About

Walker & Eisen, architect.

History:

The original owner/builder was Franklin S. Wade, an engineer and technical expert working with the Los Angeles Gas and Electric Corporation. Wade eventually rose to become President of the Southern Counties Gas Company (later Southern California Gas company). He personally devised many of the processes for converting crude oil into natural gas. He attended the Cahuenga Pass High School later Hollywood High School), and then USC, graduating in 1908.

Architects Percy Eisen and Albert Walker were the team that designed some of Los Angeles’ most important early 20th century buildings: the Ambassador Hotel (1921), the Beverly-Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills (1926-1928), the Breakers Hotel in Long Beach (1925), the Fine Arts Building in Downtown Los Angeles (1927), the famous Art Deco Oviatt Building (1927-1928), and the Taft Building in Hollywood (1923), among many others.

1930 census:
2026 No. Hobart Blvd. (Value: $44,000): 1) Franklin S. Wade, owner and head of household; 44 year old white married male; married at age 25; born in Missouri; father born in England, mother in Massachusetts; President of Southern Gas Co. 2) Carol D. Wade, wife; 35 year old white married female; married at age 20; born in South Dakota; parents born in Connecticut; not working. 3) Russell F. Wade, son; 12 year old single white male; in school; born in California. 4) Mary E. Wade, daughter; 9 year old single white female; in school; born in California. 5) Jennie Lehtauer?, servant; 40 year old single white female; born in Finland; parents born in Finland; speaks Swedish; to U.S. in 1924; an alien; a servant in a private family.

1940 Census:
2026 Hobart Boulevard (Value $18,000): 1) Franklin Wade, head of household; white married male 56 years of age; born in England; executive President of the Southern California Gas Company; earns more than $5,000. 2) Carroll Wade, wife; white married female 50 years of age; born in South Dakota; not working. 3) Melissa Wade, daughter; white single female 19 years of age; born in California; in school. 4) William Bradley, lodger; white single male 24 years of age; born in Oregon; in school.