William Hayes Perry Residence (Los Angeles, California)

 museum, house, historic landmark

Built in 1876 by prominent businessman and lumber baron William Hayes Perry, the Perry Residence is the second largest structure at the museum. Designed by renowned architect E. F. Kysor to reflect the social prominence of its owners, the home features include fine hardwood floors, a sweeping staircase, and marble fireplace mantles. When built in then-fashionable neighborhood of Boyle Heights, the Perry Residence was arguably the finest and most expensive residence yet seen in Los Angeles. The outward sweep of the entrance stairway, the brackets under the eaves, the slanted bay windows and the narrow columns are characteristic of its Greek Revival and Italianate style.

William Hayes Perry was born in Newark, Ohio on October 7, 1832. After moving to Los Angeles in the 1850s, Perry soon became one of Los Angeles’ most prominent citizens. Perry began his lumber and supply business in 1861, and soon became one of the largest lumber dealers in Los Angeles. By 1879, Perry was elected president of the Los Angeles Water Company, a position he held for 25 years. A few years later, Perry was one of the organizers of the Los Angeles Gas Company, the first company to install gaslights in downtown Los Angeles. Perry served on many boards of directors, including the Farmers and Merchants Bank, as well as a Los Angeles City Councilman later in his life. Perry died on October 29, 1906.

In 1914, this mansion in Boyle Heights was the first location of the International Institute, a project of the Y.W.C.A. to aid young immigrant women.

In 1975, the house was moved to the museum from 1315 Mount Pleasant Street and restoration was begun by the Colonial Dames Society of America. In 1995, with restoration still underway, the house and its furnishings were donated to the museum by the Colonial Dames. Since then, the museum has continued to restore this important structure.

William Perry is the great-grandfather of late actor Robert Stack.

www.heritagesquare.org/Perry_House.htm
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