The Street Seen: Mary Hotchkiss Park (part II)
4th Street @ Strand
As we know, Mary and husband #2, Dan Mooney acquire the Lucas Mansion and the surrounding 2 acre property from the Nancy Lucas estate in 1883. On January 1, 1903, the Lucas / Mooney Mansion burns to the ground - and is not rebuilt. There are no structures on the property. Mary and husband #3, A.B. Hotchkiss (1839 - 1905) move to the Rose Mansion in downtown Los Angeles.
In 1911, the neighbors and the City complain about the overgrown trees and hedges – “the trees are considered to be a nuisance.” In 1924, 4th St neighbor, Harry C. Brown, announces that he has leased the Mooney Mansion site and is immediately starting on “Rustic Villa Homes” - a hotel plus thirty-five 3-room cottages on the site. He builds four 3-room cottages on the SEC 3rd & Strand. By 1930, there is a gas station on the SWC 4th & Strand, an auto garage on 4th, and 3 dwellings (304, 306 and 316 Strand) at SEC 3rd & Strand.
At 306 Strand are Mary’s relatives - the Stouts1 - Eldridge and his brother Frank Stout operate the gas station. At 316 Strand is T. Jeff White - Mary’s adopted son - age 53, no occupation, married - but living alone.2
In 1934, Mary Green Drury Mooney Hotchkiss Jauch (1851 - 1934) dies, leaving a large estate. Mary Hotchkiss Park is left to the City of Santa Monica. Mary’s husband #4, Dr. Jauch (1863 - 1949), is left the 2- story house in Ocean Park.3 Amma White (1902 - 2001),4 daughter of T. Jeff White and Jeannette White (1879 - 1908), is left the Fremont Hotel5 and $500 per month for life. One third of the estate goes to the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary.6 On the death of T. Jeff White and Amma, the remaining funds go to the Stouts.
In 1936, the Santa Monica City Council votes to accept Mary’s gift of the property, which is occupied by a gas station and several dilapidated buildings. In 1938, the structures are removed and the site graded. Mary Hotchkiss Park opens in 1939.
In 1960, the City is desperately looking for places relocate low income seniors who will be displaced by the Ocean Park Redevelopment Project. The City Planning Director says Hotchkiss Park “…is not ideally suited for recreational purposes, but is an excellent site for a major apartment development.” In the end, the City finds other locations for the displaced seniors.
In 1966, the much traveled, sometimes rejected, 5-ton sculpture “oneness” by Finnish artist Eino Romppanen finds a home at the west end of the park. The City Council accepts the sculpture as a gift from the artist after receiving a 900 signature petition.
In 1969, the City Parks and Recreation holds several skiing on artificial snow classes in City parks - including Hotchkiss Park.
In 1978, plans are underway to replace the 60 year old Ocean Park branch library with a new building at Hotchkiss Park. The Santa Monica Recreation and Parks director says he “….is convinced that Hotchkiss Park would be enhanced by the library addition. The recreational facility has not been well utilized.” The plans are not implemented.7
Mary’s sister, Jennie Green (1855 – 19??) married S. N. Dougherty in 1878 in San Francisco. Their daughter, Daisy Dougherty (1878 - 1931), married Eldridge Stout (1873 – 1956). The Stout Brothers, Eldridge and Frank Stout (1872 – 1965), operate a clothing cleaning business on Pier Ave and the gas station at 2302 4th St.
After exiting the theatre business, T. Jeff White (1876 – 1937 ?) marries Stella Kenney, in 1913. In 1917, he is managing Mary’s Fremont hotel in downtown Los Angeles. He pops up around Southern California - managing a hotel in San Bernardino and gets married again in 1922. In 1934, Mary Hotchkiss leaves her him $75 per month for life. It appears that T. Jeff White dies in 1937 - but we don’t know.
The 2- story house, bought by Mary in 1929, and left to Dr. Jauch, is located at 2617 Ocean Front Walk (NEC Ocean Front & Grand Ave). In 1931, Mary (“fashionably garbed and wearing expensive diamonds”) is in court again. Another niece, Dora Vaughan, sues for possession of the $50,000 house. Dora claims that Mary gave her the house in exchange for caring for Dr. Jauch. Mary counter sues for damages for embarrassment caused when Dora had Mary and Dr. Jauch forcibly evicted from the house several months ago.
Amma Jeannetta White (1902 - 2001) is named for her grandmother Amma Greene (1859 - 1876) - Mary’s sister, and for her mother Jeannette White (1879 - 1908). Amma White marries Robert Wallace Styers (1902 – ??) in 1920 and they have 2 sons. In 1934, Amma marries Gilbert Gorden Longevan (1899 – 1973). Amma White Styers Longevan dies in AZ at the age of 99.
Richard A. von Falkenberg, who is married to Mary’s sister Jessie Green Lang (1863– 1913) - the sister whose paramour shot himself in the restaurant, is the proprietor of the Fremont Hotel. Falkenberg, who is an imposter, has previously involved A.B. Hotchkiss (1851 - 1905) in the Chinese Imperial Reform Army. In 1912, brothers-in-law Dr. Jauch (who lives nearby at the Rose Mansion) and Falkenberg come to blows. Mary breaks up the fight by firing her revolver out the window. Dr. Jauch ends up in the hospital. In 1913, Falkenberg disappears - for ever. Mary is also out of town, and her sister Jessie Green Lang Falkenberg becomes ill and dies alone in a hospital. By 1948, the Fremont Hotel is dilapidated and it is demolished in 1955.
The Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary arrive in Santa Monica in 1899 and establish a school for girls at 3rd St and Arizona Ave.
In 1966, the City Manager recommends that the Ocean Park branch library be closed immediately and patrons bused to the Main Library. “Friends of the Ocean Park Library” collect 1,000 signatures opposing the idea. The branch library building is landmarked in 1977. Nothing comes of the 1978 plans to relocate the branch library to Hotchkiss Park. A major remodel and expansion of the existing building is completed in 1985.