Morgan, Walls & Clements

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Mayan Theater, Los Angeles Mayan Theater Los Angeles California.jpg
Mayan Theater, Los Angeles

Morgan, Walls & Clements was an architectural firm based in Los Angeles, California and responsible for many of the city's landmarks, dating back to the late 19th century. [1]

Contents

Morgan, Walls & Clements earliest precursor, Kysor & Hennessy, consisted of partners Ezra F. Kysor and John F. Hennessy, [2] then in 1880, Hennessy left and the firm's draftsman Octavius Morgan was promoted to partner, creating Kysor & Morgan. John A. Walls joined in 1986 to create Kysor, Morgan and Walls, [3] and Kysor retired in 1890, resulting in Morgan and Walls. Around 1910, Morgan's son O.W. Morgan was promoted, creating Morgan, Walls and Morgan, then the elder Morgan retired and designer Stiles O. Clements was promoted, resulting in Morgan, Walls and Clements.

Morgan, Walls and Clements hit its stride with a series of theaters and commercial projects around MacArthur Park. Clements often worked in Spanish Colonial revival and Mayan revival styles, but their major project was the black Art Deco Richfield Tower, a commanding presence in downtown from its 1928 completion to its 1969 destruction. Walls did not live to see the completion of the building, as he had died in 1922.

Clements left the firm in 1937 to start his own practice, Stiles O. Clements & Associates, where he remained until his retirement in 1965.

Samson Tire and Rubber Factory, 1929-30, now Citadel Outlets. The facade was based on the palace of Assyrian king Sargon II. Citadel Outlet Los Angeles (4010395462).jpg
Samson Tire and Rubber Factory, 1929-30, now Citadel Outlets. The façade was based on the palace of Assyrian king Sargon II.
Bullard Block in 1900 Bullard Block 1900.jpg
Bullard Block in 1900

Works

National Register of Historic Places

Broadway Theater and Commercial District contributing properties

Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District contributing properties

Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monuments

Long Beach City Landmarks

Other Works

Los Angeles

Elsewhere in southern California

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References

  1. "Morgan, Walls, and Clements". Los Angeles Conservancy. Los Angeles Conservancy. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  2. Howard, Rod. "Hennessy, John Francis (Jack) (1853–1924)". http://adb.anu.edu.au/ . Australian Dictionary of Biography. 1983. Web.
  3. Los Angeles Herald 27 Oct. 1886.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form - California SP Broadway Theater and Commercial District". United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service. May 9, 1979.
  5. "Blackstone Department Store Building". Los Angeles Conservancy . Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form - Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District". United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service. April 4, 1985.
  7. Alan Michelson. "Artisan's Patio Building, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA". University of Washington Pacific Coast Architecture Database . Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  8. "Famous Department Store/RiteAid", Historic Landmarks, City of Long Beach
  9. Gregory Paul Williams (2005). The Story of Hollywood: An Illustrated History. BL Press LLC. p. 340. ISBN   9780977629909.
  10. "Contract Let for New Structure". The Los Angeles Times. February 16, 1936. p. 62. Retrieved April 10, 2024.