Page 6 October 20, 2016 TORRANCE TRIBUNE TerriAnn in Torrance Historic Homes in Torrance Story and Photos by TerriAnn Ferren Every other year, for over 35 years, the Torrance Historical Society has hosted the Original Fall Tour of Historic Homes, where the owners of historic homes in downtown Torrance open up their doors, allowing us a look back into history. Last Saturday I arrived at the Torrance Museum, where I saw Joann Miyamoto, Councilman Curt Weideman, and Jamie Watson busily selling tickets for the home tour. I purchased my ticket from the Financial Secretary of the Historical Society and Torrance Councilman Kurt Weideman, who told me, “In front of every one of the houses, you will find an antique car, a poster, and you will be greeted by the head docent, who will take your admission ticket and cross off that you have visited. Inside, you will have from two to four docents who will explain the history, the architecture, if somebody famous lived there, all the details that you are about to see. Don’t forget to ask questions.” In addition, he also advised me not to miss the refreshments offered at the historic 1925 Women’s Club, where lemonade and Torrance Bakery cookies will be offered, and the art of the Torrance Artists’ Guild, and Destination: Art will be on display. I left the museum with my booklet and headed to the first house. Walking down the sidewalk, I met Councilwoman Heidi Ann Ashcraft, who had just finished her volunteer shift as docent in a home and told me, “They did trust me in a home that has nothing in it. It is completely empty which makes the job very easy. The Beckwith House is [still owned by the original family]– the 4th generation and he has just recently renovated it and it is for lease. It’s a great house – the whole house is original – only one little room and bathroom were added in 1932, everything else is vintage 1924. And the original paperwork for the sale of the house is on the wall in the back bedroom. Mrs. Beckwith, [her photo] is big as life, and in the back bedroom.” After speaking with Councilwoman Ashcraft, I wanted to see the Beckwith House, a Craftsman Bungalow, first, although it was listed as #2 in my booklet. Docent and former Councilman Tom Brewer greeted me as I entered the charming home. He expertly explained about the original wood floors, windows, closets, and renovations done throughout the years of this charming little house. Councilwoman Ashcraft was right - the original sales paperwork for the house (not including the garage) showed it was purchased on Dec. 23, 1924, for $3,700. Amazing. Don’t you think it could have been a Christmas gift? Out in front of the home, Kathy Bauer, a landscape plein air artist, was expertly planning the layout of the Beckwith House on her canvas. She showed me what she was doing and I simply marveled at her talent. Directly across the street from the Beckwith House was the 1922 Lohr House. Another Craftsman Bungalow, this house has been owned by Michael Maslowski since 2010, and has undergone meticulous renovation. “I actually saved all the windows. Usually people put in replacement windows but I put brand new sash weights and ropes and restored all the original windows. Stained glass was already in there – I don’t think the stained glass was original, but it is the original window. I saved the claw tub in the bathroom…this is a great little neighborhood. This is the ultimate mancave. Everything works from my IPhone,” said Michael as he pointed to the wall where he plans on hanging his flat screen TV. The Sleeth House, a Spanish Colonial Revival, built in 1927 was the next house on my list. It was cozy and sweet, and was right next door to the Whyte House, a 1925 English Tudor Revival home, originally owned by George and Pluma Whyte. George was the first editorpublisher of the Torrance Herald. This home had a lovely front garden that invited you into the house. Councilman Mike Griffiths, living room docent inside the house, began pointing out the particulars of the room including; Venetian plaster walls, red oak flooring, solid mahogany front door, push-button light switches with mother of pearl inserts, clinker brick outside, and the original ceiling beams above - to me and Former Mayor Dee Hardison and her husband, Lowell, who joined me in the living room of this beautiful home. Walking through this house was wonderful and seeing how the owner kept the original integrity of the home as much as possible during renovations was admirable. Jerry Ronan was docent upstairs where the attic had been transformed into 2 bedrooms and a bath. This house had a small pool and guesthouse in the backyard and as I stepped outside, I noticed a jug of water and small glasses available for guests’ refreshment. Every detail seems to have been thought of by the Historical Society. Not only was a vintage car outside each historic home with a poster identifying the home, but the artists, refreshments, and knowledgeable docents were always available to chat about ‘their’ home. From the beautiful Whyth House, I headed to the Woodburn House, a 1927 Spanish Colonial Revival home, which originally cost $4,250 and was first owned by Mrs. Woodburn who was owner of Woodburn’s Grocery on Cabrillo Avenue. This home has a beautiful entryway and has been exquisitely restored and meticulously detailed including the 536 square foot addition, which kept the character and essence of the home in tact. The backyard was truly inviting and frankly, I had a hard time not making myself comfortable in the overstuffed sofa and enjoying my flavored water on that warm, beautiful day. The last house on the tour, The Felker House, a 1940 California Ranch house originally owned by Max and Laura Felker, gave me the feeling of stepping back into time to the large houses of not so long ago. This particular home had the largest backyard of all the houses I visited, and I completely understand why Laura Felker hosted garden parties and fashion shows ‘out back’. Butterfly’s, roses, the sounds of birds chirping, and the now familiar jug of fragrant water for a refreshing drink, greeted me as I wandered through the yard. Also in the backyard, was 1st Vice President of the Torrance Historical Society, Janet Payne. Joann Miyamoto, Councilman Kurt Weideman, and Jamie Watson. a small guesthouse and right next to that was a den, for lack of a better description, with a ‘trap door’ down to a ‘cellar shooting range’, used by a former owner, a police officer, who used it for target practice. Who knew? As I made my way to my car, I glanced at my watch and was surprised I had been traipsing through the historic homes of Torrance for over three hours! Honestly, it seemed like just a few minutes. History came alive for me that day and peeking into the lives of our earliest Torrance residents was wonderful. We have a rich legacy of architecture in our town, and Lowell and Former Mayor Dee Hardison, and Councilman Mike Griffiths. respecting, acknowledging, and celebrating our roots is one vital area our very special Historical Society treasures. Every two years, the Torrance Historical Society hosts the Original Fall Tour of Historic Homes in Old Torrance. Don’t miss the next one. This tour, supported by Van Lingen Towing, and Frank Scotto Towing, along with all the homeowners, Liz and Doug Choi, Meg and Harold Frye, Alicia Jacobsen and Jay Hoffman, Shari and Larry Isom, Mike Maslowski, Stephanie and Rick Orcutt, home sponsors, and many volunteers joined together, making this home tour a smashing success. See you in two years at the next one. • Transit Park from front page heading south on Crenshaw Boulevard at each driveway entrance, new traffic signals at each driveway, in addition to the extension of 208th Street, just west of Crenshaw. “Construction is expected to reduce single occupancy vehicle trips, due to its proximity to the I-405 and I-110 and its park and ride facilities,” states the staff report. “In addition, the Transit Terminal will improve regional mobility linking Torrance Transit routes with other regional providers in the Transit Terminal.” This project, which was included in the May 2010 Strategic Plan, meets all of the strategic priorities established in the plan. On Dec. 8, 2015 the city council approved a public works agreement with Southern California Grading, Inc. to carryout the site’s rough grading and for the installation of an underground drainage system [part of the Phase 1 project]. By September of 2016 wooden power poles on the west side of the street of Crenshaw Boulevard [between 208th Street and Dominguez Avenue] in order to set up for the widening of the street. “Currently, staff and its consulting engineer, Frank Webb Architects, are completing final design plans and specifications for the final phase (Phase 2) of work for the future Transit Terminal,” states the staff report. “Phase 2 will construct the Transit Terminal buildings, access and circulation roads, parking lot (including electric vehicle charging stations) and new traffic signals.” Phase 2 is to be advertised for bids in early 2017, with construction efforts kicking off by the summer of the same year, with a completion date somewhere during the summer of 2018. The 12-month construction period will require specialized construction support services, including: a constructability review of plans and specifications prior to construction bid advertising, the coordination of building inspections by the Community Development Department, performing inspections for new driveways, roadways, parking lot and traffic signals, as well as performing inspection and contract administration. “Due to the complex work and 12-month construction duration, Public Works issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for construction inspection services and received four (4) proposals on May 23, 2016,” states the staff report. “The RFP contained a defined, weighted evaluation criteria. The evaluation team consisted of three (3) City staff members.” The three members were from the Transit, Community Development and Public Works Departments and rated the proposals independently. The three ratings were averaged, ranked and made public on the City Clerk’s website. On average, AndersonPenna Partners, Inc. ranked 92, out of 100-point scale. After a negotiation, which took AndersonPenna’s initial proposal of $1,144,772 to the approved $962,156 agreement, it was determined that this Gardena-based contractor was the best qualified to complete the task. “They’ve also performed construction support services for the following relevant project agencies: Big Blue Bus Fuel and Wash Facility (Santa Monica); Transportation/Public Services Facility and Metrolink Station (Norwalk); Bus Transportation and Public Works Facilities (Culver City) and 911 Emergency Communications and Operations Center (Long Beach),” concludes the staff report. •
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