About

H. Genser, architect.

History:
Delmer Daves lived in this house in 1930. Delmer Daves was born on July 24, 1904 in San Francisco, California. He first studied civil engineering and law at Stanford University. However, while working as a prop boy on “The Covered Wagon” (1923), he became fascinated by the Native Americans working in that film. He gave up his law career to live in Arizona among the Navajo and Hopi. He then studied acting at the Pasadena Playhouse, but after he appeared in three early talkies (1929-30), he turned to screenwriting. By 1965, he had scripted 44 screenplays, among them “The Petrified Forest” (1936), “the Farmer’s Daughter” (1940), “Stage Door Canteen” (1943), “Dark Passage” (1947), and “Youngblood Hawke” (1964). In 1944, he began a distinguished directing career that continued until 1965 (22 films in all). In 1951, he formed his own production company, Double-D Productions, culminating a long career that specialized in combat dramas and westerns. His most successful film was the 1959 movie, “A Summer Place.” He passed away on August 17, 1977 in La Jolla, California.

1930 Census:
2250 North Berendo Street (Value: $37,500): 1) Arthur R. Daves, owner and head of household; 47 year old white married male; married at age 20; born in California; father born in Kentucky, mother in Ireland; proprietor of a millinery firm. 2) Nancy P. Daves, wife; 47 year old white married female; married at age 20; born in Utah; father born at sea, mother in Ohio; not working. 3) Delmer L. Daves, on; 25 year old single white male; born in California; a writer of fiction. 4) Margaret M. Daves, daughter; 11 year old single white female; in school; born in California. 5) Elizabeth Washington, servant; 41 year old married Negro female; born in Oklahoma; parents born in the US; a servant in a private family.

1940 Census:
2250 Berendo Street (value $31,000): 1) Nancy P. Daves, head of household; white widow 58 years of age; born in Utah; not working. 2) Margaret Daves, daughter; white single female 21 years of age; born in California; not working. 3) Anna Lyerly, servant; Married Negro 36 years of age; born in Oklahoma; maid in a private home; earns $540.