State of California The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #
PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial
NRHP Status Code
Other Listings
Review Code Reviewer: Jane K. Newell & ARG Date: July 2022
P1. Other Identifier: 735 North Westwood Place
*P2. Location: Not for Publication Unrestricted *a. County: Orange and (P2b and P2c or P2d. Attach a Location Map as necessary .) *b. USGS 7.5' Quad: Date: T ; R ; ¼ of ¼ of Sec ; M.D. B.M. c. Address: 735 North Westwood Place City: Anaheim Zip: 92805 d. UTM: Zone: 10 ; mE/ mN (G.P.S.)
e. Other Locational Data: Lot 8 in Tract No. 1395 / APN #255-111-66
*P3a. Description:
The Morris House is a sprawling, single-story, Mid-Century Modern residence located at the end of a cul-de-sac. The house is just under 3,000 square feet and is sited on a nearly half-acre lot. The building features a prominent low-pitched gable roof that is angled upwards and dramatically projects beyond the front entry. The roof’s deep eaves are supported by exposed structural purlins and are enclosed with unpainted tongue-and-groove wood cladding. The exterior walls are clad in st ucco and painted brick laid in a stacked bond pattern. The residence is entered via a pair of recessed wood doors. Several clerestory windows and floor - to-ceiling windows are located at each of the façades and blur the lines between the interior of the house and the lush green exterior landscape. Near the rear of the building is a carport accessed by an expansive paved motor court. The house is enclosed by an original brick perimeter wall, and the property is landscaped with several mature trees and a zen-l ike Japanese garden with many fruit trees. The interior of the residence also includes Mid-Century Modern design features such as exposed wood structural beams, brick veneer laid in a stacked bond, a massive copper fireplace hood, sunken living room , and extensive glazing that visually connects the interior of the residence to its natural surroundings . The residence was designed by Howard H. Morgridge of the notable firm Smith, Powell and Morgridge. The original owner, Arval Morris, commissioned Morgridge a few years after his firm had designed Morris’ electrical motor manufacturing company , which was also located in Anaheim. The house is largely intact from its original construction.
*P3b. Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes) HP2 Single Famil y Residence *P4. Resources Present: Building Structure Object Site District Element of District Other (Isolates, etc.) P5b. Description of Photo: (View,
date, accession #)
Front façade, view looking
northwest, October 5, 2021
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and
Sources: Historic
Prehistoric Both
1962 (f) Anaheim Building Permit
and Notice of Completion
*P7. Owner and Address: (and
phone number)
Alex & Vanessa Romero
71 Ebb Tide Circle
Newport Beach, CA 92663
*P8. Recorded by: (Name,
affiliation, and address)
Alex Romero
71 Ebb Tide Circle
Newport Beach, CA 92663
*P9. Date Recorded: July 2022
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe) Intensive survey (Anaheim survey for Qualified Historical Structure status)
*P11. Report Citation: (Cite survey report and other sources, or enter "none.") none
*Attachments: NONE Location Map Sketch Map Continuation Sheet Building, Structure, and Object Record Archaeological Record District Record Linear Feature Record Milling Station Record Rock Art Record Artifact Record Photograph Record Other (List):
State of California The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD
*Resource Name or # (Assigned by recorder) The Allen Arval Morris House B1. Historic Name: The Allen Arval Morris House
B2. Common Name: 735 North Westwood Place
B3. Original Use: Single Family Residence B4. Present Use: Single Family Residence *B5. Architectural Style: Mid-Century Modern
*B6. Construction History: (Construction date, alterations, and date of alterations) Constructed in1962. In February 1962, Arval Morris was issued a building permit for a new residence valued at $32,000 at 735 N. Westwood Pl. Building P ermits: Heat and A/C units (1967); Bathroom addition (1977) [NOTE: current owner restored back to original footprint]; Reroof with cedar shakes (1990); Plumbing for gas line repair (2015)
*B7. Moved? No Yes Unknown Date: Original Location:
*B8. Related Features: None
B9a. Architect: Howard H. Morgridge of Smith, Powell and Morgridge b. Builder: Maurice D. Mitchell *B10. Significance: Theme: Residential Architecture Area: Anaheim Period of Significance: 1962 Property Type: Single Family Residence Applicable Criteria:
Mid-Century Modernism and Howard Morgridge, Architect
This single-family residence is eligible for designation as a Historically Significant Structure because it embodies the distinctive characteristics of Mid-Century Modern residential architecture and represents the work of influential modernist architect Howard Morgridge, partner in the architectural firm of Smith, Powell and Morgridge.
Howard “Mo” Morgridge graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) School of Architecture in 1942. During his studies at USC, he worked at Van Pelt and Lind as a draftsman alongside noted architect Albert Frey. In 1943, he joined the distinguished architectural firm Marsh, Smith and Powell. Marsh, Smith and Powell was a Los Angeles-based architectural practice headed by Norman Foote Marsh, David Smith, and Herbert Powell. The firm designed a substantial number of churches, libraries, and other institutional projects across Souther n California during the 1920s and ‘30s and became well known as school architects after the 1933 Long Beach Earthquake, which resulted in widespread damage and destruction of many existing school buildings across the region.
By the late 1940s, Morgridge had become known for his award-winning school and church designs , which resulted in his promotion to firm partner in 1947. During his career, he provided architectural services for more than 1,000 educational buildings.
He received the American Institute of Architects (AIA) First Honor award for Corona del Mar School in 1948 and for Santa Monica City College in 1954. He became an AIA Fellow in 1966, served as president of the Southern California Chapter of AIA in 1963, and was president of the statewide California Council in 1967. His religious building designs include Oneonta Congregational Church in South Pasadena, Palm Desert (Calif.) Community Church, and Anaheim’s First Presbyterian Church and School (310 W. Broadway). After the firm’s name changed to Smith, Powell and Morgridge in 1955 (per Los Angeles Times,
1/16/1955), the firm received the commission to design Rio Hondo College in Whittier, CA. In Orange County, Smith, Powell and Morgridge were responsible for many public and city buildings, including Anaheim’s Police Department headquarters, Magnolia High School, Orangeview and Ball Junior High
Schools, Chapman University’s dining commons and library , Fullerton’s City Hall and Fire Station No. 3, and CSU Fullerton’s (originally Orange County State College) master plan.
Designed by Howard Morgridge, the Morris House represents a notable and rare residential work by the master architect.
(See Page 3, continuation sheet)
B12. References: Grant deeds; Orange County
Grantor/Grantee Index; Anaheim & Orange County directories; Anaheim Building Permit Reports; Obituaries published in local newspapers; U.S. Census; California Voter Registration, WWI & WWII draft registration, Naturalization records, Family Trees, etc. at ancestry.com
*B14. Evaluator: Jane K. Newell, Heritage Services Manager & Evanne St. Charles, ARG
*Date of Evaluation: July 2022
State of California The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial
Recorded by: Alex Romero Continuation Update
DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information
B10 Significance (Continued from Page 1)
Mid-Century Modern is a broad classification of postwar modernism used to describe an array of modern styles and sub-styles popular after World War II. Mid -Century Modernism is extremely versatile; it was applied to a diverse range of property types, from single-family residences to commercial buildings to institutional campuses. The architectural mode is the most prolific of all the postwar modern styles, employed by local builders and noted architects alike. The style is often characterized by its clear expression of structure and materials, large expanses of glazing, open interior plans, and seamless integration of indoor and outdoor living spaces.
Southern California’s Mid-Century Modern movement was made famous through Arts & Architecture magazine’s Case Study House Program, an internationally recognized program of residences commissioned by the magazine’s editor, John Entenza.
Commencing in 1945 and continuing until 1966, the program publicized 36 residence designed by a slew of prominent architects and firms, including Gregory Ain, Raphael Soriano, Pierre Koenig, A. Quincy Jones, and Craig Ellwood. The underlying premise of the Case Study House Program was to create quality modern dwellings suitable to mass production and attainable to America’s burgeoning middle class. Though it never resulted in the type of mass production intended, the program is nonetheless considered one of the most significant and influential experimental post-World War II housing efforts attempted in the United States.
The Morris House embodies the distinguishing features of Mid-Century Modern residential architecture, including its dramatic, upswept roofline, deep overhanging eaves, exposed structural beams, combined stucco and stacked brick cladding, and extensive use of glazing creating a seamless integration of inside and out.
Historical Background
735 N. Westwood Place is built on a 0.44-acre portion of original Vineyard Lot A-7 deeded to Edward Wenzel on November 29, 1859. Wenzel (b. 1836) emigrated from Germany to San Francisco in 1859, where he established a successful business as a watchmaker and engraver. In 1864, he married Olga Hammes (b. 1844 in Germany), the youngest daughter of another Anaheim pioneer, Philipp Hammes. Although he invested in the fledgling colony, Wenzel never resided in Anaheim and by 1876 ownership of Vineyard Lot A-7 had passed to his father-in-law, Philipp Hammes (b. 1803 in Poland).
Following the death of Philipp Hammes in 1881, Vineyard Lot A -7 was inherited by another daughter, Amalie (nee Hammes) Frohling (b. 1838 in Germany), the widow of Anaheim founder, John Frohling. On January 29, 1898, Amalie Frohling granted the vineyard lot to John August Eymann (b. 1871 in Anaheim), her son by her second husband, Charles Eymann. Over the next 24 years, portions of the easterly ten acres of the vineyard lot were sold off to various buyers. Following the death of John Eymann on April 24, 1928, the westerly ten-acres of Vineyard Lot A-7, with their home at 708 N. West St., was i nherited by his widow, Louise Marie (nee Schumacher) Eymann, and their children, Leland and Florence.
On November 20, 1950, Louise M. Eymann granted a 1.5-acre portion of the remaining vineyard lot to Marion L. and Eva W. Fort .
Eva West Wilbern (b. 1908), a native of Kentucky but raised in Westminster, California, graduated from Anaheim High School in 1925. She married Marion Leroy Fort (b. 1904 in Kentucky) on January 22, 1927 in Riverside (per California County Birth, Marriage and Death Records). Fort relocated to Anaheim in 1922, where he joined the Industrial Fuel Supply Co., advancing from engineer to purchasing agent to general superintendent in 1940 (per local directories). In 1926, Fort resided with the company’s foreman, James Wilbern, where he met Wilbern’s daughter and his future bride, Eva. The couple, who resided at 415 S. Indiana St., had two children, Jan Leroy and Zoe, who attended Anaheim schools. From 1941 t hrough 1957, Fort worked for the Pacific Lighting Corp., becoming vice-president in 1950, a position he held through his death on September 7, 1957 (per his obituary, Anaheim Bulletin, 9/9/1957). Following his death, Eva Fort moved to 1726 Francis Drive and worked for several years as a clerk at Western High School. She died on February 19, 2002 and is buried with her husband in Melrose Abbey Memorial Park.
On May 29, 1953, the Estate of Louise M. Eymann, who died on October 20, 1952, sold a 4-acre portion of the remaining parcel to Coalson C. and Jean Crawford Morris for $28,400. Coalson Clyde Morris (b. 1916), a native of Texas, moved to Anaheim in 1921 with his parents, William and Troy Morris, and siblings, Inez, Allen Arval, and James. The Morris famil y resided at 1302 E. Santa Ana St., while William Morris and his brother, Ershal, operated the W. L. Morris Realty Co. at 123 N. Los Angeles St. (now Anaheim Blvd.), per local directories. Coalson Morris attended Anaheim High School, where he served as student body president and graduated in 1934. After graduating from the University of Southern California in 1938, he worked for the Lockheed Aircraft Corp., and then served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during World War II. On February 6, 1942, Morris mar ried Jessie “Jean” Crawford (b. 1920 in Illinois) in Downey (per the California County Birth Marriage, and Death Records). The couple resided at 307 E. North St. and raised three children, Susan, John, and Christine. Morris was an entrepreneur who started several busi nesses, including Cold Gold Corp. in La Habra, the first processor of concentrated orange juice in Orange County (1949-1955), and the Keystone Savings and Loan Association at 312 W. Center St. with his older brother, Allen Arval Morris (1957-1981) (per his obituary, Los Angeles Times, 4/20/1999). After retiring from business, the couple moved to Newport Beach in 1970. Following his death on April 14, 1999, Morris was lauded for his community service, including 40 years on the board of Goodwill I ndustries of Orange County, as well as helping to found the Lincoln Club of Orange County in 1962, and serving as president for 18 years.
Jean Morris died the following year, on December 7, 2000.
(See Page 4, continuation sheet)
State of California The Resources Agency Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#
CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial
Recorded by: Alex Romero Continuation Update
DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information
B10 Significance (Continued from Page 2)
In September 1953, the Forts and Morrises subdivided their combined 5.5-acre parcel into Tract No. 1395 with 13 residential lots.
On August 24, 1954, Marion L. and Eva W. Fort and Coalson C. and Jean Crawford Morris sold unimproved Lot 8 to Gerald H. and Rita E. Beougher. Gerald Homer Beougher (b. 1912) married Rita Eileen Ault (b. 1924) on May 22, 1944 in their native Ohio (per Ohio County Marriage Records). Restaurant proprietors in Springfield, Ohio (per 1950 U.S. Census), the Beoughers sold their business and then moved to Los Angeles in 1951 with their children, Donna, Sandra, and Gerald. Following the birth of a son, Daniel, in 1952, the family moved to Orange County, where they joined Beougher’s younger brother, Dale, who lived in Fullerton, where he operated Buddy’s Burgers drive-in restaurant on N. Spadra Rd. By 1955-56, Gerald and Rita had opened two additional Buddy’s Burgers in Anaheim (200 N. Manchester and 520 E. Center St.). The family lived at 522 S. Palm St. (now Harbor Blvd.), where they were joined by three more children, Dale and twins, Larry and Sheri. By 1963, the Beougher family returned to Ohio, joining Rita’s family in Pique, where Gerald Beougher died on January 7, 1979
On August 28, 1956, Gerald H. and Rita E. Beougher sold the unimproved lot to Frank T. and Evangelynn M. Stilwell. Frank Tayl or Stilwell (b. 1919), a native of North Carolina, moved to Orange County in the mid-1940s after working for the Indian Motor cycle Co. in Columbia, South Carolina (per WWII Draft Registration Cards ). Per local directories, from 1945 to 1959, Stilwell operated a motorcycle repair and sales shop in Anaheim (239 N. Los Angeles St.), while also competing in motorcycle races in Orange and Los Angeles counties (per local newspaper articles, 1946-1950). In 1950, Stilwell started the Santa Ana Drag Strip, the first in the nation, with partners C. J. Hart and Creighton Hunter at the Orange County Airport (per “Santa Ana Drag Strip to Stay in Operation,” Los Angeles Times, 6/14/1959). Stilwell married Evangelynn Mae (nee Hamblin) Bates in circa 1951 (per local directories). From 1959 to 1972, he owned and operated automobile dealerships at 851 N. Los Angeles St. (now Anaheim Blvd.), including Frank Stilwell Studebaker and Stilwell’s Sports Car City. Following his retirement, the couple resided at 533 Sherwood Dr. in Anaheim, where Frank Stilwell passed away on July 15, 1977.
On September 18, 1959, Frank T. and Evangelynn M. Stilwell sold the still unimproved lot to Allen Arval and Ruby S. Morris. In February 1962, Arval Morris was issued a building permit for a new residence valued at $32,000 at 735 N. Westwood Pl. Soon after, Morris commissioned the architectural firm Smith, Powell and Morgridge for the design of the home. Howard H. Morgridge, who had designed Morris’ Electra Motors, Inc. building at 1110 N. Lemon St. (now Anaheim Blvd.) in the late -1950s, designed the house as a personal favor. The Morrises filed on August 13, 1962 a Notice of Completion with the county stating that the house at 735 N. Westwood Pl. was completed by contractor Maurice D. Mitchell. Allen Arval Morris (b. 1911), a native of Texas, was the older brother of Coalson Morris, one of the developers of Tract No. 1395 in 1953. Arval Morris graduated from Anaheim High School in 1929, Fullerton Junior College in 1931, and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles in 1933 (per U.S. School Yearbooks). He married Orange County native Ruby Violet Stanley (b. 1912) on November 20, 1934 in Glendale (per marriage notice, Los Angeles Times, 11/20/1934). Ruby Stanley graduated a year behind Morris at Anaheim High School and Fullerton Junior College. The couple rented for several years while Morris worked as a salesman for Sterling Electric Motors, Inc. in Los Angeles, before moving to 1400 E. Santa Ana St. (1939-1962), per local directories. Morris then started Electra Motors, Inc. (1110 N. Lemon St.) in 1946 and Keystone Savings and Loan Association (312 W. Center St.) in 1957, per local directories. The couple had two children, Steven and Catherine, who attended Anaheim schools. Arval Morris was a long-time member and leader of the First Presbyterian Church of Anaheim, a founding member and director of the Fullerton Junior College Foundation, and president of the Anaheim City School District board of trustees. After residing at 735 N. Westwood Pl. for over ten years, the Morrises sold the house and moved to 1139 N. Outrigger Way. They continued to live in Anaheim until their deaths, Arval on May 4, 1997 and Ruby on August 2, 2006. The couple is interred in Melrose Abbey Memorial Park.
On January 17, 1973, Allen Arval and Ruby S. Morris sold the property to Franklin Y. and Doris A. Yoshikane. Franklin Yoshito Yoshikane (b. 1930), a native of Hawaii, graduated from Baldwin High School in Maui (1948), Washington University in St. Louis (1953), and Loyola University’s School of Dentistry in Chicago (1956). He married Doris Asahino (b. 1934 in Hawaii) in September 1956 in Hawaii, prior to reporting to Camp Pendleton for two years of service with the U.S. Navy (per wedding notice, Honolulu Advertiser, 9/9/1956). While living in San Diego, the couple had their first two children, Terri and Clarence. The couple moved to Anaheim in 1958, where Dr. Yoshikane set up his dental office at 1673 W. Broadway . Residing at 1236 N. Ventura St., the couple had three additional children, Franklin Jr., Patrick, and Nani. In 1960, Dr. Yoshikane joined the board of directors of the Orange County Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League ( per “Japanese League Installs Board,” Los Angeles Times , 2/11/1960). On May 6, 1991, the property was placed in the Yoshikane Family Trust, dated December 12, 1990. Following the death of Franklin Yoshikane on July 18, 1998, Doris A. Yoshikane became sole trustee on June 26, 2017.
On December 7, 2021, Doris A Yoshikane, trustee, sold the property to the current owners, Alejandro and Vanessa Romero.