The herald., 1895-03-31

in consideration of one step ladder"
True, step ladders were worth more
money in those days than they are now,
but for all that the incident speaks vol
umes for the advancement i'll real estate
values since the early forties, when this
transaction took place. On that piece OF
property stood the old Melus row that
was built in 1S45 by Alexander Bell. This
was a two-story adobe structure with Il
balcony running along the entire front
and boasting of more doors and windows
than any other house in Los Angeles.
Doors and windows were expensive luxur-
les in those days, and only a few OF the
more pretentious buildings possessed
what would now be considered "a fair
quota of them. This was indeed the most
pretentious building in Los Angeles. 1t
stood at the southeast corner-or rather
what is now the southeast corner-of Los
Angeles and Also streets. There was an
open court in the center, and there was
fountain in this court that reminded you
for all the world of Mexican hacienda.
The upper story was occupied as
dwelling and the lower apartments were
rented as stores. The corner store was
irst occupied by Frank Mellus, then by
Williams & Arbunkle, who were sue
ceeded in turn by J. o. Wheeler. From
1852 to 1868 Solomon Lazard was the tenant
OF this corner store. In later years Sem
tous Bros. occupied the place, carrying
on retail meat market there until about
two years ago, when the building was
torn down to make way for the hand
some three story brick structure that now
occupies the site and is owned by Haas,
Baruch d Co. Thus another landmark
of the city's past was obliterated, and
were it not for the illustration presented
here, which is probably the only picture
of the place thaC is now extant, even the
form and semblance of what was once Los
Angeles proudest structure would soon
be forgotten.
1t is so indeed with many of the illus
trations shown on Ghis page. All of them
are historical landmarks, and but few
OF them are still remaining as silent wit
nesses to prove the legends that may be
told about them. One of these is the old
residence of Don Abel Stearns that stood
at the corner of North Main and Arcadia
streets, where now stands the Baker block.
The site was first known as the Lopez
and Villa property, and it passed into the
possession of old Don Abel Stearns many
years before the American occupation.
Of course it was an adobe structure.
There was fat roof on it. covered, after |
the Gringo came. with a layer of asphalt
um. This was the favorite roofing mate
rial in those days, and it served the pur-
pose WELL A part of the house was built
soon after the founding of the pueblo.
and the whole structure was completed in
the year 1888.
1t was occupied by Don Abel and his
estimable wife, very intelligent and
highly esteemed lady, for many long
years, until, in fact, the old Don was
gathered to his fathers, and then by his |
widow, now the Sonora Arcadia de Baker.
until it was demolished to make way foi
the present imposing and substantial
building.
For years the old Stearns building was
rhe seat of the most generous hospitality, /
and many were the notable social gather |
ings held within its spacious halls Some |
OF the old inhabitants who still remember |
those famous days recount now that some |
times at balls given by the generous host
and hostess there were gathered guests
San Francisco to participate in the fes
tvities. "Ah, things were done on'a