1919 (1918) (1920) (1910-1920) (1920-1930) Table of Contents
Reyner Banham Los Angeles: The Architecture of Four Ecologies, Pelican: NY, 1971 (1976), 256 pp., 1976, 1971, 1919 See Text
Donald M. Cleland A History of the Santa Monica Schools 1876-1951, Santa Monica Unified School District, February 1952 (Copied for the Santa Monica Library, July 22, 1963). 140 pp., 1919 See Text
David Gebhard and Robert Winter A Guide to Architecture in Los Angeles & Southern California, Peregrine Smith: Santa Barbara, 1977, 728pp, 1977, 1919, 1900s See Text
James W. Lunsford The Ocean and the Sunset, The Hills and the Clouds: Looking at Santa Monica, illustrated by Alice N. Lunsford, 1983, 1979, 1919, See Text
Esther McCoy Irving Gill 1870-1936 Five California Architects, 1960, Reprinted in Marvin Rand Irving J. Gill: Architect 1870-1936, Gibbs Smith, Publisher: Salt Lake City, UT, Design, Ahde Lahti; Photographs, Marvin Rand, 2006, 238 pp. pp. 219-227, 2006a, 1960, 1919 See Text
Santa Monica Planning
Division Santa Monica Landmarks Tour,
2003.
38 Horatio West Court, 1919 See
Text
Amanda Schacter (ed.)
Santa Monica Landmarks Santa Monica Landmarks Commission,
1990.
9 Horatio West Court See
Text
Kevin Starr Embattled Dreams California in War and Peace 1940-1950, Oxford University Press: Oxford, UK, 2002, 386 pp., 2002, 1929, 1920s, 1919 See Text
Documents
Reyner Banham Los Angeles: The Architecture of Four Ecologies, Pelican: NY, 1971(1976), 256 pp., 1976, 1971, 1919
"Gill {moved} towards a simplified clean-edged architecture . . . The use of skinny metal mullions and frames in Gill's windows, like the advanced tilt-slab technique for pouring concrete walls, never seems to imply a desire to prove a point about the Machine Age . . . p. 64.
" . . . the delicious Horatio West apartments in Santa Monica of 1919. Like the earlier Lewis Courts in Sierra Madre, this is a patio scheme, but unlike the broad central court at Sierra Madre, the internal space at San Mo, broken into by arcades on either side, is so narrow that one could easily mistake it for an automobile drive-way. In any case, the great feature of the design is its upstairs living rooms , glazed around three sides to command views of sea and mountains that must have been well worth the rental when it was first built." pp. 65 and 66.
[p. 65 photo of the Horatio West Apartments]
Donald M. Cleland A History of the Santa Monica Schools 1876-1951, Santa Monica Unified School District, February 1952 (Copied for the Santa Monica Library, July 22, 1963). 140 pp., 1919
" . . .
"Washington School, still on the march in 1919, added four new primary rooms, the enrollment of the school having again reached the point where a large number of pupils could not be properly accommodated.
" . . .
When the war ended, people of the town discussed building a suitable memorial to the war heroes who had served and who had given their lives in the great conflict. In the spring of 1919, the Board of Education passed the following resolution:
- "Whereas, the Board of Education deems the erection of an open-air theatre on the High School grounds as an integral part of the High School plant, a public necessity for the use of the school and a place of assembly for the citizens of Santa Monica, and whereas the United States, in cooperation with the Allied Nations, has recently won a great victory over Germany and her allies, therefore be it-
- "Resolved that the open-air theatre to be erected on the High School grounds shall be a memorial theatre, to be dedicated to the honor of soldiers, sailors, and marines who were enlisted in the World War, and to the memory of those who gave their lives in the cause of that war. And be it further-
- "Resolved that the walls of the Memorial Theatre shall bear appropriate tablets, with suitable inscriptions and the name of every soldier, sailor, and marine enlisted from the City of Santa Monica, and from the Santa Monica High School District." [64. Board Minutes, April 21, 1919.]
The designers were instructed to mark with a gold star the name of every soldier, sailor, or marine enlisting from Santa Monica who met death in the war.
A bond issue of May 20, 1919, provided $30,000 to meet the costs of the Memorial Bowl, as designed by Allison and Allison, architects. Fitting into the slope of the hill, below the main group of buildings and above the athletic field, the Memorial follows the traditional lines of the old Greek theaters. With concrete foundations and a facade of ornamental brick, it seats approximately 3000 persons, and was considered at that time the best example of its type to be found in southern California. Facilities for the production of pageants, plays, and aesthetic dances were provided, with the traditional greensward and shallow pool extending from the stage proper. Dance recitals, rallies, school assemblies, and the annual Spanish Fiesta continues to create colorful spectacles from the Memorial Theatre.
David Gebhard and Robert Winter A Guide to Architecture in Los Angeles & Southern California, Peregrine Smith: Santa Barbara, 1977, 728pp, 1977, 1919, 1900s
"Just a few years ago this small apartment complex seemed doomed to decay and vandalism. Then a group of real friends of architecture bought these apartments and began restoring them and living in them. We cheer these preservationists, especially since this was one of Gill's most imaginative and successful designs." {photo}
James W. Lunsford The Ocean and the Sunset, The Hills and the Clouds: Looking at Santa Monica, illustrated by Alice N. Lunsford, 1983, 1979, 1919
Ocean Park
"9. Horatio West Court, 140 Hollister Avenue. Four two-story all-concrete houses built in 1919 by internationally famous architect Irving Gill and restored in the early 1970s. The development was designated a Santa Monica City Landmark in 1979 and is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places."
Esther McCoy Irving Gill 1870-1936 Five California Architects, 1960, Reprinted in Marvin Rand Irving J. Gill: Architect 1870-1936, Gibbs Smith, Publisher: Salt Lake City, UT, Design, Ahde Lahti; Photographs, Marvin Rand, 2006, 238 pp. pp. 219-227, 2006a, 1960, 1919
"What might have developed out of this new turn Gill's work [Dodge House, 1915; Scripps House, 1916] was taking can only be guessed, but it seems clear that something was happening to his style. However, almost thirteen yeas passed before he build his next large structure. The small Horatio West Court in Santa Monica of 1919 did, however, confirm his interest in experimentation. The bands of glass on three sides of the second-story living rooms of the five-room units indicated a new concern with transparency.
Santa Monica Planning Division Santa Monica Landmarks Tour, 2003.
38 Horatio West Court, 1919
140 Hollister Ave.
Architect: Irving Gill
Designated: 2 January 1979
"This is one of the finest remaining examples of architect Irving Gill's work in the Los Angeles area. Gill's work was heavily influenced by the region's Spanish Colonial Revival and Mission Revival architecture. Abstracting elements of these styles, his designs were modern interpretations of these more traditional forms. This property also shows Gill's interest in designing affordable alternatives to the single-family home. On the first floor of the two-story homes French doors lead from living areas onto an enclosed terrace. In the 1970's, the buildings were restored.
"Horatio West Court is on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977."
Amanda Schacter (ed.) Santa Monica Landmarks Santa Monica Landmarks Commission, 1990.
9 Horatio West Court
140 Hollister Ave.
Built: Circa 1919
Architect: Irving Gill
Designated 1 February 1979
"Horatio West Court is among the finest remaining examples of Irving Gill's work in the Los Angeles area. Gill's work throughout Southern California was heavily influenced by the region's Spanish Colonial Revival and Mission Revival architecture. Abstracting elements of these styles, his designs were a modern interpretation of these more traditional forms. In addition, Horatio West Court exemplifies Gill's interest in designing affordable alternatives to the single-family home.
"On the first floor of the two-story homes french doors lead from living areas onto an enclosed terrace. The two large upstairs bedrooms face north onto a sunporch which was glassed in during the 1920's. In the 1970's, the buildings were restored to their present state. Horatio West Court is listed on the National Register of Historic Places." p. 6
Kevin Starr Embattled Dreams California in War and Peace 1940-1950, Oxford University Press: Oxford, UK, 2002, 386 pp., 2002, 1929, 1920s, 1919
[p. 131] " . . . In May 1919 Cecil B. DeMille and a number of Hollywood investors established the Mercury Aviation Company, headquartered at DeMille Field No. 2. Mercury Aviation offered the first regularly scheduled commercial airline passenger service in the United States, with connecting flights from Los Angeles to Venice Beach, Long Beach, Pasadena, Bakersfield and Fresno . . .