Dislocation, Dislocation, Dislocation

Nov. 10, 1907
South Pasadena

What sort of monument do we leave for real estate developers? For John B. Althouse, who built hundreds of homes in the Wilshire district, as well as the West Adams district and the San Gabriel Valley, the answer might be nondescript offices and vacant lots.

Here”™s the house he built for himself at Oxley and Fremont in South Pasadena, a few blocks from my home. In fact, I pass the corner every day.

Here”™s another one he built on Manhattan Place.

Don”™t rush out to look for them, though. They”™re gone, although the wall around Althouse”™s home survived.

Born in Baltimore, Althouse died in July 1939 at the age of 72 at his home, 230 S. Gramercy Place. He arrived in Los Angeles in 1886 and spent 37 years in the real estate business after operating a fruit store at 1st and Main Streets for many years. He constructed hundreds of homes in the Wilshire district and was one of the first members of the Los Angeles Realty Board.

What”™s this? One has survived in the West Adams district, 1415 S. Gramercy Place. Also read here. And here. Zillow link.

Lmharnisch.com
Lmharnisch.blogspot.com
e-mail: lmharnisch (AT) gmail.com

Update: Further research reveals the home of Daniel T. Althouse, a partner in Althouse Brothers, at 2125 S. 4th Ave., where he died of blood poisoning in 1914.

Larry Harnish

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2 thoughts on “Dislocation, Dislocation, Dislocation”

  1. I don’t know much more about them than what I posted. They were quite active in Los Angeles at that time period. I picked them because they seemed interesting and one of the homes was about three blocks from my house. Although that one has been replaced by a clunky office, I have a hunch that some of the nearby homes may be by them as well but haven’t researched it.

    I would recommend the historic L.A. Times via proquest (available through the L.A. Public Library) as a great way to research the Althouse Brothers and L.A. in general.

    Further info, e-mail me at lmharnisch (AT) gmail.com

  2. Hey there! Really cool site! I’ve been trying to find info on the Althouse Bros. for some time and I’m curious to find out what prompted you to write about them and, if you know more (other than what’s on your blog)?

    I was told that there’s someone who used to live in the West Adams District, (now living in San Luis Obispo) wrote an extensive biography on them, but I’ve not been successful in making contact (my query was forwarded by a third person).

    Anyway, thanks so much!

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