About

History:

4320 was the home of actor Fred Burns at the time of the World War I draft registration in 1917. Born in Montana in 1878, Fred Burns began as a bronco-buster for Wild West shows, including Buffalo Bill’s. He began starring in Westerns at Biograph in 1912, and appeared in 258 films by the end of his career in 1948. Lanky and distinguished looking, Fred Burns gradually progressed from leads to supporting roles, almost always cowboy films until his last, Gene Autry’s “Barbed Wire” (1952). He passed away in 1955 in Los Angeles, California.

4320 was also the home of actress Marie Walcamp at the time of the 1930 US census. Marie Walcamp was born in 1894 in Ohio, and she was a major star of Westerns and serials, having begun in the industry in 1913 in “The Werewolf.” She gained prominence as an action heroine. She is best remembered today for an anti-abortion drama, “Where Are My children” (1916), and a melodrama, “The Blot” (1921). After she married actor Harlan Tucker, she went into semi-retirement, leaving films entirely in 1927. Eventually, she committed suicide in 1936.

1920 Census:
4320 W. Melbourne Avenue: 1) Howard L Beals, renter and head of household; white married male 28 years of age; born in Pennsylvania; parents born in Pennsylvania; machinery salesman.

1930 Census:
4320 Melbourne Avenue (Value: $5,000): 1) Charles E. Jones, owner and head of household; 68 year old white married male; married at age 38; born in Ohio; parents born in Ohio; a carpenter in the moving picture industry. 2) Mary E. Jones, wife; 61 year old white married female; married at age 15; born in Maryland; father born in Maryland, mother in Germany; not working. 3) Marie E. Walcamp, stepdaughter; 34 year old white married female; married at age 24; born in Ohio; father born in Pennsylvania, mother in Maryland; an actress on the legitimate stage. 4) Harlan H. Tucker, step-son-in-law; 35 year old white married male; married at age 25; born in Ohio; parents born in Ohio; an actor on the legitimate stage.

1940 Census:
4320 Melbourne Avenue (Value $5,000): 1) John Paul Dyer, head of household; white married male 49 years of age; born in Russia; Teacher, public school; earns $3,000. 2) Katherine Dyer, wife; white married female 48 years of age; born in Russia; not working. 3) John Dyer, son; white male 14 years of age; born in California; in school. 4) Dolores Dyer, daughter; white female 9 years of age; born in California; in school