The Lost Neighborhood of Bunker Hill, Los Angeles: Decline During the Inter-War Period (1918-1941)

Adrienne D. Jaime Mentor: Dr. Eileen V. Wallis McNair Scholars Program History Department California Polytechnic Pomona Dorothy Chandler Walt Disney Pavilion/ Concert Hall Music Center

Bunker Hill c. 2010, as seen from Los Angeles City Hall, looking west/southwest Research Question

• During Inter-war period (roughly 1918-1941) Bunker Hill seen as a slum by city leaders.

Research question: “Was Bunker Hill truly a ‘slum’ in need of redevelopment? Or were there other motivating factors that might explain Los Angeles’ support of redevelopment of this neighborhood?”

• Research seeks to disprove the notion that Bunker Hill was truly a slum during this era, thus countering the prevailing historical narrative about this part of Los Angeles Works Progress Administration (WPA) 1940 Model of Bunker Hill from 3rd Street http://www.usc.edu/dept/LAS/history/historylab/LAPUHK/Locations/Bunker_Hill/BH_NHM_1940/BH_NHM PAN 71cm.JPG Background

• Bunker Hill was an upper class Gilded Age neighborhood in Downtown L.A.

• Inhabitants were social elite

• Decline following World War I (1914-1918) and into the Great Depression

• Leveled in the 1960s to make way for high rises 325 S. Bunker Hill Ave.-The Castle (D.F. Donegan Residence) circa 1903 during the La Fiesta de la Flores Parade. Courtesy of Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection Source: http://jpg3.lapl.org/pics13/00026465.jpg Bunker Hill Circa 1903 (view from Third Street).

Courtesy of the Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection. Background: Inter-war Period (1918-1941)

• By this time many prominent families had moved from the area

• Many mansions became boarding houses

• Neighborhood attracted middle class and working class

• Developers and city want to redevelop the Hill: -C.C. Bigelow proposes demolishing Hill (1928) -Wm. Babcock and Sons propose redevelopment (1931) View of Angels Flight from 3rd & Olive Streets (1930s). Source: http://www.uncanny.net/~wetzel/angelsflight-8590.jpg Bunker Hill c. 1990, looking west.

Source: http://uncanny.net/~wetzel/bunkerhill.htm#decline 1940s “slum tenement” on Bunker Hill

Photo originally from Los Angeles Public Library Photo Archive Source: http://www.kcet.org/updaily/socal_focus/history/la-as-subject/rediscovering-the-lost- neighborhood-of-bunker-hill.html Methodology • Analysis of documents and resources pertaining to Bunker Hill • Primary sources: Federal census records, housing records (WPA 1939 census), newspaper articles, photographs, maps. etc. • Secondary resources: books, studies, academic papers • Utilization of local archives and collections Methodology

• Case studies built to further analyze the shifts in demographics and population living on Bunker Hill during this period a.) Specific houses chosen b.) Analysis of directories, census records, local history for data on each property Findings

At least 3 of the residences selected were inhabited by the original family as redevelopment began: a) Foss, Larronde and McKenzie residences. • Lodgers of various residences were either retired or had employment. b) Other motivating factors that might explain Los Angeles’ support of redevelopment of this neighborhood? • Some saw Bunker Hill as a nuisance due to the rise of the car. • Real estate boom in 1920s. • L.A. Times pro-redevelopment ( interests of Harry Chandler ?). The Hildreth Mansion in the 1920’s.

Source: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4vgvjSwFbW8/TIWIl8uoLTI/AAAAAAAAAIo/WCn3utcWUTE/s1600/hildreth. jpg Lewis Leonard Bradbury's mansion, located on the corner of Hill and Court streets circa 1890 (left).

Courtesy of L.A.Water & Power Source: http://waterandpower.org/museum/Early_LA_Build ings%20(1800s)_Page_3.html

Bradbury mansion circa 1927 (right).

Courtesy of L.A. Water & Power Source: http://waterandpower.org/museum/Early_LA_Buildings %20(1800s)_Page_3.html Findings and Significance

• The data shows the people on the Hill were not simply “slum people”. The Hill was still a vibrant community at the time it was redeveloped.

• Attempts to “redevelop” the Hill began earlier than scholars had previously assumed. Thank You for Your Time.

Special Thanks to:

• The McNair Scholars Program. Including its dedicated coordinators & scholars.

• Cal Poly Pomona

• Dr. Eileen V.Wallis

• Ms. Eriksson &Mrs. Lopez of the CPP Library Special Collections.

• UC Berkeley

• Family & friends.

Bunker Hill as Test Track circa 1924. Source: http://www.corbisimages.com/images/HU013945.jpg?size=67&uid=b87ed1da-5497-4433-b35d- ad4ebcc0aed3&uniqID=d8792ebf-e4df-4e25-a446-d44387f0da84