newsletter volume xvii, issue ii - Whittier Historic Neighborhood

Whittier Historic Neighborhood Association
M AY 2016
NEWSLETTER
Don’t Miss It!
Mark your calendars!
Historic Home
Tour
OCTOBER 15, 2016
Tour 4 beautiful old homes
Plus:
 The Historic Bailey
House (Whittier’s first
house)
 Antique Cars
 Handmade Quilts
 Tasty Refreshments
Neighborhood Mixer
& WHNA Board Member Elections
Thursday, May 19, 7pm-9pm
Lou Henry Hoover Elementary School
(6302 Alta Ave.)
Come meet your neighbors!
~~~~~~~
Refreshments Will Be Served
~~~~~~~
What the Heck?
Clearing Up The Confusion
Interested in Volunteering?
We’re always looking for:
 Event Planners
 Helpers
 Event Docents
Contact Kathy
(562) 696-2050
Whittier’s Historic
1. Whittier Historic
Districts, Associations, Resources Commission
Societies … by Candi Nash In our neighborhood, they are the
I live within the boundaries of the
Whittier Historic Neighborhood
Association (WHNA), and since you
are reading this Newsletter, you do
too!
I also live in a Historic District, but
even if you live just a few doors
down from me, I have no idea
whether or not you do! It’s possible.
Inside This Issue
Uptown’s Hidden Mansion
V OLUME XVII, I SSUE II
p.2
Meet the Board Candidates p.3
WHNA Calendar of Events P.3
Clearing Up the Confusion
Karen’s Korner
p.4
p.4
Yard Sale Highlights
Discovering Whittier
Coyote Alert
Membership Renewal
p.5
p.5
p.5
p.5
Crime Report
WHNA Membership Form
p.6
p.6
It’s also possible that we both
belong to the Whittier Conservancy,
the Whittier Uptown Association,
and the Whittier Historical Society.
I mean, maybe. But that’s all
voluntary. So maybe not.
One thing I’m absolutely certain of
is that we are both governed by the
rules and regulations of the Whittier
Historic
Resources
Commission!
Well, okay, I’m sort of certain...
Confused? Don’t worry, you’re
not alone!
I did some quick research, and I
think I can Clear Up the Confusion:
ones that approve any work you
want to do on your property. Yep,
this is “the building police” for
historic buildings. They are a Cityappointed commission that ensures
any alteration, either to a historic
resource or to any building
constructed prior to 1941, “is in
keeping with its historic character
and does not degrade its integrity.”
The Commission also advises the
City Council on policies, programs
and procedures necessary to
implement the Historic Resources
Element of the Whittier General
Plan. (I don’t’ know what that
means, but it comes directly from
the City’s website.)
2. Whittier Historical
Society
Owns and operates the Whittier
Museum and manages the Historic
Bailey House.
(Continued on Page 4)
NEWSLETTER
P AGE 2
Did you know?
Uptown’s Hidden Mansion
by Candi Nash
c1912 Postcard*
c1915 Photograph*
The William & Eliza Loftus Mansion
Hidden & Forgotten, But Still Here
When William Loftus transferred from Santa Paula to Southern
California in 1912, he and his wife Eliza decided to settle in the
little town of Whittier which was not too far away from his work
in the Brea-Olinda oil fields. Eliza was the niece of one of the
founders of Union Oil and William worked for her uncle’s company.
Front Entrance from the bricked over pool
c2016
Glimpsed from Beverly Blvd c2016
They built this stunning 22-room neo-classical mansion overlooking Beverly Boulevard on a 2 acre piece of land that spread
all the way from Comstock to Milton. The house boasted 8 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, a living room, dining room and den, a
library, and a 6,000 square foot basement which included a
billiard room. Only the best materials were used. In 1912, an
average family home cost between $3,000 and $5,000 to build.
The price to build the Loftus Mansion was an astronomical
$167,000.
The Loftus’ only daughter, Edna L. Hiatt, inherited the property
and lived there with her daughters until she sold the estate in
1943.
Today the mansion is almost completely invisible from the
street. You probably drive past it all the time without even noticing it. But if you look at JUST the right moment as you drive
down Beverly Boulevard, you can
catch a glimpse of the regal lady
peeking out from behind the 1940’s
apartments that crowd around her.
They are packed onto what was
once her vast front lawn.
This house is like nothing else we
have anywhere in Whittier. It has
been hidden and forgotten, but
miraculously the Loftus Mansion
still survives.
Front Porch c2016
* Historic photos used with the
permission of the Whittier Public
Library
M AY 2016
WHNA
Calendar of
Events
P AGE 3
WHNA Officer Nominations
INTRODUCING THE CANDIDATES
WHNA Board Member elections are coming up this
month. Come cast your vote at the May 19th meeting.
April 23 — May 8
Historical Society Home Tour
(Contact the Museum)
May 7, Sat 10AM-1PM
Founder’s Day Event
Central Park
May 19, Thurs 7PM
Neighborhood Mixer
& WHNA Board Elections
Hoover Elementary
6302 Alta Ave.
June Mondays 7PM
Concerts in the Park
Central Park
June 4, Sat 9AM-4PM
Uptown Car Show
June 16, Thurs 7PM
WHNA Neighborhood Meeting
6246 Washington Ave
July Mondays 7PM
Concerts in the Park
Central Park
July 21, Thurs 7PM
WHNA Neighborhood Meeting
6211 Washington Ave
August Mondays 7PM
Concerts in the Park
Central Park
August 18, Thurs 7PM
WHNA Neighborhood Meeting
6554 Friends Ave
Free!!
Residential
Graffiti Removal!
24-Hour Graffiti
Abatement Hotline
(562) 567-9560
Ted Gottis
President
Shelia Kerz
Vice President
Jason Chacon
Treasurer
Candi Nash
Secretary
YOUR VOTE COUNTS!
WHNA Board Member Elections
When: 7:00pm, Thursday, May 19, 2016
Where: Lou Henry Hoover Elementary School
6302 Alta Ave.
Ted Gottis
Candidate for President
Running for his second term as
WHNA President, Ted is among
the newest members of our community. He and his family moved
from Long Beach in 2014 to a
beautiful home overlooking Central Park. He loves historic homes
and always wanted to own one.
He found the perfect home and
community in Uptown Whittier!
Jason Chacon
Candidate for Treasurer
Jason is a Staff Sergeant in the
Army who is also working on his
Bachelor’s Degree. His love of
historic houses and the architectural diversity in our neighborhood lead him to buy his Spanish
Style bungalow on Washington
Avenue in 2014. He likes anything that is “old,” but he has a
passion for antique cars. He can
often be seen driving his beautifully restored 1931 Model A Ford
Taxi.
Shelia Kerz
Candidate for Vice President
Also running for a second term,
Shelia is a long-time resident who
has been active in WHNA for the
last 16 years. Shelia served two
years as WHNA President before
beginning her term as WHNA Vice
President. With so many exciting
things on the horizon, she looks
forward to taking on another
term.
Candi Nash
Candidate for Secretary
Candi joined WHNA in 2014 and
immediately took over the job of
Newsletter Coordinator. Another
long-term resident, she moved to
Uptown as a renter in 1998 before
purchasing her home on Washington Avenue in 2005. Her passion
for local history and architecture
make living in Uptown feel like a
dream-come-true. Candi is stepping up for her second Consecutive term as WHNA Secretary.
P AGE 4
NEWSLETTER
What the Heck? Clearing Up the Confusion
Whittier’s Historic Districts, Associations, Societies …
(Continued from Page 1)
3. Whittier Historic Neighborhood Association (WHNA)
That’s us! WHNA is a group of residents that formed a nonprofit organization to protect and promote the
common good and general welfare of the people that live in our neighborhood and to preserve the historic
integrity and natural resources of the area. You live in our neighborhood, so we exist for you!
WHNA has made significant improvements to the neighborhood, including designing and co-funding the Historic
District Monument Signs, donating money to upgrade the trees planted on our streets by the City, working with
the City to get better policing in our neighborhood, providing grants to neighbors to help them make property
improvements, etc. WHNA is best-known for our Historic Home Tour (which is coming back this October!).
4. Whittier’s Historic Districts
1. Central Park Historic District (within WHNA boundaries)
Borders: Hadley, Washington, Bailey, Friends
2. Hadley-Greenleaf Historic District (within WHNA boundaries)
Borders: Hadley, Greenleaf, Broadway, Painter
3. College Hills Historic District
Borders: Basically the neighborhood in the hills at the end of Philadelphia
4. Earlham Historic District
South North
These are areas that the City has designated as a Historic District. Historic Districts are subject to more
stringent building codes and regulations than areas not designated as Historic Districts. There are four Historic
Districts in Whittier and two of them are within WHNA boundaries. However, only the homes that are SOUTH of
Broadway in our neighborhood are w ithin Historic Districts! (Confusing, right?!)
WHNA
Borders: Earlham Drive between Painter and Guilford
5. Whittier Conservancy
A nonprofit organization that works for the preservation and sensitive use of Whittier's significant residential
structures, landmark commercial buildings, and notable landscapes, including its valuable cultivated trees,
public parks, and the natural beauty of the Whittier Hills.
6. Whittier Uptown Association (WUA)
A nonprofit trade association that exists to promote the businesses located in Uptown and to work with
property owners and tenants to enhance the Uptown Business District.
a r e n’s
orner
revisited
By Karen Bennett
Celebrating
Our Front Doors
The style of the front door, like
other architectural features, is part
of the overall design of a house, and
door styles differ considerably from
one home style to another. As with
any historic architectural element,
an original front door with its
original hardware is a valuable and
beautiful asset. We are lucky in our
neighborhood to still have many of
our original front doors, sheltering
and welcoming us just as beautifully
as they did sixty, eighty or more iron hardware with a mission
years ago.
influence.
Craftsmen Bungalow
The door looks massive and solid,
made of lovely woods and left
unpainted. It may be extra wide,
but is not usually flanked by sidelights. Openings in the door are
usually triangular or square; glass is
often beveled. The hardware may
include strap hinges in an Arts and
Crafts design. If there is ornament,
it may be a protruding horizontal
board supported so as to resemble
a plate rail.
Victorian
Although there are examples of
massive Victorian doors, most in our
neighborhood are somewhat lighter
in appearance. They may feature a
square or rectangular window with
patterned molding defining its p
panels or an applied wooden floral
or classical swag design. The door is
often painted, but may be made of
fine wood and left unpainted, and
often features elaborate geometric
designs.
Spanish Revival
The door may be in the shape of a
simple rectangle or an arch, and is
also left unpainted. Strongly
associated with ‘privacy and
security, it is likely to have only a
small opening, with a wooden grill
or metal peephole, and may feature
Colonial Revival
A colonial revival house is likely to
have a painted door of paneled
design. It is often without windows,
but may have a fanlight, or be
surrounded by sidelights, and often
features a prominent knocker.
M AY 2016
Yard Sale
Highlights 2016
P AGE 5
DISCOVERING
WHITTIER
by Marti Jordan
562-857-2148
[email protected]
A few short weeks away there will be a canopy of beautiful lavender
blossoms as the Jacaranda trees put on their annual display. This
always warms my heart and signals that spring is once again upon
us. Families will take advantage of the calm serenity and quiet
neighborhoods, strolling along the sidewalks and taking in the
beauty that surrounds them.
On the weekends, parks and fields will be filled with laughter and
excitement, as our youth participate in local sports programs while
their families cheer them on. Our new Greenway Trail winds its
way through the city and will host numerous bikers, joggers and
strollers. The hiking trails in the hills above our town will attract
young and old alike, joined in a pursuit of nature and healthy
activity.
A building pulse is felt in our historic “Uptown” district, as highly
regarded chefs open new and innovative restaurants, gastro-pubs
and wine bars. Our quaint historic neighborhood districts are
experiencing a renaissance as architectural treasures are restored
to their former glory.
This is my community. This is Whittier. And I want to share the
beauty of it. Discover Whittier and see why more and more families,
professionals and trend-setters are making our diverse community
their home.
About the Author: M arti Jordan is a realtor w ith Keller W illiams.
She and her husband, Bill, are very active in our community. Marti serves
on the PIH Foundation Committee, while Bill is a member of the Whittier
Historic Resources Commission.
It’s Time,
Don’t Forget!
Renew Your WHNA
Membership
JUST $20 per year per
household
TAX DEDUCTABLE to
the extent allowed by
law as a donation to a
non-profit 501(C)(3)
organization
OPEN TO RENTERS
and HOMEOWNERS
who live within WHNA
boundaries
The Renewal Form
is located on the back
page of the newsletter
Coyote Alert
There have
been many
coyote
sightings in
our
neighborhood
over the past
few months.
Residents have even reported
seeing them in their backyards.
Keep your pets inside,
including dogs of all
sizes. Even in your ow n
backyard. Even during the day.
These coyotes are NOT skittish
or afraid ... not of people, cars
or big dogs.
Last night two or three coyotes
feasted on a neighbor’s dog.
(This happened at Washington
& Camilla … nowhere near the
hills!)
It is a horrible thing to hear,
and a horrible way to die. It is
also completely preventable.
NEIGHBORHOOD CRIME REPORT
WHNA
Source: CrimeReports.com
W HITTIER H ISTORIC
N EIGHBORHOOD A SSOCIATION
P.O. Box 754, Whittier, CA 90608
www.WhittierHistoric.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Shelia Kerz, President
Corrine Jimenez, Vice President
Rosie Seelt, Treasurer
Candi Nash, Secretary
696-5628
556-1384
698-1457
688-6138
NEWSLETTER COORDINATOR
Candi Nash
688-6138
BLOCK REPRESENTATIVES
GREENLEAF: Joan Ewing, Susana Englehart,
Judy Janson (Acting). BRIGHT: Rosie Seelt,
Kathy Goldman, Debra Canham, Pat O’Toole.
WASHINGTON: Julie Lontok, Karen Bennett, Corrine Jimenez, Candi Nash FRIENDS:
Raquel Preciado, Kim Feinberg, Mary Jo
King, Molly Mendoza. PAINTER: Monique
Turnbull, Drew Prior, Richard Todd.
WHNA BOUNDARIES
North: Orange
West: Greenleaf
East: Painter
South: Central Park
DUES: $20 per year (June 1—May 31)
per household
The Whittier Historic Neighborhood Association is
a nonprofit membership organization. The WHNA
newsletter is published three times per year in
January, May and September for free distribution
to all neighborhood residents.
6000 BLOCK:
March 17, 12:00pm
Breaking & Entering
6000 Blk Painter
6200 BLOCK (including crossroads):
March 26, 8:00am
Grand Theft Auto
January 19, 7:50pm
Assault
February 11, 11:00am
Non-Vehicle Theft
March 13, 7:30am
Non-Vehicle Theft
March 28, 5:30am
Theft from Vehicle
January 5, 7:30am
Breaking & Entering
January 13, 8:30pm
Grand Theft Auto
January 31, 9:00pm
Theft from Vehicle
March 26, 12:00pm
Theft from Vehicle
January 9, 8:00pm
Vandalism / Graffiti
March 15, 10:00pm
Vandalism / Graffiti
March 29, 12:00am
Grand Theft Auto
January 5, 11:00am
Non-Vehicle Theft
13000 Blk Broadway
6200 Blk Bright
6200 Blk Bright
6200 Blk Bright
6200 Blk Bright
6200 Blk Greenleaf
6200 Blk Greenleaf
6200 Blk Friends
6200 Blk Friends
6200 Blk Painter
13400 Blk Camilla
13100 Blk Camilla
6200 Blk Washington
6300 BLOCK (including crossroads):
January 1, 2:00am
Theft from Vehicle
February 10, 10:30pm
Grand Theft Auto
February 16, 5:00pm
Theft from Vehicle
February 25, 8:00am
Non-Vehicle Theft
March 9, 1:50pm
Carjacking
February 3, 10:00am
Recovery Stolen Vehicle
February 25, 1:00pm
Non-Vehicle Theft
March 8, 3:05pm
Recovery Stolen Vehicle
February 17, 4:00pm
Breaking & Entering
6300 Blk Bright
6300 Blk Bright
6300 Blk Bright
6300 Blk Bright
6300 Blk Bright
13200 Blk Hadley
13200 Blk Hadley
6300 Blk Greenleaf
6300 Blk Painter
6500 BLOCK:
February 5, 11:18pm
March 15, 3:00pm
6500 Blk Friends
6500 Blk Washington
Carjacking
Non-Vehicle Theft
2016-2017 WHNA Membership Form
Join or Renew Your Membership Today!!
WHNA is a non-profit, tax exempt organization under section 501(C)(3).
Donations and membership dues are tax deductible to the extent allow ed by law .
Annual dues are just $20 per year (June 1—May 31) and help WHNA pay for flyers, three yearly
newsletters, meeting costs, the annual Holiday Decorating Contest, annual Neighborhood Picnic Party, and
miscellaneous administration and operating costs.
Name:
Address:
Telephone:
Please make the check payable to:
Mail check to:
Email:
WHNA
P.O Box 754, Whittier, CA 90608
Renewal
New Member