PLEASE ALSO SEE OUR COMPANION HISTORIES
FOR AN INTRODUCTION TO ADAMS BOULEVARD, CLICK HERE
- Built in 1893 on Lot 12 in Block 2 of the Urmston Tract by William S. and Martha E. Layton
- On March 29, 1893, the Los Angeles Times reported that Martha Layton—known familiarly as Mattie—had purchased Lot 12 in Block 2 of the Urmston Tract for $600. Construction began immediately, with the Times of June 11 reporting that "W. S. Layton and family have removed from 314 West Second street to their new home on West Adams street, opposite Ellendale place"
- William Layton was a sales representative of the Philadelphia clothiers Wanamaker & Brown (the firm's founder was a nephew of John Wanamaker of the more famous department store chain, though the businesses were not connected). Layton died in Los Angeles on July 13, 1896; his funeral was held at home the next day
- The house was initially designated 1257 West Adams, a number later assigned to a house built three doors to the east by attorney Albert Crutcher in 1904. In 1893, the neighborhood was only sparsely developed, with addresses changing as lots were filled. Streets, too, were sometimes redesignated, as was the case of Howland Avenue to the east of 1277, which became Magnolia Avenue. The Laytons' address in city directories before 1897 was 1257; in the directory of 1897, with new address and street arrangements in flux, it was "ns. W. Adams, 10th h. W. of Howland av." Afterward, the house was listed as 1277 West Adams and the Howland designation had given way to Magnolia
- Mattie Layton lived quietly at 1277 West Adams for two decades after the death of her husband. Their daughter Helen, a music teacher, lived with her. Mattie Layton died of heart trouble at home on April 9, 1917, age 74. Helen Layton, now 44, remained at 1277
- In a surprise move on January 1, 1921, Helen Layton, just about to turn 48, was touted as the first bride of the new year in Los Angeles. That afternoon the Herald reported that the ceremony took place at eight in the morning at home at 1277 West Adams. Her groom was John Milton McIntyre, age 34. The Herald added that "Miss Layton is very prominent in musical circles and during the war was a leader in patriotic work. Mr. McIntyre, until recently, has resided in Canada." Milton McIntyre was a local reporter for R. G. Dun & Company, predecessor firm of Dun & Bradstreet
- On June 21, 1921, the Department of Buildings issued Mrs. J. M. McIntyre a permit for major alterations that resulted in the duplexing of 1277 West Adams. Milton McIntyre acted as the contractor. The second address became 1279 West Adams
- By 1925, Helen and Milton McIntyre had moved to 1600 East Orange Grove Boulevard in Pasadena; they may have retained 1277 West Adams as rental property, at least for a time
- Attorney Alfred W. Arrington, just divorced after a brief marriage, his widowed mother Clara, and his brother John, a reporter for the Los Angeles Record and later for the City News Service, were listed at 1279 West Adams in the 1925 city directory, "1279" perhaps being a typo. Or perhaps the family moved from 1279 to the McIntyres' apartment after their departure; in any case, the Arringtons—who were renting—were listed at 1277 from 1926 until 1931. Their departure was likely due to Alfred Arrington marrying again, to a second Helen, in July 1930
- A classified advertisement ran in the Times in April 1931 offering 1277 West Adams for rent, $35 unfurnished: "5 large rooms, garage, shade trees. 1st mo. free. Owner on premises Saturday and Sun." (Perhaps the McIntyres came in from Pasadena on weekends to show the apartment.) The occupancy of 1277 is unclear during this period; in the Federal census enumerated on April 20, 1940, there were nine individuals listed at 1277 West Adams and three at 1277½, which was apparently the redesignated 1279. Most of the houses on the north side of Adams between Magnolia and Ellendale were now rentals; one of the few long-time owners still in residence was Mrs. Albert Crutcher, who was still at 1257 and would remain there until her death in 1954
- A curious building permit regarding 1277 West Adams was issued by the Department of Building and Safety on October 26, 1937; listed as the owner was "John Doe in care of P. M. Rees." P. M. Rees was Pauline M. Rees, who signed the document, though more more of her identity is unknown. The permit was for minor concrete work
- Ownership remaining unclear, many more individuals are associated with 1277 West Adams from the '30s to the mid '50s, when George G. Martinez acquired the property. On September 3, 1957, the Department of Building and Safety issued "Jorge" G. Martinez a permit for work including "concrete foundation under service porch & conc. stoup & steps"
- Guillermo T. Farias (a.k.a. Guillermo Farias Tapia)—who may have been George G. Martinez's son-in-law—succeeded the latter as owner of 1277 West Adams and appears to have maintained his residence there; Farias also acquired 1283 West Adams next door. On October 22, 1998, the Department of Building and Safety issued Guillermo and Maria Farias a permit for a new roof on 1277. The Farias family still owns the property as of 2020
Illustration: Private Collection
