LA Casa Nueva

By the 20th century, the Workman name is no longer associated with this adobe or land, from now on out, it’s the Temples. And there were many of them, so with all the ups and downs of their fortunes, I’m never exactly sure which Temple it is. Well, by the 1920, We are dealing with Walter, who once again owns the land and now wants to build a new house on the property.

Walter and Laura had quite a love story. Just as Walter is planning to build the new house, Laura dies of cancer. He goes ahead with his plans for this house. The house was started in 1923 but only completed in 1927. What I find very interesting about this plaque is that initially he hired the firm of Walker and Eisen. Know for large commercial buildings downtown. About two years later, they will build the Oviat Building and store downtown. One of the first buildings that uses Art Deco as it was originally intended, decorative art within a building. But this is not Art Deco, and Walter went through a number of architects before the very Spanish house was finished.

A lovely walkway from the old adobe to the new Spanish house

The front gate. In true Spanish style, there are tiles.

Here is the impressive front door, surrounded by what we call in the architectural world – Churrigueresque. Yes, that is a mouthful, but it well describes the baroque, heavily sculptured architectural design we see here around the door.

Ahh, look at these doors!

CA is now a very different place. The wood is not native, but it is readily available, for a price. Walter Temple spent a fortune on this house.

An outside balcony with lovely ornamentations.

To the corbels in the dining room. Some mythical creature. Part bird, snake and is that a frog head?

At least this one is recognizable as s knight. Look at that mustache!

I guess this is what we could call the living room. There were comfortable sofas here.

A peak into the breakfast room. Clearly they were going for an updated fancier adobe look. See how thick the walls are? To be able to have that kind of niche, also, it looks like a seashell. There are more images from inside, but I’m keeping the stained glass and most of the tiles for another post.

Out in the backyard, which really is a courtyard that is only open on one side.

I think the house is at least 5000 square feet, it was large and lovely, and on a hot summer day, being out here by the fountain must be lovely.

Here I am, capturing different shapes and styles. The covered arbor (covered by just a few grape vines. The tiled gate and the 1970s’ gazebo beyond.

This was built during the 70’s, once the City of Industry bought the property. It really has nothing to do with either early CA Adobe or early 20th century Spanish revival. But it’s here. So maybe people come and have their pictures taken. I got a close look, it’s certainly not up to the building standards of the Victorians.

So one more post with tile and glass. I do recommend people go visit. The tour was excellent and the buildings were very interesting.

Leah

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