About

History:

Elmer Ralphs was listed in 1929 Los Angeles Directory as Vice-President and Treasurer of Ralphs Grocery Co., residing at 949 N. Edgemont. p. 1771. He moved into this newly built home in 1930. Elmer Ralphs was the son of Walter Ralphs, grandson of the Walter Ralphs who founded Ralphs Brothers Grocers in 1873. The first branch of the original market opened in 1911 with a then-unheard of 15,000 square feet of space. The company pioneered the supermarket concept in the 1920s and established one of the first chain stores in the US. Ralphs was living with his in-laws at 4941 Finley Avenue while the home was being built.

Russell Collins, architect.

1930 census:
2401 Nottingham Avenue (Value: $50,000): 1) Elmer L. Ralphs, owner and head of household; 42 year old white married male; married at age 41; born in California; parents born in California; Vice-President of a grocery. 2) Gertrude M. Ralphs, wife; 28 year old white married female; married at age 27; born in Massachusetts; father born in New York, mother in Massachusetts; not working. 3) Gloria A. Ralphs, daughter; 2 month old white female; born in California. 4) Meva Howell, servant; 35 year old single Negro female; born in Jamaica, British West Indies; parents born in Jamaica, British West Indies; to US in 1915, a resident alien; a servant in a private family. 5) Gladys F. Lally, servant; 35 year old white married female; married at age 30; born in Kansas; father born in Indiana, mother in Texas; a nurse in a private family.

1940 Census:
2401 Nottingham Avenue (Value $35,000): 1) Milton Tobias, head of household; white married male 41 years of age; born in Illinois; medical doctor in private practice. 2) Sarett Tobias, wife; white married female 22 years of age; born in Colorado; not working. 3) Edward Tobias, son; white male 7 years of age; born in California; in school. 4) Joan Tobias, daughter; white female 3 years of age; born in California. 5) Edith Tobias, daughter; white female 2 years of age; born in California. 6) Earl Thompson, chauffeur; Negro married male 35 years of age; born in Texas; Chauffeur in a private family; earns $590.