About

History:

D. W. Pontius: President of the Pacific Electric Railway Co.: Treasurer Los Angeles Traffic Commission, and Director Pacific Electric Railway and Pacific Electric Land Co.; born at Upper Sandusky, Ohio and obtained his scholastic training in the institutions of the Middle West after which he engaged in railroading which he has made his life work. Came to Los Angeles some years ago; he is a member of the Jonathon Club, the California, and the Los Angeles Transportation Clubs; President of the Yuma Mesa Grapefruit Syndicate.(Source; Who’s Who in Los Angeles County, 1932-1933, p. 68.)

This house was the home of David W. Pontius in 1940. Pontius was President of the Pacific-Electric Company whose Redcars traversed the LA basin, the largest municipal public transportation network in the country at the time. Built in 1929, the Los Feliz home was once owned by actor Cary Grant and actor Randolph Scott who moved into the Spanish Colonial Revival estate soon after they met in 1932. In 1934, Grant married actress Virginia Cherrill (who played the blind flower seller in Charlie Chaplin’s “City Lights”) and carried her over the threshold. (Source: LA Times real estate, January, 2007)

Listed at $2,395,000 in fall, 2001. (Source: Real estate brochure)

1930 census:
2177 West Live Oak Drive (Value: $50,000): 1) David W. Pontius, owner and head of household; 60 year old white married male; married age 23; born in Ohio; parents born in Ohio; President of Pacific Electric Railroad. 2) Alice M. Pontius, wife; 56 year old white married female; married age 19; born in English Canada; parents born in England; to US in 1881, a naturalized citizen; not working. 3) Ella P. Keslar, sister; 70 year old white female widow; married age 29; born in Ohio; parents born in Ohio; not working. 4) Theodore C. Bachardy, head of household; 32 year old white married male; married age 22; born in Pennsylvania; parents born Hungary; machinist in a machine shop. 5) Madeline M. Bachardy, wife; 29 year old white married female; married 19; born in Illinois; parents born Belgium; not working.

1940 Census:
2177 Live Oak Drive West (Value $50,000): 1) David W. Pontius, head of household; white married male 71 years of age; born in Ohio; Board of Directors, Railroad. 2) Nancy I. Pontius, wife; white married female 59 years of age; born in Ohio; not working. 3) Dell Taverlaw, servant; Filipino single male 30 years of age; born in the Philippines; houseman, private house; earns $820.