. Requa, AlA, who was chosen to design the model home, took this opportunity to showcase his design talents, which he labeled 'Southern California Style'. It is the ultimate 'Spanish Bungalow' of that era. It is at the opposite end of the spectrum from the contractor built 'flat roof boxes, with a shallow tiled roof facade' that were representative of the 20's. [See, Continuation Sheet #3] It is positioned on the N/E corner of Marlborough & Middlesex Drives and sits 4' above street grade. This coupled with its 30' setback on the lot and the additional 4' of sidewalk & 6' of landscaped parkway provide a visual spaciousness to its setting. The curved concrete entry steps & sidewalk are lightly tinted. The brick pattern of the steps at the front stoop uses bricks on edge, another 'touch' of Old Spain. The facade is a literal replication of a rural farm home outside of Ronda, Spain photographed by Requa. The shed roof on the North end; the heavily tiled roof; low profile stucco walls; deep set windows; window eyebrow/ledge with a wrot iron grill and unique chimney design are also all seen in photographs taken by Requa in Spain. [See, Continuation Sheet #2] These architectural features are seen in his bound volume of photographs published after his Mediterranean trip and also described by Requa in his 'San Diego Union' articles about the home. The lines of the front elevation are deceptive as to the actual shape and square footage of the floorplan. [See, Continuation Sheet #3] You see what appears to be a small rectangular building with an even smaller 'shed' roof extension on the North. Actually, what exists behind this understated facade is a large Foyer [36sq'] opening into a spacious Living Room [400sq'] which opens through other wide arches into the Dining Room/Library [270sq'] and the Breakfast Room [120sq']. With the exception of Requa's North African designs, he firmly stated that at least 90% of the structure's roof should be a shallow pitched roof of terra cotta mission tiles, which is true in this case. Only the 12' by 12' breakfast room has a flat roof with a plain stucco parapet. This provides a unique visual contrast when seen from the patio. Requa replicated the tiled roof of the Alhambra, using handmade roof tiles that are of an uneven surface texture and much wider and heavier then what were in common use. They are laid is a random manner, with mortar bindings. There are short and irregular pieces intermixed. They are all original. [See, Continuation Sheet #12 'Roofs of Spain Copied in Home'] The fioorplan is 'u' shaped around a central patio, in a typical Spanish fashion. The foyer and principal rooms are connected by spacious arches. All the major windows face the patio, rather than the street. Requa contended that large plate glass windows should only be used where there is something to see. Hence, a 10' window on the wall of the Living Room overlooking the patio and smaller casement windows on the street side. In the breakfast room a 6' mullion radius window & 4'x5' plate glass windows overlook the patio. These design elements give the feeling that you are never in 'just 1 room', the sightlines range from 20' to 40'. A 24' long, 10' high beam ceiling loggia connects the rest of the rooms of the home. It, in turn, opens to a wide covered verandah and the patio. Although the loggia was originally intended to be open, Frenchdoors were installed on the 2 central opening. Plate glass glazing was placed on the openings on either side. The Living Room has a 11' high truncated vault ceiling with roughhewn box beams accented by wrot iron supports. At the South end of the Living Room, the wood burning fireplace gently curves out from the South wall, and tapers to the ceiling. The same effect is used on the opposite exterior side, topped with a circular terra cotta tiled chimney top supported by a series of deep arches. A similar, if less graceful, chimney was photographed by Requa in Granada. In one of Requa's many motion picture films he titled 'Developing an Architectural Style for Southern California', this model home chimney is the closing scene for this film. In the Dining Room/Library, the North end of the ceiling follows the slope of the shed roof, accented with a massive box beam and wrot iron support brackets. The Breakfast Room & Foyer have cove ceilings. The 'globby' plastering in the principal rooms is a seldom seen effect to give the feeling of 'whitewashed rough stone or adobe walls'. This is another element used to enhance the 'rural' character of the home's design. There are no casings on the door or window frames, the plaster wrapping around to the edge of the opening. Casement windows were used throughout and have their original mahogany varnish finish. Plank doors with wrot iron latches are on all interior doors and the backdoor, with the exception of the 2-way hinged door between the kitchen and dining room. The original studded oak plank front entrance door described by Requa in one of his newspaper features was replaced at some unknown time in the past. The latch, lock and hardware are all from the original door. The rest of the floor plan consisted of: Kitchen; Service Porch with a commode in a closet; a small adjacent Bedroom [130sq' - it's size, less ornate light fixtures and only one electric wall outlet indicate it was probably intended for a servant]; the North Bedroom [180sq']; Main Bath; & Master Bedroom [222sq'] with a private bath. All 3 Bedrooms have large closets [6' x 2.5']. Additional closets are in the Foyer, Library, Loggia and Hall connecting the principal Bedrooms. The South window of the Master Bedroom has the original curved wrot iron grill framing the stucco shelf and eyebrow. Its counterpart in Spain photographed by Requa. [See, Continuation Sheet #2] Above on the roof peak is the original iron 'sailing ship' weathervane. The area below this window was originally planted by Milton P. Sessions as an 'aloe garden'. Only one plant remains. George H. Prudden House- 5 All of the rooms are fitted with wrot iron wall sconces, each room has a different design. These and the front entrance lantern are original. The foyer, loggia, kitchen and baths have had authentic '1920 era' fixtures installed by the present owner. Original wrot iron drapery brackets, rods and rings from the 1920's have been reinstalled at all of the windows. The house was originally heated with individual gas floor furnaces in all the principal rooms and bedrooms. The baths had electric wall heaters. All were removed and a central gas forced air furnace installed. In 2 rooms the ornate cast iron floor furnace grills have been copper plated and left in place for access to under the house. The original 'roof plan' shows an outside stairway was intended to lead to a roof deck on the garage.[Residence for Davis-Baker Co. -Requa & Jackson Architects- AprilS, 1926 OP 314 SH-3 in the personal collection of the present owner.] This was never built. Considering the narrow dimensions of the cars of the 20's, the garage is oversize [22' x 22']. The small plank door into the garage and its hardware are original. There are no photos or drawings of the original main garage doors. As Requa was the 'Architect of choice' at the time, so Milton P. Session was the 'Landscape Architect of choice'. Davis-Baker had him do the initial landscaping. The Chinese Juniper on the SNV corner, the evergreen shrubs across the front, the vine on the South patio wall which has grown into a 10' hedge, and the Aloe outside the master bedroom window are all part of Milton's original plantings. In 1993, I became acquainted with Milton. He gave me two photos of the home from his collection. One showing the front yard in preparation for the sprinkler system, the other after it was open for the public. [See, Continuation Sheet #3] Milton and Requa shared the same philosophy, of the complimentary compatibility of the home's design to its landscaped surroundings. He landscaped many of the homes Requa designed and went with Requa on his 1928 Mediterranean Trip. [See, Continuation Sheet #14] Photos and descriptions of the home were featured extensively in both newspaper and magazine articles as the perfect example of 'Southern California Architecture'. [See, Continuation Sheets #5,6,7,8] Benbough's, San Diego's premier home furnishings store, did the interior decoration, featuring it in their advertising [See, Continuation Sheet #13]. Photos of the interior appear in a newspaper article by Requa. [See Continuation Sheet #11] An artistic color rendering of Requa's photo of the counterpart rural home in Ronda, Spain, was used on the front cover of the May, 1927, issue of 'San Diego Business', the Chamber of Commerce monthly publication. [See, Continuation Sheet #4] F. Historical Background 1. The Architect Richard Smith Requa, AlA was not only an innovative architect, but also, a civic leader, artistic photographer and writer. Requa was born March 27, 1881, in Rock Island, IL, the son of Edward H. and Sarah J. [Powers] Requa. He had two brothers, Lewis H. and Randall L. and three sisters, Harriet, Rhoda, and Julia. The family moved to Fremont, Nebraska and then to Norfolk, Nebraska. His formal education was in Electrical Engineering at Norfolk College. In 1900 they came to San Diego, residing at 410 17th Street. His early employment in San Diego reflected his training in Electrical Engineering, his first job was with Hartwell Electric Co. However, in 1904 he is listed in the City Directory along with FrankL. Edwards as 'Edwards & Requa' [Southwest Photo Supply, 1023 5th Ave.]. A graphic example of his photographic interest and skills is seen in his 64 page artistic photo album from this period, which has been copied by the myself. In it are scenes of Downtown San Diego, the waterfront, East County, self-portraits as both a draftsman and photographer and striking still lifes. [See, Continuation Sheets #25,26,27,28] In 1905 and 1906, the City Directory shows him again with Hartwell Electric Co. In 1907 he is listed with 'Kirby Real Estate' in Pacific Beach [B. S. Kirby, R. S. Requa]. I've been unable to find out what the nature of Requa's part was with the firm. On February 21, 1907, he was married to Viola Hust by Rev. Johnson at the Methodist Episcopal Church on Sixth Ave. His son, and only child, Richard, Jr. was born on December 23, 1911 and died on September 23, 1923, of pneumonia while attending Boy Scout Camp in Cuyamaca. It was in 1908 that he joined the staff of Architect Irving J. Gill as a 'Superintendent', most likely as a Project Manager. It was during this association, in Gill's office, that he met Frank Mead. At this time he was also writing articles on 'office organization', 'home design' and 'landscaping' for major national and local publications, 'Good Housekeeping', 'The Architect and Engineer' & 'California Garden'. Requa was one of the original members of the San Diego Architectural Association which held its first meeting on Sept. 6, 1910 at the offices of Irving J. Gill. He was one of its few consistently 'active' members over the years, but not without controversy. In 1913, the Association ran a half-page ad in the New Year's Edition of the San Diego Union, with photos of 17 members. Requa was not among them. The copy states, 'Members of this Association hold State Certificates for the Practice of Architecture'. He did not at this time have State Certification, nor did many Architects, as the procedure was just becoming formulated. George H. Prudden House - 6 Upon leaving the Gill firm in 1911, Requa had set up his own office iri the McNeese Building at 1332 F St. It was at this time that he designed a home for himself at 4346 Valle Vista in Mission Hills, which also served as an example of his architectural design skills. It reflects a combination of Gill's style, with Craftsman features on the interior. The principal entrance facade & living room are still unchanged today. He also designed a home for his Mother on the neighboring lot. His architectural career, as an individual, got off to a good start with major architectural commissions. A cabin for Author Owen Wister ['The Virginian'] in Grossman!; the Pine Hills Lodge & its cabins; the mansion for Jarvis L. Doyle at 1625 Plumose Way in Mission Hills; Dr. Edwin Hallenbeck at 3240 Curlew St.; and Charles A. Martin at 3147 Front St. in the Bankers Hill section. In 1913 he teamed up with Frank Mead to form the firm of Mead & Requa. Mead, like Requa, had a strong interest in and knowledge of the simple elements that make up the architecture of the Southwest and the North African coastal regions. Added to this mix was the influence of the early Spanish architecture of California. It was a very successful association. Perhaps one of their best known and preserved residences is the Judge A. H. Sweet house and bungalow on the S/E corner of Spruce & Curlew Sts., in the Bankers' Hill section of San Diego. Mrs. Sweet kept meticulous records and the entire collection is in the San Diego Historical Society Archives. It contains the letters from Requa quoting estimated cost of construction; weekly expense sheets showing that Requa hired his brother, Lewis, as foreman. Canceled checks to Mead & Requa for their Architectural Fees show the firm's Architectural Fee was $3,300. In the Fall of 1915, 'The Western Architect' featured a 4 page photo spread on the Sweet House, with extensive descriptive captions. This was followed in December in 'The Architect and Engineer' with a 6 page article using the same photos. This national publicity enhanced the firm's reputation beyond the local San Diego area. In September, 1913, the firm designed the Nurses Residence at the County Hospital in Hillcrest [demolished 1997]. As with the Sweet houses, it still echoed their 'Gill training'. Underscoring the intense feelings about architectural contracts of some 'certified' architects are two letters written on September 19, 1913, by W. S. Hebbard to the 'Honorable Board of Supervisors of San Diego County'. He wrote one as the 'President of the San Diego Architectural Association', the other as 'Member of State Board of Architecture for the Southern District of California'. The subject: 'protesting the awarding of architectural work on a County building [i.e. the County Hospital] to an uncertified architect [i.e. Richard S. Requa]'. However, Requa, who had teamed with Frank Mead, continued with the project of designing the Nurse's Residence for the San Diego County Hospital in Hillcrest. Their letterhead & signature blocks on their plans show: Frank Mead- Architect- Richard S. Requa. Technically associating the term, architect, with Meed, but with the implication that they were both licensed. The firm was dissolved the year that Requa received his State License [1920]. Also, in 1913, they were drawing the plans for the Palamar Apartments on the NIW corner of Maple & Park, adjacent to Balboa Park. In this instance, more elaborate use of Moorish features prevailed. The unusual landscaping was described in the October, 1915, issue of'California Garden'. In 1916, one of their 'transition in style' homes was built in Mission Hills in 1916 for Robert C. Gemmell at 4476 Hortensia St. Built on the edge of Mission Valley, the basement area contained both a Billiard Room and the Guest Room. Although Mead was the 'senior' partner, and all the published articles on their projects credited 'Mead & Requa', it was always Requa who was quoted in the articles. Some of the projects which reflected the literal interpretation of the above Southwestern and Mediterranean styles were: Hopi House, a beach cottage in La Jolla for Wheeler Bailey; Krotona Institute of Theosophy at 2130 Vista del Mar Ave. in Hollywood· Requa became acquainted in 1915 with E. D. Libbey, the glass manufacturer who 'wintered' in the Ojai Valley, when he designed a home in the Ojai Valley for Harry T. Sinclair. It was described in 'The Ojaj' newspaper, as 'un Spanish, flat-roofed, with large plate glass windows-', 'Requa who had been associated earlier with Gill, the much admired pre-'modern' architect--'· In 1916, Libbey commissioned Mead & Requa to redesign the main street of the town of Nordhoff. The business buildings were a hodgepodge of metal awnings and irregular storefronts. Requa choose the simple 'California Mission Style' as the unifying design theme. The storefront side of the street was masked by an Arcade of broad elliptical arches modeled after Mission San Juan Capistrano. On the opposite side, in front of the park, a pergola ran the length of the street. A massive cunilever arch at its center and the 65' tower of the Post Office at the end. There are a series of articles in 'The Ojai' newspaper from April21, 1916, through June 29, 1917, describing the concept, plans and the quantities of constructions materials used for the project. Following the completion of the town center, the town was renamed Ojai. Mead & Requa went on to design the St. Thomas Catholic Church; New Foothills Hotel; El Roblar Hotel; and other homes inOjai· Locally, in the Fall of 1917 he was appointed 'Government Architect' associated with Albert Kahn of Detroit, for the construction of the buildings at Rockwell Field, at North Island. An 11 page article in 1918 in 'The Architect and Engineer of California' featured 9 photos and floorplans of 6 different Mead & Requa homes. The San Diego Historical Society Architectural Drawing Collection contains over 100 partial and complete original office copy plan sets from the Mead & Requa offices. George H. Prudden House - 7 Requa's next partner was Herbert L. Jackson, who had also been in the Gill office. His.expertise was in the field of Engineering. The decade of the 20's was Requa's most prolific period. Of the dozens of San Diego Architects from that era, many of equal talent, he established a 'presence' which brought the cream of upscale clients to his office. Over 250 Requa & Jackson original office copy plan sets and presentation drawings are preserved in the San Diego Historical Society's Architectural Collection. On May 25, 1920, Requa received a patent on a unique design for terra cotta building tile. Unlike the usual square or rectangular tiles, his design had offsets on two opposite corners. This allowed for fitting around wall openings, without having to cut out notches in the tile, a feature that maintained the structural integrity of the tile piece. The tile was distributed by the Universal Unit Tile Co. and their full page advertisement in the 'San Diego Union' featured a picture of the San Diego Country Club which was a Requa design. Two of the largest homes Requa designed using this tile, were for Marston Harding at Del Mar, now referred to as the 'Del Mar Castle' and for Walter B. Neill at 1313 1oth Ave. in Coronado. In 1921, he designed another home for himself at 2906 Locust St. in Lema Portal. Although the plans tor this home are missing, he later used the floorplan to illustrate Article XIII in his newspaper series, 'Southern California Architecture'. This modest home does not reflect any of the 'styles' which were associated with Requa during his career. In 1922, Ellen Browning Scripps commissioned Requa's firm to design the Lodge at Torrey Pines Park. The entire structure was built of adobes, handmade on the site, with the exception of a small portion of the interior walls which were of terra cotta hollow tile. The reason was the need of a more stable support for the plumbing fixtures in the restrooms. His plans also showed the details for the light fixtures and furniture to match the building. It was intended as a 'travelers rest stop' with a restaurant, on what was then Coast Route 1, the main road between San Diego and Los Angeles. The building has been restored by and is now a part of Torrey Pines State Park. Requa's successful 'civic renovation' at Ojai, prompted Mr. L. G. Sinnard of the Santa Fe Land Co., in 1922, to commission his firm to layout the Civic Center Complex at Rancho Santa Fe. A picture of the auto service station was featured in the magazine, .'The Architectural Record'. In the mid-20's Requa filmed a brief tour of some of the buildings, including the service station area. Also, seen are Mrs. Requa and Lilian Rice. Lilian Rice was working in Requa's office at this time. Because of the volume of business out of his office and the amount of travel time to service the project, Requa turned it over to her. She established her offices there. On March 24, 1924, Col. Ed Fletcher wrote to Mrs. F. M. White about her proposed Nature Theater and Cross atop Mt. Helix. The subject of the letter was deciding between Wm. Templeton Johnson and Richard S. Requa as the architect for the project. Requa got the job and in his letter to Mrs. White on July 2, 1924, estimated the cost of the project at $24,200. Col. Fletcher had a professional16mm motion picture film shot of the work, from it's beginning through to the dedication. It's one of the few occasions where we see Requa 'on camera' [La Mesa Historical Society]. In a feature article, "My Greatest Opportunity", Requa expressed his feelings about being the architect chosen, "Perhaps once in a lifetime, an architect is given the opportunity to design a building or plan a project that completely fulfills his early dreams and youthful aspirations; an opportunity that opens wide the gates of his ingenious and constructive faculties and permits full and satisfying expression of his soul's yearning to create something noble, beautiful and enduring; an opportunity that rewards all previous struggles and hardships and justifies his decision to enter the profession of architecture". It was during the 1920's that Requa developed a style that was to become his 'hallmark', he labeled it 'Southern California Architecture'. It is not to be confused with the then popular 'Hollywood Spanish'. As the Architectural Editor for the 'San Diego Union', beginning in1925, he wrote the first of a series of weekly feature articles detailing the elements inherent in this style. He summarized the concept in one of his newspaper features. "This new style is characterized by plain walls of modeled stucco in soft, warm tones blending with its planting; low pitched, rambling roofs, preferably covered with burned clay tiles, sometimes combined with flat roofs enclosed by plain parapet walls; expansive, deep-set casements and Franch windows; ornament and moldings used with great restraint and discrimination; variety, charm and distinction obtained rather by wood shutters, exquisite wrought iron window grills and lattice and quaint projecting balconies; generous mass planting of hardy shrubs and vines around the buildings, and delightful garden areas joined to the house by walls and hedges." He used all of these elements in the design of the home that is the subject of this report. One of the most unusual commissions undertaken by Requa & Jackson was the design in 1925-26 of a series of Southwestern Pueblo style building for the Montezuma Mountain Boys School in the redwood covered mountains North of Santa Cruz. Sketches for later buildings which were never built were in style of the Aztec temples of Mexico. During a motor trip to San Francisco, he filmed scenes at the school. The school project and Requa & Jackson were featured in the magazine 'Architect and Engineer' in the November, 1934, issue. In January, 1926, the Davis-Baker Co., developers from Pasadena, announced the opening of the new Kensington Heights Subdivision, the last undeveloped parcel in the Kensington area. In addition to designing the 1926 Model Home for the Kensington Heights Subdivision, Requa & Jackson also served as the 'architectural design review board' for the Davis-Baker Co. The development had architectural restrictions and the Davis-Baker Co. retained the firm of Requa & Jackson as the subdivision's 'architectural review board'. [See, Continuation Sheets #1 ,5, 1OJ George H. Prudden House • 8 Prospective home builder's plans were submitted to the firm and Requa wrote back with his suggestions for changes. Such as: 'The exterior proportions are bad, the bwlding is too high for 11s width, the beam supporting the roof in front should at/east be a 12x12, the ventilator in the gable end should be lowered from 6"to 12"--there is no screen porch provided and that the rear door opens into the breakfast room. We consider this a very impractical arrangement.' [Letter dated Jan. 31, 1928 referring to Lot 28, Blk 6, Unit #1] In March, 1926, Requa left on his first trip to the Mediterranean ['Union Writer to Visit Old World in Search of Home Ideas for San Diegians', San Diego Union, March 14, 1926] During his travels in Spain and North Africa, he photographed with both still and 16mm movie cameras. He was impressed with the similarity of terrain and climate between Southern California and the Andalusia area of Spain. He best summarized his concept of architecture in an illustrated feature article in the June 1927 issue of Architect and Engineer. His conclusion, 'If we, of southern California, are to develop a real architectural style that will be vital and satisfying and live through the coming generations,-·. We should look to the Mediterranean for inspiration, suggestions and ideas, but our buildings should express in their design and treatment the spirit of the twentieth century-'. [See, Continuation Sheet #6] Photographs taken on the 1926 trip provided the inspiration for the facade; the unique chimney; and iron grill window treatment for the Kensington Heights Model Home he designed for the Davis-Baker Co. and which is the subject of this report for Historic Site Status.[See, Continuation Sheet #2] In one of his several newspaper articles describing the Model Home He stated, "Attention is called to the treatment of the fireplace chimney at the end of the living room. This was suggested by the quaint chimney found in the village of Ansa in Northern Spain'. ['Model Southern California Home to Incorporate Novel Features', San Diego Unjon April4, 1926]. His two Mediterranean trips were sponsored by the Monolith Portland Cement Company of Denver. It's President, Coy Burnett had a home in Del Mar designed in 1925 by Requa. The company also funded the publication of 2 books of photographs of architectural details from each of the trips [Architectural Details Spain and the Mediterranean', 1926; :.Q!.d. World lnspjratjon for American Architecture' 1929]. In the Forward of the 1929 book he states, "As in my previous work, I have classified the photographs and arranged the details for their most advantageous use by the architectural profession, for whom this book was especially prepared." Each book was divided into a dozen sections, such as 'Street Scenes' • 'Courts and Patios' -'Doorways' ·'Window Grilles', etc.'. The 1926 edition was done as a 1000 limited portfolio, with the first ten copies modified to hold an additional60 actual photographs with typed captions on the back. The author of this report, Parker H. Jackson, has Copy #2 of this set. The interest book ran so high, that another 500 copies were issued as bound volumes. The 1929 edition was done only as a bound volume. These oversize and elaborately bound books were given to Architects and libraries across the country. The reason for the books as stated by Requa, "My main purpose in the preparation of this work was to provide worthy examples of old world architecture that will stimulate the development of appropriate styles in America. • I have further endeavored to select only photographs for this work that will furnish ideas and details of practical use in present day American architecture in the localities where favorable conditions for their utilization prevail." ['Richard Requa's Book of Spanish Views Just Out', San Diego Union, March 17, 1929] Following his 1928 trip he had an Exhibition of his photos and lectured at the San Diego Fine Arts Museum. Although all of his home designs during the peak years of the 1920's were unique, three stand out as examples of his creative imagination, unfettered by the clients' financial status. In Del Mar it was the home for Marston Harding, popularly known as the 'Del Mar Castle'. Two homes In Coronado stand out, one in 1924 for William A. Gunn at 1127 F St. and one in 1926 for Mrs. D. E. Mann at 1045 Lama Ave. facing Star Park. All 3 homes were featured in newspaper articles national publications. The articles focusing on the furnishings as well as the landscaping and architectural design. In 1927, Requa began a 2nd feature series for the San Diego Union entitled, "Furnishing the California Home". The articles contain advice on interior decoration that is equally applicable today. Some of his comments from his final Article: "A home should be furnished, not decorated"; "Homes should have atmosphere, not airs"; "Color proVides the most inexpensive means of achieving beauty in home furnishings'~ "Music, literature and pictures are just as essential in the home as furnishings and fabrics"; 'The three S's of bad taste are Show, Sham and Shoddy"; "Fads are usually fantasies and fallacies". In 1926, Requa's third series of feature articles for the San Diego Union, readers were invited to submit rough sketches of the home they were planning and the nature of the lot. Requa & Jackson then selected wbat they considered the 'best' entries and prepared an elevation sketch, site plan with the floorplan and a one column description of the homes features. For a 'modest fee', Requa & Jackson would prepare a complete set of plans. Because of his close association with the newspaper, in addition to the feature series, his other home designs were regularly featured with an elevation sketch and 1 or 2 columns of description. This was partly due also to the fact that the client was a 'newsworthy individual'. Sometimes the article focused on the landscaping. Landscape Architect Milton P. Sessions worked closely with Requa on all his major projects. [Milton P. Sessions was the nephew of Kate 0. Sessions] On April 7, 1928, Requa and his party of six left for his 2nd Mediterranean Trip. Requa's hundreds of photo negatives from the trip have been lost. However, Milton photographed the same locations from a landscape point of view. George H. Prudden House- 9 He also photographed the party aboard ship and in several humorous setups in Venice and Ronda, Spain. [See, Continuation Sheet #14] Milton gave this author some of these original photographs, as well as over 500 indexed negatives from the trip and a later 1930 Chamber of Commerce Goodwill trip to Mexico. In 1929, the San Diego Union announced the start of the fourth weekly series by Requa. This series of articles featured photos from his Mediterranean trips. The accompanying narrative described the significant features of the building and their adaptability to modern home design. In his first article he states, "/shall endeavor first of all to give practical, helpful advice on architecture, the kind of architecture that is appropriate for San Diego: architecture that will add to the attractiveness of our city, that will be unaffected by transient fads and fancies, and that will, therefore, insure a safe and sound investment to those contemplating purchase of a home either by buying a 'ready-made' or building one to suit desires". ['Southern California Architecture', San Piego Union, March 17, 1929] These features, as with his previous ones, are totally unique in that they provide the historian with first hand material from the subject person's own thoughts on his profession. Here Requa expresses his 'architectural philosophy' in print. Of all of San Diego's leading architects in the first 4 decades, virtually no 1st hand expression of their 'style', i.e. office correspondence, drawings, or published articles exists, except those of Richard S. Requa. He also realized the value of good public relations and of being actively involved in community civic and business activities. He had an ongoing involvement with the Chamber of Commerce and the San Diego Architectural Association [which later, after years of discussion affiliated with the national A I.A.]. He was a mamber of the Southern California Chapter of the AlA, prior to the local chapter being formed. He was on the Board of Directors and a Vice President of the San Diego Symphony. In May, 1929, Requa moved into his 'rooftop terrace offices' on the 11th floor of the Bank of Italy Building [J. D. Spreckels Bldg.] on Broadway. His offices in Room 1123 opened onto the roof terrace, where he added a tile roof bungalow with a loggia, wrot iron grilles, fountains, tile benches, potted palms and decorative tile panels imported from Spain. It was featured in a full page article with 6 photos in the San Oiego Union. It served as a showcase for his Southern California Style of architectural design. A 1951 aerial photo shows the terrace after it had been remodeled. In September, 1991, this author visited Room 1123 and the terrace. The office space is devoted to building service equipment and the terrace occupied by a 2-story cooling tower and microwave dishes. Only the two tile corner benches in the parapet and the wrot iron railing on the steps leading out to the terrace remained. Among the photos which Milton P. Sessions gave to me is one of the same view of the loggia that appeared in the newspaper article. On the economic scene, the recession had already begun in early 1928. There was an increasing number of ads for homes for sale, due to mortgage default and foreclosure, including the George H. Prudden home, the subject of this report. By early 1929 the economy was a topic of major concern. Requa, however, was still providing his clients with 'mansion caliber' homes. A full page newspaper article had sketches of one for J. Harold Peterson on Ocean Blvd. in Coronado; and the remodeling of the Spreckels mansion for Ira C. Copley. In La Playa a bayfront one for H. D. Bowman; and on San Fernando St. one for H. H. Jones. The accompanying article's subhead was 'Requa and Jackson Announce Plans for 21 new Homes Costing Up to $75,000 for Busy Period'. ['Architects Report Big Business', San Piego Union Dec.1,1929] The Davis-Baker Co.'s canyon rim lots in their subdivision in Kensington Heights were still vacant. So, they went back to Requa and to have him design a showcase home on Ridgeway Drive. The project was named 'Ridgeway House' and was featured in 'The Modern Clubwoman' as well as numerous newspaper articles and ads for the developer. At the May 20, 1929, meeting of the San Diego Architectural Assn., President Seibert announced "that the Charter for a San Diego Chapter of the American Institute of Architects had been granted with charter members: John S. Seibert, Wm. Templeton Johnson, H. W: Whitsitt, Louis J. Gill, F. W. Stevenson, & W: H. Wheeler". "Mr. Requa then addressed the meeting for a half hour, on his recent trips to Spain, showing us many photographs - he was asked to continue it at a later meeting". He finished his talk the following week. [Meeting Minutes, San Diego Historical Society Archives] On June 3, 1929, the meeting minutes read: "Mr. Requa was given a hearing on the matter of charges brought against him before the American Institute of Architects, for using A. I.A., after his name as author of the volume "Old World Inspiration for American Architecture". A motion by Mr. Hope and seconded by Mr. Whitsitt instructed the secretary to write a letter to Mr. Kemper at the Washington, DC offices of the A I.A. (Meeting Minutes, San Diego Historical Society Archives] Quoting a portion of the June 4th letter sent to Mr. E. C. Kemper : "We believe that Mr. Requa's intentions were of the best and that the work which the Monolith Company is doing should be commended rather than condemned. We have all known Mr. Requa for many years, in San Diego, and he has the entire respect of the profession, both for his professional ethics and ability, and for the educational work he is doing". [Meeting Minutes, San Diego Historical Society Archives] Requa's problem was not resolved until over a year later. The October 15, 1930, minutes read: "The matter of reinstatement of RichardS. Requa was discussed and a letter from Mr. Meyer, the district advisor of the Institute was read. Mr. Seibert told the meeting that Mr. Edwin Bergstrom had told him that he would withdraw his objections to this reinstatement if the executive committee of this Chapter would sign the application and this action was endorsed by a vote of the Chapter". On motion of Gill, seconded by Wheeler, which was carried, the executive committee was instructed to George H. Prudden House - 10 sign this application. The motion was passed unanimously by the members present. !Meeting Minutes, San Diego Historical Society Archives] However, it was not until the January 21, 1931, meeting that it was announced that, "On December 17, 1930, notice was received from the Institute that Mr. Richard S. Requa had been reinstated to membership In the Institute and assigned to the San Diego Chapter'. [Meeting Minutes, San Diego Historical Society Archives] ln1929, at the suggestion of Requa, the Monolith Portland Cement Co. promoted a nationwide competition for Architects to design 'small homes' and write related educational articles. Nationally recognized Architects served as judges of the 373 design entries and the 54 articles submitted. The contestants provided a descriptive narrative of their design; an elevation sketch; and a site plan showing the floorplan[s]. The prizes were significant for the times. "First Prize: A three month trip abroad, first-class, with all expenses paid and $500.00 in cash for tips and incidentals; Second Prize: a two months trip abroad with all expenses paid and $300. oo in cash; Third Prize: A three weeks trip anywhere in the United States, including expenses, and $150 in cash. Ten Honorable Mention winners received $50 and a copy of Requa's "Old World Inspiration for American Architecture''. The winners were included in the book 'Fifty-One Prize Winning Small Homes', edited by Requa. It also included his article "The Architectural Use of Cement". At the November 20, 1929 meeting of the SD Architectural Assn. he "gave a very interesting talk on the results of the recent Small House Competition- held by the Monolith Portland Cement Co., and read several papers on Why an Architect, which were part of the competition'~ [Meeting Minutes, San Diego Historical Society Archives] Design No. 201 of Herman Louis Bodmer of San Diego was one of 38 selected for 'Special Mention' and appears on pages 80-81 in the book. Bodmer received an autographed copy of Requa's 'Old World Inspiration for American Architecture'. Though Requa's forte was home design, he did some commercial buildings. In downtown San Diego the Substation for San Diego Consolidated Gas & Electric Co. In Solana Beach in 1923, the Pueblo Style Railway Station for Ed Fletcher. In 1924, the Solana Beach Lumber and Building Supply. In 1928, he designed the First National Bank Branch at 3oth and University. In this instance, he drew on photos from his trips to Spain, the facade of the building was an elaboration of a tile store in Toledo. The massive wrot iron window grills were exact copies from the same building. The files in the Historic Society's Architectural Collection include color renderings of the exterior and custom lobby benches. The wrot iron grill drawings are 'full scale'. Many of his drawings for 'details' were done 'full scale', leaving nothing to chance in the effect he desired. Another commercial structure was the 'Sales Building' for his friend Landscape Architect Milton P. Sessions, who had his nursery and store on the SIW corner of San Diego Ave. and Twiggs St. in Old Town. The new building was called 'Sessions Spanish Studio'. Like so many of Requa's buildings it is in excellent condition and use today as a part of the San Diego Old Town State Park Historic District. In early 1930, the San Diego Chamber of Commerce sponsored a 'Goodwill Trade Trip' to Mexico. Requa was among the group who traveled by chartered train. Milton P. Sessions was also on the junket. Both took photographs, Requa filmed with his 16mm motion picture camera, Milton with a still camera. Three 15-minute reels of Requa's films of the trip are in the Historic Society's Photographic Collection. According to Milton P. Sessions, several of the party, including Requa and himself, enjoyed the trip so much that they stayed on several weeks and did not return with the rest of the group. The excursion was so successful, the Chamber sponsored another for the Fall of 1930. In October, 1930, Requa & Jackson drew up plans for the remodeling of the Chamber of Commerce building at 449 W. Broadway. Requa, in a Chamber magazine article, describes his design and acknowledges the contractors and suppliers who were involved with the remodeling. In another article in the same issue is Requa's Presentation Drawing. [Presentation Drawings for the Chamber of Commerce are in the San Diego Historical Society Architectural Drawing Collection] He first expressed the advantages of 'home remodeling' in a newspaper article in 1925, with two photos, before and after, of a home in Santa Barbara. His caption "-the same residence after being made 'Southern California"'. In the late 20's Requa's firm took on some other major home remodeling projects. One of these was for Dwight J. Peterson, 1007 Ocean Blvd. in Coronado. The original home was designed by Irving J. Gill, consisting of two large rectangular box wings. Requa transformed it into an English Tudor style mansion. The most notable elements of Requa's additions were in the form of a 'timbered' facade and garden surrounded by a 10' high brick wall, a wall fountain of Malibu tiles and an arched wooden gate in the West wall. The wall and gate are Identical to one photographed at a rural home, South of London, England on his 1928 European trip. Earlier, Requa had requested the SD Architectural Assn. to petition the Trustees of Coronado to cancel their 'wall height ordinance'. [Meeting Minutes, San Diego Historical Society Archives] In La Jolla, the home of Mrs. Janette T. Roxendale at 417 Coast Blvd. was described in the San Diego Union as "Old Dwelling Becomes Gorgeous Residence Under the Magic Touch of Architects". The high caliber of Requa's clientele continued into 1931 with a $40,000 home for L. R. Green at 2440 Pine St. in the Mission Hills section. In 1931, the Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the SD Architectural Assn: sponsored a 'Better Homes Week' exhibit. Requa was named Chairman of the Architectural Assn. committee and was also on the Chamber George H. Prudden House - 11 committee. In April, 1931, the Chamber magazine's article on the exhibit, featured Requa photos from Spain and the Gunn and Mann homes in Coronado. As much an 'artistic photographer' as an architect, Requa regularly had entries in the annual 'International Salon of Photography' competitions at the Fine Arts Gallery in Balboa Park. [See Continuation Sheets #25,26,27,28] In 1933, the San Diego Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, with Louis J. Gill as President announcad the presentation of nearly 200 'Honor Awards' in 70 categories. Requa & Jackson received nine awards. 1933 also saw the City again seriously considering the demolition of the 1915 Exposition's 'temporary' Prado buildings. Requa, working through the Chamber of Commerce, was one of the 'champions' attempting to save the buildings. Asked by the Chamber to prepare a report on the cost of demolition versus 'stabilizing the foundations', Requa gave a resume of the report he had submitted to the Chamber of Commerce, "The cost of all repairs to place the buildings in a safe condition for the next five years would be around $75,000 of which $40,000 representing labor, would be advancad by the R.F.C.". The buildings were saved. Although the principal initial work on most of the buildings was for new foundations and repairs to the facades, Requa & Jackson were assigned the total remodeling of the 1915 Palace of Foreign Arts building on the SIE corner of the Plaza de Panama. Referred to on the plan set as 'Balboa Park Building #8'. First the derelict 'South Wing' was totally removed. Then the entire core of the remaining structure was removed to form a patio, which was surrounded by a new auditorium, cafe, offices and banquet rooms. The arches of the patio were modeled after a convent in Mexico. On the South, where the wing had been removed, he created a replica, on a smaller scale, of the famous Casa del Rey Mora Garden in Ronda, Spain, using all the principle elements, fountains, terraces, wellhead, pergolas, and landscaping. During this same period, Requa & Jackson prepared drawings for the 22nd Agriculture District Fairgrounds to be located on North Atlantic Ave. in the area that is now north Mission Bay Park. There were plans for the Grandstand, Jockey Club, Model Farm, 5 other buildings and the site plan. The architecture reflected the ornate Prado buildings of the 1915 Exposition. [Plans in the San Diego Historical Society Architectural Drawing Collection] The project was to be funded by the state's California Works Administration. The plan sets were complete with building 'square footage' and 'cost of construction'. The 'compass rose' on the Site Plan has Disney characters at each of the 'points' i.e. Mickey Mouse, Clarabelle, the cow, etc. The project was never built at this location. However, in 1936, when Jackson & Hamill were designated to design the 22nd Agricultural Dist. fairgrounds at the Del Mar location, they used elements of these 1st plans. During 1934, Requa took Sam Hamill in as a partner. Hamill had been with the firm for many years, and it became Requa, Jackson & Hamill. However, with Requa's appointment full-time to the Exposition, the firm was dissolved in 1934 and became Jackson & Hamill. As this Prado building project progressed in 1934, the Civic and Business leaders decided to stage another International Exposition to open in 1935. The key was to convince the major exhibitors at the Chicago 'Century of Progress', which was closing in the Fall of 1934, to sign an far the San Diego Fair. It worked. ['Inside Lights an the Building of San Diego's Exoositian· 1935', Richard S. Requa, AlA, 1927] In October, 1934, Requa was named Supervisor of Architecture and Landscaping for the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition. He spoke about the Exposition at various Civic Meetings throughout the year, using his films as part of his lecture. When it was decided to run the Exposition far a 2nd year, as its 'Consulting Architect', Requa wrote a 22 page report itemizing his 'suggestions and recommendations for improving the buildings and grounds' for the 1936 event. He did not stay on as Supervising Architect for the 2nd year. Some building & landscaping changes were made before the 1926 reopening. For instance, the open Loggia dining area overlooking the Casa del Rey Moro Garden, was closed in with a 'greenhouse' type structure. This was not part of Requa's 1934-35 design for the building. Although the debate about the location of a 'City-County Administration' building had been going on for years, it wasn't until the mid-1930's that the project got underway. In 1931, there was much debate at the local A. I.A. Chapter about the role San Diego Architects should play in Government Public Works project. It was at the January 27, 1934, meeting that it was proposed that 3 members act as a committee, not as individual architects, representing the Chapter to draft plans for the proposed City-County Building. At a 'special meeting' twa days later, and by secret ballot the members selected "Johnson 7, Requa 6, Gi/16. At the January 10, 1935, meeting it was proposed, "to recommend to the Citizen's Committee that the 3 architects Mr. Gill, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Requa, be appointed as architects for the City and County building--". I have not as yet found any documentation as to why Sam Hamill was added to this otherwise 'select committee'. [Meeting Minutes, San Diego Historical Society Archives] On Feb. 11, 1936, the City Council passed Resolution No. 63986, 'commends the Associated Architects-for their expeditious work in preparing preliminary studies, working drawings, specifications and plans for the administration building to be located on the Civic Center site'. On a 1935 'photo Christmas Card' to his sister, Harriet, Viola Requa states, "Richard's prospects look pretty good for a trip to Mexico through Monolith Cement Co. Just when, depends on the 'Civic Center Business'--". The Civic Center project was approved by the voters and he did not .90 on a photographic trip to Mexico. [Personal Collection of Parker H. Jackson] George H. Prudden House - 12 The City-County Administration Building Civic Center was W.P.A Project No. 1228. The first drawings that were prepared had elaborate exterior decoration and a central tower surmounted by a spire. Even the later drawings in the style we see it today, had a much taller central tower. It was the proximity to Lindbergh Field and the North Island airfields that dictated its reduced height. The Historical Society's Architectural Collection as sets of plans and presentation drawings showing both designs. One partial reel of film by Requa shows the piledrivers and pouring of the 'earthquake proof foundation grid. Upon completion of the building, Requa prepared a 'album report' with seventy photographs and an 8 page narrative. It is possible that this album is what was referred to in a 1938 'biographical newspaper interview' with Requa which states, "Now he's finishing up another book on the Civic Center, on which he worked with Architects, W T. Johnson, Louis Gill and Sam Hamill. It's a streamlined Spanish Type". ['Town Builder', San Diego Sun, Dec. 27, 1938] [A copy of the Album Report is owned by Parker H. Jackson] As previously noted, Requa was continually involved in his own self-promotion. In 1936 he was doing a series of architectural articles for the 'San Diego Sun' newspaper. In the July 5th article that year he expounds on the 'Moderne Style' as being 'crude and box-like'. Always an innovator, in 1937 Requa sought to use his past successes in 'community planning' - Ojai and Rancho Santa Fe, and combine with a 'commercial tourist attraction with a historic background'. The area was Old Town, San Diego. At the City Planning Commission's Feb. 18th Meeting, the 'San Diegians' and the North San Diego Chamber of Commerce made a presentation. 'Mr. Requa presented a rendering showing the proposed area to be developed and requested an opinion from the Commission regarding an Architectural Control District for the area'. The following day, the newspaper elaborated on the Requa idea. Nothing happened. Meanwhile, his architectural concepts moved away from his popular 1920's Southern California Style. The 'depression economy' required more attention to practical costs of construction. A good example is the home he designed for San Diego artist, Alfred R. Mitchell. It kept all the Requa features of integrating the house with the garden and patio, but without the 'Mediterranean look'. In the Fall of 1937, he published, at his own expense, the only complete story of the 1935 Exposition. It is not a 'me' book, he shares all the successes, frustrations and ingenuity with all the people who succeeded in accomplishing this 8 month construction miracle. 'Inside Lights on the Building of San Diego's Exposition· 1935' was a 1000 limited, hardback edition. Requa followed the same format as the books that were published following the 1915 Exposition. The cover and paper stock were the same and even the gold ink title on the cover. Also, all 35 of his own lithographed photographs were individually mounted on the page, rather than printed. The book was critically acclaimed both locally and nationally. Naomi Baker of the 'San Diego Union' said, 'Valuable not only as a contribution to San Diego's historical literature, Mr. Requa's new book will serve as a souvenir to those-who have happy memories of San Diego's 1935-36 Exposition'. J. E. Stanton, Director of the San Francisco Exposition, '/have just finished reading your memories of building the San Diego Exposition. To have created beauty is truly to have served man handsomely'. Hazel Boyer Brown of 'The Evening Tribune' 'This volume has been assembled with rare taste and thoughtfulness'. His 'literary skill and craftsmanship' were recognized by his being elected to membership in the Eugene Field Society of St. Louis, placing him in the company of such notable member authors as Edgar Lee Masters. Public funds provided more architectural work that year. The School Board had allocated $115,000 for 7 construction projects by 7 different architects. Requa was chosen to design a $7000 [building cost, not his fee] kindergarten for the Euclid School. At the January 17, 1940 meeting of the San Diego Chapter of the AlA, Requa was elected its President. He was the Chapter President when he died of a heart attack at his office, on June 10, 1941. The San Diego Symphony's opening Summer Concert was dedicated to his memory. His wife, Viola, died of a heart attack two months later, August 21, 1941. 2. The Original Owner George Henry Prudden was born February 18, 1893 in Duluth, Minn. He was one of the early pioneers of aviation and is so listed in 'Who's Who in Aviation'. He built his first plane, a glider, in high school at the age of 17. Prudden graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1917 with a degree in Architecture. He served as a first lieutenant during World War I. Following are the beginnings of Prudden's interest in aviation as covered in his biography in the files at Lockheed Aircraft Co. Prudden, listed in 'Who's Who in Aviation'; and in the book 'Man's Fight to Fly', is credited with being the first to successfully use an engine in the leading edge of an airplane wing. Previously engines were hung beneath the wings. Also, Prudden probably had more to do with the development of the all-metal airplane than any other man in aviation; his pioneering work began in 1920. George H. Prudden House - 13 He said of his many 'firsts', 'you had to be first--no one had done much of anything yet.' When he built his first airplane-at the age of seventeen, he could find no books on aviation, nothing to study. So he just poured over newspaper photos and tried to copy what he saw. This first plane--a glider type--was build after school and on Saturdays. For the first flight, Prudden took one friend with him to the outskirts of Saint Paul where lived; they enlisted the help of some farm boys to help tow it for takeoff. The ship took off, so the project was called a success. 'In those days a flight was a success if you got off the ground', Prudden says. 'About 100 feet was our longest flight. Of course, you crashed the plane every time, too, and had to make repairs before another takeoff. We flew the plane many times, but always in secret.' While still in high school, Prudden built a second plane. This one had an engine--a Ford L-head-and was a copy of the airplane Bleriot used to make the first airplane crossing of the English Channel. After college, in 1920, Prudden designed and built, with Bill Stout, an all-metal plane for the Navy. It was for design of this airplane that Prudden developed his 'elastic center of inertia' formula, still considered a basic one. For this plane, Prudden built the first internally-stressed wing in the United States--that is without all the external wires and rigging." In 1926, he moved to San Diego with his wife, Nancy Margaret. He had been working on the design of an all metal, tri-meter aircraft in the Stout Engineering Labs in Detroit where he attracted the attention of Henry Ford, Sr. Ford bought the company in 1925. However, he decided to go out on his own, and three months later Prudden resigned and moved to San Diego. He bought the Kensington Heights Model Home, paying between $27,000 & $28,000. [History of Solar Turbines Inc. pgs 18-19] Several 'San Diego Union' newspaper articles, with photos featured his purchase of the Kensington Heights home, which is the subject of this report. The Davis-Baker Co. also ran an advertisement for the subdivision with a photo of Prudden 'Pioneer Metal Plane Builder'. His socially active wife, Nancy Margaret, was a member of the Thursday Club. [See, Continuation Sheet #16, 17] In 1927, Prudden formed a syndicate of 7 San Diego businessmen and raised $60,000 to form the Prudden-San Diego Airplane Company. He served as its Managing Director. The investors were: Bruce Starke, who acted as President; Bentley Sinclair; Herbert and Charles Richards; B. H. [Harry] Taylor and his father-in-law, Col. Ed Fletcher; Bradley Tyrrell and Philip Bartlett. On November 10, 1927 they filed papers of incorporation in the State of California. [See Continuation Sheets #15, 18, 19] He regularly wrote articles extolling the advantages of airplane manufacturing and air commerce that San Diego offered. The Chamber of Commerce's monthly, 'San Diego Magazine' in August, 1927, published its 'Aviation Issue'. Prudden wrote a 6 page article, 'Aviation as a Business' tor this issue, which also had a full page ad for his company. [See, Continuation Sheet #20] The Bingham Bill, known as the Air Commerce Act, which laid out standards for airport design and construction, was passed by Congress in 1926. In 1927 the Chamber of Commerce Aviation Committee commissioned Prudden, its Aeronautical Engineer, to make a detailed study of possible airport locations, and from this develop an airport for San Diego. The result of Prudden's report is the present site of Lindbergh Field. In the history of Solar Turbines Company, is a quote from a letter written by Prudden explaining how he was chosen to determine the selection of the. airport site. Being shown the site under consideration, 'I asked them [Chamber members, Orville MacPherson & Roy Campbell, Jr.] what they would do when the winds were in a different direction -and they said that hadn't occurred to them! So that afternoon, I went down to the City Hall, and got out all the contour maps, showing telephone poles, etc., and drew a line showing that the stretch of sand was totally unusable as an airport. They suggested, then, that I design an airport, and they would see what they could do about it. That same afternoon, I designed an airport.' On Wednesday, September 21, 1927, a huge public reception was given for Charles A Lindbergh at Balboa Stadium. The Chamber of Commerce's 'San Diego Magazine', prepared a special Official Program and LINDBERGH NUMBER for the event. It included many articles on the Aviation Industry in San Diego, including an artist's rendering of an aerial view of the 'San Diego's Proposed Municipal Airport and Aircraft Manufacturing Center'. [See, Continuation Sheet #21] Prudden had been one of the 7 men to witness Lindbergh's take off from North Island's Rockwell Field on the first leg of his flight to Paris. In the August, 1927 issue of 'San Diego Magazine' article, Roy Campbell, Jr. states, "With the establishment of the Prudden San Diego Airplane Company in this community, San Diego has reached out to Detroit and obtained from there one of its foremost engineers in metal airplane construction. The article also featured one of Prudden's airplanes. [See, Continuation Sheet #21] In the September, 1927 'San Piego Magazine' 'San Diego---First in Air' it is stated, 'The San Diego Chamber of Commerce is probably the first and only organization of its kind to have an aeronautical engineer on its executive staff. He was also on the Official Reception Committee for the event. George H. Prudden House- 14 His first tri-meter airplane, the XM-1, was completed in October 1927. The following day the Airport Bond issue was passed by the voters, with the publicity surrounding Prudden's new airplane construction and flights, being given credit for making it a succass. [See, Continuation Sheet #15,24] This successful test flight recaived extensive press coverage. A Pasadena newspaper stated in part, 'The new airplane embodies the latest safety developments known in airplane manufacture. - The new plane carries six passengers and has a load capacity of over 1000 pounds. -- The interior is upholstered in leather and contains a lavatory. The January 2, 1928, 'San Diego Union' had a full page feature, which included a photo of the interior of his factory and the other San Diego aviation businesses. The quality of Prudden's airplane design and construction was extolled in the April 29, 1928 feature in the :ssm, Piego Union'. The first plane sold to Beacon Airways of Fresno, Calif. was tested in June. It had a cruising speed of 95mph and a top speed of 11 Omph. [See Continuation Sheet #22] The Prudden-San Diego Airplane Co. was again featured in the August, 1928, Aviation Number of the Chamber of Commerca monthly. [See Continuation Sheet #23] As part of a 3-day civic calebration, on Thursday, August 16, 1928, the Lindbergh Airport was dedicated. Prudden was on the Dedication Committee. [See Continuation Sheet #23] The general weakening of the nation's economy had already began in 1928. In September of that year, Prudden stepped down and turned the company over Edmund T. Price. However, this was not the end of Prudden's career in aviation. On Christmas Eve of 1928, he received a call from Ed Whited stating that he had raised $300,000 to back him in an aircraft plant in Atlanta, Georgia. He sold his Kensington Heights home and all its elegant furnishings at auction on February 11, 1929. The newspaper ad detailed the furnishings for every room. He designed Atlanta's airport, Candler Field. He returned to the West Coast in 1932, with the Lockheed Company and retired from there on March 1, 1958. Prudden died JanLJary 27, 1964, at Newport Beach, California. He was 70 and survived by his wife, son and three grandchildren. His impressive 'career of 1st's in Aviation' are listed in Appendix Two. 3. The Subdivision In January, 1926, George T. Forbes, owner of the last undeveloped tract in the Kensington District of Eastern San Diego brought in the Pasadena based Davis-Baker Company as its developers. The tract was named Kensington Heights, and at this time the area on the Eastern edge of the City of San Diego was still in San Diego County. It consisted of 3 Units, on 115 acres, extending from what is now the 40th St. canyon [1-15] on the West to Mahogany Canyon [Fairmont Ave.] on the East. From 1/2 block South of Hilldale Ave., North to the rim of Mission Valley. The Model Home was situated on a high profile lot in Unit 1 · An unusual feature connected with the subdivision was the establishing of an architectural review board. It was natural that the successful real estate development firm of Davis-Baker would choose to associate itself with the equally succassful Requa & Jackson office. Requa's activities which enhanced his high profile image included being the Architectural Editor for the 'San Diego Union': an active member of the Chamber of Commerca; a member of the Southern California Chapter of the A. I.A. and the San Diego Assn. of Architects; on the Board of Directors of the San Diego Symphony; on the Advisory Board of 'Archj!ect and Engineer' as well as a regular contributor of Architectural Articles to trade publications; Exhibitions of his photos at the Fine Arts Gallery; and the publication of his elaborate book of Architectural Photos taken on his trip to the Mediterranean in 1926. This association enhanced the 'exclusiveness' of the subdivision beyond the usual 'prica & lot size' comparisons. Advertising began immediately, the 'Opening Soon' announcement ad appearing on January 3. These ads ran weekly through January. It was the policy of the developer to run a newspaper ad every week. This high profile campaign eventually covered 5 years, and generated an equal number of 'feature articles' with photos for the subdivision as time went on. No other subdivision at the time, ran such an intensive campaign to promote itself. Examples of the ads' headlines- 'A Residential Park' -'ITS JUST A JOYOUS PLACE to LIVE' -'WHERE IT'S A PLEASURE to know YOUR NEIGHBORS' -'HOME --her World!' -'a big house of my own and my own wagon' -'The MAGIC EYE sees everything' [a camera obscura on the valley rim]- 'THE THINGS that LIVE are NOT just for TODAY'- A Home Place of Beautiful Lights' 'Where SPANISH ARCHITECTURE is a setting for your home' [See, Continuation Sheet #5] Emphasis was placad on the fact that the utilities of the tract were all 'in placa' - ornamental street lighting; sewer, gas & water mains to each lot; and concrete streets, curbs & sidewalks, as well as 'restricted architecturally' and the convenience of being only '17 minutes from Downtown'. Even the Nolan Plan's proposed 'boulevard system' would have bounded Kensington Heights on the North and East. At this time the nearest commercial zoned area was many blocks West of Kensington proper in Normal Heights. The Davis-Baker Co. therefore, provided for commercial zoning for the lots on the four corners of the intersection of Marlborough Dr. and Hilldale Road. A newspaper article, illustrated with architectural renderings of the proposed buildings stated, 'The structures will follow out the Southern California style of architecture. - a few selected and restricted shops will George H. Prudden House- 15 serve the need of the residents-'. The article refers to 'its architects', which would be Requa & Jackson. Only one of the set of buildings was built on the N/W corner of the intersection. It was occupied by a market for many years. It is in excellent condition and now occupied by offices. The spectacular views of Mission Valley and the Mission were continually highlighted in their advertising and articles. They had a camera obscure [The Magic Eye] installed on Palisades Drive valley rim, to attract buyers to the tract. The plans for the model home and its construction started in the Spring, but an unusual extended rainy season slowed the construction of it, as well as, the streets and utilities. The 'construction progress of the model home' was featured in a continuing series of photo articles: The carpenters at work framing; a photo of the 'Perfect Home's' South facade, rough stucco & raw dirt; The same view with the tile roof installed and the finished stucco exterior being inspected by Ragen & Co. executives [they financed the home's construction]. [see Continuation Sheet #3] Ads and articles invited the public to visit 'during all stages of construction'. A full page illustrated ad and a separate full page illustrated feature article in the 'San Diego Union' marked the official opening of the model home on Nov.14, 1926. [See Continuation Sheet#9] It was furnished by H. L. Benbough [See, Continuation Sheet #13] Requa's motion picture films of his Mediterranean trip, earlier in the year, were shown. Among the model homes furnishings it was stated that 'the Artist Maurice Braun loaned his paintings for the walls'. Requa, who had designed Braun's home, and was a close friend of he and his wife, Helen, undoubtedly was influential in securing the paintings. On Monday, Nov. 15, the newspaper reported that '5000 Pay Visit to Model Home'. The rapid sales of Unit 1 lots, hastened the opening of Unit 2 & 3. Unit 3 lots were distinguished by their canyon rim location & views, plus the fact that all the electric & telephone utilities underground. This was one of the 1st · subdivisions to incorporate this feature in its planning. Even the 'electrolier ornamental street lights' were unique to Kensington Heights. Their counterparts are seen in Pasadena. [See, Continuation Sheet #1] In addition to the 'architectural' and routine 'deed restrictions' of the era, Kensington Heights also had 'construction cost' and 'building site' restrictions. The former, on the physical look and cost of the home and the latter on its location on the lot. The front 'setback' for Marlborough Dr. was 30' vs. the generally used 15'. Although the concrete paved street was of the normal width for residential areas, the wide grass parkways and green lawns on both sides created a feeling of open spaciousness not found in the adjacent subdivisions. Although Acacia and Oleanders were the original parkway landscaping in Units 1 and 2, Canary Island Palms were used in Unit 3. Today's Palm lined parkways in Kensington Heights date from 1947-1948 when it was decided the original plantings were breaking up the sidewalks. An illustrated feature in the March, 1928, issue of 'San Diego Magazine' pointed out the advantages of Kensington Heights homeowners having access, to the East, of the adjacent Bell-Lloyd subdivision's lake and golf course, which was in the planning stages. This was the same group that developed Bellaire in the Los Angeles area. It was never built. Throughout 1928, a subdivision 'feature' appeared each month in the magazine. Davis-Baker Co. changed its advertising approach to a one full column ad every week in the 'San Piego Unjon'. They featured a variety of subjects, but all focused on the exclusive, restricted, up-scale nature of the neighborhood. Kensington Heights even had a song written about it that was featured on KGB Radio. On Tuesday and Friday, April 1Oth and 13th, Chuck Sheely and his Buccaneers featured it on the 'Kensington Heights Hour'. A replica of the sheet music and words, with a picture of Chuck, was in the April 8, 1928 'San Piego Union'. In the summer of 1928, a 'telescopia', similar to a periscope, was installed on the valley rim on Palisades Rd. to give the public 'closeup' views from lower Mission Valley to Mt. Helix. On the other side of the 'promotion spectrum', Davis-Baker Co. produced a 16-page booklet, 'Early pays of San .Pi!lQ.Q:, giving historic facts about the settling of San Diego. It was given to prospective buyers. Through 1928, the optimistic weekly ads and feature news articles continued. But the weakening national & local economy in 1929 began to show itself in the increasing number of homes for sale due to foreclosure, some of which had never been occupied. In an attempt to 'sugar coat' the ads, the homes were given Spanish such as, 'Rosetta', 'La Estrella' and the ad layout 'dressed' with borders. 'The National Real Estate Journal' featured an illustrated 5-page article by Harrison R. Baker. In it he describes the techniques they used to promote and build sales for the subdivision. One of his statements is 'Fortunately, at the head of the [architectural] committee was placed Richard S. Requa, authority on Mediterranean architecture, who has used his talents to perfect what he prefers to term 'California' architecture.' Baker authored an article on the impact of the new subdivisions on the City. In the October 1929 issue of :.s.m Diego Magazine', 'Modern Subdivision in San Diego', he states, 'It is almost superfluous to say that modern subdivisions in San Diego have transformed not only the appearance but the very spirit of the city. These subdivisions, dating scarcely longer than three years back, have not only gemmed San Diego with a truly splendid setting, but have been the means of George H. Prudden House - 16 attracting a more fastidious and wealthier class of people to the city, the result being that the whole character of San Diego has changed for the better'. In the Fall of 1929, Davis-Baker commissioned Requa to design a 'showcase' home for a valley rim lot on Ridgeway Drive in Unit 3. It is the antithesis of the 1926 Model Home. The two-story Living Room had a minstrel's gallery at one end and a 'seamless' bay window overlooking Mission Valley at the other. The Living and Dining Rooms opened onto a paved terrace with polychrome tile benches and a bubbling tile fountain similar to one in Spain's Alcazar Gardens. The tile roof ridges and unusual chimney tops are another 'Requa touch'. Again, Landscape Architect Milton P. Session was commissioned to landscape the project. Nothing was spared in its promotion in magazines and the newspapers, but the Great Depression was under way and the adjacent vacant lots remained unsold and empty until after WW II. During the 1930's, people did not have the money to build homes on 'expensive' lots, During WW II, there were no materials. In the 1950's both money and materials were available, and a surplus of Military Families decided to call San Diego 'home'. The residential building 'boom' began. Unfortunately, architecturally for Kensington Heights, the Architectural Deed Restrictions had also expired. The result was a number of 'cookie cutter floorplans' with a 50's look scattered throughout the subdivision. However, the Davis-Baker concept of 'selling the prestige' of the subdivision is still as strong today among its homeowners, as in 1926. G. Conclusions The George H. Prudden House is eligible for registration on the City of San Diego's Register of Historic Sites. It's three-fold· historic significance is evidenced by- First owned and occupied by a Pioneer in San Diego's Aviation History, whose company stills plays an important roll in the City's and the International economy- The residence was designed by a nationally recognized Architect, Richard S. Requa, AlA who used it to visibly express his concept of 'Southern California Architecture' - It is located in a Subdivision that at its inception was representational of this Architectural Style. It carries the same 'focal point of prestige' today, as it was designed to do in 1926. George H. Prudden House - 17 H. Appendix One - Chain of Title Lot 1, Blk 8, Kensington Heights, Unit 1, Map 1875 Apri I 8, 1926 Union Title & Trust Co. to George & Marie Forbes April14,1926 George & Marie Forbes to Union Title & Trust Co. Jan, 16,1927 Union Title & Trust Co. to George H & Nancy Margaret Prudden Aug. 8,1929 George H & Nancy Margaret Prudden to George T. Forbes & Harrison R. Baker Dec. 12, 1929 George T. Forbes and Marie Forbes and Harrison R. Baker and Grace M. Baker to C. C. Ingram Dec.13, 1929 C. C. Ingram Deed of Trust to Union Title & Trust Co. Sept. 12, 1930 C. C. Ingram Defaulted to George T. Forbes 1/2 & Harrison R. Baker 1/4 & R. D. Davis 1/4 interest Dec.31, 1931 George T. Forbes 1/2 & Harrison R. Baker 1/4 & R. D. Davis 1/4 interest Quit Claim to Southern Investment Co. June 30, 1932 Southern Investment Co. to Bay City Building & Loan Association Nov.30, 1934 Bay City Building & Loan Association to Henry T. Bruneau & Cecilia Bruneau Mar.12, 1940 Henry T. Bruneau & Cecilia Bruneau to Janie L. Porter July 26,1941 Janie L. Porter to Wilfred B. Field & Edna J. Field July 30,1942 Wilfred B. Field & Edna J. Field to William P. Connell & Claire Dick Dec.13, 1942 William P. Connell & Claire Dick Connell to William R. Dick, Jr. Dec.13, 1.942 William R. Dick, Jr. to William P. Connell & Claire Dick Connell Mar.12, 1945 William P. Connell & Claire Dick Connell to Reynaldo J. & Helen T. Rivera July 25,1946 Reynaldo J. & Helen T. Rivera to Raymond R. & Ruth E. Jones Sept.14, 1948 Raymond R. & Ruth E. Jones to Harry Jay Lang & Anne Taylor Lang & Dorothy Root Wight & James Edwin Root Dec.17, 1957 Dept. of Veteran Affairs of California to Anne Taylor Lang Nov.12,1965 Anne T. Lang to Duain V. Northrop & A. M. Northrop Nov.29, 1971 Duain V. Northrop & A. M. Northrop to James Hansen Nov.28, 1975 James Hansen to Robert Agajeenian July 28,1983 Executors Deed San Diego Trust & Savings Bank to Jeffery J. Lipscomb Sept. 2,1983 Jeffery J. Lipscomb to Parker H. Jackson George H. Prudden House - 18 H. Appendix Two George H. Prudden 1st's in Aviation a. First to design and build an all-metal airplane in the United States. b. First to use Chrome Molybdenum steel in airplane. c. First to develop and employ mathematical precision in design of internally trussed wings. d. First to develop and use the pneumatic rivet hammer in airplane construction. e. First to transport an automobile by air. f. First to develop and use the drop hammer in the Aviation Industry. g. First to design and build a low-wing air transport plane in the United States. h. First to install radial engines on the leading edge of a wing. i. Firt to design and build a purely monocoque wing structure. From George H. Prudden's Biography on file at Lockheed Aircraft Co. George H. Prudden House. 19 H. Appendix Three California State Department of Parks and Recreation Historic Property Recording Forms DPR 523A: Primary Form DPR 5238: Building, Structure and Object Form DPR 523J: Location Map DPR 523K: Sketch Map DPR 523L: Continuation Sheets 1 • 28