Frederic M. Ashley

Frederic Morse Ashley
Born	(1870-12-24)December 24, 1870 Rochester, New York, US
Died	February 1, 1960(1960-02-01) (aged 89)
Resting place	Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California
Alma mater	Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Occupation	Architect
Spouse	Ivy Russell
Buildings	Griffith Observatory Guaranty Building Memorial Branch Library

Frederic Morse Ashley was an architect most notable for his association with John C. Austin. Together they were responsible for several landmark buildings in Los Angeles, California.

Early life

Frederic M. Ashley was born in Rochester, New York ^[1] on December 24, 1870. ^[2] He had at least one brother. ^[3]

Frederic attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology c. 1896. ^[1] He married Ivy Russell, also from Rochester, ^[4] and the two moved to California for her health in 1905. ^[1]

Career

After moving to California, Frederic worked as a draftsman for Parkinson and Bergstrom, and by 1913, he was working in the same position for L.A. Investment Co. ^[1]

Frederic was associated with John C. Austin from 1912 to 1937 ^[5] and the two partnered in 1915. ^[1] Frederic also worked as a supervising architect in Washington D.C. in 1935 and he retired in 1942. ^[1]

Later life and death

Frederic's wife Ivy died in Rochester in 1934. ^[4] Frederic died of pneumonia ^[3] on February 1, 1960. ^[2] , either in a hospital in Pasadena ^[3] or his home in Los Angeles. ^[1] He was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. ^[3]

List of works

Ashley's works include (in Los Angeles, California unless otherwise noted):

With John C. Austin

Griffith Observatory

• Guaranty Building (1923), ^[6] NRHP-listed ^[7]
• McKinley Art School enlargement, Pasadena (1924) ^[8]
• Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce building (1924), with Parkinson and Parkinson ^[9]
• Arroyo Seco Bank Building (1926), ^[10] LAHCM #492 ^[11]
• Petit Tudor, Ventura (1929), Ventura Landmark 93 ^[12]
• House at 3719 N. Prestwick Drive (1929) ^[13]
• Monrovia High School building, Monrovia (1929) ^{[14] [15]}
• Los Angeles High School building (pre-1930) ^[16]
• Memorial Branch Library (1930), ^{[14] [16]} NRHP-listed ^[17]
• Alexander Hamilton High School administration building (1931) ^[18]
• Griffith Observatory (1933–1935), ^{[19] [20]} LAHCM #168 ^[11]
• Venice High School building (1935–1937) ^[18]
• Florence Nightingale Middle School building (1937–1939) ^[18]

Ashley and Austin were also consulting architects on Beverly Hills City Hall (1931) in Beverly Hills. ^[21]

Other

• Frederic M. Ashley House (1906), ^[22] LAHCM #402 ^[11]
• Arroyo Seco Regional Branch Library ^[22]

References

1. "City of San Buenaventura Historic Context Statement" (PDF). Historic Resources Group. March 2022. p. 283.
2. Michelson, Alan. "Frederic M. Ashley (Architect)". Pacific Coast Architecture Database . University of Washington . Retrieved December 19, 2025.
3. "Frederic Morse Ashley obit". Pasadena Independent . February 4, 1960.
4. "Mrs. F. M. Ashley". The New York Times . August 9, 1934.
5. "Carnegie Library". National Park Service. October 22, 1979.
6. "Guaranty Building". Hollywood Chamber of Commerce . Retrieved June 25, 2024– via Historical Marker Database.
7. "Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District". National Park Service. April 4, 1985.
8. "History of McKinley". Pasadena Unified School District . Retrieved December 19, 2025.
9. "Dedication plaque, L.A. Chamber of Commerce". Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce. 1925 – via Digital Public Library of America.
10. "York Junction". City of Los Angeles. 2017 – via Historical Marker Database.
11. "Historical Cultural Monuments List" (PDF). City of Los Angeles . Retrieved July 9, 2024.
12. "Hobson Heights is home to 3 Ventura Landmark homes". Neighborhood of Hobson Heights . Retrieved December 19, 2025.
13. "3719 N. Prestwick Drive 90027". Los Feliz Improvement Association . Retrieved December 19, 2025.
14. Michelson, Alan. "Austin and Ashley, Architects (Partnership)". Pacific Coast Architecture Database . University of Washington . Retrieved December 19, 2025.
15. "Potential Landmarks of Monrovia" (PDF). City of Monrovia. May 18, 2014.
16. "A Brief Memorial Branch Library History". Los Angeles Public Library . Retrieved December 19, 2025.
17. "Los Angeles Branch Library System TR". National Park Service. May 19, 1987.
18. "Los Angeles Unified School District Historic Context Statement, 1870 to 1969" (PDF). Sapphos Environmental, Inc. March 2014. p. 118, 122, 123.
19. "Griffith Observatory". Water and Power Associates . Retrieved December 19, 2025.
20. "The Griffith Planetarium, Los Angeles—John C. Austin and Frederic M. Ashley, Architects". Architectural Digest . January 1934.
21. "Beverly Hills City Hall, Beverly Hills — Koerner & Gage, Architects; John C. Austin & Frederic M. Ashley, Consulting Architects". Architectural Digest . 1931.
22. Fisher, Charles J. "Frederic M. Ashley House" . Retrieved December 19, 2025.