The Street Seen: 2211 Ocean Ave Apartments
2211 to 2217 Ocean Avenue Between Pacific & Strand
In 1925, on Ocean Avenue between Pacific and Strand, a 2-story apartment building is constructed by T.G. Lewis.
In 1915, T.G. Lewis1 and his wife, Eustacia,2 are living at 2215 Ocean Ave.3 Lewis is a self-employed contractor/carpenter. Eustacia is very active in the Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club.4
In January 1924, Lewis obtains a permit for a $4,500 1-unit over 4-car garage building. The 37-ft x 21-ft stucco on wood frame structure is located at the rear (Pacific Place) of the 40-ft x 130-ft property. Lewis is listed as contractor and owner.
In December 1924, having completed the apartment and garage at the rear of property, Lewis obtains a permit for a $14,000, 4-unit,5 20-room, 2-story over basement6 apartment building located at the front (Ocean Ave) of the property. Lewis is listed as architect, contractor, and owner of the 40-ft x 70-ft stucco on wood frame building.
After Thomas’ death (d. 1945), Eustacia (d. 1968) lives in the building until about 1948. In 1949, home loan bank manager Martin L. Skoll (1915 - 2014) owns the building. He partitions the building into 7 (smaller) units before selling it in 1954. William Hobson (1912 - 2005) owns the building from 1959 to 1984.
Thomas George Lewis (1874 – 1945). Lewis is born in Lackawanna, PA. His father is a carpenter. Sometime between 1900 and 1907, Lewis comes to Los Angeles. In the same time frame, his father, Benjamin (1846 - 1928), and his mother, Mary (1850 - 1916) also come to Los Angeles. In 1907, T.G. Lewis works with E.N. Greenleaf (of Greenleaf & Riveroll) in building a gold and silver ore crushing mill in AZ. In 1908, Lewis marries Eustacia Jemima Parks in Los Angeles, and they move to Bisbee, AZ. By 1912, they are back in Los Angeles. In 1915, Lewis is living at 2215 Ocean Ave as a self-employed contractor/house carpenter.
Eustacia Jemima Parks Lewis (1882 – 1968). Eustacia is born in Saginaw, MI. In 1908, she marries T.G. Lewis in Los Angeles. It is not clear how they meet - the marriage certificate lists her residence as Saginaw, MI. Eustacia is very active in the Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club. They have no children.
The 40-ft x 130-ft 2215 Ocean Ave property is Lot 3 of Ivar A. Weid’s 1887 Subdivision of Block 4 of the South Santa Monica Tract. From 1915 until 1924, the Lewis live there in very small structures. The 1902 Sanborn map shows no structures on the lot.
The 1909 Sanborn map shows only a small concrete block dwelling at the front property.
The 1918 Sanborn map shows only a small wood frame dwelling (built after 1909) on the rear property.
In 1905, the Santa Monica Lecture Class is renamed the Woman's Club of Santa Monica. Suffragist and community activist, Elmira T. Stephens is president. Arcadia Bandini provides funds to acquire a site for a building on 4th St. The building, designed by Henry C. Hollwedel, is built in 1914. In 1911, the organization is renamed the Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club.
The Los Angeles County Assessor currently lists the front building as having 8 units with a total of 10 bedrooms and 7 baths.
The basement is partially above grade - requiring stairs to access the apartment 1st floor.