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cm\historic\templates\Broadway 407 N (JJ Wilson-Beem Bldg)
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NAME J.J. Wilson’s Shoeshine Parlor; Beem Building REF. NO. 175
ADDRESS 407, 409-411 North Broadway
CITY Santa Ana ZIP 92701 ORANGE COUNTY
YEAR BUILT 1926; 1924 LOCAL REGISTER CATEGORY: Key
HISTORIC DISTRICT Downtown Santa Ana NEIGHBORHOOD
NATIONAL REGISTER CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION C NATIONAL REGISTER STATUS CODE 1D
Location: Not for Publication Unrestricted
USGS 7.5” Quad Date: T R _ of _ of Sec : B.M
Prehistoric Historic Both
ARCHITECTURAL STYLE: Mission/Spanish Colonial Revival
DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND RELATED TO PERIOD ARCHITECTURE:
The Mission/Spanish Colonial Revival style, as its name implies, encompasses two major subcategories. The Mission Revival
vocabulary, popular between 1890 and 1920, drew its inspiration from the missions of the Southwest. Identifying features include
curved parapets (or espadana); red tiled roofs and coping; low-pitched roofs, often with overhanging eaves; porch roofs supported by
large, square piers; arches; and wall surfaces commonly covered in smooth stucco. The Spanish Colonial Revival flourished between
1915 and 1940, reaching its apex during the 1920s and 1930s. The movement received widespread attention after the Panama-
California Exposition in San Diego in 1915, where lavish interpretations of Spanish and Mexican prototypes were showcased. Easily
recognizable hallmarks of the Spanish Colonial Revival are low-pitched roofs, usually with little or no overhangs and red tile roof
coverings, flat roofs surrounded by tiled parapets; and stuccoed walls. The Spanish vocabulary also includes arches, asymmetry,
balconies and patios, window grilles, and wood, wrought iron, tile, or stone decorative elements. The Churrigueresque variant
features ornate carvings highlighting arches, columns, window surrounds, cornices and parapets.
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cm\historic\templates\Broadway 407 N (JJ Wilson-Beem Bldg)
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CONSTRUCTION HISTORY: (Construction data, alterations, and date of alterations)
407: Built in 1924 (Frank Lansdown, architect)
409-11: Built in 1926 (Frank Lansdown, architect)
Façade: 1926
RELATED FEATURES: (Other important features such as barns, sheds, fences, prominent or unusual trees, or landscape)
None.
DESCRIPTION: (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, settings, and
boundaries.)
This building is composed of three buildings united under one façade in 1926, which accounts for the asymmetry of the fenestration.
There are six bays separated by simple piers: a raised central bay is flanked by two smaller bays on each side with the entrance to the
upper floor located at the south end in a narrow sixth bay. The slightly recessed storefronts have wood frames and wood doors, with
square tiled bulkheads. The entrance floors are paved with small square tiles. Transoms are of small paned opaque glass are screened
with wooden spindles (or rejas). Above a continuous sill course, the upper story contains three one-over-one double-hung wood sash
in the central bay, paired sash in the side bays, and a single window in the south bay. Raised surrounds, accented by corbels beneath
the sill course and by paneled spandrels above the windows highlight the slightly projecting central bay. Tiled hoods with decorative
brackets flank a raised parapet over the central bay. With the exception of some storefront alterations, the building continues to
reflect its 1926 appearance.
HISTORIC HIGHLIGHTS:
This two story brick commercial building is composed of three structures under one façade, constructed in 1924 and 1926. Located at
407 North Broadway, the original improvement was a one-story shoeshine shop that was integrated into the current configuration
with the addition of a second story in 1926. It was the location of J.J. Wilson’s Shoeshine Parlour from 1921 to 1935 (Les, 71). The
architect of the 1926 development was Frank Lansdown, whose 1926 Spanish Colonial Revival design reflected the styling of his
other commissions in the vicinity (National Register Nomination Form, 7:23). This building was a speculative venture by Huff and
Rutherford, principals in the First National Bank (Les, 72), and was the long time location of the Boquet Shop and the Work Basket, a
needlework retail store (Les, 72).
RESOURCE ATTRIBUTES: (List attributes and codes from Appendix 4 of Instructions for Recording Historical Resources,
Office of Historic Preservation.)
(HP 6) 1-3 story commercial building
RESOURCES PRESENT:
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cm\historic\templates\Broadway 407 N (JJ Wilson-Beem Bldg)
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Building Structure Object Site District Element of District Other
MOVED? No Yes Unknown Date: Original Location:
STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: (Discuss importance in terms of historical or architectural context as defined by theme,
period, geographic scope, and integrity.)
Santa Ana was founded by William Spurgeon in 1869 as a speculative townsite on part of the Spanish land grant known as Rancho
Santiago de Santa Ana. Early growth and development was stimulated by the arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1878 and the
Santa Fe Railroad in 1886. By the end of the 1880s, Santa Ana’s downtown business district was defined by five city blocks of brick
commercial buildings on Fourth Street, with the heart of the city at the intersection of Fourth and Main Streets (Thomas, 8:1).
The period of 1911-1915 saw many characteristic new business blocks or remodels along Fourth Street, and by the 1920s Santa Ana’s
downtown had expanded in each direction to include both commercial and civic development. The California style of living
evidenced itself in the abundance of Mission/Spanish Colonial Revival style buildings, which were commonly built during the 1920s
and early 1930s.
The Beem Building is actually three buildings, built at the same time that share the same Mission/Spanish Colonial Revival façade.
The tile roof, rejas, stucco finish, and applied decorative features are all characteristic of the style. The building appears to retain
good integrity of design and materials, with some minor alterations to the storefront windows, and is architecturally significant as a
good example of the Mission/Spanish Colonial Revival style.
SUMMARY/CONCLUSION:
This building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 as a contributor to the Downtown Historic District. Under
the regulations implementing the California Register of Historical Resources, the building is also listed in the California Register. As
a relatively intact example of the Mission/Spanish Colonial Revival styling which typified an important architectural trend in Santa
Ana development during the 1920s and 1930s, and as a representative of the work of significant local architect Frank Lansdown, the
building satisfies Criteria 1 and 2 for inclusion in the Santa Ana Register of Historical Property. Additionally, the property has been
categorized as “Key” because it has a “distinctive architectural style and quality” and “is characteristic of a significant period in the
history of the City of Santa Ana” (Municipal Code, Section 30-2.2(2)).
OWNER AND ADDRESS: Rodolfo S. and Sandra D. Lepe
409 North Broadway
Santa Ana, CA 92701
RECORDED BY: (Name, affiliation, and address)
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Leslie Heumann & Liz Carter
Science Applications International Corporation
35 S. Raymond Avenue, Suite 204, Pasadena, CA 91105
DATE RECORDED: January 19, 2001
SURVEY TYPE: (Intensive, reconnaissance, or other)
Intensive Survey Update
REPORT CITATION: (Cite survey report and other sources)
Les, Kathleen. “Santa Ana Historic Survey, Final Resources Inventory: Downtown.” May 1980.
Thomas, Harold M. “Downtown Santa Ana Historic District” National Register nomination form,
1984.
REFERENCES: (List documents, date of publication, and page numbers. May also include oral interviews.)
Harris, Cyril M. American Architecture: An Illustrated Encyclopedia. New York, WW Norton, 1998.
Heritage Orange County Inc. “Downtown Santa Ana Historic District Walking Tour.” nd.
McAlester, Virginia and Lee. A Field Guide to American Houses. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1984.
National Register Bulletin 16A. “How to Complete the National Register Registration Form.”
Washington DC: National Register Branch, National Park Service, US Department of the Interior,
1991.
Whiffen, Marcus. American Architecture Since 1780. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1969.
EVALUATOR: Leslie Heumann DATE OF EVALUATION: January 19, 2001
EXPLANATION OF CODES:
• National Register Criteria for Evaluation: (From Appendix 7 of Instructions for Recording Historical Resources, Office of
Historic Preservation)
C: that embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or that represent the work of
a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose
components may lack individual distinction
• National Register Status Code: (From Appendix 2 of Instructions for Recording Historical Resources, Office of Historic
Preservation)
1D