The Street Seen: E.C. Japs/Crossland Residence
2511 Beverley Avenue Between Hollister Ave & Ocean Park Blvd
A residence is constructed in 1911 for E.C. Japs - newly arrived from Minneapolis. In 1915, the house is sold to movie studio musician Firth and his wife, Tudor Crossland, who live there until the early 1960s.
In 1911, Minneapolis residents John W. and Anna George retire to Ocean Park. Their daughter Hildegard George Japs, and her husband, Edward Charles Japs1,2 come with them.
In 1911, E.C. Japs obtains a permit for a one- and two-story $3,000 house at 2511 Beverley Ave.3 Ocean Park contractor Jones Brothers4 is the design-builder. The Craftsman-style house features a series of low-pitched gables with deep overhanging eaves.5 The house is perched atop a steep slope with west-facing views of the Pacific Ocean.
In 1911, Beverley Ave is dominated by the Ocean Park Water Company’s 1906 reservoir and remains sparsely developed even into the 1920s.6 Japs joins with neighboring property owners in petitioning the City Council for Beverley Ave to be graded and oiled; curbs and sidewalks placed; a sewer constructed; and an arc light placed on the street. In 1912, with a newly graded street and sidewalks, Japs obtains an owner/contractor permit for a $500 stand-alone street-facing garage built into his Beverley Ave hillside.7
In 1915, 2511 Beverley Ave is sold to movie studio musician Firth8 and his wife Tudor9 Crossland, who live there until Firth’s death in 1962.
In 1964, the house is sold to Winthrop Charles Garvin (1915 – 1986). His wife, Evelyn Kuhn Garvin (1927 - 1999), lives there until 1999. The building (and the Canary Island palm), owned by the Garvin family, is designated as a Santa Monica landmark in 2004.10
The family name Japs is of German origin. In the 1880 US census, there were 28 Japs families living in the US – all of them in Minnesota.
Edward Charles Japs (1884 - 1943). Born in Minneapolis, MN. In 1905, Japs marries Hildegard Margaret George (1885–1939). In 1910, he is a manager of medical supplies in Minneapolis. In 1911, the Japs (E.C. is 27, Hildegard is 26) come to Ocean Park with their George in-laws. They live at 2511 Beverley Avenue. In 1911, Japs is working at E.W. Boehme Real Estate at 177 Pier Ave. In 1913, Japs and his neighbor at 2429 Beverley, Leonard Kill (1872 – 1944), form Japs-Kill - real estate, insurance, and loans - at 177 Pier Ave.
In 1914, the Japs, Kill & Joyce Realty office moves to the newly built Auto Inn Garage at 171 Pier Ave.
In 1914, Japs moves to 237 Pacific St, and their son John R. Japs is born. In 1915, Japs, now an agent for MetLife Insurance, sells 2511 Beverley to Firth and Tudor Crossland. In 1916, Japs joins with his brother-in-law, Carl Louis George, in operating Crescent Tire Works on the southeast corner of Main and Bicknell.
In 1917, Japs moves to 1308 7th St and then in 1919, to 919 Wilshire Blvd (where he remains until his death in 1943.) In 1922, Japs builds an automobile service shop on the southeast corner of Main and Bay, and moves Crescent Tire Works there.
In 1923, in a joint venture with T.H. Dudley, Japs builds an automobile showroom (Japs Dudley Building) across the street on the southwest corner of Main and Bay.
From 1927, Japs of is president of east Los Angeles Dillingham Printing Company specializing in the printing of tickets and coupon books.
Hildegard Japs dies in 1939 and E.C. Japs dies at 919 Wilshire in 1943. He leaves two sons John Richard Japs (1914 - 1984) and Edward George Japs (1931 - 1993), and a daughter Marie Lillian Japs Wilson (1920 - 2004). His son, John R. Japs, is the owner/president of Dillingham Ticket Company for 41 years until his retirement in 1982.
Like many of the properties on Beverley Ave, 2511 Beverley Ave overlaps the subdivision lot lines. The 100-ft by 160-ft property (APN 4287-003-006) in Block C of F.P. Howard’s Subdivision consists of all 75-ft of Lot 25 plus a 25-ft wide strip of Lot 26.
Jones Brothers contractors (Lewis Grant Jones and his brothers Jared I. Jones and Warner B. Jones) comes from Texas to Santa Monica in 1900. When the First National Bank building at 163 Marine St opens in 1912, Jones Brothers, building houses in Santa Monica and Venice, occupies the 2nd floor. Lewis Jones manages the company, and Fred Newell Jones is credited with the architectural design. Lewis Jones unsuccessfully runs for City Council in the Third Ward in 1911. He dies suddenly (age 26) from an ulcerated tooth in 1912.
In 1912, with the addition of real estate agent James M. Hardman, the company is renamed Jones Brothers and Hardman. In 1912, Jones Bros is acquired by Golden West Home Builders of Santa Monica.
Japs' 2511 Beverley Ave house (although altered - enclosed front porch, additions, etc.) is similar (when constructed) to his in-law’s house at 2424 4th St. Both residences are built 1911 / 1912.
The four pre-1918 improved properties on F.P. Howard’s Subdivision are:-
2429 Beverley Ave - 1912 Kill residence.
2441 Beverley Ave - 1911 Higgins residence.
2501 Beverley Ave - 1906 Ocean Park Water Company reservoir.
2511 Beverley Ave - 1911 Japs residence.
At the same time in 1912, Japs’ neighbor, Leonard Kill (1872 – 1944) at 2429 Beverley Ave, also obtains a permit for a $250 stand-alone street-facing garage built into the Beverley Ave hillside.
Firth “Bert” Crossland (1888 – 1962). Born in MA. In 1909, Crossland marries Tudor Grace Chapman (1887–1980) in Alhambra - the newspapers report the groom is in the construction department of Pacific Electric, and also a musician. In 1914, Crossland is orchestra director at the Patton Hospital for the Insane in San Bernardino.
From 1915 to 1962, Crossland, a violin player and orchestra leader, lives at 2511 Beverley Ave. From 1915 to 1919, he is a music director at the Goldwyn studio working with movie stars Geraldine Farrar and Pauline Frederick.
From 1921 to 1942, the Bert Crossland orchestra plays at Elks’ functions. In 1922, he advertises violin lessons. In 1925, Crossland is the director of a 12-piece orchestra at Palais De Glace ice skating rink in Hollywood. In the 1930 US Census, Crossland lists his occupation as a newspaper district manager, and they have 2 lodgers on the property. In the 1950 US Census, Crossland lists his occupation as police department detective work. From at least 1952 to 1954, he teaches at City College. By 1958, Crossland is retired.
Tudor Grace Chapman (1887–1980). Born in Nova Scotia, Canada, Tudor comes to the US in 1905. She works as a nurse at Patton Hospital for the Insane in San Bernardino.
While the essential architecture of the house has been mostly retained, the property has had extensive alterations both before (enclosed front porch, additions, etc) and after (new basement and sub-basement levels) the landmark designation.
