Paul de Longpré Residence explained

Paul de Longpré Residence
Coordinates:34.1019°N -118.3296°W
Address:Northwest corner of Prospect Avenue and Cahuenga Boulevard
Architectural Style:Mission Revival, Moorish
Demolition Date:1927
Floor Count:2
Architect:Louis Bourgeois
Owner:Paul de Longpré

The Paul de Longpré Residence was a 3acres estate located on the northwest corner of Prospect Avenue and Cahuenga Boulevard in what is now Hollywood, California. It is considered Hollywood's first tourist attraction, with the owner stating "the community is new, but time will change this artworld and center it here."[1]

History

The Paul de Longpré Residence was built by Louis Bourgeois for Paul de Longpré in 1901,[2] on three lots obtained from Daeida Wilcox Beveridge in exchange for three of de Longpré's paintings.[3] The estate, which featured an elaborate two-story Mission Revival/Moorish mansion, de Longpré's personal art collection, and flower gardens that at their peak contained more than 4000 roses in 800 varieties, drew not only Hollywood society, but property buyers and tourists as well. So many visitors came (8000 per month at the estate's height in popularity) that the Pacific Electric Railway added a trolley spur on Ivar Avenue to deposit riders closer to it, and Los Angeles Pacific Railway included it on their Balloon Route as well.[1] [4]

Tours of the estate along with print sales of de Longpré's floral paintings supported de Longpré and his family until his death in 1911. After his death, his family returned to France, and the estate was demolished in 1927.[4]

In popular culture

Mary Pickford's Love Among the Roses was filmed in the de Longpré residence gardens. A booklet was also written about the estate, and its first printing was 200,000 copies.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hollywood’s first tourist attraction . Curbed Los Angeles . Hadley Meares . October 6, 2017 . live .
  2. Web site: Residence of Paul de Longpré, "The Artist" at Hollywood, Cal. . San Diego State University Digital Collections . July 29, 2024 . live .
  3. Book: Dictionary of American Painters, Sculptors and Engravers. registration. Green Farms, Connecticut. Modern Books and Crafts. 1974. Revised. 219. Mantle . Fielding. Genevieve C.. Doran. 9780913274033 .
  4. Web site: Early Views of Hollywood (1850–1920) . 1 . Water and Power Associates . July 29, 2024 . live .