Fall 2020 Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Volume 23, Number 4 JOURNAL OF THE CALIFORNIA GARDEN & LANDSCAPE HISTORY SOCIETY

EDEN EDITORIAL BOARD Editor: Steven Keylon Editorial Board: Keith Park (Chair), Kate Nowell, Ann Scheid, Susan Schenk, Libby Simon, Noel Vernon Consulting Editors: Marlea Graham, Barbara Marinacci Regional Correspondents: Sacramento: Carol Roland-Nawi San Diego: Vonn Marie May San Francisco Bay Area: Janet Gracyk Graphic Design: designSimple.com Submissions: Send scholarly papers, articles, and book reviews to the editor: [email protected] Memberships/Subscriptions: Join the CGLHS and receive a subscription to Eden. Individual $50 • Family $75 Sustaining $150 and above Student $20 Nonprofit/Library $50 Visit www.cglhs.org to join or renew your membership. Or mail check to California Garden & Landscape History Society, PO Box 220237, Newhall, CA 91322-0237. Questions or Address Changes: [email protected] CGLHS BOARD OF DIRECTORS President: Christine E. O’Hara Vice President: David Laws Recording Secretary: Nancy Carol Carter Contents Membership Officer: Antonia Adezio Treasurer: Judy Horton Directors at large: Kelly Comras, Keith Park, Ann Scheid, “The Landscape Architect Cannot Come Later!” Libby Simon, Jennifer Trotoux, Janet Gracyk Richard Neutra’s Faith in Landscape. Past President: Steven Keylon Dr. Barbara Lamprecht...... 4 HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS William Hammond Hall: VLT Gardner Marlea Graham, Editor emerita Still The Unsung Father of Golden Gate Park William A. Grant (Founder) Christopher Pollock...... 32 Barbara Marinacci David Streatfield The California Fan Palm: Living on the French Riviera The California Garden & Landscape History Society (CGLHS) is a nonprofit Vonn Marie May...... 46 501(c)(3) membership organization devoted to celebrating the beauty and diversity of California’s historic gardens and landscapes; promoting wider Paul J. Howard’s Enduring Horticultural Legacy knowledge, preservation, and restoration of California’s historic gardens and Aleli Balaguer...... 54 landscapes; organizing study visits to historic gardens and landscapes as well as to relevant archives and libraries; and offering opportunities for a lively interchange among members at meetings, garden visits, and other events. Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society (ISBN 1524-8062) is published quarterly. Subscription is a benefit of CGLHS membership. Above: Soon after the Kuhns House was completed in 1964, Richard Neutra visited to help with interior paint selections, © 2020 California Garden & Landscape History Society recalled the young daughter, then Laura Kuhns. With his wife Dione, Neutra often visited his houses and clients; here he is California Garden & Landscape History Society The Grace Miller residence in Palm Springs, 1937. The flagstone pavers temper the irrevocable boundary between looking up at the house from the hillside below. Photo by John P.O. Box 220237, Newhall, CA 91322-0237 “Die Wüste,” as Neutra referred to the native desert, and the (very!) suburban lawn, imported from the East Coast. Lary Kuhns, courtesy Laura Kuhns Moody and Scott Moody. www.cglhs.org Julius Shulman photographer. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (2004.R.10).

2 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 3 “The Landscape Architect Cannot Come Later!” Richard Neutra’s Faith in Landscape DR. BARBARA LAMPRECHT

In Mystery and Realities of the Site, Neutra wrote that “the living space sweeps on through and reaches out for miles until finally it is closed off by the mountains. At the Tremaine House in Montecito, the mountain, indeed, is the back wall of this stupendous living room.” Note the two “Boomerang” chairs on the elegant terrace, chairs Neutra designed in 1942 for the low-cost wartime housing known as Channel 4 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Heights and later introduced for the “do-it-yourselfer” in Woman’s Day in April 1942. Julius Shulman Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 5 photographer. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (2004.R.10). Today there is overwhelming evidence that environments containing horizon line, copses of trees, expanses of brush Neutra’s Faith in Landscape and grasses and bodies of water, was associated qualities of nature foster human well-being. Richard Neutra fused his Less than three months before his death, with with survival. According to some evolution- the very first words of his inaugural speech to ary biologists, cognitive neuroscientists, and early training in gardening, landscape design, and especially nineteenth- the annual meeting of the American Society of landscape theorists, because our brains and century landscape theory with his lifelong study of evolutionary Landscape Architects (ASLA) on January 24, bodies retain that ancestry, such qualities must 1970, Richard Neutra (1892–1970) linked appear in contemporary settings in order to biology, neuroscience, Gestalt aesthetics, psychology, and especially ancient settings with the work of contempo- realize our full humanity and to harness all rary landscape architects.2 “Why,” he asked his our senses. Neutra ardently believed this to “experimental psychology,” disciplines that proved a quantitative audience, “is Uganda, this country in central be the case and sought to incorporate such relationship between the senses and the environment.1 Neutra’s genius East Africa, important to landscape architects? qualities in his work. Because as we now know, from Mr. Leakey and At that same 1970 lecture to the ASLA, was in recognizing that these two disciplines were often saying the same Ardrey and others, this is the country of origin Neutra urged landscape architects to take more responsibility for human well-being.4 Above: Neutra came to California things from vastly different places. His architecture harnesses that of the human species … Humans came down for many reasons, chief among from the crowns of the trees, walking over the For example, while “living walls” are quite them that it embodied an “ancient convergence. While his cool, sleek forms are canonically Modern, his meadows of Uganda.”3 Neutra was referring fashionable today, Neutra ushered nature into anthropological memory [of its] to what is known as the Savanna Hypothesis, the office corridor a half-century ago, calling “salubrious African incubator.” is an ideology of biology. This essay illuminates his work in Southern for “building living walls, hydroponic walls.” (Nature Near, 1982, 30.) The savanna which argues that components of the land- included the horizon, copses of California, including a gallop tour of his early training in Europe that scape on which humans evolved are part of Notably, these walls were not just to be visually diaphanous trees, bodies of water, our genetic ancestry. That landscape, which alive with greenery “drowning in chlorophyll,” and grasslands: nature near, mid- framed and fed his exquisite approach to “the site.” included broad, open views extending to the but to also release oxygen and to appeal to the range, and distant.

6 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 7 Right: Neutra sporting an unusual – and temporary – ornament: a beard. Julius Shulman photographer. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (2004.R.10).

Opposite: The first and last time Neutra employed a literal image (a scarab beetle, popular during the Egyptian Revival of the 1920s) to develop a site plan. Plan, Richard Neutra, Luckenwalde Waldfriedhof, Luckenwalde, Germany, 1921. Courtesy Neutra Institute for the Survival Through Design (NISTD); Courtesy Richard and Dion Neutra Papers, Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA. ear. With “the auditory sounds of twittering (Although he vigorously made his case for the away the “sentimental romance” of the British, birds and insects—they are very interesting positive “various behavioral and biological and the garden as the “formal plaything” of too—they make pedestrianism possible, plau- issues involved,” the courthouse administra- the French, he firmly realigned the entire pur- sible … Even the walk to the bathroom should tors declined.8) pose of landscape, as a “biologically minded be pleasant.”5 Neutra’s speech to American landscape appreciation of the soil, in which all life is Neutra knew something about this, architects crowned a long relationship with rooted and must remain rooted, to succeed.”11 having presented that very suggestion to the the discipline. In a 1937 exhibition, “Con- Citing the Japanese approach to landscape administrators of his Orange County Court- temporary Landscape Architecture and its (his preference since his triumphal visit to house, Santa Ana, 1967.6 He also urged the Sources,” the San Francisco Museum of Art Japan in 1930), he notes that the “planting administrators to enrich spaces typically over- explored the possibilities of a new, Modern of the often tiny yards offers a glimpse of the looked as secondary, such as stair landings, in intimacy between architecture and landscape biological universe …” Neutra concluded order to facilitate spontaneous conversations. architecture.9 Neutra was one of just five indi- his fiery little essay with advocating gardens Landings would become “wonderfully colour- viduals (and only three architects) invited to with plants not “assembled like a masquerade ful, over-greened galleries ...”7 By making contribute his thoughts for the accompanying garden;” but rather, that would be realistic in these “mere passageways” more meaningful, catalog. As was his wont—in his assumption acknowledging soil conditions, climate, and, valuable, and psychologically and physiologi- that everyone was as cosmopolitan as he—he above all, in conferring “biological decency.”12 cally refreshing, Neutra was also “stretching began by blithely noting an obscure poem on Neutra died on April 16, 1970. In May, space,” not just visually, as when he would the Alps written by naturalist and botanist an unidentified eulogizer, possibly his wife extend the eye into the landscape and out Albrecht von Haller (1708 – 1777) and the call Dione, wrote, “Here starts a new architecture to a horizon line, but in providing more and of “back-to-nature” of one of his heroes, Jean- that tried to understand the plant and the different habitable spaces to use and explore. Jacques Rousseau (1712 - 1778.)10 Brushing natural setting … .”13

8 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 9 Opposite: Neutra designed peaceful clearings for the graves; other markers sheltered by the forest trees. Photo by author.

Left: Neutra’s “Tafel,” or table of designated plants for the forest cemetery. He also created maintenance plans for the gardening staff. Courtesy Neutra Institute for the Survival Through Design (NISTD); Courtesy Richard and Dion Neutra Papers, Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA.

in site consideration. Filled with poetical allu- However, such reverence was not based on Nursery.18 The lead gardener was a man named Genius Loci: Recognizing the sions, Neutra consistently champions the same appeasing the gods but on exploiting a site’s Neutra’s First Design Project: Gustav Ammann (1885 – 1955.) Now beloved Latent Qualities of the Site factors—the opposition to formal solutions potential to respond to human biological needs. A Forest Cemetery as one of Switzerland’s finest twentieth-century and the embrace of real conditions—that he His next book, with his architect son and part- landscape architects, Ammann was not just This drawing of attention to both ancient In 1958, Neutra was interviewed as part of raises in Survival Through Design: ner Dion Neutra and published posthumously a great nurseryman but embodied the mid- landscape and to a contemporary human’s a University of California at Berkeley study in 1974, was titled Pflanzen Wasser Steine nineteenth century shift from plant husbandry natural surroundings is best expressed in exploring creativity in famous architects.15 Neutra’s book, Mystery and Realities of the Site. “My experience, everything within Licht [Plants Water Stone Light.] Their images One question was, “When did you feel you and upscale garden design to the new disci- Published in 1951, the slender book is the me, is against an abstract approach to are a revelation in the earthy but exquisitely had arrived as an architect?” Neutra named pline of landscape architecture. (He was also antithesis of Survival Through Design, whose land and nature, and for the profound crafted role of materials in forging the intimacy two projects.16 One, predictably, was the kind; giving the poor veteran the roam of his academic prose is dense with science’s poten- assets rooted in each site … Are we between building and site. The volume conveys Kaufmann Desert House, Palm Springs, 1946. vegetable garden, and years later, loaned him 19 tial for architecture. By contrast, Mystery and engaging, perhaps, in a sentimental the unusual porosity of Neutra’s composition, The other, however, took me aback. “When I money to help his protégé get to America.) Realities of the Site is a layperson’s primer. Short reversion to primitive animism and in that is, the building melded with the landscape did this cemetery in Germany.”17 The “microscopically paid apprentice job” on words and generous with images, it is an superstitions which block the glorious and nature in many ways. That porosity rests The cemetery, a quiet forested setting was to serve Neutra for the rest of his life.20 homage to the natural setting, encouraging the traffic of our technological civilization, on two factors: his convictions about the time- located thirty kilometers southwest of Berlin, Ammann tutored him in the soil require- reader to seek out a site’s “peculiar physiog- given over to harder facts? There are no less neurological relevance of ancient human is called Luckenwalde Waldfriedhof. Luck- ments for trees and shrubs. On his knees, nomy” and genius loci. Neutra writes of those harder or more forceful facts than those settings, but also, and more practically, simply enwalde is a small 12th-century feudal city; Neutra made cuttings and placed them in little “elaborate conciliatory rituals” early humans of biology and survival.’ because he learned about plants, gardens, site Wald means “forest” and “Friedhof” literally, a wooden boxes. He made “very detailed space- went through to propitiate their gods when design, and emerging landscape theory just place of peace. The new job, that also included time drawings” and learned to organize plants they chose a locus. He muses on contempo- Thus, just like the “primitives,” Neutra after World War I when there was little work housing, followed his first paid work as a lowly according to growth, size, color, and season rary culture’s spiritual loss in its carelessness called for an equally sacred attitude to the site. for starving architects. assistant in a nursery, the famous Froebel of bloom.21 He built plywood contour maps,

10 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 11 joined in theoretical discussions, and visited other parts of the environment may change Zurich’s Botanical Gardens. abruptly. Our brains need that backdrop of Amman actively participated in emerg- stability in order to use cognitive functions ing theoretical discussions on the ethics of to address more urgent changes that might landscape architecture for a new century of mean life or death, such as a sudden change servantless, middle-class households, and in the grasses that portended a predator. That in turn shared them with Neutra. Amman’s dialectic of stability and change was part of the colleagues in this fertile dialogue included Savanna Hypothesis. Thus, for evolutionary land economist and urban planner Werner biologists, distant views were not a luxury for Hegemann (1881 – 1936); the American park rich aristocrats as they had been before public designer and planner Charles Eliot (1859 – parks became popular, but a means of assess- 1897) who wrote articles for Garden and Forest ing an environment’s potential for survival. and worked for Frederick Law Olmsted and The weaving and interweaving continue. later became a partner in a new successor firm Eliot advocated for the viewing of scenery Olmsted, Olmsted, and Eliot; Karl Foerster because of its positive psychological and (1874 – 1970), horticulturist, plant breeder, hygienic effects for urban dwellers.27 Neutra and designer of naturalistic gardens;22 gar- concurred, urgently so, but as a believer in dener, and landscape architect, and zealous science, he sought quantifiable evidence for polemical theorist Leberecht Migge (1881 – this assertion; in any case, access to nature 1935.) Each of these figures promoted the was important because it resonated with needs role of the physical landscape as a factor in of our primal nervous systems, not especially human well-being, a concept that Neutra later because it was romantic! explored himself, finding additional rationales In his acclaimed Ein Parkbuch: Ameri- based in modern theories of environmental kanische Parkanlagen [A Park Book: American psychology and evolutionary biology.23 Parks], Hegemann considered Olmsted’s design Docking in Liverpool to begin a restorative for the 527-acre Franklin Park. He marveled at English walking tour, Olmsted’s rambles led the view “toward forms further away [author’s him to Birkenhead Park, Merseyside, 1847, italics], thus awakening a satisfying feeling of after a baker begged him not to miss the new the endless [Hegemann’s italics],” that could park. Its “constant varying surface,” views, and counter the insularity of urban life.28 He the park’s feeling of naturalness shocked the emphasized the desire to “experience depth young journalist, his profession at the time.24 as a sublime expansiveness” rather than the Nothing was static. Parks for hoi polloi, it preciousness of the pastoral picturesque tab- seemed, were not to be an afterthought but leaux.”29 Here Hegemann’s observations about refreshing; with copious notes on all he saw, “the endless” and the physical experience of Olmsted took that epiphany home and into “depth,” and the resultant emotional quality of the parks he later designed with Calvin Vaux. the sensorial satisfaction of a “sublime expan- Landscape architectural historian Noel Vernon siveness,” were exactly Neutra’s objectives. notes that the landscape gardener and hor- Neutra, however, grounded his preference ticulturalist Adolph Strauch (1822 - 1883), for “endless views” on the importance of the the greatest of the landscape designers asso- horizon in the eastern African landscape and ciated with the development of Spring Grove the tenets of the Savanna Hypothesis. Cemetery in Cincinnati, employed open- Migge, Ammann, and Neutra all extended ness, groups of trees, lakes, and undulating walls of varying heights into space, that is, into surfaces into his landscape design.25 Ever the landscape, as masonry Zwischenglieder [lit- the avid researcher, and seeking persuasive erally, a between-link, or interstitial link.] As Opposite top: Gustav Ammann precedents, Neutra in turn cited Strauch’s landscape architecture historian David Haney devoted a chapter to “Water in Gardens” in his 1955 book, writing cemetery in his persuasive little document notes: that the “mirror-like pool of water presented to the Luckenwalde city fathers, brings a touch of magic to the complete with a maintenance plan. Decades The penetration of the building garden and landscape.” Gustav later (and apparently having no knowledge of envelope was of course a primary focus and Peter (son) Ammann, Blühende Garten, “Water in the Garden,” 141. Olmsted’s own writings on Birkenhead Park), in Migge’s architectural discussion. The Undated. Neutra used almost the same phrase, “constant in-between spaces, or Zwischenglieder, subtle change” “to describe the needs of the provided spatial connections between Opposite bottom, left: Gustav human nervous system as evolved in ancient interior and exterior (e.g., sliding Ammann, 1885 – 1955. landscapes.”26 As many studies have shown, glass doors, bay windows, etc.). Glass Opposite bottom, right: Begun in beginning with the geographer Jay Appleton’s was conceived as a “substitute for the 1942 on the grounds of a factory, 1975 book, The Experience of Landscape and south, the sub-tropical, the spiritual; Gustav-Ammann-Park, Oerlikon, hundreds of other researchers such as lead- paradise, the practical: the winter Zurich, Switzerland, Gustav ing psychologists James A. Wise and Rachel garden of the common man.”30 Ammann focused his landscape on the relaxation of the staff, not and Stephen Kaplan, humans perform best in appearance. Known as a “welfare environments that are fairly reliable, open and Instead of using walls conventionally (that garden,” it is now a protected easily visible to spot food, mate, or foe, while is, to fence off property), they championed monument.

12 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 13 the wall for its plasticity and interstitial abil- human nature: his characteristic exploitation ity to meld indoors and outdoors, part of an of Trampelpfade (paths trampled randomly overall rational ordering system for the site, over time by users) in his hardscape designs integrating landscape, hardscape, and build- acknowledge human realities and habits rather ing.31 It is clear that this “extension” enjoyed than dictate to them. Neutra emphasized this support on both sides of the Atlantic. Using idea repeatedly in his philosophy of biorealism, virtually the very same words as employed in seen, for example, in the sometimes startling the introductory catalog to the 1937 San Fran- number of options for paths of travel that he cisco Museum of Art exhibition noted earlier, provided for users of his buildings.33 Ammann wrote in his 1955 book, Blühende Foerster provided Neutra with new ways Gärten [Flowering Gardens.] “The garden of of thinking about plants. Neutra recounts the private house is an extension of the living Foerster’s assertion that plants play two roles area into the open air.” 32 with discreet identities: first, that humans While Ammann (who had worked for attribute specific cultural “associations” to cer- Migge) emphasized a similar wish for conti- tain plants, for example a plant often seen “in nuity between indoors and out, Migge’s note peasant or castle gardens” may be identified of the “sub-tropical” is quite startling because with that social standing or building type.34 Neutra came to Southern California believing Secondly, the plants themselves convey “their it was as close as one could get to a sub-trop- own primary natural biology” (their “peculiar ical climate in the West, made complete with physiognomy”) that in turn communicates a modern infrastructure and transportation specific physical settings or the ecosystems system. Thus, the region was the perfect venue surrounding a plant, such as a “moisture- in which to realize a new architecture that laden habitat, or a dry sandy spot …”35 Neutra invited a primal connection to Nature. Neutra’s enlarged on Foerster’s idea, suggesting that own “penetration of the building envelope” plants could also convey an emotional “asso- was demonstrated in scores of buildings in ciation,” arguably using the word in the sense which landscaping, building components, or it was used in the nineteenth century, relating water are continued indoors and out. Migge’s such “associations” to the disciplines of physi- work is further relevant to Amman’s, and ological psychology and aesthetics, especially ultimately to Neutra’s thinking, in that Migge the quality of Einfühlung, translated as “empa- advocated paying attention to the realities of thy.” In short, empathy could be employed not

Opposite: Neutra’s design for the wading pool at the “Hollyhock House” features stepped sequential retaining walls that tie the pool’s hardscape right into the landscape. R.M. Schindler, Barnsdall House, Los Angeles, 1925, Neutra, pergola and wading pool. Source: Richard Neutra and the Search for Modern Architecture, Thomas S. Hines, 1982, 61.

Above: The architect continued that theme of stretching, of reaching out into the landscape, with stepped retaining walls, in one of his earliest hypothetical designs, the “Diatom House,” named for the diatomaceous earth he specified for the structure’s exterior panels. Neutra, Experimental Diatom House, unbuilt, early 1920s. Richard Neutra, Buildings and Projects 1923 – 1950, Girsberger, 1951, 120.

14 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 15 just in terms of emotional feelings that build- the compositions. “Space” is treated as a void for the estate in 1925. Neutra’s gestures here 42-unit apartment building. The Christian Sci- Opposite: Berms in front of ings might elicit in a user, but that empathy that is necessary to the composition; “through- anticipate his famous “spider leg,” in which ence Monitor reported that: the How House, 1925, provide privacy from the street. Rudolf M. could be extended to include the human rela- vistas” recall the biological, genetic need for a beam extends beyond a roof line and ter- Schindler, architect. 2006 Photo tionship to landscape and the environment. the ability to see far, see through, see beyond.38 minates at a free-standing supporting post. The balconies will soon be over- by Michael J. Locke Always the designer, Neutra was keenly Additionally, in these and other excepts This interstitial space and its terminus may be flowing with thousands of flowering sensitive to the tectonic role that arrangements from his letters Neutra combines the cog- interpreted as the liminal extension from a tree plants adapted to the mild climate of Above: Now endangered as of 2020, the spare International of plantings could evoke. In architectural par- nitive and physical act of employing many out into its sheltering canopy, recalling Migge’s the Southwest. The occupants of these Style Jardinette apartment lance, Neutra’s lyrical words below refer to senses simultaneously to form emotions and Zwischengleider. Here at Hollyhock, Neutra’s apartments may look out upon masses building served as workforce volume, plane, and line. Writing in German to experience a sensation of beauty. Notably, signature spider leg strategy, extending “ten- of overhanging vines and breathe in housing from 1929 to 2017. Each to his (then) fiancée Dione, who later edited he suggests listening to the forest and plantings tacles of structure in surrounding nature,”39 the fresh scented air and experience a balcony was to be adorned with with their “thousand individual plant voices,” plants; each flat featured plenty and translated this passage: is evident in the series of three monumental new feeling of relaxation from the daily of cross ventilation and clever thus introducing the senses of hearing and concrete retaining walls that step rhythmically work in the big city.42 layouts for new “garden living.” … If you could have listened to speech into the experience of the forest. This down the hill, each plane stretching out a little Richard Neutra and the Search me, you must understand that a forest conflation of design sensibilities, whether longer than its neighbor, the group bracketing The Jardinette Apartments provided sev- for Modern Architecture, Thomas S. Hines, 1982, 74. cemetery can be as magnificent as applied to building or to landscape, under- the orthogonally aligned planes that outline a eral amenities for its clientele. The emphasis wonderful music or a piece of art, scores his sustained inclusion of the setting wading pool.40 Soon after, Schindler commis- on light and cross-ventilation, the inclusion underneath the sky with a colorful as an equal partner in design. sioned Neutra to design the landscaping for of cantilevered balconies with built-in plant- and silver gray carpet of plants; its ter- the How House, Los Angeles, 1925, in which ers for home gardening, the views to the San races, redberry bushes, and junipers Early Garden Designs in a variety of techniques—a banked hill and Gabriel Mountains, and a communal roof-top on its slopes; clearings planted full of shrubs and trees ranging in size—provide a garden were luxe features for this building heather; and a symphony of a thou- Europe and America dynamic yet serene environment, creating a intended for second-tier Hollywood/Indus- sand individual plant voices with their When Neutra arrived in Los Angeles in Febru- variety of views and landscape experiences in try workers and starlets. Thus, the apartment through-vistas, spaces, trees, paths. ary 1925 after a five-month tenure at Spring a compressed urban space. Fronting a narrow house exemplified the egalitarian social ideals Green, working for Frank Lloyd Wright at street, the frontage and extensive shrub- of both Modern architecture and Modern And Taliesin, his Wisconsin studio and farm, Neu- bery provide a transition from the street to landscape architecture, bringing nature into tra’s garden career continued. He and Dione entrance. By contrast, behind the house a flat dense urban conditions. … bright lines of silver, crocuses, moved into Rudolf and Pauline Schindler’s lawn opens to a view of the city beyond. A year copper beeches, irises, wild roses, and house on Kings Road in West Hollywood. later, Neutra designed a simple landscape for groupings of conifers …”37 Schindler, whom Neutra had met in 1912 as the miniscule site allowed for landscaping at 1930: Neutra in Japan a fellow architectural student in Vienna, was Schindler’s seminal Lovell Beach House, New- Although the opening of the Lovell Health Flat, broad terraces and carpets of plants responsible for a number of additions to Aline port Beach, 1926.41 House, Los Angeles, 1929, was a huge media are contrasted with the sudden interjections of Barnsdall’s Wright-designed Hollyhock House, Neutra and Schindler also designed the event, new paying clients were nowhere to horizontal paths and “bright lines of silver” on Los Angeles, 1921. He invited Neutra to help Jardinette (garden) Apartments, Los Ange- be seen. Taking the opportunity to lecture, the ground. Vertical lines of conifers enliven him in the design of a wading pool and pergola les, in 1928, a four-story reinforced concrete Neutra went on a round-the-world tour.43

16 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 17 by typically employing a restricted palette 1932 at the VDL Research House I and later good use of boulders in his site design, a typical of commonly available materials. One such with his full-height sliding window walls that feature of Japanese landscapes, most famously is wax-rubbed tempered Masonite, smooth became more readily obtainable beginning in exemplified in Julius Shulman’s photographs and silky to the touch. Often used for slid- the early 1940s. Like Migge’s Zwischenglieder, of the boulders percolating throughout the set- ing cabinet and closet fittings, the boards of Neutra’s interstitial spaces are characterized by ting of the Kaufmann Desert House. Neutra pressure-molded wood fibers provided a rich broad overhangs and the extension of terraces, often chose or located such boulders, carefully brown warmth to interiors akin to dark Japa- sometimes radiantly heated, thus extending orienting them in the landscape to present a nese woods, softening any potential cold or one’s total comfort in cold climes as well. In particular “face” to the viewer. Many of the industrial ambiance. many Neutra compositions, whether public or boulders he used are particularly gnarled or In addition to apparent simplicity and private, the quality of this liminal space, this pocked, appearing aged or eccentric. Pflanzen engawa (the extension of the floor into the out- kinetic frisson between indoors and outdoors, Wasser Steine Licht includes many images of doors, often wrapping the house as a pathway), is reinforced by maintaining the same material such boulders either as a group cascading down the traditional Japanese house is renowned for wall, ceiling, and floor planes. Neutra also a slight incline or used as individual objects for its openness to the outdoors by means regularly employed “borrowed landscape,” in the landscape. This “landmarking” strategy of post-and-beam construction that negates in which Japanese landscapes and gardens not only recalls Modern landscape design’s use the need for load-bearing walls or shoji (full- incorporate surrounding distant mountains of solitary trees as sculptural objects such as height sliding wood doors with translucent and scenery (a type of view known as shakkei, Eckbo did at Orange Coast College in the early paper panels.47 The Neutras had experienced whereas nearby views, or experiences of land- 1950s, but is a concept in contemporary neu- this at Schindler’s revolutionary Kings Road scape in small interior courtyards, are termed rological research into the environment’s role House, Los Angeles, 1922; such devices are tusbo niwa.48) in creating and retaining memory.49 ubiquitous in Neutra’s later work, first seen in While Neutra often sited a building around While Neutra does not link ancient land- his custom sliding window walls beginning in a striking feature such as a tree, he also made scapes to his use of boulders in this text,

Above: Underneath a subtly According to the dates of the letters he wrote to a biological, naturalistic approach to design, arched bridge at the Goldman Dione, Neutra spent approximately two weeks upon arriving there I suddenly felt as if I were House, a cascade of pools provides a calm yet animated in early June visiting the cities and regions coming home.” In his autobiography Life and setting. Julius Shulman, around Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo, departing Shape, he noted the Japanese attention to the photographer. for Marseilles from Yokohama on June 15, senses in “seeing, hearing, smelling a scent © J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty 1930. His trip was sponsored by Kokusai- from the tiny garden court, enjoying one’s Research Institute, Los Angeles (2004.R.10). S. Hines, 1982, 74. kenchiku, a prominent Japanese architectural inner senses of position and muscle strain in magazine that was devoted to Modernism. following a zigzag path and gently climbing a Opposite: The recently restored Neutra made this connection through a bridge over a lotus pond.” 46 hardscape of the Goldman House features a staggered sequence young Japanese couple, architects Nobu and of turns enroute to the front door, Kameki Tsuchiura, wife and husband, whom Japanese-Influenced recalling similar treatments in the Neutras befriended at Wright’s Spring vernacular Japanese settings. Green compound, where the fledgling archi- Strategies in Neutra’s Work Richard Neutra, Mensch und Wohnen | Life and Human tects all worked in the same high-ceilinged Vernacular Japanese buildings and Neutra’s Habitat, Alexander Koch GmbH, stone studio.44 architecture share an apparent simplicity of 1957, 54. After this trip, Neutra’s approach to site composition. While the details in both Japa- design did not immediately change. His own nese and Neutra’s work can be quite complex, response to Japan was one of admiration and the effect is one of clarity rendered in strong, confirmation, not revelation: in the fore- uninterrupted planes and lines. However, word to Japanese Gardens of Today, he wrote, the time and labor required to devote to “A generation ago, when I accepted my first such apparent simplicity was ameliorated invitation from Japan to express my ideas on by refining a standard set of details and also

18 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 19 his use of the word Steine in the book’s title only park our cars there, but our memories Pebble Beach, 1957, a house in Northern Cal- details. By the 1950s, he had created a seven- Opposite: Outside the master bedroom of underscores their role in recalling an older, as well. ifornia overlooking the ocean. “… Mr. Neutra page “Suggestive [sic!] Plant List,” with the the Goldman House, concrete roundels are stepping stones, offsetting the home’s strong primordial Nature. One example is the lawn is very interested in contacting a very good following categories: “Tropical and Tropical rectilinear lines. Now rehabilitated using flanking the east elevation of the former nurseryman in this area to see what can be Effects,” “Wind Breaks and Screens,” “Trees,” Neutra’s original scheme that was detailed Garden Grove Community Church, Garden European-Influenced planted that will grow tall enough to alleviate “Natives,” “Dry Spots – Poor Soil,” “Seasonal by Garrett Eckbo. In the larger scheme, the Grove, 1962, known as the world’s first “drive- [a lack of privacy],” an office letter stated.51 Changes,” “Vines,” “Color Spots,” “Ground solid roundels at the rear of the house play a Strategies in Neutra’s Work game of Gestalt aesthetics with the “voids” of in church,” a building type that could have Neutra’s own strategies in landscape build During these later decades he also shifted to Covers,” “Desirable Shrubs,” and “Accent the circular pools in the front. Julius Shulman, 52 probably only emerged in Southern Califor- on the ideas of Amman, Foerster, and Migge, general instructions and plant heights. These Plants, or Spots.” Under this last category photographer. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty nia’s car culture.50 Here the largest and most especially the search for a genre, or type, of would be indicated on plans through a series Neutra included rock groupings, pools or Research Institute, Los Angeles (2004.R.10). eccentric boulders, some collected in the Holy of circles, each containing a number for the water in the garden, “succulent or rock gar- plant with a desired shape, mature height, or Above: From small houses such as the Land by the church’s pastor, the Rev. Robert leaf size and the maintaining of existing con- height, such as two, four, and six feet tall, dens,” garden seats, fallen logs, and rustic spirited little Hailey House to one of Neutra’s Schuller, were located just below the outdoor tours where possible. Throughout his career, and then entering the circled numbers in redwood round steps. Many plants are fol- masterpieces, the Kaufmann Desert House, projecting balcony where the flamboyant min- Neutra performed various duties on behalf areas where the material was to be planted, lowed by brief descriptions or an occasional the eccentric shape of large boulders energize a site and invoke a primal contrast to twentieth ister preached to those sitting in parked cars, of the site, from making plant choices early seen at his drawing for the Hailey House, requirement for care; all include the height century interventions. Julius Shulman adding visual “landmarks” of ancient origin in his career to complete landscape designs. Los Angeles, 1958. This increasing emphasis at maturity, permitting him to designate photographer. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty to this very modern church. Such landmarks Later, he relied on local growers to know on “types,” recalling Migge’s own search for groups of plants according to their full-grown Research Institute, Los Angeles (2004.R.10). are helpful neurologically: being in the setting which species would be hardiest in specific “types” in plants, paralleled Neutra’s constant heights. Sometimes he used only the popular helps us remember what we did there. We not regions, for example at the Connell House, refinement of his standardized architectural name, such as “wood ferns” or the voluptuous

20 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 21 Right: Neutra placed boulders here that the Rev. Robert Schuller brought home from the Holy Land. Long missing or misplaced, the award-winning rehabilitation of Neutra’s campus of the former Garden Grove Community Church, now part of Christ Cathedral, included the reinstatement of the boulders according to photographs by Julius Shulman. 2014 photo by author.

Opposite: The pinwheel plan, also developed as the “Four-Courter Plan” to permit different uses in the four quadrants, is stretched to the extreme at the Tremaine House. Richard Neutra, Buildings and Projects 1923 – 1950, Girsberger, 1951,

“Elephant Ears.” In other cases, he employed with those clients who were interested, or even tree, for the dappled patterns of its bark.) recalls Neutra’s emphasis on the “profound “foreign” insertion into its setting—a building only the Latin name, such as Xylosma sen- more actively, he designed specific plans, such This siting was crucial in permitting each assets rooted in each site” that he discussed raised on piloti to hover above the ground— ticosa, a malleable evergreen shrub with a as the landscape design he provided gratis for wing that extended from the pinwheel plan in Mystery and Realities of the Site. However, Neutra populated both Palm Springs settings shiny, dark-green leaf that Neutra describes Lary [sic] and Pauline Kuhns. His specifica- to participate in different aspects of Nature. as can be seen in the Kaufmann Desert House with careful transitions on the ground plane as “neat – always clean looking.” Neutra lists tions for this 1964 house, sited on a steep For example, when standing in the master and the Miller Mensendieck House, 1937, between house and die Wüste (German for barberries (Berberis thunbergii and B. vulgaris), slope in Woodland Hills, amplified the exist- bedroom, nestled below grade into the rising both in Palm Springs, the landscapes imme- wilderness, or badlands), exemplified by which he included in the landscape design ing pepper tree and coast live oaks with four slope of the hill, one can see the nearby roots diately surrounding the dwellings include a the border of jagged flat stones between the for Luckenwalde Waldfriedhof so many years varieties of eucalyptus trees; pepper and bot- of the surrounding oak trees as well as distant conventionally suburban green lawn amidst grass lawn and the desert rocks at the Miller before. Popular for its small dark green leaves tlebrush trees, and Carolina cherry. mountain views. their arid desert backgrounds, deliberately Mensendieck House. The border melds desert and yellow or red berries, he described it as Another of his strategies was to exploit Other examples abound. In order to emphasizing the quality of “foreignness” of to the house, wilderness to domesticity. an “all-season performer.” New Zealand Flax existing topography. At the Tremaine House, maintain the existing hilly topography for both the building and its setting. Arguably, However, the plucky little Miller Mensend- (Phormium tenax, a tough, fibrous plant with Neutra’s role as site designer was key to the the wartime Channel Heights Housing Proj- this emphasis does not deny but reinforces ieck House differs from the Kaufmann slender, long leaves) is noted for its “strong subsequent garden designs by Lockwood de ect, San Pedro, 1942, overlooking the Pacific Neutra’s appreciation for the larger desert con- residence—and most Neutra dwellings—in an vertical lines.” The hardy Fatsia japonica, or Forest, Jr. and Ralph T. Stevens. Neutra did Ocean and characterized by sharp, short, text as an opportunity to achieve a “thrilling important way. Small as it is, this ultra-Modern Japanese aralia, was one of Neutra’s favorite not clear the site “of its vegetation so that the ravines, he minimized the grading required dialectic,” as he called it, in other words the pueblo was both a private home and a public mid-twentieth century plants. Apart from its building would appear as a pristine sculptural to create terraces in varying configurations heightened appreciation for the spectrum studio for Grace Lewis Miller’s rich clients reference to its Japanese origin, the rounded object, [which was] typical of modernism at for the two hundred and twenty-two units. from human-made to the naturally encoun- learning the Mensendieck exercise method of triangularity of its large-lobed leaf provided the time,” noted the magazine Pacific Horti- In the manner of Migge’s Trampelfade, Neutra tered. In enlisting the setting itself on behalf of body posture. While most of those who know a curvaceous contrast to his rectilinear build- culture.54 Instead, Neutra gently inserted the also designed informal “trails” between the calibrating excitation and calm and inserting the house have always regarded the prominent ings. Notably, a few “un-Modern” plants, such pinwheel-plan building into the irregular community center and residences to decrease a bit of the ancient “savanna” into the setting, silver-painted door facing the street as the pri- as roses, are included as well.53 16-acre grove of native coast live oak and pedestrian exposure to his nemesis, “rolling Neutra demonstrates its importance in the mary entrance, in reality the “front door” is Despite this move to generalization, he still California sycamore trees (Neutra especially traffic, when designing for the public.” composition. However, in contrast, for exam- around the corner and through the screened relished intense discussions about plantings valued the latter, along with the eucalyptus Acknowledging existing conditions also ple, to Le Corbusier’s Villa Savoye’s equally patio and giant glass slider that opens into the

22 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 23 living room. The silver door is actually the the west wall. This extraordinary location not door to the studio. It was a business entrance. A Lamp Unto My Feet: only illuminates one’s path during daylight, it Examining Neutra’s landscape plans for the the Claremont United permits a visitor an unusually intimate view path leading to this “real” front door, he envi- of the growing moss, fallen leaves, and the sioned something quite different to the more Methodist Church roots of plants and trees. The move upends familiar desert motif plantings elsewhere on The Claremont United Methodist Church, the typical understanding of a church nave the property.55 Flanking the path, he specified Claremont, 1960, designed by Neutra and as sealed from the world, besides, glimpses an exciting riot of color: the deep purple-red architect and urban planner Robert E. Alex- of earthy and earthly detritus are not often (and extremely poisonous) castor bean, Ricinus ander (1907 – 1992, Neutra’s partner at the considered desirable.56 Opposite: Neutra paid homage to communis; the brilliant red Poinsettia (Euphorbia time), exemplifies both the Japanese strategy Projects that are not well known, modest the “genius loci” of the tree just pulcherrima); the pink-purple-white California of a borrowed landscape and Ammann’s call in cost, and rarely published reflect the same outside the master bedroom of native, desert sand verbena, Abronia villosa; and to integrate indoors with outdoors. Behind devotion as well-known projects with lavish the Tremaine House by cutting Encilia farinosa, whose brilliant yellow flowers the chancel, full-height glazing immediately budgets. This is the case with the San Ber- out a place for its growth in the roof overhang, a deference Le rise from a silvery base on slender green stems. beyond the window permitted not only a view nardino Medical Group, San Bernardino, 1953 Corbusier also employed at the These plants would have prevented a visitor’s of trees and a tall bird-feeder (long gone now) and the former VDL Research House II, Los Pavilion de l’Espirit Nouveau gaze into the desert landscape to the south, or as well as a picture-perfect vista of distant Angeles, 1966.57 in Paris, 1925. Julius Shulman in any case at least distracted them. It would Mt. Baldy, an imposing peak in the San Ber- Beginning with the Lovell Physical Culture photographer. Courtesy Getty also have created a sense of “excitation” for that nardino mountains that is snow-capped much Center, Los Angeles, 1927, and conclud- Research Institute. same newcomer enroute to her appointment. of the year. ing with the La Veta Medical Building, City Left: Neutra and Grace Lewis Miller (“Excitation” is a special term, a term Neutra While providing such a grand view of a of Orange, 1966, Neutra completed nine worked out the site and landscape knew well from his studies of physiological psy- special natural feature is a standard strategy medical complexes, including prototypes plan together, mixing native, chology. Established by one of the discipline’s for any architect, another move here was not. for rural health centers and hospitals for an desert, and non-native plants. From California Arts & Architecture founders, Wilhelm Wundt, in the mid-nine- A long horizontally oriented strip of one- impoverished Puerto Rico during World War magazine, February 1937. teenth century, “excitation” was to be balanced foot-tall windows, whose base is located at II.58 Compared with the better known and by calm, a parity Neutra sought in all his work.) floor level, runs the length of the bottom of more upscale Mariners Medical Arts Center, Newport Beach, 1963, the San Bernardino Shrubs included Juniper torulosa (an upright Medical Group was a far more modest endeav- type of juniper almost geometrically pyrami- our. From the street, the complex is a rambling, dal in outline); Agave americana, the so-called introverted series of volumes that nonetheless century plant (a desert plant with tall, broad, is permeable to its surroundings. While the grey-green leaves; it is so named because it composition is asymmetrically Modern, the takes decades—if not a century—to produce a heritage of the plan and section is essentially flower);Alpinia nutans, commonly known as a that of a medieval cloister or a Roman atrium. dwarf cardomon, it is a variegated shrub with Here, a restricted palette of low-cost mate- long, thin leaves and a gingery aroma known rials is used for the one-story asymmetric for its medicinal properties in reducing blood arrangement of interconnected stucco boxes of pressure; Aralia sieboldii (similar to Fatsia varying sizes. What he lacked in the construc- japonica); flax,Phormium tenax (mentioned tion budget for finishes, Neutra made up in the earlier); and Papyrus antiquorum, papyrus generous footprint of wings stretching into the sedge (widely distributed in Africa, it is charac- landscape, ensuring that virtually every room terized by its long stems and feathery sprays of had at least one and often two elevations with spiky blooms.)59 While these plants share the views of nature and that patients were espe- common attribute of articulated, distinctive cially privileged. To create this high degree of sculptural forms, notably many are also aro- porosity, he introduced a large, unroofed, and matic, engaging the sense of smell. Vision alone irregularly shaped orthogonal lawn bordered could not communicate nature’s sensory range. with plantings and trees into the center of the Neutra always required details and strat- complex. Broad hallways with almost full- egies to do “double duty” to earn their daily height glass surround much of this courtyard living, and plants were no exception. Here in lawn. Vertical aluminum louvers attached to San Bernardino, they also threw strong patterns south- and west-facing overhangs reduce solar against the unadorned white walls. Creating gain and glare for the vulnerable human as well a moving, crisply outlined play of light and as the plantings located near the buildings. shadow, they introduce rhythm and visual The choice of plants also demonstrates an interest, i.e., “excitation.” The three rectangu- attention to the interaction of building and lar, glass-walled surgical waiting rooms abut site. Archival evidence shows that a local land- outdoor space. Projecting into the quadran- scape firm provided a proposal of over twenty gle, the location of these rooms thus ensures plant types, many of which were Neutra stan- long diagonal views. This view is across the dards. Notables include trees such as olive, “savanna” of the courtyard lawn in the quad- wild plum (Harpephyllum – sp.), Corymbia rangle, which in turn leads to a secondary but (syn. Eucalyptus citriodora [a lemon-scented still generously sized landscaped area, affording ornamental tree]) and Pittosporum tenuifolium an even longer view. Notably, this luxurious (pittosporum trees or shrubs have simple, view, recalling Hegemann’s delight in the leathery leaves and small, fragrant flowers.) “endless view” that he witnessed at Olmsted’s

24 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 25 Opposite left: The locally well-known Coachella Valley nurseryman, garden designer, and contractor Millard R. Wright was responsible for the installation of the landscape at the Miller House. Courtesy, Stephen Leet (author, Richard Neutra’s Miller House, 2004).

Opposite right: Neutra’s client Grace Miller sent this photograph to Neutra and inscribed this on the back: “This is one of my dear favorites. Breakfast, lunch or dinner. This is your favorite place, and spells for me the best you can ever find in Palm Springs. It is Palm Springs for me. Every specimen in the cactus garden was specially chosen and set with study as you set the objects in a still life composition. All the trees & shrubs had singular attention — encilia, etc. For instance, to get three fine ocotillos. I bought a load of ocotillos since 1937. I never saw as good specimens anywhere for sale.” Julius Shulman photographer. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (2004.R.10). Franklin Park, was designed not for the clinical pools, stream beds, and waterfalls on wraps the penthouse. This pool is particularly staff but for patients. Additionally, this vista is a limited scale to excite one’s perspec- important because this was intended to visually Left: Mirrors, a favorite Neutra device, reflected landscape while it also “stretched space” as he not conventionally functional: it does not, for tive and add to the depth of feeling a join the lake and the large Silverlake reservoir would say. Miller House, 1937. Julius Shulman example, assist the staff in overseeing patients sudden relaxation of within the same as “borrowed landscape” in order to create a photographer. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty as did older hospital templates. short span of time; … and hanging strong horizon line and a sense of unbridled Research Institute, Los Angeles (2004.R.10). The gardens and landscape at the Neutra baskets to underscore the view sur- expansiveness. The connection was to be expe- Below: Psalms 119:105 “Your word is a lamp Studio and Residences were redesigned in rounding the home.63 rienced by sitting on the carpeted penthouse’s unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Neutra’s 1966 on the footprint of the original house floor. Here a border of cushions is mounted windows at the base of the wall illuminates not destroyed in a fire three years earlier. Just The quote is interesting in recognizing how about one foot above the floor on two sides only one’s path, but the roots and detritus of as both new and old buildings were dedi- the arrangement of plants can “create the illu- of the glass wall. These unusual furnishings the trees and plants outside. Claremont United ensured comfortable viewing of the reservoir Methodist Church, 1960. Photo by “Schaf,” aka cated to experimental materials and spatial sion of depth”: for Neutra, the manipulation Stephen Schafer. relationships, the new landscape was also of perception was reality. “Stretching” space and the distant hills beyond, embodying a intended to be research-oriented. The rede- was not a matter of square footage but how fairly complete experience of the qualities of sign was to address the specific question of one arranged views. the savanna. Additionally, the pools act as a how to develop a sensual setting appropri- The Neutras’ ambitions for the garden microclimate that cools the house while also ate to dense urban environments, essentially were not wholly realized. In reality the plant- introducing a sensual experience in the smell “moving the suburban scene to a small city ings in the inner courtyard “never seemed to of the water and the texture of its sound. lot.”60 Titled “Research for Beauty,” the arti- prosper,” according to Raymond Neutra, Rich- Other designed landscape elements were cle in a 1966 issue of Landscape Design and ard’s youngest son, a physician.64 There are no constructed as well. The short bridge of con- Construction notes that Neutra and his archi- waterfalls or stream beds. However, several crete leading from Silver Lake Boulevard and tect son Dion, Richard’s partner during the key features were implemented, including the over the curved reflecting pool articulates a spa- 1960s, “exerted considerable influence on addition of five reflecting pools. For a brief tially condensed transition from street to house. the design, techniques, and materials” in col- time, even the roof of the 1939 one-story While short, this bridge still serves its purpose laboration with three prominent landscape guest house at the rear of the property, which in aiding the psychological transition from busy architects.61 (Neutra was further lauded in the survived the fire, featured a reflecting pool to public street to quiet private domicile. issue as “a famed landscape architect [who] be viewed from the upper floor of the main conducts studies of landscaping techniques dwelling at the front of the property. The strat- Working with and design.”62) He commented that: egy underscores the Neutras’ determination to imbue this compact site of sixty by seventy feet Landscape Architects Some of the techniques that are (18.3 x 21.3 meters) with as much nature as While Neutra worked with many landscape employed here are: arrangement of possible, whether real or reflected. architects, many famous in their own right, sizes and species of plants to create the Each pool is different, adding the variety typically he never abandoned his primary illusion of depth in a shallow garden; promoted by Ammann. On the ground level, task of positioning the building to permit the blending of various colours, texture a curved pool located between the house and the experience of nature at various scales and shapes to create the feeling of great Silverlake Boulevard offsets the orthogonal ele- and perspectives. Within those parameters, variety; proper lighting and silhouett- ments elsewhere; a round pool was in the lower landscape architects could design with con- ing of plant material to change the interior garden. At the middle level, a small siderable freedom. For example, Garrett moods and emotional experience of rectangular pool, filled by a roof drain from Eckbo’s 1948 landscape for one of the owners the individual as he moves through the above, flanks the outdoor living room. On the of the Johnson/Stafford houses, Los Altos, garden at night; the use of reflection top level, a rimless L-shaped reflecting pool 1939 (one of three tiny redwood-clad houses

26 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 27 Above, site plan: Plan, San Bernardino whose owners pooled resources to hire buildings and garden systems had In conclusion, it is clear that Neutra capi- ABOUT THE AUTHOR Medical Group, San Bernardino, Neutra), is strongly angular, geometric, and to be worked through, in space, the talized on the emerging discipline of landscape California, 1953. General view of the dense with a concentrated variety of plants body, and surfaces, indoor and out- architecture through his fortuitous interac- sprawling site. Note areas labeled “4” Dr. Lamprecht is the author of Neutra: Com- William Krisel’s Palm Springs: The Language of describing glass-walled patient waiting and outdoor paths and “rooms.” While more door, as a single unity … the design tions with Ammann, Foerster, and others, and rooms that abut directly into the inner ornate than Neutra’s own landscape designs, of gardens, of green surfaces, and brought them to Southern California. Neutra plete Works (Taschen, 2000), Neutra (Taschen Modernism, 2015. She is a “qualified archi- landscaped courtyard Richard Neutra Eckbo’s long angled redwood wall does con- outdoor areas [were] to him always was exposed to progressive and new ideals, 2004), and Richard Neutra Furniture: The Body tectural historian” per the NPS, and regularly Buildings and Projects 1950 – 1960, tinue the longest view line, the diagonal view good to carefully study and nurture most importantly that garden or landscape and the Senses (Wasmuth, 2015). She earned prepares nominations and Mills Act contracts Frederick A. Praeger, 1959, 112. extending from a mitered glass corner of the as areas of architectural endeavour, design was a part of the overall composition an M. Arch. at California State Polytechnic for historic properties. Above, photos: Plants have to do double living area. By contrast, Brazilian landscape that mediate the change from surprise of the setting and had to be designed with University, Pomona and her PhD. at the Uni- The author wishes to thank Dr. James A. duty, too! For this large complex with a architect Roberto Burle Marx’s design for the to surprise. He loved these altered rather than after. As he wrote in an unpub- versity of Liverool. Her dissertation explored Wise for his unfailing support, intellectual modest budget, Neutra chose plantings DeSchulthess House, Havana, Cuba, 1956, states, these changes, and protected lished essay titled “The Landscape Architect Neutra’s late nineteenth and early twentieth generosity, and insights into the connection not only for based on their appearance featured lush, rounded and banked areas of the dynamism of the garden against the Cannot Come Later!” the landscape architect century roots in neuroscience and landscape among ancient humans and habitats, our con- (whether in sun or in creating dappled especially concentrating on his work linking temporary minds and bodies, and Neutra. shadows on the plain white walls, for colorful plants whose gentle, painterly effects statics of the building. These through “comes in right from the start … [after all,] the example) as well as for their fragrance. offset the architecture’s crisp rectilinear lines the exchange from day and night, landscape is here from the beginning, in fact, the body, the senses, and the environment as This use displayed his concern for and planes. from open and covered skies, through long before we think of threatening it with a synthesized in his philosophy of biorealism. addressing all the senses, especially Marx was an especially close friend of both light and shadow, in these achiev- building.”67 Dr. Lamprecht also contributed a chapter for those, in this case, that could benefit anxious patient or busy staff. His layout, Richard and Dione and appreciated Neutra’s able gardening experiences he was centered on a large patio with “fingers” goals for the setting. In his introduction to resourceful, and incorporated them Above: Designed by Dion Neutra with his father, the rooftop water of the Neutra Studio and of lawn elsewhere, emphasizes the Pflanzen Wasser Steine Licht, Marx wrote mov- into his plans. In dry areas he used Residences (formerly the VDL Research House II, 1966) was intended to visually join the water of patient population’s special need for an ingly of his friend’s thinking: water as a life-giving element. That the Silverlake Reservoir, 600 feet to the west. Note that on the right, beyond the range of the image intimate relationship to nature. Elsewhere, also served him well in creating places and inside the “penthouse,” as it was named, low cushioned backrests signal the viewer to sit on walkways overlook Nature, Julius Shulman the floor to obtain the melding of the two bodies of water, an experience not accessible otherwise. photographer. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Conversations with Neutra were for contemplative reflection, provok- (His widow, Dione, would often invite visitors to that very experience, listening intently as the people Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles especially meaningful, how clear and ing stimulating reflections in defining above in the penthouse-- sometimes awkwardly--lowered themselves to floor level.) Julius Shulman (2004.R.10). precise the individual elements in the space and expanding perspective.66 photographer. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (2004.R.10).

28 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 29 Endnotes 1 When established in the mid-nineteenth century, the new 16 I did not include this project in my catalogue raisonné, pub- 33 Ibid. 53 In 1921, back in Berlin and working on the occasional discipline exploring the quantitative impact of an environ- lished in 2000. It is an error I wouldn’t make today, especially project under his close friend, architect Ernst Freud (son of Sig- mental stimulus on an organism was called “experimental having learned of its great meaning to him and his deep belief 34 Neutra, Life and Shape, 139. mund; the Freuds and Neutras were friends), Neutra designed a garden that precipitated a conflict between the owners’ wish for psychology,” now known as physiological psychology, a term in the connection between a building and its environment. 35 Ibid, 139, 40. established by one of Neutra’s primary early influences, Wil- a decorative garden with flowers for cuttings, such as roses, and helm Wundt (1832 – 1920.) 17 “Architects’ [sic] Personal History and Professional Field 36 Richard to Dione Neutra, date illegible, Scan 33, letters Neutra’s preference for a more “functional” garden that included Interview II,” Biographical and Performance Data, Institute given to author by Raymond Neutra. The quote appears to fruits, vegetables, and herbs such as the hardy Erika, a fragrant 2 Until the mid-nineteenth century, the design of large, of Personality and Social Research Archives, UC Berkeley, 4. be part of a letter dated October 1921 that Dione Neutra rose-pink heather plant often used as a massed ground cover. expansive areas of land was the domain of garden designers, Interview conducted by S. Mednick [no first name supplied] published in Promise and Fulfillment, 51. Her translation for 54 Susan Chamberlin, “The Tremaine Garden: A Mid-Cen- horticulturalists, plant nursery owners and others. The term under Donald W. MacKinnon, 3 December 1958. the book is slightly altered from another, earlier translation. “landscape architect” was coined in 1828 by Scottish estate tury Modern Classic,” Pacific Horticulture, October 2001, owner Gilbert Laing Meason (1769 – 1832), who employed 18 A friend recommended Neutra to the well-known Zurich 37 Family letters given to author by Raymond Neutra. http://www.pacifichorticulture.org/articles/tremaine-garden- it in the context of art history in his book, On the Landscape landscaping firm and nursery owned by Otto Froebel (1878 a-mid-century-modern-classic/. Architecture of the Great Painters of Italy. However, in the nine- – 1966), son of the equally renowned garden designer The- 38 Notably, in his presentation renderings, Neutra typically odor Froebel (1810 – 1893.) Thus, Neutra’s first postwar job included trees near the home, trees that are strikingly similar 55 The author is indebted to Steven Keylon for his insight into teenth century and early twentieth centuries, new concerns the significance of this shift in the Miller House’s plantings. arose such as the need for public parks, questions of land use, was not indoors in a drafting room but outdoors as a garden in appearance to the acacia trees that are native to the savan- ecology, and preservation. In addition to the continued influ- assistant, albeit in a renowned nursery. nas of Africa. Neutra’s trees, like the acacia, have a high drip 56 The views of Nature near and distant in this church bring line, permitting clear views out to the horizon from inside ence of the popular genre of landscape painting, these new 19 Thomas S. Hines, Richard Neutra and the Search for Modern two passages from the Bible to mind: Psalms 119:105, “Your factors collectively created the need for a more comprehensive the house. The acacia tree is regarded by many evolutionary word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path,” and Architecture (New York, Oxford: Oxford University Press, psychologists as the most “preferred” tree; that is, consistently profession with criteria for membership. “Landscape Archi- 1982), 26. Psalm 121:1, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from tect” was first used as a professional title by erstwhile partners evoking positive emotions above other tree forms because of whence cometh my help.” 20 Neutra, Life and Shape, 138. its diaphanous quality and distinctively umbrella-like canopy. Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmsted; the new profession 57 Now a National Historic Landmark, the complex has been of landscape architecture followed that of architecture: the 39 Mystery and Realities of the Site, 39. renamed the Neutra Studio and Residences American Institute of Architects (AIA) was established in 1867 21 Neutra, Life and Shape, 139. and the American Society of Landscape Architects in 1899, 22 Neutra worked under Foerster and possibly Ammann 40 The outdoor display panels for an arts exhibition com- 58 The Lovell Physical Health Centre was commissioned 32 years later. Despite its distinguished history in garden on the landscaping of the Einstein Tower, Potsdam, 1922, missioned by Aline Barnsdall and designed by Schindler for by Philip Lovell to house the chiropractor’s office. Neutra design and in landscape architecture, the (British) Landscape designed by Erich Mendelsohn, Neutra’s employer at the the California Arts Club’s first meeting at the Barnsdall home remodelled its interior. Institute, known as the LI, was not founded until 1929, 95 time. Neutra and Mendelsohn were both Jewish; Foerster is (Hollyhock House) shares the same spatial organization as the years after the Royal Institute of British Architects, RIBA, was especially compelling because he kept his Jewish employees design for the wading pool and pergola described above. More 59 UCLA, Box 103, Folder 7. established in 1843. working as long as he could and defied the Nazi regime that research is required to clarify the contribution of each archi- tect to this design. See John Crosse, http://socalarchhistory. 60 “Research for Beauty,” Landscape Design and Construction, 3 Neutra, Tape Recording 60, No. 1, recorded 24 January insisted on banning “foreign” plants. For Foerster, the idea January 1966, 27. that plants could be forced into a political allegiance was blogspot.com/2011/02/neutra-schindler-california-art-club. 1970, UCLA, Box 8. Neutra is referring to Louis B. Leakey html [retrieved April 2011] citing “Art Club Opens Home 61 Independent Star-News, Pasadena, California, 15 Novem- (1903 – 1972), paleoanthropologist and archaeologist who ludicrous, preferring to assess a plant’s natural characteristics and context. Tonight; Poster Display Will Feature Formal Ceremonies,” ber 1964, 54. Dagmar Braun was the head of the California sought to prove Charles Darwin’s hypothesis that the human Los Angeles Times, 31 August 1927, Section I-5. Association of Landscape Designers, CALD. Klaus Hess was originated in East Africa, and playwright and science writer 23 Other early important figures in this lineage include the 41 Hines, 59. the owner of Valley Crest Landscaping, and Paul Smythe, a Robert Ardrey (1908 – 1980), a close friend of the Neutras, landscape architect and social critic Frederick Law Olmsted CALD associate. The newspaper announced a conference for and, important to this discussion, the author of African Gen- Sr. (1822 – 1903) and before that, Andrew Jackson Downing the California landscape industry; speakers and moderators , 1961 (part of Neutra’s book collection) and the 42 “The Garden Apartment House,” The Christian Science esis Territorial (1815 – 1852), the landscape gardener and author of books Monitor, 12 July 1928. included Dion Neutra, Braun, and Hess. Imperative, 1966. Notably, this exact quote reveals that Neutra including Cottage Residences. Downing introduced Olmsted, did not check his facts, as Louis Leakey’s findings were first Sr. to architect and landscape architect Calvert Vaux (1824 – 43 See Barbara Lamprecht, “Neutra in Japan, 1930, to his 62 “Research for Beauty,” ibid. located in modern-day Tanzania’s Olduvai Gorge. Tanzania European Audiences and Southern California Work,” Southern 1895) whom Downing brought to America from England to 63 Ibid. borders Uganda on the north; both countries are part of East collaborate with Downing in his design office at Newburgh, California Quarterly, Fall 2010, 215 – 242. Africa, which Neutra often referred to when writing about New York (hence the firm Downing and Vaux). Olmsted 64 Dr. Raymond Neutra, e-mail correspondence with author human origins. was a frequent visitor at Downing’s home on the Hudson 44 The Tsuchiuras apprenticed with Wright from April 1923 to October 1925. Richard and Dione came to Taliesin in late 18 October 2014. 4 In fact, at one point in the lecture Neutra became irritated at Newburgh, where he met Vaux. After Downing’s death in 1852, Vaux continued to work in architecture and landscape October 1924 and left in late January 1925. During their 65 Landscape architect, educator, and historian Rhett Beavers when he learned no press were in attendance, chastising the mutual time there, the Tsuchiuras and the Neutras shared was helpful in illuminating Eckbo’s objectives for the Clayton large audience for overlooking the opportunity to use his architecture in the U.S. Later, in 1856, Vaux and Olmsted collaborated on the design of Central Park. picnics, musical evenings, and other activities on the week- Stafford garden design. presence to further their agenda of landscape. ends. In Wright’s studio, Nobu’s drafting table was to Neutra’s immediate left, while Kameki sat directly behind Neutra. Both 66 Roberto Burle Marx, introduction, Richard and Dion 5 Neutra, tape recording, ibid. See also the description of a 24 In his 1852 book Walks and Talks of an American Farmer in England, Olmsted relates how he fell into conversation Neutra and Tsuchiura both worked on textile block designs Neutra, Pflanzen Wasser Steine Licht, 6, 7. Marx’s text in traditional Japanese toilet and its surroundings in the experi- and on the unexecuted National Life Insurance Company German translated by the author. Underline and bold face ence of place amidst nature in Junichuro Tanisaki’s In Praise of with a baker, who begged him not to miss their fine new park. Olmsted agreed, and was awestruck by what he saw building, and the families spent Christmas together in 1925. added by the author. “Surprise to surprise” recalls Wundt’s Shadows, first published in 1933, which includes a hauntingly idea of “excitation.” poetical description of one’s “procession” to the outhouse. at Birkenhead Park, the first publicly funded park for the Nobu became Japan’s first female architect. The Tsuchiuras public, and designed by none other than the architect of the became lifelong friends of the Neutras, corresponding with 67 Neutra, “The Landscape Architect Cannot Come Later!” 6 Designed with local architecture firm Ramberg & Lowrey. Crystal Palace, Sir Joseph Paxton. Olmsted took copious notes, them even throughout the hostilities of World War II, with let- unpublished essay, UCLA, Box 162, Folder 10. not only moved by the quietly undulating, natural-looking ters containing personal news and professional observations. 7 Ibid. See also Meredith Banasiak’s well-researched essay, and diversified spaces but by the diversity of the visitors “When Nature Calls: The Importance of Restroom Design to themselves. 45 Richard Neutra, Foreword, Japanese Gardens for Today, Support Cognition,” London: Journal of Science-Informed David H. Engel (Tokyo and Rutland, Vermont: Charles E. Design, ISSN 2633-0687 DOI:10.33797/SIDE.19.0002, 27 25 Email correspondence, landscape architectural historian- Tuttle, 1959), xii, xiii. August 2019, https://theccd.org/article/when-nature-calls- Noel Vernon to author, 6 December 2014. importance-of-restroom-design-to-support-cognition/ 46 Neutra, Life and Shape, 229. 26 The phrase is also related to contemporary hypotheses in 47 See Kurokawa Kisho, The Philosophy of Symbiosis (London: 8 Neutra, Nature Near, 69. environmental psychology, which assert that environments that contain properties of variation are superior to static Academy Editions, 1994.) 9 The exhibition was held February 12 – March 22, 1937. environments. My thanks to Steven Keylon for bringing this exhibition to 48 A tsubo is equal to two tatami mats. Each mat is three feet my attention. 27 David H. Haney, “Bringing the Americanized Pückler Back by six feet, making a tsubo about 36 square feet (3.24 square to Germany: Charles Eliot and the German Park Reform Move- meters.) 10 Haller is considered one of the “fathers of modern physi- ment.” Bulletin of the German Historical Institute. Supplement 4 49 Richard and Dion Neutra, Pflanzen Wasser Steine Licht ology,” that science that became paramount to Neutra in his (2007), 89–110, 93, underline added, 94-95. Dr. Haney is the (Berlin and Hamburg: Verlag Paul Parey, 1974.) urgent quest to highlight the intersection of body, brain, and author of When Modern was Green: Life and Work of Landscape environment. Architect Leberecht Migge (London and New York: Routledge, 50 Part of the former Crystal Cathedral’s expansive grounds, 2010.) the sanctuary, now called The Arboretum, is part of Christ 11 Notably, Neutra’s most famous book is titled Survival Cathedral, owned by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange Through Design. To “succeed” we must design according to 28 Haney, “Bringing …” 93, underline added. our biological needs and capabilities. County. Neutra’s entire campus complex was restored by the 29 Haney, 94. Underline added. Diocese, garnering many awards. The hard-working sanctuary 12 Neutra termed his approach to design as biorealism. now is the venue for 30 masses per week. Left: To access the two quite different front 30 Haney, “Bringing the Americanized Pückler …”, 154. doors (one glass, the other, perpendicular 13 Richard and Dion Neutra Papers, UCLA, Charles E. Young 51 Neutra via lead project architect John Blanton to the Con- Notably, in his list of citations for his paper, Haney includes to it a more rustic redwood), one crosses a Research Library, Special Collections. Unpublished unbylined the title of a 1932 Migge book, Die wachsende Siedlung: nach nells, 3 June1957. UCLA, Box 1660, Folder 1. short bridge that acts as an interstitial element letter. biologischen Gesetzen, [The Growing Settlement: Towards Bio- 52 “Suggestive Plant List” provided to author, September 14 Neutra, Mystery and Realities of the Site, 14. logical Principles], indicating a possibly even deeper affinity 2014, by the Kambara family, then owners of the Neutra- mediating the bustling Silverlake Boulevard between Migge and Neutra than discussion permits here and designed Kambara House, part of the ten Neutra homes and the privacy of the studio and residential 15 Architect and historian Pierluigi Serraino alerted the is a promising direction for future research. comprising the famed grouping called the Silverlake Colony.. author to this study, done under the auspices of the Institute of compound. Each of the three levels offered a Personality Assessment and Research, University of California, 31 Weilacher, ibid. water element ... just as Gustav Ammann had Berkeley. 32 Gustav Ammann, Blühende Gärten [Flowering Gardens] prescribed. Julius Shulman photographer. © J. (Erlenbach-Zurich: Verlag für Architektur, 1955), 25. Underline Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los added. Several Neutra projects were included in Ammann book. Angeles (2004.R.10).

30 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 31 WILLIAM HAMMOND HALL: Still the Unsung Father of Golden Gate Park

CHRISTOPHER POLLOCK

The first installment of this essay was published in the Winter 2020 issue of Eden and was titled “Sand into Gold.” It discussed the creation of one of America’s best urban parks from sand dunes. This second installment is focused on William Hammond Hall (1846-1934), the man who created Golden Gate Park. On April 4, 2020, the City and Above: Drawing of the newly founded town of Stockton on the San Joaquin River in 1849 shortly before Hall’s family moved there. County of San Francisco’s Recreation and Park Department launched a Source: Gilbert, Frank T. History of San Joaquin County. Oakland: Thompson and year-long celebration commemorating the sesquicentennial of the city’s West, 1879. premier playground: Golden Gate Park. In this essay, Hall is given the Far left: Portrait of William Hammond Hall that was taken about the time he started work on the Golden Gate Park project. recognition that eluded him for 150 years. Source: Overland Monthly, “Golden Gate Park” Richard Gibson, vol. XXXVII, no. 3, Ask almost any Bay Area resident today about out over decades, hid the contributions of Wil- March 1901, 759. the legacy of William Hammond Hall, and a liam Hammond Hall —the park’s engineer, blank stare may follow. Ask the same person designer, and first superintendent—behind Left: The writer was Alberta Rosa (de Morbio) Pruitt (1901-1979) who was a granddaughter to name the father of San Francisco’s Golden those of other more renowned figures. Hall of Adolph Sutro. Sutro was an inventive Gate Park, and the response might be John served the park in various roles for its first mining engineer, and the 24th Mayor of San McLaren (1846-1943), or maybe Frederick nineteen years. However, there is no public Francisco from 1895-1897. Sadly, we did not Law Olmsted, Sr. (1821-1903) of Olmsted, lawn, glade, dell, valley, road, playground— grow the wiser in the intervening fifty years since Pruitt wrote this note to the Chronicle Vaux and Company, the designer (with Calvert nothing named for Hall anywhere in San newspaper’s editor. Vaux) of New York’s Central Park. Neither of Francisco. Only Golden Gate Park itself stands Source: San Francisco Chronicle, March 27, these is correct: a complicated history, played silently as a memorial to his genius. 1970, 42.

32 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 33 Above: Topographical map of Golden William Hammond Hall was born in Hag- and upkeep of other plants in the garden. Gate Park by William Hammond Hall. erstown, Maryland, on February 12, 1846, to His entries also include descriptions of the None of the adjacent streets were built yet, the entire illustration shows what John Buchanan Hall (1820-1906), a successful weather and the height of river water, located was surveyed and was intended to be lawyer, and his wife Ann Maria (neè Ham- close to the family residence. This awareness constructed. mond, 1818-1896)1, known as ‘Mollie’. John of details became part of his life-long ethos.6 Source: First Biennial Report of the Hall had been caught up in the Gold Rush hys- Hall’s professional civil engineering career San Francisco Park Commissioners teria of 1848. Traveling by ship around Cape started in 1866 when he apprenticed as a 1870-71. San Francisco: Francis and Valentine, 1872. Horn, he landed in San Francisco in August draftsman and surveyor for the U.S. Army of 1850.2 Along with two partners, Hall Corps of Engineers. He conducted the first established the law firm Huggins, Hall, and survey for a shipping canal to bring deep- Mudd with an office on Montgomery Street. sea vessels into Stockton’s inland port.7 Hall The Great Fire of 1851—which consumed advanced quickly, surveying West Coast land nearly three-quarters of the city—destroyed from San Diego northward to Washington Hall’s office and prized library. Shortly there- state—including around San Francisco Bay— after, Hall became legal advisor to Charles M. for the U.S. Coast Survey. His work with the Weber, the founder of the Central Valley town Corps included learning about the science of of Stockton, which was the gateway to the sand dune reclamation along San Francisco’s southern gold mines. Mollie and their then western coastline. Here, under General Barton 9-year-old son William traveled west to join S. Alexander, he studied an area known as San John in late spring 1853.3 Francisco’s ‘Outside Lands,’ gaining knowl- In Stockton, William (known as ‘Ham’) edge that would serve him well in the future. entered a private academy in 1858, with the Additionally, Hall worked on mining engineer- intention of attending the military academy at ing projects in California and Nevada.8 West Point as others in his family had done. The year 1870 was a tremendous cross- However, with the commencement of the Civil roads in Hall’s life: he was 24. That year he War in 1861, his parents revised this plan, and married Emma Kate Fitzhugh in San Francisco. William remained at the Stockton Seminary Over the years, they had three daughters, Anna until 1865.4 Hammond, Margaret Fitzhugh, and Katherine Living in Stockton, young William would Buchanan Hall. That same year, a large urban have learned a crucial lesson about the forces park was about to be built in San Francisco. Once established, the board solicited bids for to continue through the project’s develop- of nature. Stockton was located in the San The city had evolved quickly from a gold rush a topographical survey of the selected tract in ment phases. Having proved himself, Hall was Joaquin River Delta to the west of the great town to a thriving port. The transcontinental the Outside Lands, a tract of mostly sand on appointed park superintendent on August 14, California Sierra drainage basin. The winter of railroad had been completed in 1869, further the west side of the San Francisco Peninsula. 1871, at a salary of $250 a month.11 For such 1861-62 saw a series of immensely destructive securing its promise of a bright future. This Based on his prior experience with the site and an enterprising and courageous young man, floods that overflowed the San Joaquin’s banks great San Francisco park would become Hall’s with the support of his ex-boss, the influential this was a major professional coup. and sloughs, providing him an eyewitness greatest task and finest achievement. General Alexander, Hall won the contract on Both Hall and the commissioners met experience of what uncontrolled water can The park’s genesis lay in the new city’s con- August 8, 1870. His proposal, chosen from great opposition from naysayers who derided An editorial satire on the proposed do. Bridges floated away and boats became the cern for breathing space, combined with San those submitted by several bidders, was for the Herculean task of turning San Francisco’s Sharon Memorial Gate, which is 5 pointing out the many indiscretions vehicles of choice in everyday transportation. Francisco’s desire to be the West Coast’s met- $4,860. He completed the basic task in six sand dunes into an English pastoral landscape of William Sharon. With Sharon in the Hall also had a strong affinity with plants. ropolitan star. Earlier efforts to develop such a months. The commissioners intended to stage like that of New York’s Central Park. Among symbolic keystone position, readers One of the few intimate insights into his life park had not been successful.9 In order for the a competition for the next phase, the park’s many criticisms, one public comment com- of the day could probably identify comes from a journal Hall kept for less than City to initiate the building of its much-desired design.10 However, Hall foresaw this hurdle pared the site to “The Sahara, that is to be all the 20 individuals that were two months in early 1865. About to turn 20, open-space, Governor Henry H. Haight shown and what they represented in and created, at his own expense, a preliminary by some magical process not yet explained Sharon’s tumultuous life. 12 he often mentioned working in the family appointed a locally-based three-person Board park plan. The commissioners were impressed transformed into a park…”. Some of these Source: The Wasp, vol. XVI, no. 496, garden, noting roses, a pear tree, and the care of Park Commissioners on April 19, 1870. enough with what Hall presented to hire him critics had their own agendas, wanting to line January 30, 1886, 8.

34 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 35 posts to support and keep it from blowing away.”18 It took vision to see beyond the popu- lar thoughts of the untrained mind. Hall and the park commissioners bucked the tide of popular thinking with tenacity and a scientific approach. Hall wisely grasped the global picture of what was at stake. In 1873, he made a profound statement for the time that easily resonates today. Hall was discussing the park in relation to the much larger picture of land reclamation across the continents. In his broad-ranging essay he wrote:

Vast areas of the earth’s surface have been stripped of the natural forest clothing through the medium of the axe and fire-brand in the hands of man, who, thus removing a most potent ele- ment in the problems of evaporation and precipitation, has caused great irregularity in the rain-fall in these districts, resulting in alternate drought and flood, and the formation of arid deserts or denuded wastes of primi- expressing his admiration of the famous American landscape designer Andrew Jackson tive rock.19 landscape architect’s work and asking for his Downing (1815-1852) as well as Olmsted, and advice. This began a mentoring correspon- the European landscape garden designers Sir He was setting the stage for his work and dence that would last for decades. Hall started Humphrey Repton and John Loudon. Indeed, informing the reader that he left no stone out his work with a project that flew in the Hall was an apt pupil of the many landscape unturned to make sure this effort was a suc- face of Olmsted’s pragmatic advice against a architectural considerations in great detail, cess in every aspect. green park sited in the middle of arid sands. from both cultural and technical standpoints. In its essence, Hall’s proposed plan for But the city was investing in the future and In his efforts to stabilize the dunes, Hall Golden Gate Park was ultimately carried out. Hall was convinced that he could meet the carried out (and recorded for posterity) For the most part, the park was built as a city’s expectations. experiments held within the park between pastoral landscape, just as the city wanted, Through intensive study, Hall learned December 1872 and the following January. despite its inappropriateness to the site’s cli- about the basic components involved in Afforestation, the development of sand into mate, hydrology, native vegetation, and soils. Above: Hand colored presentation their own pockets by having the park located creating the proposed park. He wrote in the a growing medium for plants, shrubs, and The roads and paths meandering amongst drawing by William Hammond Hall from elsewhere on the peninsula. Fortunately, the July 1888 showing the Sharon Building First Biennial Report of 1870-1871: “there is an trees, sounds like alchemy. In fact, the known the rolling natural and designed landscape and the landscape layout for the Quarters commission prevailed. abundance of water to be had throughout the scientific phased approach of plant succes- reproduced the desired pastoral feeling. Hall for Children. The circular element remains With no formal training or background, eastern portion of the Reservation, at a depth sion (described in the first of these two Eden imbued the site with the same romantic as the carousel location to this day. Hall had to focus on the problem with a dedi- of twenty-five to thirty-five feet below the articles) was used to convert the sand dunes Nineteenth-century landscape ethos that it Source: San Francisco Recreation and cation that few can appreciate. Otherwise, he 20 Park Department. surface of the ground in the valleys. Under into an arable landscape. The first sequence evokes today. would have failed in his first large commission the clay formation, at the western end of the included two members of the deep-rooted Hall worked on another major project, Left: The Norman Medal, bestowed upon and been ridiculed for the rest of his career. Avenue, it is even nearer the surface.”13 Early native lupine family, Lupinus arboreus and while also serving as Golden Gate Park’s Hall in 1895 by the American Society of Seeing beyond the sand—touted as a waste- on, he recommended that an on-site nursery Lupinus albifrons, that were mixed with faster- superintendent, designing what has become Civil Engineers. land at the time, Hall understood the various be established to provide plantings for the growing common barley, which shielded the an important layer of the University of Califor- Source: https://www.icollector. elements involved (such as the site’s geogra- com/1872-Norman-Medal-Julian-AM- park. It was carried out initially near where developing and slower growing, but longer- nia, Berkeley’s campus plan. Olmsted himself 9-PR60-Uncertified-Gold_i6557068, phy, geology, hydrology, and vegetation)—and McLaren Lodge stands today. lasting, lupine.16 Serendipity played a part in had developed an earlier plan for what was accessed February 15, 2020. the dynamics amongst them—in a way that With three years of the park’s construc- the experiment: while Hall was surveying the then called the College of California in 1864- was not generally recognized at the time. tion behind him, Hall submitted a report titled Outside Lands’ dunes on horseback with col- 65. However, Olmsted’s personal involvement Opposite left: Portrait of landscape Having done work around the perimeter of “Influence of Parks and Pleasure-Grounds” leagues, some horse feed spilled onto the sand. with the campus was limited. Moving forward, architect Frederick Law Olmsted. the San Francisco Peninsula, Hall had gained Source: The World’s Work, vol. VI, that was originally published in the Report of Upon finding sprouted seedlings soon after, he the nascent university’s Board of Regents New York: Doubleday, Page a technical understanding of water resources the Park Commissioners 1872-73 and simul- determined that barley would be an answer to chose to hire Hall, who prepared a plan and and Co., 1903, 3938. and the roles played by fog and wind. Addi- taneously published in the highly respected the problem of arresting the sands.17 a report, published in 1874. Hall’s plan for tionally, he recognized how the sand acted as Overland Monthly magazine.14 In it he laid out As the project advanced, many support- the campus, including the botanical garden Opposite right: Portrait of Superintendent insulation against evaporation. John McLaren his systematic views on the social value of ers were on board with the development of and what would become the Campanile Way, Source: author’s collection. But a knowledge of the site did not lead parks writing that “primarily, they are intended the park. However, there were detractors, too. continued to inform development for the next immediately to a viable park design. For to provide the best practicable means for One wrote, “Of all the elephants the city of 25 years.21 As of the early 1900s, however, this, Hall went to the experts. He sought out healthful recreation for people of all classes, San Francisco ever owned, they now have the with the university growing at a rapid pace and read many books on park design. With and the influence which they thus exert upon heaviest in the shape of “Golden Gate Park.” and the emergence of the Beaux-Arts era, John the park project underway, Hall wrote his society can scarcely be overestimated.”15 In A dreary waste of shifting sandhills, where a Galen Howard’s axial campus planning and first letter to Olmsted, on August 22, 1871, this, he was influenced by the writings of blade of grass cannot be raised without four neoclassical style buildings shifted the focus

36 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 37 Above: Looking south over the away from Hall’s predominantly picturesque submitted a statement with the counter-accu- was $6,000 per year.26 In 1884, he was all-new park commission board was installed life. The magazine’s article was written by its Conservatory of Flowers in 1891. This landscape design approach. Nevertheless, sation that “I have been brought up before a accepted as a member of the American Soci- in 1886, which included Hall’s well-respected very political editor Frank M. Pixley, who was shows some the many elements of 27 Hall’s intended design of the well- inherited from Hall’s era, the picturesque Committee, which had been stuffed in secret ety of Civil Engineers, and he continued to and politically connected relative Maj. Richard appointed by the governor as a member of the developed eastern end of the park. Strawberry Creek areas remained along with investigation with the tales of the sore-headed serve as State Engineer until the office was P. Hammond as its president. It’s probably no park commission, which in turn appointed Included is the Garfield Monument many mature trees. The 2004 Landscape Heri- scoundrels.”23 Although none of the charges abolished by the state legislature in 1889. accident that Hall regained an official park title him its president.30 with floral plaques set into the lawn, tage Plan produced by Vonn Marie May and stuck, an insulted Hall resigned on April 30, At the forefront of water use in arid Cali- when the new governor, George Stoneman, Hall had other ideas about how the funds on the left, and in the distance are the white travertine Francis Scott Key Noel Vernon states, “as of the 1930s, no other 1876, in disgust when his salary was cut in fornia, Hall produced a wide-ranging body appointed him consulting engineer to Golden should be used and submitted a report to Monument with the Sharon Building campus in the United States appears to have half; he was not alone, as the entire park board of work that included fundamental recom- Gate Park that same year. the Park Commissioners detailing his rea- directly behind that behind that. achieved UC Berkeley’s combination of beaux- resigned as well. The last straw was when the mendations. During that time, he was the One of Hall’s important influences was sons why the funds should be used for the Out of view and to the right is the arts neoclassical architecture set primarily park’s budget was severely diminished: the first to propose an integrated flood control to provide a shining public legacy for the direct benefit of children.31 His report swayed Bandshell and Deer Park. All this is 22 set among a variety of plantings that within a picturesque landscape.” state legislature abolished the sale of park system using a combination of levees, weirs, park. Robber baron William Sharon died in the powerful trustees of the estate to build was sand just 20 years earlier. The next phase of Hall’s life would garner bonds and based the park’s income on local and bypass channels in the Sacramento River 1885 and left a bequest of $50,000 to the another kind of memorial—the Sharon Source: Western Neighborhood unwanted publicity, which slowed the prog- property taxes.24 Sullivan was one behind the Valley. Additionally, he recommended navi- park with no specific direction as to its use.28 Quarters for Children, one of the earliest Project: wnp37.00388, photographer: ress of both Golden Gate Park and Hall’s retaliatory scheme, and work on the park gational improvements for river commerce, In the spirit of the times, the Sharon Estate U.S. playgrounds for public use. Although Isaiah West Taber. career. Hall became a victim of political slowed to a minimum. compiled research on the devastating envi- trustees initially chose to build a memorial to construction had already begun on the Opposite: The Sharon Building and revenge by former blacksmith-turned-State ronmental impacts (that concept did not yet Sharon that could not be missed as it would much-ballyhooed archway entrance, the its adjacent Children’s Quarters were Assemblyman D.C. Sullivan. The backstory Post-Golden Gate Park have a place in the thinking of the day) of be located right at the main entrance to the estate trustees agreed to scuttle it.32 The play- an outcome of Hall’s suggestion of was that Hall withheld payment after Sul- hydraulic mining. This practice devastated park, at Stanyan Street and Main Drive (now ground as a place for child development was how to spend the robber baron’s ill- (first time) gotten gains on something usefull to livan padded his bill for a commission as a the gold field’s topography and had down- JFK Drive). Designed by architect John Gash, a new social idea. This was another example the community, rather than edifying blacksmith to the park. Later, when in the Following his departure from Golden Gate stream effects even as far away as the entrance it was to be a massive white marble gateway, of Hall studying and implementing cultural Sharon. position of state power, Sullivan retaliated Park, Hall and his expertise were in demand. to San Francisco Bay. Hall was instrumental with overall dimensions of 190 feet wide trends that were coming to the public eye. Source: Twentieth-Eighth Annual by accusing Hall of wrongdoing and had him From 1876 to 1878, Hall served as chief engi- in laying the foundation for arid California’s and 60 feet high.29 Tongues wagged about The Sharon Quarters playground opened on Report of the Board of Park Commissioners of San Francisco investigated on several charges. This included neer for several major irrigation projects in future, which depended on water; without it, the memorial. An 1886 issue of the politi- December 22, 1888, along with a companion for the year ending June 30, 1899. the cutting of nurse trees, those excess trees the state, including the West Side Irrigation the state would founder. cally influential weekly satire magazine,The building, and the playground continues to San Francisco: Brunt Press: 1899. that were planted to help a new forest grow, Commission, at that time one of the larg- Never giving up on Golden Gate Park, Hall Wasp, lampooned the gate’s notion by printing provide family activities today as the Koret Photograph: Britton & Rey. and then be cut by design. But somehow a est single irrigation studies in California. continued to consult on its behalf pro bono. a scathing two-page color illustration labeled Children’s Quarter. special committee from Sacramento—a com- Hall may have found some solace in 1878, During Hall’s official absence, three superin- “A Proposed Sharon Gate for the Park” that Thinking about the future of Golden mittee that Sullivan chaired—turned this into given the previous turn of events, when he tendents came and went without being able showed twenty prominent personalities, an Gate Park, Hall used his time to search for a fracas about stealing wood. In 1876, early was appointed the first State Engineer of to provide any real contribution due to the allegory recounting Sharon’s many peccadil- and find just the right person to carry on as in the investigation, Hall (who felt hounded) California by Governor Irwin.25 His salary poorly-funded park coffers. Years later, an loes that took place during his tumultuous superintendent. He recommended, and the

38 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 39 Park Commission hired landscape gardener John McLaren, whose resumé included work on San Francisco Peninsula estates. As assis- tant superintendent, McLaren was initially assigned the job of landscaping the Sharon Children’s Quarters, designed by Hall. With some time under his belt, McLaren was des- ignated park superintendent in 1889. Thus Hall’s official work with the park was com- pleted. He went into private practice in 1890 as a civil engineer. Post-Golden Gate Park (again) Hall had taken on another crucial commission in 1887: he was hired by speculators to create a plan for the city of Redondo Beach near Los Angeles, which was initially intended by its backers to be just a “watering-place and seaside residence town.”33 But Hall suggested a broader scope to look beyond the client’s intentions and investigate the site’s possibilities as a stop for large ocean going vessels. Hall conducted soundings offshore and the data revealed a deep canyon leading to Redondo’s develop- ment as a potential port; it turned out that the town was advantageously located for deep-sea commerce, allowing for passenger ships and freighters to dock at the shoreline. Redondo Beach flourished as a recreation playground from the 1890s through the 1920s, an outcome well beyond the investor’s original intentions. Family connections can sometimes be advantageous or sometimes not. Hall had an advantage in the form of family connections that certainly helped his career. His lawyer father was well connected in the civic and political arenas, but it was his mother’s side of the family that had clout. His illustrious cousins were the well-known mining engineer John Hays Hammond (1855-1936) known for his work in South Africa with Cecil Rhodes, and West Point graduate Major Richard Pin- dell Hammond Jr. (1859-1900), brother to the former, who was Surveyor-General of Cali- fornia and then to the U.S. as well as being Hall’s site plan of the Redondo Beach development centered on its President of the Park Commission from 1887 deepwater pier located adjacent to to 1890. An unfortunate situation came about the tourist focal point of the Hotel however, in 1893, when an uproar occurred Water Resources and exhaustively detailed and voluminous reports, The award continues to be bestowed today by Redondo, access which is unusual involving his brother-in-law, William M. with maps, provided the authorities with a the nationally recognized organization. for any coastal resort. Another focal Development point is the centrally located and Fitzhugh. Fitzhugh was Surveyor for the City wide range of data useful to the interpreta- Another of Hall’s more important consulta- symbolic Lamp of Learning shape and County of San Francisco. The Sewer Com- Today, Hall’s more substantial impact on Cali- tion of the state’s water resources, combined tions was for the 51-mile-long Panama Canal, that is formed by the street layout mission was proposed to be abolished, and fornia’s residents lies in his later work with with solutions to problems that affected all the an essential maritime conduit across the Isth- and next to the lamp’s base is the it was opined in the San Francisco Chronicle water resources within the state and abroad. public’s welfare. mus of Panama for trade started by France in Chautauqua assembly area. The Chautauqua movement, an adult that the action would ultimately further Hall’s His influential work laid the foundation for Hall’s achievements in California’s water 1881, which fell through due to many techni- 34 education advancement included finances due to his assumed influence. Hall today’s water systems in California. The guide system’s development were recognized in cal problems with the massive undertaking in some moral and spiritual guidance had to distance himself from the matter by to Hall’s professional papers in the California 1895 when he was awarded the prestigious difficult conditions. The U.S. took it over in and continued until the 1920s. making a public statement that he had no State Archives asserts that “Hall’s examina- Norman Medal by the American Society of 1904, and in 1905 Hall was drafted to exam- Southern California cadastral and 35 tract maps collection, Courtesy impact on the decision. In the end, Hall was tions still serve as the most extensive study of Civil Engineers. The medal, instituted in 1872, ine the situation and present a critical report Library Special Collections, Charles absolved, but once an accusation is publicly California’s water systems to date, the scale of identified a singular paper that contributed to about engineering problems and potential E. Young Research Library, UCLA. stated, it’s hard to get it back in the box. which, is likely never to be matched.”36 Hall’s practical or research aspects of engineering. solutions.37 The upshot of the study was that

40 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 41 U.S. Senator George C. Perkins advocated the tribute to an early source of Hall’s education After the initial publicity, a three-paragraph the benefit of others.”53 This obscure writing More Opinions and lock system, which was constructed, instead in landscape design. Hall’s youngest daughter editorial appeared in the Chronicle. Its opening was left to languish until a 1970 San Fran- of a sea-level canal. Katharine wrote in 1957 that the manuscript stated: “Nearly forty years ago a strip of sand cisco Examiner article finally started to pierce Accolades Although he sometimes was wronged probably should not be published because by dunes in the then outskirts of San Francisco McLaren’s long tenure as its creator.54 Its pro- Natural resources historian Donald Pisani unfairly, Hall was far from perfect. At one the time he finally got around to finishing it was turned over to John McLaren, a gardener vocative title “William Hammond Hall: The wrote of Hall in his 1984 book that his was point, due to his knowledge of the natural “he was an old man, not in good health, and dottle [sic] enough to think it would make Real Father of GG Park?” finally put forth “A career filled with promise (that) foundered resources available versus those required in weighed down with care and sorrow. Thus, he a park. Out of this waste, McLaren created to the general public that there should be a in the 1880s and after, both because Hall was the future, he was thought to have person- was not able to finish his manuscript exactly Golden Gate Park, now by common consent review of the unsung hero’s influence upon ahead of his time and because of flaws in his ally acquired part of a watershed area of the as would have been done under different the finest public park in North America.”49 In the park. It was Golden Gate Park’s Centennial character.”60 California State Librarian and his- Tuolumne River known as Cherry and Eleanor circumstances.”44 She went on to say that an immediate reaction, Hall penned a scathing year. But McLaren was still on people’s minds. torian Kevin Starr reflected in 1990 that Hall Creeks. This was a valuable component in what ”the whole value of the narrative would, one two page “open letter” response that same day This was only amplified by a four-page flyer was “a complex man…neither a pure public would eventually become part of the Hetch believes, or fears, become greatly lessioned by enumerating seven items and preceding issued by the Centennial Celebration com- servant nor a pure entrepreneur, William Hetchy water supply serving San Francisco.38 [sic] or obliterated.”45 each item with an underlined “it is not so.”50 mittee that included a photo of McLaren on Hammond Hall nevertheless achieved the first Hall presciently foresaw that water would con- As Hall penned his manuscript for The It is known that copies were sent to important the front, and no mention anywhere of Hall. consistent act of foundational thinking regard- trol the state’s development. For decades it Romance of a Woodland Park, he was keenly civic leaders, including City Engineer Michael In 1978 there was an attempt to boost ing the future California might have through was believed that Hall was singularly behind aware that time and his profession had put O’Shaughnessy. Beyond any jealousy, Hall Hall’s presence by a new organization: the Wil- water. In this act of water prophecy, Hall this purchase and that he made a considerable him aside. One page sums up his thoughts. pointed out that McLaren, to begin with, was liam Hammond Hall Society. It was, by 1981, made an enduring contribution.”61 Historical six-figure profit from it. However, in 1999, “Hence, except where expressly written to the not present for the beginning of the park; he cited as a group of 300 consisting of horticul- geographer and author Gray Brechin summed author Gray Brechin revealed a new look at the contrary, the planning and improvement of did not arrive at the park until 17 years after turalists, gardeners, botanists, and others who up Hall in 1999 by saying that “his long and situation and concluded another scenario—no Golden Gate Park as told of in this volume the reclamation work was started. were interested in the city’s greenery and open eventful career was simultaneously aided less embarrassing for Hall, however. Brechin was accomplished before Mr. McLaren’s advent The next year a similar incident happened space.55 The society seems to have faded away by family connections and handicapped by writes that Hall, who was used to serving as a upon the work.” The next paragraph states: after Hall read the 1924 edition of McLaren’s not long after its incorporation. outspokenness and an irascible temperament go-between for magnates and their dynasties, “This plain statement of the main facts of only book, first published in 1908, titled “Gar- At about the same time, news columnist unable to suffer fools.”62 had been employed as a front to acquire the Golden Gate Park’s planning and control of dening in California: Landscape and Flower.” Jack Rosenbaum stated his case for Hall’s rec- Indeed, the tide has turned for Hall. desirable property—but that he did not profit construction is here written because very much McLaren included a chapter about the process ognition in a 1979 article titled “The Forgotten Pioneers of American Landscape Design directly from it.39 According to Brechin, “in gross error as to them has found its way into of sand reclamation in Golden Gate Park. It Man.56 This was closely followed by a publica- (2000)—the first book in a three-volume 1910, [Hall] demanded and received a secret print.”46 He goes on to say: “… about a year never mentions who started the project. The tion having the most significant impact about biographical encyclopedia celebrating the ten thousand dollar settlement from PG&E after I took up the work as consulting engineer reader would probably infer incorrectly that Hall: activist Raymond Clary did his best to foremost men and women who shaped Amer- in exchange for his silence.”40 It may be no (1887), on my initiative and recommendation, McLaren had done this, and Hall wanted the inform the public in his two-volume park his- ica’s iconic landscapes—included an entry on coincidence that, after living in a rented house the Commission employed Mr. John McLaren, story set straight. Hall sent a two-page, single- tory, the first detailed history written about the Hall by David Streatfield, in which the author at 324 Haight Street since at least 1895, he had a landscape gardener, as superintendent. This spaced letter to McLaren. One of the closing park. The first volume, published in 1980, laid lauds Hall’s accomplishments and compares a new residence built in 1912 at 3855 Jackson was in the seventeenth year of Golden Gate paragraphs said: “John McLaren, if you were out Hall’s extensive involvement in the park. him to Olmsted, Sr.63 A 2014 article in the Street in the desirable Presidio Heights Dis- Park development, and near the end of the in your right mind when you wrote and pub- This was combined with Clary’s constant bad- Scientific American said: “Writing in 1890, trict. It featured air conditioning, an intercom, twelfth year of my planning or supervision of lished the above paragraphs quoted from your gering of the press and authorities to recognize William Hammond Hall—the first State Engi- and an earthquake shelter as part of its ameni- it.”47 The overall tone, which is very formal, is book, you must have known that you were the historical significance of Golden Gate Park neer of California and an early commenter ties: all way ahead of their time.41 He would bitter in places. In this proposed book, Hall LYING in a way which might well work grave and its original creator. on Western water policy—lamented the lack live there with his family the rest of his life. clearly is trying to undo what he believes to be injury to the record of those who had been Hall’s lack of recognition and appreciation of knowledge, organization and capital being an injustice to himself and his legacy. Park Commissioners long before your time, was further held up to the light when publicity invested to capture and best use the waters Hall as an Author At age 80, in 1926, Hall let loose upon and in a way such as might be used as a basis came in the form of a mock trial. On January of California.”64 Biographer Justin Martin others about the issue of anyone remember- for building up a specially credible, but false, 7, 1981, a Court of Historical Review was con- devoted a paragraph to the issue of Hall in Although not working for the park com- ing his time in Golden Gate Park. By then, record for yourself as Park Superintendent.”51 vened by San Francisco Superior Court Judge his 2011 biography Genius of Place: The Life mission, Hall’s interest in Golden Gate Park McLaren had been in service for 37 years as It is unknown what McLaren’s reaction was. Harry Low. “The mock court, an extra-judicial of Frederick Law Olmsted. In it he said “people continued. In 1911 one serious proposi- superintendent. Ten years earlier, McLaren, Hall died at age 88 on October 16, 1934, undertaking metes out historical justice and often mistakenly credit Golden Gate Park to tion was to locate part of the massive 1915 then 70 years old, had received special dis- in San Francisco; his wife had died less than gives people at City Hall something to do Olmsted and Vaux. The design is all Hall’s. It’s Panama-Pacific International Exhibition in pensation to remain on staff, even though he a year before. The Chronicle carried a simple during the odd lunch hour.”57 This session more accurate to view Olmsted as a kind of Golden Gate Park. Hall responded to the fair had reached retirement age. Over the years, announcement of his death; it did not include was put on the docket to look at the reputation mentor, offering encouragement, suggesting commission’s executive committee with a many accolades had come McLaren’s way— any information beyond listing the members of Hall who was forced to resign as superinten- pertinent books, steering talented employees 15-page booklet, printed at his own expense, including subtle, but lasting comments about of his family.52 There were few follow-up men- dent of Golden Gate Park for spurious reasons. Hall’s way. Olmsted is the man behind the man which discussed points why this was not a his parentage of the park. In 1926 an edito- tions about his legacy in any print sources for With testimony from various “witnesses,” the who created Golden Gate Park.”65 42 sound idea. Ultimately the fair was held on rial appeared in the Chronicle titled “You Owe many decades to come. court deemed the resignation to be politically Hall’s persistence in drilling into the facts a single site in what today is San Francisco’s Far More Than This Bit to John McLaren.” motivated.58 and providing smart and viable solutions, Marina District. The title referred to a salt-water artificial lake Father of In 1989 another article in the Chronicle’s even today, keeps on giving to California. In 1913 the San Francisco Call published intended to be built in McLaren’s honor where This World magazine section touted the same His ground-breaking work in flood preven- an article about Hall, which stated that he was Golden Gate Park’s soccer fields exist today. Golden Gate Park? 1970 headline “The Real Father of GGP” but tion was remembered in 2017 when a draft of about to publish “a volume of vast interest.” As part of the fund raising campaign there The first recorded mention of the idea that Hall there was one major difference in punctua- the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan was Its content was to be a history of the early was a large public event held at the Tanforan was the “father” of the park was in a handwrit- tion this time: here was no question mark at drafted, which was the culmination of over 43 days of Golden Gate Park’s development. Race Track in San Bruno where popular child ten manuscript by Hall’s daughter Katherine the end. It was making an explicit statement, two decades of flood management reform. However, the manuscript titled “The Romance movie star Jackie Coogan was also present; he Buchanan Hall in 1957. In it, she, as any duti- rather than asking.59 Since 2009, the William It stated that “Sacramento and other Central of a Woodland Park” never saw the ink of a was in the area filming the silent MGM movie ful daughter might, waxed eloquent about her Hammond Hall Award is given to worthy Valley communities were and are at greater printing press, and its typed pages reside “Johnny Get Your Hair Cut” at Tanforan.48 father’s accomplishments. She says that “he Recreation and Park gardeners or horticulture risk of catastrophic flooding than New Orleans in U.C. Berkeley’s Bancroft Library’s archive (Soon after the lake idea was abandoned, and strove unendingly to lead an honorable life professionals in an annual ceremony. This is (referring to Hurricane Katrina in 1997).”66 with Hall’s personal papers. Hall dedicated the Outer Mission District park was named for and that his work should be done efficiently. co-sponsored by the Laborer’s International In summary, Hall rightly deserves to be his book to Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr., a McLaren instead.) Not only for his own benefit but above all for Union of North America Local 261. remembered for his astounding achievement

42 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 43 Endnotes

1 Press Reference Library, Notables of 15 Ibid, 63. 38 San Francisco Examiner, April 1, 1970, the Southwest. (Southwest Edition) Los 32. Angeles: Los Angeles Examiner, 1912, 16 Second Biennial Report of the San Fran- 121. cisco Park Commissioners 1872-73. San 39 Brechin, Gray. Imperial San Francisco: Francisco: B.F. Sterett, 1874, 30. Urban Power, Earthly Ruin. Berkeley: Uni- 2 An Illustrated History of San Joaquin versity of California Press, 1999, 269. County, California. Chicago: Lewis Pub- 17 Clary, Raymond H. The Making of lishing Co., 1890, 43. Williams, Thomas Golden Gate Park: The Early Years: 1865- 40 Ibid, 269. 1906. San Francisco: Don’s Call It Frisco John Chew. A History of Washington 41 San Francisco Assessor-Recorder, County, Maryland. Hagerstown, Md.: J.M. Press, 1984, (second edition) 14. (This originally came from Hall’s manuscript property information file for 3855 Jack- Runk and L.R. Titsworth, 1906, (v. 1) son Street; block 990, lot 23. 283. “Story of a City Park,” 1919, 10.) 18 Sonoma Democrat (Santa Rosa, Ca.) 42 San Francisco Chronicle, May 3, 1911, 3 They were not traveling alone as rela- 2. tive Maj. Richard P. Hammond was also January 25, 1873, 1. (This is often mis- listed as being on the ship as a fellow pas- quoted with additional words added to 43 San Francisco Call, February 23, senger. (Daily Panama Star, May 1, 1853). enhance the effect; this is the original 1913, 69. Hammond, an established resident as the text.) Collector of the Port of San Francisco, 44 Hall, Katherine Buchanan. (note- 19 Second Biennial Report of the San Fran- book) April 14, 1957, 30. also laid out Stockton, which became cisco Park Commissioners, 1872-73. San the county seat. Williams, Thomas John Francisco: B.F. Sterett, 1874, 62. 45 Ibid, 31. Chew. (A History of Washington County, Maryland. Hagerstown, Md.: J.M. Runk 20 “Sand into Gold”, in the Winter 2020 46 Hall The Romance of a Woodland Park. and L.R. Titsworth, 1906, (v. 1) 283.) issue of Eden, discusses Hall’s work in Unpublished manuscript, no date, 117. further detail. 4 Press Reference Library, Notables of 47 Ibid, 116. the Southwest. (Southwest Edition) Los 21 The University in the 1870s. Chapters in Angeles: Los Angeles Examiner, 1912, the history of the University of California ; 48 San Francisco Chronicle, September 121. no. 6. Berkeley, Calif.: Center for Studies in 19, 1926, 59. Higher Education and Institute of Govern- 49 San Francisco Chronicle, September 5 Bonta, Robert E. “The Great Flood of mental Studies, University of California, 15, 1926, 24. 1861-62” San Joaquin Historian, January Berkeley, 1996. [Watson, Kent E. William 1973. Hammond Hall and the Original Campus 50 William Hammond Hall to Herbert Plan, 5.] Fleishhacker, cc: Alice Eastwood. (letter) 6 Hall, William Hammond. (journal) September 15, 1926. January 1, 1865, 1. 22 Landscape Heritage Plan, University 51 William Hammond Hall to John 7 Inventory to the William Hammond of California, Berkeley. “Section 2: His- Hall Papers, 1878-1907, Califor- torical Significance” by Vonn Marie May McLaren, (letter) April 26, 1927, 2. nia State Archives. Website: https:// and Noel Dorsey Vernon. Berkeley, CA; University of California, Berkeley, Capital 52 San Francisco Chronicle, October 17, oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/ 1934, 15. kt009nc88k/?query=%22the%20 Projects, Je. 2004 (13). 53 Hall, Katherine Buchanan. (note- romance%20of%20a%20woodland%20 23 San Francisco Chronicle, January 21, park%22, accessed December 14, 2019. 1876, 4. book) April 14, 1957, 6. 54 April 1, 1970, 8 “Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, 24 San Francisco Chronicle, May 14, San Francisco Examiner, Cal. July 4, 1888” Twelve-page pro- 1876, 1. 32. gram for dedication of Francis Scott Key 55 San Francisco Chronicle, June 27, Monument, July 4, 1888. No publisher 25 “Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, 1981, 34. indicated. Cal. July 4, 1988” Twelve-page dedication program of Francis Scott Key Monument, 56 The S.F. Progress, March 2, 1979, 13. 9 Olmsted, Vaux, and Co. had submitted July 4, 1988. (No publisher or page a “Preliminary Report in Regard to a Plan numbers) 57 San Francisco Chronicle, April 17, of Public Pleasure Grounds for the City of 1980, 5. San Francisco” dated March 31, 1866. The 26 Tinkham, George H. History of San proposal called for a series of connected Joaquin County, California. Los Angeles: 58 San Francisco Recreation and Park spaces with a variety of uses. None of these Historic Record Company, 1923, 331. Commission, meeting minutes, January included the site that became Golden Gate 8, 1981, 2. Above: The floral plaque in front 27 American Society of Civil Engineers, in developing the framework of Golden Gate version of his book, first published in 2001, Park. The plan was not implemented due 59 San Francisco Chronicle, August 27, of the Conservatory of Flowers primarily to issues with lack of enabling Constitution and List of Members. New Park and the water infrastructure of Califor- San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park: A Thousand York: House of the Society, 1895, 53. 1989, 233. celebrates Golden Gate Park’s legislation and funding as well as a local 150th anniversary in 2020. Photo nia that we all benefit from today. This is the and Seventeen Acres of Stories. The publication preference for the lush green landscapes 28 San Francisco Evening Bulletin, 60 Pisani, Donald J. From the Family of parks such as Central Park. The Report November 16, 1885, 2. Farm to Agribusiness: The Irrigation Cru- by the author. time for a lasting and permanent tribute to by Norfolk Press is a hybrid of a history and is included in full (along with text, notes sade in California and the West, 1850–1931. a public servant who contributed so much tour guide of the park’s many features. This and citations from related correspon- 29 San Francisco Chronicle, January 26, Berkeley: 1984: University of California dence) in The Papers of Frederick Law 1886, 5. Press, 187. of himself. This is not to ignore McLaren’s, was preceded by another book, Reel San Fran- Olmsted,Volume V: The California Frontier, 1863-1865, ed. by Victoria Post Ranney, 30 The Wasp, January 30, 1886, 3. 61 Starr, Kevin. Material Dreams: South- let alone Olmsted’s influence, but to bring cisco Stories: An Annotated Filmography of the New Gerard J. Rauluk and Carolyn F. Hoffman. 31 San Francisco Call, November 16, ern California Through the 1920s. Hall into the rightly deserved spotlight, just Bay Area, published in 2013, which is about Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins Univer- 1886, 7. York: Oxford University Press, 1990, 13. sity Press, 1990 (517-546). 62 Brechin, Gray. in time for the sesquicentennial of the mas- some 650 movies filmed in the Bay Area since 32 Hall. The Romance of a Woodland Park. Imperial San Francisco: 10 San Francisco Municipal Reports for the Unpublished manuscript, no date, 283. Urban Power, Earthly Ruin. Berkeley: Uni- terwork he created from the sands of the the beginning of talkies. Fiscal Year -1870-71, ending June 30, 1871. versity of California Press, 1999, 82. Outside Lands: San Francisco’s crown jewel, San Francisco: Cosmopolitan Printing 33 Letter from Charles Silent, President Chris started his career as a designer spe- of Redondo Beach Company to Eugene 63 Pioneers of American Landscape Design. our Golden Gate Park. Company (Board of Supervisors), 396. Charles Birnbaum and Robin Karson, Eds. cializing in interior architecture. With this Germain, January 9, 1887. [Natural New York: McGraw-Hill, 2000, 159-162. 11 First Biennial Report of the San Fran- Advantages of Redondo Beach for the Accom- experience, he changed gears to focus on cisco Park Commissioners 1870-71. San modation of Deep-Sea Commerce. San 64 Gleick, Peter H. The Past and Future Biography for historic preservation, specializing in historic Francisco: Francis and Valentine, 1872, Francisco: H.S. Crocker, 1888. Reports of California’s Water: Aqueducts, dams and 7. by Mendell and Hall.] irrigation projects all made rapid develop- research. A native of Connecticut, Chris has ment possible in the arid West. July 14, Christopher Pollock 12 Daily Morning Chronicle, January 31, 34 San Francisco Chronicle, February 2, resided in San Francisco since 1979. 1869, 2. 2014. Scientific American website: https:// 1893, 12. www.scientificamerican.com/article/the- 13 First Biennial Report of the San Fran- 35 San Francisco Chronicle, February 5, past-and-future-of-california-s-water/, In 2016 Chris was tapped by the San Fran- cisco Park Commissioners 1870-71. San 1893, 17. accessed December 6, 2019. NOTE Francisco: Francis and Valentine, 1872, cisco Recreation and Park Department to be 22. 36 Guide to the William Hammond 65 Martin, Justin. Genius of Place: The Hall Papers, 1878-1907, California Life of Frederick Law Olmsted. Cambridge, their first Historian-in-Residence for all of the 14 Second Biennial Report of the San State Archives. Website: www.oac.cdlib. MA: Da Capo Press, 2011, 308. city’s parks. With this, Chris brings a layer of The author would like to acknowledge the Francisco Park Commissioners 1872-73. org/findaid/ark:/13030/tf4q2nb00m/, Appendix C: Report of the Engineer accessed November 27, 2019. 66 American Rivers website: https:// history to the department. His initial project generous support by Terrence Young of Cal Upon the Plan for the Golden Gate Park. www.americanrivers.org/2017/01/cali- fornia-flooding-controlled-beneficial/, Poly Pomona, who authored Building San Fran- San Francisco: B.F. Sterett, 1874, 61. 37 A Study of Panama Canal Plans and was to research and record the history of the (This was adapted for reprint in Overland Arguments, addressed to the Hon. George C. accessed November 23, 2019. department’s some 230 holdings. cisco’s Parks 1850-1930 in 2004. Terry’s review Monthly, v. 11, n. 6, December 1873, Perkins. William Hammond Hall, 1905. (no publisher indicated) With the 150th anniversary of Golden and thoughtful suggestions on this essay 527. Gate Park in 2020, he will launch the latest helped to flesh out William Hammond Hall.

44 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 45 The California Fan Palm: Living on the French Riviera

VONN MARIE MAY CULTURAL LANDSCAPE HISTORIAN

On a family trip in January of 2017, six of us pooled our money and journeyed to the south of France on a pilgrimage.

e were fortunate enough to I was amused to find a very familiar tree botanical conservatories of the era, the San stay in a very special place, palette dotting the French landscape, e.g., Francisco Conservatory of Flowers (1879) and an Airbnb my chef daughter Platanus acerifolia (European sycamore), the San Diego Panama-California Exposition Sarah found, La Pitchoune, the Cupressus sempervirens (Italian cypress), and Botanical Building (1915) both introduced Wcountry home of master chef Julia Child. Schinus molle (erroneously called “California” and exhibited horticulture, floriculture, and Fondly referred to as “La Peetch”, this treasure pepper), to name a few. It was not surprising agriculture as viable commercial industries is nestled in a rural area near Chateau-Neuf,1 to see these trees since Southern California for California during this experimental time. within the Lagrasse commune, just north of shares a similar climate in the range of 30°- We are accustomed to these familiar trees that Nice and only twenty-five miles west of the 55° north and south latitudes. Although the have acculturated themselves into the Califor- Mediterranean Sea.2 A pair of enlightened Cupresssus and Platanus are actually from that nia landscape, albeit as involuntary émigrés. foodies had recently acquired it and had region, the graceful pepper is from Peru, not On a day trip in the region we drove to the begun a program of restoration and adding the Northern Hemisphere, not North America, seaside resort town of Cannes, a somewhat creature comfort furnishings. For a week we and certainly not California. As plant growers contemporary city that still holds lovely his- were immersed in the retreat (and kitchen) know, this global temperate zone includes the torical character within. However, each spring, that Julia and her husband Paul created . . . Mediterranean, Australia/New Zealand, north Cannes transforms itself into the white-hot paradis temporaire. and south Africa, parts of Asia, and of course international Cannes Film Festival and the My daughter prepared Beef Bourguignon in California. We felt very much at home in the Palme d’Or awards ceremony: January is an Julia’s kitchen in the evening, and my grand- eclectic Old-World landscape of the French excellent time to travel if you prefer a level son made crepes in the morning. We were countryside. of normalcy. We walked along the Boulevard fully aware of the significance of it all. Not In Southern California we host botani- de la Croisette, but—when my group turned being a cook by any stretch, I took many walks cals from other continents and hemispheres to walk toward an inviting village core—I around the house and admired the informally as well. Their presence can be directly traced myself, for some reason, continued along the landscaped grounds. The property was a back to the sweeping Victorian era of global shoreline of the Mediterranean. I came upon former terraced olive (Olea europaea) grove, botanical collection and study. California a small park central to the village that seemed purchased by a dear friend and peer of Julia, played a significant role in the introduction to be overwhelmed by a stand of tall palms. It th Washingtonia filifera in situ, Simone Beck, and built out by Paul and Julia of exotic (non-native) species in the late 19 was such an opaque mass of trunks that little th reconnaissance photos, ca. late 1920s. Child in the early 1960s, a perfect site to build and early 20 centuries, and it continues to daylight could be seen between them, and I Mode Wineman, naturalist photographer their country home. do so. The rich history of our two California thought it odd how poorly placed they were.

46 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 47 The closer I came to the park it seemed that the California Palm has shown itself they resembled our native California fan palm, wonderfully adaptable to cultivation Washingtonia filifera. How ridiculous was that? and specimens nearly as large as any of Did I only see what I know and not what was the wild trees are now found in several actually there? I thought maybe there was an California gardens . . . as well as in Old-World palm species similar to ours. those of the French and Italian Riviera, As I looked closer these towering palms where this tree has been grown with appeared quite mature, near senile, and were great success.3 definitely the worse for wear. Have you ever thought about plants that have evolved in one Botanists of the period collected exotic part of the world, been kidnapped and brought plants like others would have collected art. to another region? How do they assimilate, The hunt for “genus and species” was a similar what foreign environmental cues must they passion. These languishing palms must have respond to? Does the Coriolis effect alter their looked rare and exotic in their juvenile form growth patterns from one hemisphere to at the time and were probably spaced appro- another? Are they crying out, “why am I here?” priately. Although I can’t help but wonder Foolishly, I wonder about such things. To date who came to the desert canyons of the Greater there are no academic studies on the longevity Colorado Desert, in Southern California, in of exotic plants which have made similar trips. the late nineteenth-century? Who collected After returning home to the U.S. and pur- the seeds or plants and transported them some suing some targeted research, I confirmed that 6,000 miles from where they evolved? The I actually did see a huge stand of mature Cali- California species Washingtonia filifera (Alta) fornia fan palms, planted circa 1895 in France, and W. robusta (Baja), thrive in single-digit along the Mediterranean. The information atmospheric humidity, oppressive heat, and came from the seminal encyclopedic Garden in desert canyons where permanent ground- and Forest Magazine: A Journal of Horticulture, water is available year-round. Landscape Art, and Forestry (1888-1897), ini- tiated by author Charles Sprague Sargent, The California fan palm occurs in author and founder of the Arnold Arboretum widely scattered groves in alkaline places of Harvard University. It was my great good in the Colorado Desert, east to western fortune to inherit the 10-volume set from my Arizona and south into Baja California, cousin, master biologist Mitchell Beauchamp. always in areas where the roots can reach a permanent source of water. Many One of the rarest of our trees, and stands are found along seepage areas of found only in a few remote cañons on the San Andreas Fault. A member of the the desert slopes of the coast ranges in desert oasis community, it is found at the extreme southern part of the state, elevations below 3500 ft.4

The French Riviera along the Northern The native Cahuilla Indians of Southern of roadblocks: land speculators, wildlife hunt- Mediterranean isn’t quite the environment California, whose tribal lands mirror the range ers, state bureaucracies, and of course it all in which these transplants could thrive long of W. filifera, depended on the species for food, came down to financing. Being a master at term. Consequently, the stand I was hon- beverage, construction and apparel materials. sorting out predictable barriers his entire life, ored to experience did not age well. There During the hottest months groves of mature Marston succeeded in one of his last tasks is a vast difference between desert palms and palms provided shade. between the years of 1927 to 1933. tropical palms—atmospheric moisture, or the The first American-period documentation Marston first consulted with Guy L. Flem- lack thereof, being the most obvious. But who of the California Fan Palm happened even ing, a San Diego Museum of Natural History knew? Only a mild temperature range was before California statehood. Fellow, who had conducted his own “examina- necessary and universally accepted for world- tions” of the Borrego desert. wide plant introductions. This plant was first observed in Washingtonia filifera is not just indigenous November of 1846 near the head of He [Fleming] catalogued the varied to Southern California, it is endemic and Carriso [sic] Creek, close to the south- physical features reaching from the found nowhere else, having evolved in the ern boundary of the state, but was not pine forest in the mountains; through desert environments of the western Colorado named until thirty-three years later the deep canyons and gorges with Desert of Coachella Valley, Palm Springs, when Major W. H. Emory conducted native palms, sycamores, and alders; Borrego Springs, and spilling over into south- his expedition in “Reconnaissance down to the desert floor with their own western Arizona. from Fort Leavenworth to San Diego.6 forests of ocotillo, creosote, and cactus.7 Right: “La Peetch Group Photo,” Julia & Paul Child’s Country Home, Chateau- The original California fan palm While in his late 70s and early 80s, George The concept of a state park system for Neuf, France. January 2017. oases were important gathering and White Marston (1850-1946), San Diego’s most California began as early as the 1860s when habitation sites and were indicative of significant city father, led the campaign to the preeminent landscape architect Frederick Opposite: “Small Park w/ California Fan Palms,” Cannes, France. Photo by important [freshwater] springs, usually secure state park status for a desert park in Law Olmsted, Sr. was summoned by Governor Author. January 2017. located along earthquake faults.5 Borrego. As usual, he had to endure all levels Leland Stanford to assist in creating a protective

48 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 49 framework for the Mariposa Grove in Yosem- ite and, incidentally, a Stanford University campus. One of the many resulting recom- mendations from Olmsted’s consequential time in California was the beginning of a template for detailed surveys of natural state parks. Years later, building on his father’s legacy, Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. produced several surveys and foundational reports for the state of California. Olmsted, Jr. was assigned by the California State Park Commission to survey all of Cali- fornia for potential state parks.

California’s state legislature had established a state park commission in 1927 to plan and develop a state park system. The commission hired Olmsted in 1928 to conduct a survey identifying lands for the California park system. Olmsted divided the state into twelve districts and gath- ered more than 100 volunteers and experts to help him. The final survey identified 125 potential parks. In the process, Olmsted created a master plan for saving the remaining five percent of California’s magnificent redwoods, the vast lands of today’s Anza-Borrego desert, and many other important Cali- fornia landscapes.8

Resistance to a desert park continued but Olmsted would not be deterred. As he surveyed the palm canyons, desert mountain escarpments, and the unique Washingtonia fil- ifera groves, his commitment to a desert park continued unabated.

The real boost to the Borrego project came as a result of Olmsted’s survey, submitted on December 31, 1928. Olmsted fully sanctioned the idea of a desert sanctuary, stating “Certain desert areas have a distinctive and subtle charm, in part dependent on spaciousness, solitude, and escape from the evidence of human control and manipulation of the earth, a charm of constantly growing value as the rest Opposite: “The California Fan Palm” In situ. of the earth becomes more completely Garden and Forest. Vol. VIII. 1895. P. 472 & 475. dominated by man’s activities."9 Above: “Under the Palms.” Ca. 1924. Edward The Anza Borrego Desert State Park in San S. Curtis photograph. Courtesy Library of Diego County was founded specifically for the Congress. protection of this endemic species and its host environment of surrounding mountains, and desert flora and fauna. All ended well because of early-century, far-sighted naturalists. But there will always be those who feel and act differently. A disconcert- ing trend specific to the California Fan Palm is the thrill some feel when watching them go up in flames. Recently, in January of 2020 a

50 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 51 Boy Scout troop was camping at the popu- 1775 expedition of Spanish explorer Juan Opposite top: A Palm Canyon at lar trailhead to Palm Canyon when a natural Batista DeAnza. This desert park achieved its Borrego Springs. 10 stand of palms was lit up. This destructive status in 1933, and today remains the largest Opposite bottom left: “The fad was also popular in the 1970s with off-road park in the state park system. The Marston Harvester,” ca. 1924. Edward enthusiasts as well, but apparently it isn’t a family was credited for its efforts on behalf of S. Curtis photograph. Courtesy new phenomenon. In Mary Marston’s family the park. Mary Marston writes, Library of Congress. chronicle compiled in 1956, she wrote. Opposite bottom right: California In October of 1945 father received a Fan Palm, Washingtonia filifera Vandals were burning trees for personal letter of thanks from Gover- framed by mature Desert Willow, the pleasure of seeing their torchlike nor Earl Warren in appreciation of his Chilopsis linearis. flames . . . The only way to preserve work for the state in making Borrego ca. late 1920s. Mode Wineman, naturalist photographer. this region of rare beauty and of great Park possible.12 interest to the naturalist was to make Above: Palms burned at Borrego a park of it.11 Postscript: Had my daughter not made a Springs Palm Canyon trailhead. career change and pursued her passion for San Diego Union-Tribune. 18 Marston's Borrego Desert Park ultimately the Culinary Arts, I would not have had the January 2020. changed its name to the Anza Borrego Desert opportunity to observe material evidence of State Park to include California’s Spanish ambitious botanists who introduced exotics period cultural history, specifically the circa all around the world. Bon Appétit!

Endnotes 1 https://www.lapeetch.com/. 5 https://www.desertusa.com/flora/califor- Recreation website: www.150.parks.ca.gov/. 10 San Diego Union-Tribune. “Trees burned at nia-fan-palm.html. Borrego Palm Canyon trailhead.” 18 January 2 Ibid. 9 Lindsay, Diana. History in the California 2020. 6 Cornell, Ralph D. Conspicuous California Desert. The Journal of San Diego History. San 3 Garden and Forest: A Journal of Horticul- Plants: with notes on their garden uses. XXII Diego Historical Society Quarterly. Fall 1973, 11 Marston, Mary Gilman. George White ture, Landscape Art and Forestry. Vol. VIII. “Fan Palm.” The Plantin Press. Los Angeles. Vol. 19, No. 4. The article in the Journal ref- Marston: A Family Chronicle. Volume II. Chap- January to December, 1895. New York. Page 1978. erences the following: Olmsted, Frederick ter 32: Borrego Desert Park. The Ward Ritchie 472 & 475. “The California Fan Palm.” Law [Jr.]. Report of State Park Survey of Press. 1956. 7 Hennessey, Gregg R. Southern California 4 Lenz, Lee W., Dourley, John. California California: Prepared for the California State Quarterly (1999) 81 (2). “Deserts, Politics, Park Commission by Frederick Law Olmsted. 12 Marston, Mary Gilman. George White Native Trees & Shrubs: For Garden & Environ- and Culture: The Creation of Anza-Borrego Marston: A Family Chronicle. Volume II. Chap- mental Use in Southern California and Adjacent Sacramento, CA: California State Printing Desert State Park.” OnlineUCPress.edu. Office, 1929. p. 51. ter 32: Borrego Desert Park. The Ward Ritchie Areas. Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden. Press. 1956. Claremont, California. 1981. 8 California Department of Parks and

52 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 53 PAUL J. HOWARD’S Enduring Horticultural Legacy

Written by ALELI BALAGUER

Research and editorial assistance by CAROLINE RAFTERY Chattel, Inc. | Historic Preservation Consultants

Mrs. Chauncey Clark is seen in her chauffeured custom-bodied Rolls Royce station wagon at the 1940 opening ceremony of “Paul J. Howard’s Flowerland,” which was at 11700 National Boulevard in West Los Angeles. Dick Whittington photograph, courtesy “Dick” Whittington Photography Collection, 1924-1987, USC Libraries Special Collections.

54 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 55 ctive for nearly seventy years, Paul Joseph catalogs, newspaper articles, photographs, and Ozro, fell the duty of tending the Opposite top: This 1915 photograph was aerials, and case studies revealed the scale and garden, to which they had to devote published in “The Florists Exchange,” with 4 the caption: “Exhibit of Paul J. Howard, Howard (1885-1966) was an influential South- breadth of his legacy. What follows is a life every Saturday. landscape architect, at a show of the Pasadena ern California nurseryman, horticulturist, and narrative of Paul J. Howard, pieced together Horticultural Society, Pasadena, Cal. The central to provide an introduction to Howard and his As the years went by, each brother idea of this unique display was a Summer landscape designer. Born into a pioneering “Horticultural Establishment.” found his own special niche in the house, the interior of which was beautifully embellished with photographs, watercolor horticultural family, Howard opened his own field of horticulture. Arthur was the sketches and blue prints, while the exterior full-service nursery in 1912, offering everything from land- businessman and became the man- was nicely arranged with plants of various A PAUL J. HOWARD’S ager of Howard & Smith. O.W. and kinds showing proper arrangement and correct scape design to construction. Highly successful from the Paul achieved distinction in landscape principles of planting and selection.” ROOTS designing, where Fred found his tal- start, Howard’s business drew a high-profile clientele, earn- Opposite bottom: Landscape architect Ralph D. ents in propagation and hybridization. Cornell, who was also a talented photographer, Lauded as pioneering in the field of landscape,3 ing him a reputation as “the most prestigious man in the Edward divided his time between took this portrait of nurseryman Paul J. Howard the Los Angeles-based Howard family was 1 his own contracts and those of his as part of a series of portraits of the leading landscape business.“ recognized for their contributions to the hor- brothers...”.5 horticulturists in California, many of which were ticultural industry. Patriarch Dr. Frederick later published in Victoria Padilla’s “Southern California Gardens.” Courtesy Ralph Cornell Howard’s most significant innovation was been produced which captured his full story. Preston Howard, born in England and a grad- By 1890, Fred Howard, the eldest brother, papers, Library Special Collections, Charles E. the way he marketed his business, using his Recently, Chattel, Inc., a Southern California uate of the Royal College of Surgeons, married with family friend George W. Smith, estab- Young Research Library, UCLA. nationally-distributed “Flowerland” catalogs historic preservation firm, in collaboration Caroline Huber, the sister-in-law of one of Los lished the Howard & Smith nursery in as a tool to sell an idealized image of South- with landscape architect and historian Kelly Angeles’s prominent residents. Together they Above: In 1923, Paul J. Howard’s Horticultural downtown Los Angeles, on Flower Street Establishment expanded its headquarters, ern California as a flower-bedecked paradise. Comras, FASLA, completed a Cultural Land- had twelve children and Paul J. Howard was between 11th and 12th Streets. While versed moving to a 5.5-acre site at 250 S. La Brea After discovering oil on his growing grounds, scape Report (CLR) for the J.B. Leonis Estate, one of five sons who would dedicate much of in many aspects of horticulture, they spe- Avenue at the corner of W. 3rd Street in Los he expanded his business in 1923 and again a 1926 home and garden in Los Angeles’ Han- their lives to horticulture. cialized in flowering plants. Paul J. Howard Angeles. From the 1924-25 Paul J. Howard’s Flowerland Catalog. in 1940, opening “Paul J. Howard’s Califor- cock Park neighborhood. What began as a By 1884, the Howard family had a family joined his brother’s business and “[cared] nia Flowerland,” which became a destination series of research questions stemming from garden patterned after those Dr. Howard for the violets, [made] them into bouquets, “famous the world over.”2 the name “Paul J. Howard” handwritten neatly observed in England. As the family grew, and [sold] them.” Howard also spent time While he was well-known and highly on a conceptual landscape drawing circa 1926 at the estate garden of attorney Henry W. respected in the early to mid-20th century, for the Leonis Estate, led to an exciting dis- “… the busy parents had to see to it O’Melveney, gaining landscaping tips that later today Howard’s influence and reach is mostly covery process of unraveling documentation, that each [child] had his own specific influenced his practice.6 By 1897, Howard & forgotten. As a traditional design-build nurs- following loose threads, and opening doors. duties in maintaining the home. To Smith moved their nursery to 9th and Olive eryman of his day, little documentation had Through an exhaustive research process, the three eldest boys, Fred, Edward, Streets, where Paul J. Howard assisted them

56 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 57 in the construction of their first lath house and greenhouse. Youngest brother Art served as manager. PAUL J. HOWARD’S HORTICULTURAL In 1905, Howard & Smith purchased thirty acres in Montebello for use as grow- ESTABLISHMENT ing grounds. Later recognized as the “world’s greatest creator of roses,”7 Fred received Paul J. Howard’s Horticultural Establishment,12 numerous awards, including the Royal Hor- located at 1321-1521 W. 7th Street in Los ticultural Society of Great Britain Cory Cup Angeles,13 offered premier landscape design award, and twice won the Gold Medal award and construction services, in addition to plant for roses at the Bagatelle competition in Paris, material and fine examples of garden pot- France. Fred hybridized over 100 new roses tery and marble statuary,14,15 Successful from and, after years of experimenting, in 1910 was the start, it was noted at the time that, “Mr. named “one of the greatest rose producers in Howard makes a specialty of planning gar- the nation”8 with fields “yielding more than dens, either large or small, and his extended two million roses annually.”9 quarters enable him to expand along all lines Though he was never formally trained, necessary to the designs he conceives.”16 By Paul J. Howard’s early family life and the 1916, Howard’s “horticultural establishment experience working with his brothers served is a busy place. Quite a force is kept employed as an invaluable informal education. In 1912 in the drafting room.”17 Presiding over this he left Howard & Smith to establish his own drafting room was Howard’s chief designer, business, becoming, landscape architect Ernst P. Zimmerman, who had trained in Germany and had a master’s “…so successful in a few years that degree in landscape design.18 he was obliged to purchase land on As was common for the handful of large- which to raise the plants he needed for scale nurseries of the time, which also offered his landscaping contracts. This was a design services, Howard likely employed propitious move for, several years later, recently graduated students of landscape archi- oil was discovered on this land and the tecture to do the design work. As landscape income enabled Howard to expand his architect Archibald Elexis “A.E.” Hanson later horticultural pursuits.”10 recalled, in 1915 he briefly apprenticed under Howard19 after spending a year with native That same year, Howard married Allaseba California plants specialist Theodore Payne. in California.”21 Though Hanson hoped to Windsor Square boasted an overall park-like Establishment included multiple nurseries with Bliss (1890-1980) in Saginaw, Michigan. The Aspiring to become a landscape architect,20 learn more about design, Howard had him design with magnificent gardens and parkway office buildings, greenhouses, and salerooms in couple had two daughters—Allaseba “Allie” Hanson sought work with Howard because primarily “chasing” jobs as a salesman.22 Even street trees attributed to and planted by How- Los Angeles, Santa Fe Springs, and Chatsworth. May (1917-1995), and Carol (b. 1924).11 he regarded him as “better than anyone else so, Hanson gained an invaluable understand- ard.25 Howard worked alongside civil engineer Howard traveled abroad to Europe and brought ing of landscape construction, which served George W. Tuttle in the planning and design home species not yet grown in Southern Cali- 26 Right: Paul J. him well when he started his own firm the of the Wilshire Crest residential tract owned fornia, such as Italian stone pine and Indian Howard’s Horticultural following year. Among Hanson’s later accom- by the Rimpau family south of Wilshire Bou- laurel fig.32 While today it may be considered Establishment aerial plishments was the design of the 16-acre levard.27 His work featured sunken gardens less desirable to cultivate exotic plantings, How- from Flowerland catalog Greenacres estate in Beverly Hills (1925) for “worked out in the Italian style, with stone and ard’s imports came at a time when water was 1924-25. comedian and producer Harold Lloyd. cement stairs, balustrades and bridges” planned plentiful, as the Los Angeles Aqueduct had just Opposite: As another One clever way Howard marketed his busi- for about 25 of the largest subdivision lots. opened in 1913. indication of Howard’s ness was by finding sales opportunities using Like the classic Angeleno story, both marketing savvy, published construction notices. Reviewing Howard and Art, the “fabulous rose grower of around 1924 he began 28 “FLOWERLAND” the production and issues of the weekly-published The South- Montebello,” in 1919 discovered oil on their national distribution of western Contractor magazine, Howard made growing grounds,29 bringing fortune and further CATALOGS his Flowerland catalogs, a note of new construction work—the maga- enabling the expansion of their business pur- which sought to sell zine detailed permits, which showed proposed suits. After Howard bought another property in an idealized image of As another indication of Howard’s marketing Southern California to his building types, their associated architects, and Santa Fe Springs to use as growing grounds, he savvy, around 1924 he began the production followers. related costs of each job.23 Howard would then was able to “start collecting oil royalties before and national distribution of his Flowerland cata- send his salesmen out to contact the architects, the first blooms appeared on his posies.”30 In logs, which sought to sell an idealized image of clients, and contractors to obtain new garden 1923, Paul J. Howard’s Horticultural Establish- Southern California to his followers. In addi- commissions.24 ment expanded its primary headquarters to a tion to the lavish illustrations and helpful design Howard’s first projects ranged from private 5.5-acre site located at 250 S. La Brea Avenue suggestions, Howard’s Flowerland catalogs estate gardens to large-scale work such as the on the corner of S. La Brea Avenue and W. 3rd included “a practical knowledge of plants and development of a 200-acre residential subdivi- Street. This was used as the main distribution other garden essentials;”33 gardening techniques sion, Windsor Square (1911), and a 75-acre, center for Los Angeles and adjacent suburbs. and tips to guide planting by the season; proper 321 lot subdivision, Wilshire Crest (1920). Recognized as “one of the most complete and methods for watering, seeding, and care to Noted as “one of the most exclusive residen- modern horticultural establishments in the ensure success in any garden. The reach of these tial neighborhoods in the Los Angeles area,” Southwest,”31 Paul J. Howard’s Horticultural catalogs ranged from the average home gardener

58 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 59 Right: Bixby Site Plan: Proposed landscape plan for the Old Garden by Paul J. Howard showing the north drive, fountain, hardscape walkways, and the old pepper trees. Some of this plan was never implemented, such as the “rose garden,” archways, and the sundial. Plan #8085-1, “Re-Modeling of Garden for Mrs. F.H. Bixby, Rancho Los Alamitos,” March 1923, cyano negative with graphite on paper [print is a Paul J. Howard plan with Olmsted design elements in graphite on verso]. Courtesy of the National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site.

Opposite top left: Stearns pepper tree in the Old Garden patio, early 1920s. This California pepper tree (Schinus molle) is said to have in California to architects, builders, and contrac- been planted on the north side tors. They provided consumers a list of practical of the adobe ranch house in the gardening books of the day; a glimpse of “Paul J. HOWARD’S mid-1800s when Abel Stearns and Howard Culture” detailing how bedding plants Arcadia Bandini owned the property. were methodically grown and strains perfected; LANDSCAPE DESIGN Photographer unknown. (RLA# 99.2.1156) Courtesy of the Rancho and most importantly, they promoted landscape PHILOSOPHY Los Alamitos Archives. design services substantiated by “men [who] have worked and studied to attain the highest As a native Southern Californian, Howard’s Opposite top right: Florence Green points of efficiency in their chosen profession.”34 Bixby seated on one of the benches intuitive understanding of plant requirements under the Stearns pepper tree in Flowerland boasted: (i.e., shade, sunlight, air circulation) horticul- countless forms of foliage to be dealt with.” Immediately following Fred and Florence Bix- a large-scale outdoor room. Howard selected the Old Garden patio, September turally informed his designs (i.e., placement, He further proclaimed, “gradations of height by’s fortunate oil strike at Signal Hill in 1921 plantings compatible with Long Beach’s Medi- 1938. The odd ovoid-shaped object Having spent a lifetime in the work; selections, multi-sensory effects). He was must be considered,” and rejoiced in “how art- (and later at Seal Beach in 1926), Howard was terranean climate and soil. to the right of FGB is a patented also possessing a keen love of it and the strategic in spatially organizing his landscape fully Nature has tucked into flowers inimitable the first of several notable landscape archi- Howard’s work immediately surrounding green glazed, ceramic container for good fortune of being a native Califor- 37 ant bait. Photographer unknown. features, crafting an indoor-outdoor South- perfumes!” tects, designers, and plantsmen contracted the ranch house reflected Florence Bixby’s (RLA# 95.5.14) Courtesy of the nian, with a full appreciation of what ern California experience, creating usable by Florence Bixby to carry out her vision.40 initial outward-facing attitude. His gardens Bixby Archive, Special Collections, CALIFORNIA stands for, namely: A spaces, and luring users toward focal point After developing an overall master plan for set the stage for later gardens that reflected a California State University, Long place to live longer; a place where there destinations. Howard believed the natural RANCHO LOS the estate, Howard created detailed plans for changing inward-facing attitude as Florence Beach. is more joy; a place to live a more beau- environment should be fully integrated to the the formal redesign of the Old Garden (1921) Bixby responded to encroaching urban devel- ALAMITOS’S 41 Opposite bottom: Florence Green tiful life. These are some of the reasons built environment, and therefore he designed and for the design of the Back Patio (1921). opment surrounding the Rancho. Bixby (Mrs. Fred H. Bixby) in the Old why ‘the Paul J. Howard kind of land- his gardens to be linked to and planned simul- FIRST GARDEN Consistent with his design philosophy, Using Howard’s initial master plan for the Garden standing next to fountain scape work’ stands out pre-eminently. taneously with associated buildings. Howard’s Howard viewed both gardens as extensions garden, different landscape architects carried and lily pond, March 18, 1951. The designed landscapes represented “a complete of the ranch house, exacting a “quintessential forward some of his concepts in their detailed fountain and pond are just north of COMMISSIONS A thorough knowledge of construc- 42 the ranch house and easily viewed picture and not a mere collection of garden garden patio lifestyle of the region“ and creat- plans for different sections. In 1922, Florence from the floor-to-ceiling windows tion and of all the numerous kinds objects.”36 Both attractive and practical, a well- Howard’s reputation earned him the trust of ing a sense of indoor amid outdoor space. The Yoch designed the Geranium Walk. The Olm- of the music room. Florence Bixby of material required to building (sic) planned garden to Howard was fundamental Florence Bixby. She hired him to develop a Back Patio was functionally designed to sepa- sted Brothers were called in later to develop hung an original Claude Monet oil BEAUTIFUL GARDENS. A knowledge in “making a home.” master landscape plan and detailed plans for rate the ranch house from the barnyard. The the hilltop (1926), with Howard’s early plant- painting of water lilies immediately of plants adaptable to California; famil- the 7.5-acre Rancho Los Alamitos site, which adjacent to one of the windows Howard saw travel as a way to become Old Garden was organized around an aged ing plan likely inspiring their design of the looking out to her own lily pond. iarity with soils; the ability to select only educated and inspired. In his Los Angeles Times included the Bixby’s historic adobe ranch pepper tree planted by an early owner, Don Jacaranda Walk (1927) connected to the She understood and embraced the best building material for garden article “European Gardens: We Can Borrow a house (1790-1933).38 The landscape has been Abel Stearns,43 with an adjacent water fountain Tennis Court, and the formal Rose Garden Southern California’s blurring of construction, such as is required in Lot From Them Yet,” he celebrates intentional described as an “outstanding example of early surrounded by formal hardscaped pathways (1928).44 the boundaries between indoor the building of Walls, Walks, Tennis simplicity through the selection of plants that 20th century formal landscape planning, exem- delineating quadrants planted with flowering In 1981, Rancho Los Alamitos was listed and outdoor living. Photograph by Courts, Garden Pavilions, Pergolas, George Metevier. (RLA# 99.2.253) create visual and physical depth. This multi- plifying not only the cultural character of the plants and choice shrubbery. Boundary hedg- in the National Register of Historic Places and, Courtesy of the Rancho Los Fences, Swimming Pools, and no end sensory experience, he believed, would take times but carrying on a tradition of the Beau- ing and plantings at varied heights protected in 1991, all of the gardens save one under- Alamitos Archives. of our appurtenances.35 advantage of “myriad shades of green and tification Movement of the late 19th century.”39 the Old Garden from a service road, creating went an extensive restoration per the Rancho

60 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 61 Los Alamitos Master Plan executed by the Rancho Los Alamitos Foundation, Board of Trustees and Key Staff (under the direction of Pamela Seager - Executive Director and Proj- ect Manager). The Old Garden remains the single garden area at Rancho Los Alamitos, Opposite top: Entrance to Back Patio looking still awaiting historic restoration. (Subject to East towards the ranch house, November 1928. pending funding for historic research, garden Photo by Albert Cawood. (RLA# 94.10.844) restoration plans, and execution.) Courtesy of the Rancho Los Alamitos Archives.

Opposite bottom: West End of Back Patio showing succulents and cacti planted around ESTATE GARDENS pond. Pygmy date palms (Phoenix robellini) and queen palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana) in the lawn. By the late-1920s, Howard’s repertoire of work One of the motivations for creating the walled expanded to include commissions for large Back Patio was to create separation between estate gardens for southern California’s elite. the residence and the nearby barnyard. November 1928. Photo by Albert Cawood. Howard was one of many nurserymen and hor- (RLA# 94.10.842) Courtesy of the Rancho Los ticulturalists contracted by the newly wealthy in Alamitos Archives. early 20th century Los Angeles seeking to project their romanticized self-images through elabo- This page: West end of Back Patio showing pond and wall fountain, as well as early rately designed estate residences and gardens. planting of succulents. Pygmy date palm As a self-made businessman himself whose (Phoenix robellini) in the foreground, c. 1925. growing grounds for roses and exotic plants Photographer unknown. (RLA# 68.1.10527) sprouted oil, Howard became part of this elite Courtesy of the Rancho Los Alamitos Archives. and was no stranger to their vision. He designed estate gardens at residences by renowned archi- property line to the east, as well as illustrating adjacent to the squares of the orchard is set while also providing opportunities for land- tects. One of these was the Sweeney Estate in the inclusion of a deep setback in the front yard aside for growing vines. scape education and high-quality customer Los Angeles (1927),45 designed by architect A. that aligned with the front facade of the resi- Primary features of the front garden service. Visitors and customers from across F. Leicht for City of Vernon industrialist Morgan dence. Trees and shrubs were planted with the include an expansive front lawn, set deeply the state and overseas would stroll or buy L. Sweeney.46 Another was the Wild Estate at long view in mind, including cedar, bottle palm, back to the facade of the residence, as was at Flowerland,53 one of California’s largest Fremont Place in Los Angeles (1930),47 which arborvitae, bougainvillea, and Chinese juniper; consistent within the context of adjacent resi- retail flower and plant nurseries at the time. the architect Elmer Grey designed for Charles Design emphasis was placed on open and dences; substantial groupings of foundation Flowerland served as a destination, offering John Wild, builder and owner of the Warman sweeping views of the garden and the formal plants; a thickly planted perimeter southern a multitude of landscaping options from rare Steel Casting Company.48 In 1938, Howard col- strolling paths were intended to also organize border; and a semi-transparent boundary of cultivars to rose bushes to dahlias, decidu- laborated with architect Roland E. Coate, Sr. the spatial relationships between foreground, plantings along the front wall adjacent to the ous evergreens to citrus, grasses to annuals on the design of the Hornblow Residence, Los middle ground, and background. sidewalk. These included six “sets” of arbor- “reminiscent of a giant flower show.”54 The Angeles,49 for film producer Arthur Hornblow, The primary north-south axis line is inter- vitae and Chinese juniper, spaced equidistant interactive nursery included display gardens, Jr. and his wife, actress Myrna Loy.50 sected at 90-degree angles at four points. The apart to provide some screening from the street a “Garden of a Thousand Roses” that contained In 1926, Howard was commissioned to secondary east-west axis joins the pergola while preserving open views across the gently over 1000 plants of approximately 250 variet- design the garden for the estate of City of at an enlarged intersection, extending west sloping lawn to the setback. The cadence and ies, and areas for experimental demonstrations. Vernon co-founder and banker J. B. Leonis in to an orchard laid out in two squares with symmetry of these evergreen sentinels are con- In 1949, the Paul J. Howard Company the Hancock Park neighborhood of Los Ange- a precise arrangement of 9 fruit trees per sistent with design principles used by Howard developed the 22-acre Flowerland Park 55 les. His design complemented the two-story square, and terminating at a small seat and a throughout the site.51 subdivision, a residential tract and adjacent Mediterranean/Italian Renaissance Revival-style background of plantings. East of the pergola business area with public landscaping and residence designed by master architect Richard intersection, the path extends across a panel infrastructure provided by his company,56 D. King. In 2019, Chattel, Inc. collaborated of lawn with a central circle and bird bath CALIFORNIA located immediately south of California Flow- with Kelly Comras, FASLA, on the creation of a and terminates in a crescent-shaped alcove erland. “In keeping with the superb beauty Cultural Landscape Report for the rare double- with a seat, encircled with shrubbery at the FLOWERLAND of the landscaping on the adjoining nursery lot property. The following description of the eastern border of the garden. grounds,”57 the tract was to be supplied and Leonis garden is adapted from that report: A tertiary east-west axis links the fountain By 1927, the expansion of commercial rose planted with unusual flowering trees lining its From its inception, the Leonis Estate was courtyard and rose courtyard quadrangle with growers outside the old established rose-grow- parkways. Evidence of this subdivision today designed as a cohesive site, with a unified a central sundial. Formally arranged paths ing companies was evident; his brother Fred’s exists in a business and shopping center at architectural character in a park-like setting. enframe and intersect the quadrangle. The Howard & Smith nursery was no longer stand- the four corners of National Boulevard and The garden was organized around formal axes, path continues west and terminates in a large, ing by this time.52 Howard’s growing business, Barrington Avenue,58 with adjacent business most with terminus points with architectural half-circle paved area with a wood structure to design commissions, and continuance into the frontage on National, all “developed by the or other garden features, such as a pergola, support vines. Another tertiary east-west path early-1930s exhibited his lasting relevance and Howard Company along Colonial lines of birdbath, sundial, or benches. Many of these begins at the wall that screens views of the adaptation to changing national cultural and architecture.”59 terminus features were situated within the street from the garden, crosses in front of the consumer trends. Following the decrease in the number of embrace of paved or otherwise defined half- fountain courtyard, and leads towards the rose In June 1940, Howard opened California large estate gardening commissions, there circles. The formal aspects of the plan were quadrangle / orchard area, without substantial Flowerland, “The Gateway to Better Gardens,” came a decline in Paul’s Flowerland business.60 offset by asymmetrical placement of different terminus at either end. A third tertiary path a 40-acre nursery located at 11700 National After an impressive reign of 43 years, Paul J. garden amenities, such as a vegetable garden runs east-west at the furthest southern edge Boulevard in the Mar Vista neighborhood Howard’s Horticultural Establishment and and, by necessity, accommodated an irregular of the property. West of the pergola, an area of Los Angeles that sold various plant types California Flowerland nursery closed three

62 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 63 months after his death in April of 1966, and “carriage trade” clientele sought his work, and was replaced two years later with another sub- young landscape graduates sought to work division.(63)" Update FN 63: "Distant Vistas: under him. Exploring the Historic Neighborhoods of While Howard is responsible for green- Mar Vista" PDF at http://www.marvistahis- ing the streets of Los Angeles’s most exclusive toricalsociety.net/. Howard was a leader in the residential neighborhoods and for realizing California nursery and gardening industry for estate gardens representing romanticized self- 61 Right: Hand-drawn plan by Paul J. Howard 68 years. His Flowerland was “famous the images of prominent Angelenos, his existing of the J.B. Leonis Estate, rendered in colored world over for its stock of native plants and body of work is mostly unrecognized. Fol- pencil on tissue paper, c. 1926. Significant as a shrubs as well as exotic specimens collected lowing its recent sale by the Leonis family in rare double-lot property, the J.B. Leonis Estate from throughout the world,”62 with visitors 2018, this estate remains a private residence Garden exhibited Paul J. Howard’s thoughtful from across the state and overseas viewing and whose garden has been altered to accommo- approach to spatially organize the garden 63 around formal axes with terminus points, purchasing stock. date its new family’s changing needs. His work sweeping views, and strolling paths. Courtesy at Rancho Los Alamitos, on the other hand, of the J.B. Leonis Estate Archives. is open to the public Wednesday-Sunday 1-5 SOUTHERN PM,65 since Fred and Florence Bixby’s heirs ABOUT THE AUTHORS Below: Hand-drawn axonometric perspective sketch by Paul J. Howard of the J.B. Leonis CALIFORNIA AS donated the Rancho to the City of Long Beach Estate Garden, rendered in colored pencil in 1968. Presently operated by the non-profit Aleli Balaguer holds a Master of Urban and on tissue paper, view northeast of the estate FLOWERLAND Rancho Los Alamitos Foundation as a historic Regional Planning degree from UCLA and a garden (unrealized), c. 1926. Typical of site, Rancho Los Alamitos has restored all but B.A. in Architecture from UC Berkeley. With landscape designs of the time, what was realized differs slightly from what was drawn. Paul J. Howard was a California nurseryman, one of its historic gardens. As a tribute to the a background and interest in the social and The design intent remained consistent: formal horticulturist, and designer whose business late Pamela Seager (founding Executive Direc- cultural factors of design and architecture, axes from the central fountain courtyard with acumen and pioneer branding extended well tor, 1985-2019), the Rancho Los Alamitos Aleli's career pursuits have led toward his- a curved wood pergola enforcing the axes, a beyond his name. Through his reputation, Foundation is accepting donations toward the toric preservation, and its intersection with node or terminus of Italian cypress trees, rose restoration of Howard’s Old Garden, the last of gardens, and a hierarchy between a formal trusted quality plantings, and nationally- the built environment and cultural heritage. 64 viewing garden and semi-formal use. Courtesy distributed catalogs, Howard strategically the Rancho’s historic gardens to be restored. Of the Philippine diaspora, Aleli was born and of the J.B. Leonis Estate Archives. marketed Southern California as a destination. Paul Howard’s cultural and horticul- raised in San Diego and now resides in Los Because of this, visitors and customers, home- tural influence are irrefutable. His branding Angeles. Bottom: Aerial photograph of the J.B. Leonis owners, architects, and builders traveled to of Southern California as a destination, as a Caroline Raftery is a Senior Architectural Estate, view northeast of the estate garden (as-built), 1931. Consistent with his drawings, Flowerland from across the United States and ‘Flowerland’ of horticultural opportunity, and Historian at Hawaii-based MASON Architects. Paul J. Howard intended for views from the overseas to stroll his fields, commission his the range of plants dispersed across the region, She holds a Master of Science degree in His- residence and fountain courtyard to sweep services, and purchase his plants. High-profile are evidence of his lasting legacy. toric Preservation from Columbia University. across the entire garden with a primary axis and separation of uses. Courtesy of The Benjamin and Gladys Thomas Air Photo Archives, Spence Collection, Department of Geography, UCLA.

Opposite left: J.B. Leonis Estate Garden, original wood pergola, view southeast, 2019. The original curved wood pergola offers an impressive terminus to the view from the fountain courtyard. Courtesy of Cy Carlberg.

Opposite right: J.B. Leonis Estate Garden, original wood pergola, view southeast, date unknown, circa 1935. Courtesy of the Leonis Family Archives.

Following page left: J.B. Leonis Estate Garden, bottle palms (Beaucarnea recurvata), view east, 2019. According to arborist Cy Carlberg, the “most interesting and rare botanical specimens” at the J.B. Leonis Estate Garden today are the two bottle palms (Beaucarnea recurvata) adjacent to the original courtyard. Native to southeastern Mexico and “exceptional in size,” their prominent location in the garden was well thought out by Paul J. Howard. Courtesy of Cy Carlberg.

Following page right: J.B. Leonis Estate, west elevation, fountain courtyard, view east, 2019. Consistent with courtyard drawing by master architect Richard D. King, Howard’s inclusion of a water element as central to the formal paved fountain courtyard aligns with Paul J. Howard’s belief in bringing the natural environment into his garden. Courtesy of Chattel, Inc.

64 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 65 25 Wallach, Ruth. “Miracle Mile in Los Ange- 38 Sanquist, Nancy J., Bixby Ranch Company. 51 Comras, Kelly, FASLA, Kelly Comras Endnotes les: History and Architecture.” (Charleston: “National Register of Historic Places Nomina- Landscape Architecture. “The J.B. Leonis The History Press, 2013), 32; Office of His- tion Application for Rancho Los Alamitos.” Estate Cultural Landscape Report.” July 2019, 1 A.E. Hanson, An Arcadian Landscape, (Los toric Resources, “Windsor Square HPOZ Washington: U.S. Department of the Interior, 16-18. Angeles: Hennessey & Ingalls, 1985), 4. Preservation Plan,” City of Los Angeles, National Park Service, 1981. https://npgallery. Department of City Planning, July 2019, 8. nps.gov/GetAsset/3a843445-401e-40c3-b9e8- 52 “We Solved Our Rose Problems and Then 2 Wuttken, “Urbanization, Founder’s Death Windsor Square was designated a City of 3796a708305c. Showed World How to Grow ‘em,” Los Angeles Signal End for Flowerland: Paul J. Howard’s Los Angeles Historic Preservation Overlay Times, April 24, 1927. Colorful West Los Angeles Nursery Closes Zone (HPOZ) in 2007. Jointly developed 39 Rachman, Fred. “Historic American Landscapes Survey for the Gardens of Rancho 53 Wuttken, “Urbanization, Founder’s Death Doors After 43 Years of Southland Service,” by the Windsor Square Association and the Signal End for Flowerland: Paul J. Howard’s Col- WS1. City of Los Angeles Bureau of Street Ser- Los Alamitos.” Washington: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 2012. orful West Los Angeles Nursery Closes Doors vices Street Tree Division, the HPOZ has After 43 Years of Southland Service,” WS1. 3 Padilla, Victoria. Southern California Gar- a City-approved Master Plan of Parkway 1. https://cdn.loc.gov/master/pnp/habshaer/ dens: An Illustrated History. (Santa Barbara: Trees (2000) “dedicated to Paul J. Howard’s ca/ca4000/ca4055/data/ca4055data.pdf. 54 “Southland Garden Enthusiasts Bidden Allen A. Knoll Publishers, 2000), back cover. memory.” [Windsor Square Association, 40 Paul J. Howard’s contributions alongside to Opening of ‘California Flowerland,’” Los 4 Padilla, Southern California Gardens, “The Trees of Windsor Square in the City of those of notable landscape architects Flor- Angeles Times, June 28, 1940. 174-175. Los Angeles,” Windsor Square Association, ence Yoch, the Olmsted brothers, botanist http://www.windsorsquare.org/wp-content/ 55 “Nursery Firm Will Open Flowerland William Hertrich, native plant expert Allen Subdivision,” Los Angeles Times, September 5 Ibid, 177. uploads/2009/03/the-trees-of-ws1.pdf Chickering, and Paul’s brother, Ed Howard, (accessed December 2019)]. 19, 1948: D2. 6 Ibid, 176. collectively established the cultural signifi- 26 The Wilshire Crest residential tract cance of Florence Bixby’s gardens. 56 “West LA Subdivision Will Be Launched 7 Sayer, “Where Roses Bloomed Oil Is was identified in SurveyLA, the City of Los Today,” Los Angeles Times, 1949. Likely to Spout,” A5. 41 Paul was also responsible for designing Angeles’ citywide historic resource survey, the pathways in the Native Garden, based on 57 “Nursery Firm Will Open Flowerland 8 Padilla, Southern California Gardens, 180. as the potential Wilshire Crest-Mullen Park archival landscape plans. Early concept draw- Subdivision,” Los Angeles Times, September Residential Historic District, significant as ings by Paul J. Howard in 1921 and 1923 also 19, 1948: D2. 9 Ibid. an excellent collection of Period Revival resi- indicate plans for a rose garden within the Old dential architecture from the 1920s and as 58 Three corner buildings planned by Paul 10 Ibid, 177-178. Garden, a Jacaranda Walk pergola pathway, and an excellent example of an early automobile adjacent Tennis Courts. Execution of the Tennis were identified in SurveyLA as the poten- 11 “Paul Howard, Horticultural Pioneer, suburb. Court, Jacaranda Walk, and formal Rose Gar- tial Colonial Corners Commercial Historic District, significant as a cohesive collection Dies,” Los Angeles Times, 1966. 27 “To Develop Fine West End Tract: Wilshire dens are later attributed to the Olmsted Brothers (1926-1928). of postwar neighborhood commercial devel- 12 Los Angeles Times, articles from 1919- Crest Will Be Name Of Subdivision,” Los Angeles opment in Mar Vista, constructed between 1920 describe Paul’s work under the Paul J. Times, September 26, 1920: V2. 42 Jurmain, Claudia; Lavender, David; and 1948 and 1962. The potential Barrington Howard Company. 28 Sayer, “Where Roses Bloomed Oil Is Likely Meyer, Larry L. Rancho Los Alamitos: Ever Multi-Family Residential Historic District and to Spout,” A5. Changing, Always the Same. Berkeley: Heyday the potential Westdale Residential Planning 13 “Article 5 – No Title,” Los Angeles Times, Books, 2011. 175. District were also identified in SurveyLA as Advertisement, December 16, 1917: II13. 29 Ibid. significant, with both districts’ overall plans 43 The pepper tree’s death led to its later and landscape features designed in collabo- 14 “Garden Marbles and Plants on Display,” 30 Ibid. removal. Los Angeles Times, June 13, 1920: III26. ration with Paul and his plantings from his 31 “La Brea Nursery Opened.” Los Angeles 44 Jurmain, Claudia; Lavender, David; and nearby nursery. 15 “Paul Howard, Horticultural Pioneer, Times. September 16, 1923. Meyer, Larry L. Rancho Los Alamitos: Ever Dies,” Los Angeles Times, 1966. 59 “Nursery Firm Will Open Flowerland Changing, Always the Same. Berkeley: Heyday Subdivision,” Los Angeles Times, September 32 Howard, Paul J., “European Gardens: Books, 2011. 184. 16 “Garden Marbles and Plants on Display,” We Can Borrow a Lot From Them Yet,” Los 19, 1948: D2. III26. Angeles Times, February 28, 1932, p 16; Paul 45 “House of Morgan Sweeney, Los Angeles,” 60 Wuttken, Burt, “Urbanization, Founder’s 17 The American Florist, December 2, 1916, Howard, Horticultural Pioneer, Dies,” Los Architectural Digest 6:3 (1927): 96-99. Death Signal End for Flowerland: Paul J. Angeles Times, 1966. p. 1043. 46 “Group hears aims of industrial development Howard’s Colorful West Los Angeles Nurs- 33 Paul J. Howard’s Horticultural Estab- association,” Los Angeles Times, February 26, ery Closes Doors After 43 Years of Southland 18 Hanson, An Arcadian Landscape, 4. Zim- Service,” Los Angeles Times, August 7, 1966: merman began working for Howard as early lishment. Flowerland. Los Angeles: 1929. 1928: E7. Exhibition catalogue. WS1. as 1913 before opening his own design office 47 “Residence of Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Wild, by the 1920s. 34 Paul J. Howard’s Horticultural Estab- Los Angeles,” Architectural Digest 8:3 (1931): 61 Sayer, “Where Roses Bloomed Oil Is Likely to Spout,” A5. 19 Birnbaum, Charles A. Shaping the Ameri- lishment. Tidy Tips from ‘Flowerland’, Season 4-12. can Landscape.(Charlottesville: University of 1924-1925. Los Angeles: 1924-1925. Exhibi- 62 Wuttken, “Urbanization, Founder’s Death tion catalog. 48 Fremont Place Association, “History of Fre- Virginia Press, 2009), 127. mont Place,” Fremont Place Association, http:// Signal End for Flowerland: Paul J. Howard’s Colorful West Los Angeles Nursery Closes 20 The Cultural Landscape Foundation, 35 Ibid. fremontplace.org/abouthistory/ (accessed Octo- ber 2019). Doors After 43 Years of Southland Service,” “A.E. Hanson (1893-1986),” The Cultural 36 Paul J. Howard’s Horticultural Estab- WS1. Landscape Foundation, https://tclf.org/pio- lishment. Flowerland: Bulbs, Plants, Seeds, 49 “Estate of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Hornblow neer/ae-hanson (accessed November 2019). 1928-1929. Los Angeles: 1928-1929. Exhi- (Myrna Loy), Los Angeles,” Architectural Digest 63 http://www.marvistahistoricalsociety.net/ pdf/Distant_Vistas. 21 Hanson, An Arcadian Landscape, 4. bition catalog. 10:1 (1938): 43-49. 64 Archived Flowerland catalogs available 22 Ibid, 5. 37 Howard, Paul J., “European Gardens: We 50 Online Archive of California, “Maynard L. Can Borrow a Lot From Them Yet,” Los Angeles Parker negatives, photographs, and other mate- for free viewing and download here: https:// 23 Ibid. Times, February 28, 1932, p 16. rial: Finding Aid, The Huntington Library,” archive.org/search.php?query=creator%3A% Online Archive of California, http://www.oac. 22Paul+J.+Howard%27s+Horticultural+Esta 24 Ibid. cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/kt6k4034m6/ blishment%22. (accessed October 2019). 65 For more information, visit www.Rancho- LosAlamitos.org.

66 Eden: Journal of the California Garden & Landscape History Society Fall 2020 • Vol. 23, No. 4 67 CALIFORNIA GARDEN & LANDSCAPE HISTORY SOCIETY P.O. Box 220237, Newhall, CA 91322-0237

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Front Cover: The entrance to the Kaufmann Desert House, Palm Springs. Julius Shulman photographer. © J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (2004.R.10).

Back Cover: Rare photo of Grace Lewis Miller relaxing in front of her screened porch. Brittlebrush, ocotillo and yucca adorn the forefront of the scene. Fritz Block Kodachrome taken ca. 1940. Courtesy Neutra Institute for the Survival Through Design (NISTD). Architecture and Fine Arts Library, USC.