Disneyland Antiques Red Wagon Inn 1908 / 1955 St. James Park Mansion Postcard
Historic Disneyland Treasures from Saturday's Toys presents... a vintage postcard commemorating the elegant turn of the century housing development at St. James Park in Los Angeles (closely adjacent to Exposition Park, The University of Southern California, and The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum)
The home pictured here was demolished by 1954. Walt Disney preserved the included elegant brass, wood and cut glass entry doors for Disneyland's Red Wagon Inn... later renovated in 1965 when Disney Imagineer John Hench redesigned and updated the restaurant, then to be known as the Plaza Inn. The Red Wagon Inn also boasted a stained glass ceiling that was removed from the mansion's third floor solarium.
Postcard was published by the Benham Indian Trading Company of Los Angeles (1887 - 1913) and likely issued shortly after the exclusive new neighborhood was completed in the early 1900's. Card is dated Dec. 27, 1908 and postmarked from Los Angeles on Dec. 28, 1908. (the addressee's home in Cleveland was built in 1905; only three years earlier, and it's still standing).
Notably, the home pictured in the background of the photo features 20 St. James Park (on the east side of St. James Park Square near Chester Place).
The land for this prominent structure was acquired by Baroness Rosa Von Zimmerman in August 1902 and construction was completed the following year. Designed by noted architect Frederick Heinlein, the new home was sold two years later to Chicago investor Matson Hill in May 1905 who immediately flipped the home by selling in June 1905 to successful Los Angeles lumberman and civic leader William Hayes Perry (Oct. 7, 1832 - Oct. 29, 1906).
Southern California cattleman and land developer Henry Workman Keller (1869 - 1958) purchased the home following Perry's death and held the home until it was demolished in 1954. It was demolished when the City of Los Angeles would not allow it to be turned into a multi-tenant dwelling following WWII as the neighborhood began its decline while homeowners moved to Hancock Park, Bel Air, and Beverly Hills.
Also of note, actor Robert Stack was the great grandson of William Hayes Perry (by Perry's granddaughter, Mary Perry Wood).
Postcard used the Neuner Co. Calitype Process and was originally offered in the early 1900's.
(original images of the home for illustration only; not included with this listing)
Saturday’s Toys and Collectibles was founded in 1994 by Southern California author and media historian, Dave Mason. Soon after eBay's launch the following year, Saturday's Toys was among the first online specialists to strategize in embracing this rapidly developing technology. Having delivered over 16,000 coveted treasures since that time, Saturday's Toys is pleased to partner with researchers and collectors throughout the globe.
Today, online offerings of archival keepsakes are presented in celebration of the times that allow for family, friends and neighbors to join in memorable gatherings that nurture the strong connections that bind a community together. These treasures are affectionately represented by "Saturday's Toys." In that light we present our adopted motto (with a nod to the Sherman Brothers): "Oh, let's go fly a kite!"
We are glad to combine shipping for multiple purchases in order to reduce costs whenever possible. Simply let us know before processing payment for the items selected and we'll be glad to revise and forward a final invoice to reflect the combined shipping price.
This usually works most effectively when combining flat paper items (postcards, newsletters, ephemera, etc.) but we'll do our best to make any combined purchase provide your best value for shipping.
