Overview

One of the first large-scale works by the Los Angeles architectural firm of Withey and Davis, the Artesia Grammar School was a one-story building designed in a modified Colonial Revival manner. The building had a symmetrical, five-bay, front facade composition, with a central front door topped by a segmental arch. Two side bays capped each end, connected to the central section by a slightly inset pair of bays lit by two, double-hung windows on each end with a row of arched openings between. A compound hipped roof sheltered the school.

Building History

The recently organized firm of Withey and Davis designed this building in 1911 for the Artesia School District. The Los Angeles Timesdescribed the building in 07/1911: "The construction of the handsome new grammar school planned by Architects Withey & Davis of Los Angeles for this district is well under way and it is expected that the structure will be ready for occupancy with the opening of the coming term. The building is in every way credible to the district which is expending about $20,000 on it. The structure will contain six class rooms, principal's and teacher's rooms and a large library. Among the modern conveniences to be installed will be the forced draught system of ventilation and the Plenum system of heating. The building if of concrete footing, the walls being of brick. The exterior is being finished in tapestry brick in ornamental patterns. The entrance, the keystones of the windows and panels are of stone." (See "Handsome Grammar School for Progressive Artesia District," Los Angeles Times, 06/25/1911, part VI, p. 9.)

PCAD id: 21905