The Street Seen: Morgan's Cafe
212 - 214 Ashland Ave @ 2nd St
212 - 214 Ashland was constructed in 1926 as 2nd floor residential over a short-lived ground-floor restaurant.
In 1919 Josie1 and her husband L.D. Riethmann2 live/own the duplex at 2902 - 2904 2nd St3 on the SWC at Ashland.4
Louis Riethmann, age 53, dies in 1923, and Josie marries Ben F. Morgan.5
In 1926, Josie M. Morgan builds a 2-story residential over a ground-floor restaurant at the rear (west end) of their property. The small 1-story wood frame existing dwelling is demolished to make way for the $6,500 24-ft x 40-ft plan building. Santa Monica contractor Nesbitt & Miller6 is the architect/builder.
Morgan’s Cafe (“one of the Nicest Cafes in Southern California”) opens on September 25, 1926.
However, one month later, the cafe is advertised for sale - “cheap.”7
The last mention of the cafe in the local paper is in November 1926.
In December 1926, Josie Morgan obtains a permit for Nesbitt & Miller to make $700 alterations to 214 Ashland - presumably converting the cafe space to residential.8
In 1932, Josie Morgan, now living across the street at 217 Ashland, demolishes the 1-story duplex on the corner of Ashland and 2nd (2904 2nd St), replacing it with a 2-story, 4-unit apartment (216-18-20-22 Ashland.)9 While 216 Ashland is being constructed, the Morgans move to IN for a year.
In 1939, Josie Morgan, now living at 222 Ashland, builds a 1-story house10 at 2701 4th St (SEC of Hill and 4th), where the Morgans live until at least 1958.11
Josephine "Josie" Marie Rieger Riethmann Morgan (1880 – 1974). Born in IN, Josie marries L.D. Reithmann in 1899. There are no children. In I900, they move to Denver. They retire to Long Beach in 1911, and in 1919 move to 2904 2nd St.
Louis David Riethmann, Jr. (1870 – 1923). Born in CO, he is the son of wealthy Swiss emigrant Louis David Reithmann (1840 - 1893). Having survived being hit by a train in 1897, Riethmann marries Josephine "Josie" Rieger in IN in 1899. Riethman owns considerable commercial real estate in Denver. Riethmann retires to Long Beach in 1911. In 1919 they move to 2904 2nd St, where Riethmann, age 53, dies in 1923.
From 1894 to 1917, 2nd St (from Strand to Marine) is named Lake St, and then from 1917 to 1970, Washington Blvd. From 1887 to 1904, Ashland Ave (from Neilson to Highland) is named Ash (the tree) St.
The 2902 - 2904 2nd St duplex, built sometime between 1909 and 1918, is located on a 100-ft x 50-ft property comprised of Lots 1 & 2, Block B, Santa Monica Tract. At some later time, the property is subdivided, and the 24-ft x 40-ft plan 212 - 214 Ashland building has its own 29.7-ft x 50-ft parcel.
Benjamin Frank Morgan (1887 – 1958+). Who is Ben F. Morgan? I don’t really know. He is born in KY, and his first marriage (age 36) is to the widow Josie Reithmann sometime between 1923 and 1925. The 1930 census lists his occupation as “retired” (age 42). His 1940 voter registration has him as a Democrat - Josie is a Republican. He is living at 2701 4th St in 1958.
Nesbitt & Miller is a short-lived enterprise of builder Canadian Arthur Franklin Nesbitt (1875 – 1958) and local investor William Merle Miller (1881 – 1951).
From 1917 to 1970, 2nd St (Strand to Marine) is named Washington Blvd. In 1926, the Morgans live at 2904 2nd St (Washington Blvd).
Recent resident, street watcher, and canine passerby greeter.
John W. Spellman (1904 – 1996) is the architect/builder for the $8,000 4-unit 1932 apartment building at 216 - 222 Ashland. The Ashland address apparently allows for only a small setback on 2nd St.
In 1939, the 5-room 2701 4th St house has a 34-ft x 32-ft plan on a 43-ft x 150-ft parcel. John W. Spellman (1904 – 1996) is the architect/builder for the $3,500 house.
In 1960, 2701 4th St is vacant and the Morgans are no longer listed in the Santa Monica directory.