Volume 17, No 2 Spring 2007

2nd Annual May Rancho Monterey Showcases Day Celebration

“Spring into May” Day on Saturday, April 28 California Furniture, Ceramics from 1pm – 4pm at Long Beach Drake Park (Corner 10th St. at 951 Maine), and the Bembridge Heritage Homesite (953 Park Circle).

Activities will include: • Maypole dancing, Arts, Crafts, Games, Story Telling, Face Paint- ing, Food & Health Fair • A Historic tour of the Bembridge Homesite. Those visiting the 1906 Victorian style Bem- bridge home will be taken back to 1932, as costumed actors portraying family mem- bers discuss the home and events of the day. Suggested donation $2 for Adults, Chiildren under 13 free.

Sponsored by: Long Beach Heritage and the Bembridge Heritage Homesite, Drake Park, representing the LB Parks Dept., Will- Above: This chair and dresser are on display as part an exhibit of more City Heritage, The Willmore Neighbor- Spanish Revival and Mexican Decorative Arts in California at the hood Police Center, Mexican Culture Bal- California Heritage Museum. let Folklorico, Friends’ House at Drake Park, Right: “Dancer Tile” from the Rancho Monterey exhibit. St. Mary Medical Center, The Long Beach Health Department and Councilmember by Stan Poe Bonnie Lowenthal. Rancho Monterey, an exhibit of Spanish Revival and Mexican Decorative Arts in Contact: Mary Kay Nottage, California, is currently being presented Long Beach Heritage 562.493.7019 by California Heritage Museum in Santa in other factories, artists who worked in Or Chair – Karen Clements 562.430.2790 Monica. This exhibit should be of partic- all media, and decorators responded Web address: www.lbheritage.org ular interest to anyone living in a Span- with a plethora of colorful designs and e-mail: [email protected] ish Colonial Revival home. It showcases a romantic view of “California ranchos” Monterey and rancho style furniture, that captured the imagination of new California ceramics and tile, Mexican residents arriving from the east and the ceramics, tourist-wares, costumes, and midwest. works by artists including Phil Paradise, Also on display are numerous examples W.H.D. Koerner, Hernando Villa, and Juan of tiles, tables, murals, ceramics by His- Intenoche. pano-Moresque and D & M Tiles, as well Monterey furniture was first conceived as historic photographs. by the Mason Furniture Manufactur- The California Heritage Museum is easy ing Company in Los Angeles around to access. From the 405 freeway, take the 1930. The company was approached 10 freeway west toward Santa Monica by Barker Brothers Department Store to and exit on Lincoln Blvd. Turn left and develop a line that would present some- proceed to Pico, where a right turn will thing new and refreshing to the public, get you to Main Street. Turn left and drive complement the home styles, and revive to 2612 Main St. Hours are 11:00 a.m. to business during the depression. It was 4:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. an instant success, and a tour of this ex- There is a very good restaurant in a Vic- hibit will show you why. Furniture makers torian house across the way. Advocacy Message Committee from the Report John Thomas VP Advocacy Committee President In the last Advocacy Report, we failed to recognize the City of Long Beach Planning The concern over mansionization of and Building Department for their work de- Long Beach seems to be growing. veloping the opportunity to fund the City’s Since my column in the last news- first Historic Preservation Element (HPE) in letter, neighborhood groups have the General plan. This is a major milestone gathered to discuss the problem for our organization and for all those inter- which appears to be spreading at ested in maintaining our precious historic an alarming rate. I was well aware and cultural resources. We applaud the ef- of the problem in the beach areas, forts of the Planning and Building Depart- but did not realize how serious it ment and the staff members who played was becoming in other areas. The a significant role promoting the need for Belmont Heights Neighborhood As- the HPE! sociation held a meeting recently On February 15, 2007 the Planning Com- to address the issue which was well mission approved the Press Telegram build- attended by residents, city staff, and ing project which included the Meeker- preservation groups. Baker Building, but this project has been I conducted a bus tour a short while appealed to the City Council. Without the The house is one of the oldest ones review and amendments of the downtown ago for members of the “Leadership on the Peninsula, yet it is in remark- Long Beach” class which toured the development guide known as PD-30, staff ably good condition. Originally had a series of recommendations which entire city, as well as the historic dis- a craftsman style home with pan- tricts. I was amazed at the scale of did not include approving all the vari- eled walls, bay windows with win- ances requested by the developer. buildings in areas which are out- dow seats, and the usual built-ins The City will institute an aggressive out- side the historic districts, but whose and fireplaces upstairs and down, reach program as the Planning Depart- charm and ambiance are being it has tremendous views from all of ment begins the General Plan amend- disrupted by overscaled homes cov- the rooms. ering most of the lot and overpower- ment process. This is exciting news which ing the streetscape. The house had received a little un- will lead to creating “built-in precautions sympathetic re-decorating, prob- One such example is on Linden in and processes” necessary for proactive ably in the 1960s when the dormer historic preservation and adaptive reuse. the Cerritos/Virginia Country Club roofs were extended, but it is emi- neighborhood. In the middle of the Land use, zoning, parking, density, mass- nently restorable. At approximately ing and traffic issues will be imperative block stands a new home which 2,000 square feet, the footprint of seems to combine every incongru- to maintaining our historic fiber. The Gen- the house still leaves a yard on eral Plan is designed to include city de- ous detail available from a building three sides. supply store. velopment up to the year 2030 and Long Unfortunately the house faces de- Beach Heritage will provide input to help Architects previously took care to molition by the new owner who al- shape it to preserve our historic and cul- break up the masses and planes ready owns a new three story “Span- tural resources. to achieve an aesthetically pleas- ish style” structure two doors away ing presentation. That is not the Many projects within historically sensi- which covers almost the entire lot. tive areas of Long Beach are on hold or case with the new structure on Lin- His reported intent is to demolish the den. there are several more exam- in the process of project review. The Ad- historic house and replace it with a vocacy Committee continues to play a ples in the Cerritos area with the “Mc Mansion.” same effect. leading role to keep matters of historic Neighborhoods whose ambiance preservation and adaptive reuse high Just because you can build to is dependent on the existing struc- on the agendas of city staff, boards, and within three feet of the property line tures, landscapes, and scale of commissions. Recently, Long Beach Heri- doesn’t mean that you should. I buildings need to work together with tage was cited as “a formidable preserva- found it amusing that the house on the support of city council members tion organization to be recognized with in Linden, which is not yet complete, is and the city to establish some de- Long Beach” by city staff. We believe this for sale by the owner! sign guidelines, so that owners can is due to our respectful diligence in mat- I received a call last week about an- develop their properties in ways that ters of historic preservation and continual other home, built prior to 1917, on the will enhance the community rather building of partnerships. Peninsula facing the Pacific Ocean than degrade their overall charm. There have been many recent activities on the boardwalk at 60th Place. —Stan Poe See Advocacy Page 6 2 Another Lost Building by Louise Ivers The KFOX studio had a tall radio tower During the last week of January, the former atop the roof that still remains at the rear of KFOX broadcasting station at 220 East the vacant lot. It resembles a huge metal Anaheim Street was demolished. This brick sculpture, but its fate is uncertain. masonry building was constructed in 1928 Unfortunately, no one in the Long Beach for the Truck Tire Service Company by con- Office of Historic and Neighborhood Pres- tractor W. P. Allen. ervation was informed about the immi- Somewhat damaged in the 1933 earth- nent demolition of the KFOX studio, one quake that was centered in Long Beach, of the few Streamline Moderne structures it was remodeled with an Art Moderne fa- that remained on Anaheim Street, a thor- çade that year. Its ornamental motifs in- oughfare that once was lined with numer- cluded piers with repeated horizontal lines ous Art Deco buildings. on the capitals and a small curved mar- The brick bearing walls of the broadcast- quise over the entrance on the first story. ing station had been reinforced in compli- KFOX Building. Photo by Chris Launi On the second floor the piers terminated ance with city seismological regulations, in a series of vertical lines, balanced by so it could have been incorporated into along the major transportation corridors in horizontal bands above the windows, the new mixed use development slated Long Beach and will dramatically change characteristics of the Streamline Moderne for the site. This is a typical example of the face of a city once renowned for its Art architecture of the thirties. the wholesale demolition that is going on Deco architecture. Advocacy Membership Report March 2007 cont’d from page 2 Benefactor Karen & Dick Clements Nancy & Chas Merrill with the Queen Mary lease hold and de- Joseph Prevratil & Howard Bell - Gloria Raven & Dick Coleman Ana Maria & Kevin McGuan velopment opportunities. A new coalition RMS Queen Mary Leamel Comparette Harriet Miller has been formed to serve as a critical Nancy Conover Bettye Mitchell conduit to the RMS Queen Mary Founda- Sustainer Vicki & James Cunningham Elaine & Denny Moore The Ackerman Family William Cwiklo Catherine & Frank Morley tion, the City and any new lease holder. Judy Edson Richard Mosely The timeliness of this group and their mis- Sponsors Robert & Dorothy Elkins Bry Myown sion is no coincidence. The future of the Kenneth Walker – F&M Bank Anne & Bob Emigh Maureen Neeley Queen Mary and restoration efforts are at Robert & Scarlett Finney John Oberacker a pivotal point in the history of the ship in Patrons Don Foltz Marty O’Malley Lynn Brandt Joanne France Long Beach. Major public policy support Jan Ostashay Mike & Andrea Burrous Carol & Jack Frank and vision will be required to secure the Dan & Peggy Peterson Laura Killingsworth Steve & Michelle Gerdes future of this precious community asset Mary Lou Martin & Chris Byrne Jim & Ria Gerdts Sharon & Ken Pleshek and prescribe restoration and program- Patty Moore & Jean Shapen Jonathan Glasgow Peggy Porter ming objectives. Terence & Anna Ulaszewski Kathryn Gregory Roger Peter Porter Marta & Rob Griffin Richard Powers Please continue to monitor our web site as Contributors Joan Gustafson Maria & Tim Price we build the preservation link to keep you Charles & Judith Albert Nini & Steve Horn Linda Reabe all posted about upcoming meetings and Barbara Barnes Harriett Ibbetson Ron Rector calls for action to help the Long Beach Her- Betty Chaney Louise Ivers Gary Roderick itage mission of protecting and sustaining Dawna & Gary DeLong Steve Iverson Ed Sanchez wonderful historic and cultural resources. Bob & Nancy Foster Marisol & Kerry Jablonski Judy & Paul Schmidt James Hayes Cheryl Jacobs Norbert Schurer Layne Johnson Tracie Jahn Iris Schutz Jonathan & Lynn Mott Jeffrey Jeannette Kenneth & Ruth Schwartz Meg O’Toole Harvey Keller Pamela Seager Share Local History Melinda Roney & Walter Wojak Eve Kilger Renee Simon Jenny & David Shlemmer Laura Killingsworth The Signal Tribune Newspaper wants Matthew Sloan Mary Ellen & Bud Kilsby to borrow historical photos for their Ilona & Robert Sorem Preservationist Betty Anne Kirkpatrick Fred Spitzkeit “Reminiscing” feature. Share your Sarah & Craid Arnold Mary Klingensmith Mary Sullivan & John Sanders photographs with over 25,000 read- Glenn & Anne Baker Geraldine Knatz Betty Sunofsky ers in the Long Beach neighborhoods Ray & Wanda Lee Berbower Katherine Bruce Kramer of Bixby Knolls, California Heights, Los Michael & Kathleen Bohn Lucy & Duane Kuster John Thomas Charlene Bosl Nancy & Bob Latimer Joan & Joseph Van Hooten Cerritos, Wrigley Heights and the City Ilana & Allen Brackett Ruthann Lehrer John & Patricia Walker of Signal Hill. Michelle Bridges Jan & Michael Leight Susan & David Waller For more information call (562) 427- Karen & Allan Weiss Nancy Brown Kathy Lingle 8678 or send an email to newspaper@ Claudine & Paul Burnett Janet Marsh Dorothy & Fred Wise signaltribune.com. Darrell & Sue Cannon Burt & Norma Marter George Wise Michael Caponigro Carol MCCafferty Christina Yanis Photo credit will be provided.

2 3 Great Homes Is Your Home A Kit House? of Long Beach

Molina House in Naples Canal. Photo by Chris Launi

The 2007 “Great Homes of Long Beach” self-guided tour will take place on Sun- day, June 3rd from noon until five pm. We will present six architecturally dis- Kit House. Photo by Chris Launi tinguished homes built during the first By Catherine Morley sold over 75,000 kit homes. third of the twentieth century. Three of Reprinted by permission from the Bluff Heights Ordering directly from a catalog entitled the homes are located in Naples, one in Neighborhood Association Newsletter Book of Modern Homes and Building Belmont Heights, and two in the Los Cer- Plans, prospective buyers enjoyed the ritos/Virginia Country Club area. Over 100,000 kit houses were built in the United States between l908 & l940.Many convenience and affordability of a pre- While the tour fulfills the educational ob- people live in kit houses without know- fabricated dwelling. These homes came in jectives of Long Beach Heritage, the pro- ing the historical and architectural signifi- a wide variety of styles, designs and prices. ceeds of the event are dedicated to the cance of these homes. The purchaser would receive all of the nec- essary supplies in shipments by rail car. restoration and support of the historic Kit homes began in l906 with Aladdin Bembridge House, a landmark owned Homes of Bay City, Michigan. In l908 Sears, A typical house could fit into two box cars by our organization. Roebuck and Co entered in the market which contained 30,000 pieces, including Each year Heritage volunteers work for and became the largest company provid- 750 pounds of nails, 27 gallons of paint weeks to develop the Great Homes tour. ing this type of construction. In the years and a 75 page instruction book. Please know that we expect the event to that followed, Wardway Homes (Montgom- They would be assembled by either the sell out, with over 600 visitors and volun- ery Ward), Harris Homes of Chicago, The new homeowner or a local contractor. teers participating. Ticket sales will begin Ready Built House Company and Robin- Sears estimated the average carpenter at the end of April, so keep an eye out for son’s also got into the kit home market. would charge $450 to assemble those a postcard that will supply you with all Perhaps due to their market share Sears 30,000 pieces. Prices to purchase the the applicable details. You don’t want Roebuck is the most well-known of kit homes ranged from $600 to $6,000. to miss it! home manufacturers. They produced and See Kit House Page 5 Obituaries: LBH says good-bye to three historic preservationists

The historic preservation community sadly during World War II, a buyer of wom- and articles as well. She came to Long lost three great ladies in the month of en’s apparel, and worked in the Dean Beach in 1913 and lived in a farm house March. of Students’ office at Long Beach City near Jotham Bixby’s bean fields. She -be Rae LaForce died on March 11 in San College. In 1990 Rae moved to San Cle- gan her writing career in 1921 with a story ­Clemente at the age of 91. She was in- mente, where she was active in the His- about a faithful dog in The Daily Telegram. strumental in saving the Harriman Jones torical Society and the preservation of Hazel Ellis died on March 18 in Wichita, Clinic (now Rite Aid) at the corner of the Casa Romantica, the city founder’s Kansas at the age of 92. She was the chair Cherry Avenue and Broadway in Long home on the bluff. of the Long Beach Heritage mailing com- Beach. It was designed by Kenneth S. Loretta Berner, who was a founder of the mittee for a number of years. The mailings Wing in 1930 and Rae fought for twelve Historical Society of Long Beach, died were always efficient and on time under years with the developers to keep its Re- here at the age of 97. She was instru- her leadership. A graduate of U.C.L.A., Ha- naissance Revival façade. She was also mental in creating the volunteer docent zel worked at Long Beach City College for involved with efforts to preserve the his- programs at Rancho Los Cerritos and 20 years and volunteered at the campus toric core of the city and to institute an Rancho Los Alamitos. She wrote A Step for another 20 years. effective street trees program. Back in Time and edited Shades of the We will always remember these three Rae was voted Preservationist of the Past, published by the Historical Society preservationists for their enthusiasm, Year by Long Beach Heritage in 2002. of Long Beach. dedication, and willingness to serve wor- She was an officer in the Marine Corps Loretta collaborated on many other books thy causes. 4 Get Ready For Music at the Bembridge House What’s up at The Bembridge Homesite Committee is de- lighted to make the following announce- the Bembridge ment: There will be music—once again— at the Historic Bembridge House on Friday, Homesite May 18th at 7:00 pm. Join us for an evening of chamber music, a The driveway at the Bembridge house historic tour, and champagne reception. has been completed and looks won- derful. The carriage house is in the last Seating is limited; for reservations call phase of restoration and it will soon be (562) 493-7019. $50 tax deductible dona- painted and the windows will be reha- tion. Proceeds to benefit the piano fund. bilitated. Our committee has been at work estab- The roses that Linda Renner planted are lishing ties with our public schools and col- lovely and are blooming profusely. Three leges, as well as Long Beach Symphony, pieces of furniture are in the process of Bembridge Carriage House Long Beach Opera, Music Teachers Asso- being upholstered under the guidance ciation and other cultural organizations, to of Catherine Morley and Stan Poe. a great day for families. reinstate the Bembridge House as a house of music and community cultural center. We are so pleased to have twelve won- Members of Long Beach Heritage: this Once the Steinway pianos (now badly in derful docents in training. Claudine Bur- is your house! Please support our ac- need of repair) are up to performing stan- nett and Carol Ann Smith are working tivities. Send donations, and volunteer dards again, we are on our way! Your pres- with the group so they will be ready to at The Bembridge Heritage Homesite. ence and your support at this elegant cul- take third grade children on tours soon. Thanks to all who have already made tural event will bring us that much closer to The May Day program on April 28 will be contributions. realizing our dream. Call early for tickets. Kit House cont’d from page 4 Windows—An Open and Shut Case By: Catherine Morley ify that the same materials as the original How to tell if your home is Preprinted by permission from the Bluff Heights ones should be used for restoration when a Sears Kit Home: Neighborhood Association Newsletter ever possible. Whenever any exterior reno- Every piece of framing lumber was num- vation is done on a home the City of Long When planning to remodel or restore an older bered at the factory for assembly at the Beach, the Cultural Heritage Commission home there are many issues to address. construction site. Look for framing num- and/or the Preservation Officer must ap- bers and the Sears logo on the beams Questions as to what to do with deterio- prove it. Replacing existing wood framed in your attic and under the house. Also, rating wooden windows are often a ma- windows with picture, sliding aluminum, or the Sears logo may be seen on door- jor subject for discussion and decision. vinyl windows, is not considered appropri- knobs, hinges and miscellaneous hard- Whether the home is a California Bunga- ate for historic properties. As well, enlarg- ware. Check inside built-in cabinets, cup- low, Spanish Revival, Tudor Revival, Victo- ing or reducing openings or changing the boards and drawers for numbers as well. rian, or Neo-Traditional, the original win- shape of the window should be avoided. If Look in the eaves in the attic. Sometimes dows are a key architectural detail and a window has been altered with an inap- building plans and the instruction book help to define its visual character. propriate style and a remodel is performed, have been tucked away. Check with your Older homes often have many windows it should be restored to its original material. neighbors. As Sears homes were often as they provided needed light, in the days A wood window does require mainte- built in groups their home may be a kit before the extensive use of electricity. Also, nance. At best you can expect a good house or they may know of others in the window placement was designed to allow paint job to last 10 – 15 years. If your win- neighborhood. Check at the County Tax ocean breezes for natural air conditioning. dows are not operable think about replac- Assessors office and building records at Windows in a Bungalow are an important ing the sash chains, lubricating the pulleys, City Hall.It is possible to locate old copies feature rooted in the philosophy of the Arts and installing weather stripping. This can of catalogs with illustrations of designs to and Crafts movement of the early twenti- be done for approximately $120 –150 per identify your home. eth century. Harmony with nature was a window or less if you do it yourself. If you think your home could be a kit primary focus in Bungalow design and ex- The use of vinyl windows as replacements for house more information is available on tensive windows brought the outdoors into the original wooden ones totally changes the line through sources such as : www.old- the house. The predominant window styles character of a house. Homeowners choose houseweb.com, Also, there are many are either double hung, many with distinc- them because they think they are less expen- books available on the subject. “ The tive mullion patterns or casement windows sive than restoring or replacing the original Houses That Sears Built: Everything You opening with on hinges on the side. wood. Studies show, however, that the typi- Ever Wanted To Know About Sears Cata- Historic Designated Neighborhoods under cal life span of a vinyl replacement window log Homes” by Rosemary Thornton and the ordinance of the City of Long Beach is approximately 10-15 years. In fact, investing “Houses By Mail” by Katherine Cole are are regulated by the Secretary of the Inte- in wood frames which suit the homes original good resources to start on your detective rior’s Guidelines for Historic Properties in the style will last longer, increase resale value and search adventure. State of California. These guidelines spec- keep the historical integrity of the home. 4 5 Terra Incognita Depicts Landscape Hollywood Bowl Trip Set For July 28 Flash! Mark your calendars now to at- tend our 9th Annual Evening at Casa Alegre and the Hollywood Bowl on Sat- urday, July 28th. Last year it was a sellout with a wait- ing list. Reservations are already coming in so we suggest you call to- day and book so as not to miss out. Tickets are $90 per person for members and $95 for non-members. This includes transportation by chartered bus from Long Beach, a sumptuous dinner with open bar, tour of the multi-level Spanish home built in 1924 and padded seats at the Bowl. Of course, the finale will be “West Gateway” by Sarah Arnold. the spectacular fireworks display. Sarah Arnold, a long time member of Long Beach Heritage and a recipient of the Volun- So join LB Heritage and our hosts Rick teer of the Year award, is one of four artists whose paintings are displayed in an exhibi- Hobbs and Brad Seeley for a wonderful tion at the California State University Dominguez Hills Art Gallery. Titled “Terra Incognita,” social not to be missed. See you there! the exhibit consists of contemporary landscapes. Sarah’s plein air works portray scenes This years Bowl date will be a memora- in Long Beach and Echo Park. The opening reception is April 4 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. and ble evening with the soulful and 7 time the exhibit continues through April 25. The campus is located at 1000 East Victoria Street Grammy-winner, Gladys Knight who in Carson. Visitor parking permits may be purchased for $3.00 at the yellow dispensing along with the L.A. Philharmonic Orches- machine in Lot 6 (behind LaCorte Hall where the gallery is located). tra, will perform many of her classic hits. Belmont Heights Spurred to Action Over Increase in Tear-Downs The National Trust for Historic Preservation • Since the year 2000, about 3 homes ones, maintain a strong market appeal calls it “an alarming epidemic.” A quick per year were greatly remodeled or of their own. Architectural detailing, high- search on the Internet produces scores of rebuilt. In the first two months of 2007, quality materials, craftsmanship, a historic articles about it. Neighbors stand on street 9 homes were either totally gone or past and charm still matter to many buyers corners, metaphorically wringing their down to the studs. looking for homes. Once these homes are hands about its impact on their commu- • The vast majority of the homes af- gone, they cannot be replaced. nity. What is “it”? Tear Downs. fected were built before 1930. Out-of-scale homes break the established With ballooning real estate prices nearing • A power point presentation showed building patterns of the area. Livability the popping range, developers and some the effect these remodeled/rebuilt is eroded in surrounding and adjacent home owners have scoped out older homes homes have on the streetscape and houses (yards become shaded, air circu- in established neighborhoods where the ex- context of the neighborhood. lation is reduced, noise can become “tun- neled,” views are degraded). New houses isting square footage can be maximized by Seven impacts of “mansionization” were with orientation toward the automobile re- rebuilding a new “lot-to-lot” structure. discussed, based on data compiled from duce neighborhood socializing. This scenario is being played out all over sources such as the Wall Street Journal, Long Beach. In Belmont Heights, the resi- Business Week and the National Trust for Third District Councilman, Gary DeLong, dents decided they had better convene Historic Preservation. then encouraged the community to study this issue and he offered his support for to discuss the future of their neighborhood Initially, the large-scale new homes pull up any recommended actions. Angela Reyn- before there isn’t much neighborhood left prices of existing properties, but once the olds, Advance Planner for the city, spoke to discuss. real estate market corrects, these homes about the current permit and zoning pro- denigrate the entire neighborhood be- Concerned by a near-500% increase in de- cess. It became quite clear that there are cause the lasting economic value of the molitions and major remodels since 2005, at very few controls on demolitions in non-his- whole community has been reduced by least 100 people packed the auditorium of toric designated neighborhoods. Fremont Elementary School on February 28, the reduction in charm and livability. A consensus was reached based on the 2007. The Heights Preservation Committee Speculators see the opportunity for a large re- majority of the audience who spoke and the began the Public Forum with an introduc- turn on their investments and create homes 70 surveys collected: Belmont Heights needs tion of the committee members: Co-Chairs that are designed for quick resale rather than some type of special zoning that will allow Marc Coleman and Maureen Neeley, Mem- for neighborhood compatibility. Mixed-in- for controlled growth and preservation of the bers Bette McKinney, Dianne Sundstrom, come communities can become homoge- character of the neighborhood. To that end, Paul Murname, Marky Morel, Grace Parris, neous, upper-class enclaves—single people, the BHCA sub-committee is exploring vari- Craig Starnes, and Elizabeth Lambe. older couples, young families and renters are ous ordinances and zoning overlay options priced out of the neighborhood. The Committee presented a snapshot with the city staff. A plan of action will be pre- of data: Older, well-preserved homes, including small sented at the April 11th BHCA meeting.

6 2007 Awards Benefit a Huge Success! Long Beach

The Long Beach Heritage 2007 Awards Dan Banquet was a wonderful evening, spot- Roberts, Navy Memorial lighting the 2007 Long Beach Heritage Maureen Preservation Award Winners. Maureen Nee- Neely and Stan ­Heritage ley was named Preservationist of the Year. Poe at Other awards went to Mikle Norton and the 2007 ­Association Chris Myint for the restoration of their Arts Awards and Crafts style residence and to the Rose Benefit. 2006-07 Grant Towers, lovingly restored by a dedicated Photo by group of residents. Chris Launi In the Grand Salon aboard the Queen ­Announcements Mary, 200 guests generated over $5,000 at The Long Beach Navy Memorial Heri- the Silent Auction, benefiting Long Beach tage Association (LBNMHA), a non-profit Heritage. The auction was run by Bobbi 501(c)(3) organization, was incorpo- Burket and included:L A Clippers VIP tick- accompanied by wine and completed rated in 1998 as a funding source for his- ets, a Disneyland Club 33 package, framed by the Queen Mary signature Chocolate cityscape photographs taken by J. Christo- toric preservation projects within the City Decadence Cake.It was a lovely evening, of Long Beach. pher Launi, and antique objets d’art. recognizing the contributions of the 2007 With partial underwriting from the Queen Award Winners, furthering the work Long The LBNMHA endowment resulted from Mary, Joseph Prevatil and Howard Bell, Beach Heritage, preservation of our archi- a mitigation agreement with the Port of the dinner consisted of a lovely fillet duet tectural past. Long Beach, following the Port’s acqui- sition and demolition of the Roosevelt Base Historic District at the former Long Beach Naval Station. The intent of the mitigation agreement was to lessen the Long Beach Art Deco 101 impact on the community caused by the destruction of this World War II Era John Thomas campus of buildings, designed by Paul Co-Author of Long Beach Art Deco Revere Williams. The term “Art Deco” designates a popu- Under the terms of that agreement, lar style during the 1920s and 30s, but the trustees utilize the endowment to was not actually coined until the late foster and support the identification, 1960s. stabilization, restoration, and interpre- tation of historic resources, sites, and The 1925 Paris Exposition International archival documentation within the des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Mod- municipal boundaries of the City of ernes launched the new decorative el- Long Beach. ements in architecture. The discovery of King Tut’s Tomb in 1922 also opened the The following grants will be awarded door for the use of bold colors, chev- at a ceremony on April 19th at the his- rons and zig-zags. The Art Deco style toric Bembridge House in Drake Park. It immediately appealed to designers in is with great pleasure that the LBNMHA America in the “roaring 20s.” announces funding for the following projects: Today we see it as a symbol of deca- dence and extravagance, qualities • $25,000 to be awarded to Rose Towers Krempel and Erkes architects. Bank of Italy Building, (c. 1928) for Phase II of their exterior their generation embraced. Architec- 1930. Photo by Louise Ivers ture, jewelry, the movie industry and restoration project. fashion were all heavily influenced by Another factor that shaped Long Beach • $50,000 to be awarded to St. John Mis- the “new” style. architecture was the 1933 earthquake. sionary Baptist Church (c. 1923) for the Because of the unique factors that The Streamline Moderne of the 30s fea- stabilization, resealing and reframing shaped the history of Long Beach, the tured sleekly simplified lines and nauti- of one historic stained glass window. city has many commercial buildings cal styling influenced by steamships. • $47,175 to be awarded to Rancho Los from the 1920s and 1930s. Many buildings in our city once Alamitos for the restoration of the 1921 The Zigzag Moderne was the style that had Streamlined Moderne façades Olmsted designed Jacaranda Walk grew out of the 1925 Paris Exposition added to their brick walls after the Pergola. and it can still be seen in buildings in earthquake. In many cases, only the • $30,000 to be awarded to Long Beach downtown Long Beach. Large or small, front of the building crumbled when Heritage Coalition for Phase II of the many of the buildings have decorative the earthquake hit, leaving the sides exterior restoration project of the Bem- towers and setbacks, ornamented with and rear intact and the façade ripe bridge House (c. 1906). for “modernization.” motifs and reliefs of the period. Our congratulations to all of the LBNMHA grant awardees! 6 7 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Post Office Box 92521 Long Beach, CA Permit No. 5046 Long Beach, CA 90809-2521

CALENDAR OF EVENTS LBH Membership April 23 LBH Executive Long Beach Heritage is a non-profit education and advocacy group promoting Committee public knowledge and preservation of significant historic and architectural resources, neighborhoods and the cultural heritage of Long Beach. Dues are due on May 1st April 28 May Day at each year Bembridge House May 3-6 California Preservation Name ______Foundation Conference Address ______May 18 Bembridge House Concert City ______Zip ______May 21 LBH Board Telephone ______June 3 Great Homes Tour June 25 LBH Executive  Call me with information on how I can participate in LBH as a volunteer Committee July 23 LBH Board  Heritage Friend $ 45 July 28 Hollywood Bowl  Make your check payable to: Heritage Student/Senior $ 30 Long Beach Heritage Long Beach Heritage  Heritage Household $ 75 PO Box 92521 Newsletter Editor: Louise Ivers  Heritage Preservationist $100 Long Beach 90809 Layout: Barbara Holbrook, Bard’s Art Telephone/Fax 562-493-7019  Heritage Contributor $250 P.O. Box 92521, Long Beach, CA 90809 e-mail: [email protected] Ph: 562.493.7019  Heritage Patron $500 web site: lbheritage.org email: [email protected] website: http://www.lbheritage.org  New member ______