Resource Report

Historic Resource Summary

Names
McNerney's Mortuary (Primary)
McNerney's Mortuary (Historic)
Funeraria Del Angel McNerney's Mortuary (Alternative)
1640 N AVALON BLVD (Alternative)
Important Dates
1949-01-01 (Built Date)
Images
McNerney's Mortuary - PHOTO
Resource Types
Building
Architect
H.E. Ketchum
Builder
Owner

Location Information

Addresses
1640 N AVALON BLVD Primary
1646 N AVALON BLVD Alternative
Location Description
No descriptions recorded
Administrative Areas
Wilmington - Harbor City Community Plan Area (Community Plan Area)
Los Angeles City Council District 15 (Council District)
WILMINGTON NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL (Neighborhood Council)
WILMINGTON NEIGHBORHOOD (Neighborhood)

Resource Description

Classification
Type: Commercial, Mortuary/Funeral Home   Use: Historic     Style: Hollywood Regency American Colonial Revival    
Type: Commercial, Mortuary/Funeral Home   Use: Current        
Type: California OHP Resource Attribute - HP06. 1-3 story commercial building          
Features
Component: Cladding Type: Stucco, smooth; Brick Material: none defined
Component: Construction Type: Wood Material: none defined
Component: Door Type: Paneled; Historic Surround; Sidelights; Double Material: Wood
Component: Door Type: Double; Historic Surround; Paneled Material: Wood
Component: Plan Type: U-shaped Material: none defined
Component: Porch Type: Columns (Porch Supports); Partial width Material: Metal
Component: Porch Type: Piers (Porch Supports); Partial width Material: Metal
Component: Roof Type: Bargeboards; Combination Material: Composition shingle
Component: Window Type: Multi-light; Single; Shutters; Fixed Material: Wood
Component: Window Type: Shutters; Single; Fixed; Multi-light Material: Wood
Component: Window Type: Single; Multi-light; Fixed; Historic Surround Material: Wood
Component: Window Type: Multi-light; Single; Single-hung Material: Vinyl
Architectural Description
Notable features of the building include pediments above the doors, shutters around some windows, diamond pane windows, and brick along part of the primary elevation.
Alterations
No major alterations

Resource Significance

Evaluation Details

Date Evaluated
2011-12-18
Context/Theme
Commercial Development, 1850-1980
Mortuaries and Funeral Homes, 1920-1980
Commercial
Mortuary/Funeral Home
Eligibility Standards
  • May also be significant under a theme within the Architecture context
  • Designed in popular architectural styles of the day
  • Designed to accommodate parking of hearses
  • One or two stories in height
  • Retains most of the essential character-defining features from the period of significance
  • Significant as a property type (C)
  • Was historically designed and used as a mortuary/funeral home
  • Porte cochere(s) common
    • Integrity Aspects
    Design
    Location
    Setting
    Materials
    Workmanship
    Feeling
    Association
    Retains sufficient integrity to convey significance
    California Historic Resources Status Codes (explanation of codes)
    5S3
    3S
    3CS
    Significance Statement
    An excellent intact example of a mortuary. McNerney's Mortuary was founded in 1941 by Thomas McNerney and his son Robert. They owned another mortuary in San Pedro and catered to the South Bay community.. The only example of the property type observed in the area.
    Periods of Significance
    From: 1949-01-01
    Date Evaluated
    2012-02-22
    Context/Theme
    Architecture and Engineering, 1850-1980
    American Colonial Revival, 1895-1960
    American Colonial Revival, Late, 1940-1960
    Commercial
    Eligibility Standards
  • Clapboard or brick exteriors
  • Is an excellent example of the Late American Colonial Revival style
  • Details may include stylized door surrounds; paneled front door, sometimes set within a recessed entry; multi-paned double-hung sash windows; and fixed shutters
  • Was constructed during the period of significance
  • Exhibits quality of design through distinctive features
  • Symmetrical façade with entryway as the primary focus
  • Simple building forms
  • Typically one or two stories in height
  • Side-gabled roof, typically with boxed eaves
  • Retains the essential physical features of the type from the period of significance
  • Classical detailing is simplified to merely suggest their Colonial precedents, rather than closely mirroring them
    • Integrity Aspects
    Workmanship
    Materials
    Setting
    Design
    Location
    Retains sufficient integrity to convey significance
    Association
    Feeling
    California Historic Resources Status Codes (explanation of codes)
    3S
    3CS
    5S3
    Significance Statement
    An excellent example of a commercial building/ mortuary blending American Colonial Revival and Hollywood Regency architecture. Remarkably intact. Exhibits high quality of design.
    Periods of Significance
    From: 1949-01-01

    External References

    External System References

    SurveyLA ID: 3ed37bcf-051c-4fb8-af68-98353d732acf
    Property Identification Number: 036B205 233
    Property Identification Number: 036B205 218
    House ID: 381287

    Related Resources

    Related Historic Resources

    None

    Related Historic Districts

    None

    Related Activities

    SurveyLA - Wilmington - Harbor City Survey (was assessed in / assessed)

    Related Historic Events

    None

    Related People/Organizations

    GPA Consulting, Inc. (Surveying Firm, was surveyed by / surveyed)
    H.E. Ketchum (Architect/Designer, was designed by /designed)

    Related Information Resources

    Images
    Documents
    SurveyLA: Wilmington-Harbor City Historic Resources Survey Report (Document/Text, is referred to in / refers to)

    SurveyLA

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    Office of Historic Resources

    Office of Historic Resources
    Department of City Planning
    221 N. Figueroa Street, Suite 1350
    Los Angeles, CA 90012
    (213) 847-3676 phone
    Email: planning.historicplacesla@lacity.org
    http://www.preservation.lacity.org
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