Home > California > Wilmington > General Phineas Banning Residence, 401 East M Street, Wilmington, Los Angeles County, CA
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Item Title
General Phineas Banning Residence, 401 East M Street, Wilmington, Los Angeles County, CA
Location401 East M Street,
Wilmington, CA
Find maps of Wilmington, CA
Created/Published
Documentation compiled after 1933.
Notes
Survey number HABS CA-2660
Unprocessed field note material exists for this structure (N218).
Significance: The General Phineas Banning Residence consists of a 23 room house built in 1864 in the Greek Revival style. The residence is set in 20 acres of parkland and gardens. The property is located in the Wilmington district of the City of Los Angeles, California. Since 1927 the Department of Recreation and Parks of the City of Los Angeles has managed the buildings and gardens and currently does so in cooperation with the Friends of Banning Park, a private, non-profit foundation. There are no records indicating the name of any builder or architect. Many Banning family papers were lost in a fire in 1946 and there is little documentation to indicate the exact details of the structure's construction. The residence's stylistic details recall many Greek Revival houses in the northeast that would be familiar to Phineas Banning from his boyhood. Skilled craftsmen were available throughout California at this time and redwood lumber and brick would have been relatively easy for Banning to procure through his lumberyard, freighting and shipping activities. A historic structure report commissioned for the house in 1992 noted the similarities in construction between the Banning Residence and the Drum Barracks for which Phineas Banning was the contractor. Extended study of the house, however, convinced these architects that both the Drum Barracks and the Banning Residence must have had the direction of someone very experienced with architecture and must have been constructed by workmen with previous experience in the building of major structures. Although there have been some modifications over time, the Banning Residence is relatively unaltered since its construction and appears little changed from an 1873 photograph. The front, or south, elevation has had window alterations and the insertion of French doors in the position of the original windows. The basement, rear and side wings have also been modified and added to over time, as shown in the sketch below taken from the historic structures report. Interior changes have been generally limited to modernization of kitchen and bathrooms and have not substantially affected the historic arrangement of rooms. However, these changes were made by the Banning family as successive generations lived in the house and may themselves be considered historic. There have been no substantial changes since 1927. General Phineas Banning was a major contributor to Southern California's role in the building of a nation. Several historic themes show Phineas Banning's national vision: his creation and development of the Port of Los Angeles as a gateway for international commerce; his part in the establishment of a transcontinental railroad system; his accomplishments as a Union supporter in holding California for the Federal side during the Civil War; and finally his untiring efforts as a community builder - an Easterner who imposed Yankee values and cultural norms on the commerce, architecture and politics of the pre-existing social order of Hispanic California. The Banning Residence served as a focus for these activities. Banning's choice of Greek Revival architecture, regarded as the first genuinely American architectural style, connects California frontier life with the politics, democrat idealism and enterprise that formed the national character in the period 1830-1885. The Banning Residence was lived in by three generations of the Banning family until it and the surrounding land were acquired by the City of Los Angeles in 1927. Eighteen rooms of the house containing furniture and decorative elements added during 60 years of Banning family residence in the house are shown to the public during regular tours of the house and grounds. On January 11, 1935, Banning Park was officially made California Historical Landmark #147 and the residence was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.
Collection
Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress)
Contents
Photograph caption(s):
1. SOUTH (FRONT) ELEVATION
2. PERSPECTIVE VIEW OF EAST AND NORTH (REAR) ELEVATIONS
3. WEST ELEVATION
4. EAST ELEVATION
5. PERSPECTIVE VIEW OF SOUTH (FRONT) AND EAST ELEVATIONS
6. PERSPECTIVE VIEW OF SOUTH (FRONT) AND WEST ELEVATIONS
7. SOUTH (FRONT) ELEVATION DETAIL VIEW
8. SOUTH (FRONT) ELEVATION DETAIL VIEW
9. SECOND FLOOR FRONT PORCH DETAIL VIEW, FACING EAST
10. SECOND FLOOR FRONT PORCH DETAIL VIEW, FACING WEST
11. FIRST FLOOR FRONT PORCH DETAIL VIEW, FACING EAST
12. FIRST FLOOR FRONT PORCH DETAIL VIEW, FACING WEST
13. MAIN ENTRY DETAIL ON FIRST FLOOR FRONT PORCH
14. DOOR DETAIL ON SECOND FLOOR FRONT PORCH
15. WEST SIDE DETAIL VIEW, FACING NORTHEAST
16. WEST SIDE DETAIL VIEW, FACING SOUTHEAST
17. EXTERIOR RAMP AND EAST SIDE VIEW, FACING SOUTH
18. EAST ELEVATION AND PATIO
19. EAST PATIO DETAIL VIEW, FACING NORTHWEST
20. EAST PATIO DETAIL VIEW, FACING SOUTHWEST
21. MAIN ENTRY DETAIL VIEW, PATIO LEVEL (EAST ELEVATION)
22. NORTH ENTRY DETAIL VIEW, PATIO LEVEL (EAST ELEVATION)
23. SOUTH ENTRY DETAIL VIEW, PATIO LEVEL (EAST ELEVATION)
24. BACK PORCH DETAIL VIEW, NORTH (REAR) ELEVATION
25. NORTHEAST CORNER DETAIL VIEW, NORTH (REAR) ELEVATION
26. NORTHWEST CORNER DETAIL VIEW, NORTH (REAR) ELEVATION
27. NORTH (REAR) ELEVATION
28. INTERIOR VIEW, FIRST FLOOR MAIN ENTRY HALL, FACING SOUTH
29. INTERIOR VIEW, FIRST FLOOR MAIN ENTRY HALL AND STAIRCASE, FACING NORTH
30. INTERIOR VIEW, FIRST FLOOR REAR ENTRY HALL AND STAIRCASE, FACING NORTH
31. INTERIOR VIEW, FIRST FLOOR REAR ENTRY HALL AND STAIRCASE, FACING NORTHWEST
32. INTERIOR VIEW, FIRST FLOOR PARLOR AND DINING ROOM, FACING NORTHEAST
33. INTERIOR VIEW, FIRST FLOOR PARLOR, FACING SOUTHEAST
34. INTERIOR VIEW, FIRST FLOOR DINING ROOM, FACING NORTH
35. INTERIOR VIEW, FIRST FLOOR DINING ROOM, FACING SOUTHEAST
36. INTERIOR VIEW, FIRST FLOOR FAMILY ROOM, FACING SOUTHEAST
37. INTERIOR VIEW, FIRST FLOOR FAMILY ROOM, FACING NORTH
38. INTERIOR VIEW, FIRST FLOOR FAMILY ROOM CLOSET DETAIL, FACING SOUTH
39. INTERIOR VIEW, FIRST FLOOR FAMILY ROOM MANTEL DETAIL, FACING NORTH
40. INTERIOR VIEW, DIRECTOR'S OFFICE, FACING WEST
41. INTERIOR VIEW, DIRECTOR'S OFFICE, FACING SOUTHEAST
42. INTERIOR VIEW, F. BANNING'S OFFICE, FACING NORTHEAST
43. INTERIOR VIEW, F. BANNING'S OFFICE, FACING WEST
44. INTERIOR VIEW, FIRST FLOOR PANTRY, CABINET DETAIL, FACING WEST
45. INTERIOR VIEW, FIRST FLOOR PANTRY, CABINET DETAIL, FACING SOUTHWEST
46. INTERIOR VIEW, FIRST FLOOR KITCHEN, FACING NORTH
47. INTERIOR VIEW, FIRST FLOOR BACK PORCH, FACING NORTHWEST
48. INTERIOR VIEW, FIRST FLOOR MAIN ENTRY HALL, FACING SOUTH
49. INTERIOR VIEW, MAIN BASEMENT STAIR DETAIL (AT FIRST FLOOR), FACING WEST
50. INTERIOR VIEW, MAIN BASEMENT STAIR DETAIL (AT FIRST FLOOR), FACING DOWN
51. INTERIOR VIEW, MAIN BASEMENT STAIR DETAIL (AT BASEMENT), FACING SOUTH
52. INTERIOR VIEW, REAR BASEMENT STAIR DETAIL (AT FIRST FLOOR), FACING SOUTH
53. INTERIOR VIEW, BASEMENT KITCHEN, FACING SOUTHWEST
54. INTERIOR VIEW, BASEMENT KITCHEN, FACING NORTHEAST
55. INTERIOR VIEW, BASEMENT ANTEROOM, FACING EAST
56. INTERIOR VIEW, BASEMENT GALLERY, FACING SOUTHWEST
57. INTERIOR VIEW, BASEMENT GALLERY, FACING SOUTHEAST
58. INTERIOR VIEW, BASEMENT GALLERY, FACING NORTHEAST
59. INTERIOR VIEW, BASEMENT GALLERY, FACING NORTHWEST
60. INTERIOR VIEW, BASEMENT OFFICE, FACING SOUTHWEST
61. INTERIOR VIEW, BASEMENT OFFICE, FACING NORTHEAST
62. INTERIOR VIEW, BASEMENT GIFT SHOP, FACING SOUTHEAST
63. INTERIOR VIEW, BASEMENT GIFT SHOP, FACING NORTHWEST
64. INTERIOR VIEW, REAR STAIRCASE DETAIL VIEW (AT LANDING), FACING EAST
65. INTERIOR VIEW, REAR STAIRCASE DETAIL VIEW (AT SECOND FLOOR), FACING WEST
66. INTERIOR VIEW, SECOND FLOOR MAIN STAIRCASE AND HALL, FACING NORTH
67. INTERIOR VIEW, SECOND FLOOR MAIN STAIRCASE AND HALL, FACING SOUTH
68. INTERIOR VIEW, SECOND FLOOR HALL, FACING NORTH
69. INTERIOR VIEW, SECOND FLOOR SITTING ROOM, FACING EAST
70. INTERIOR VIEW, SECOND FLOOR SITTING ROOM, FACING NORTHEAST
71. INTERIOR VIEW, SECOND FLOOR MASTER BEDROOM, FACING NORTHEAST
72. INTERIOR VIEW, SECOND FLOOR MASTER BEDROOM, FACING NORTHWEST
73. INTERIOR VIEW, SECOND FLOOR MASTER BEDROOM, FACING SOUTHWEST
74. INTERIOR VIEW, SECOND FLOOR NURSERY, FACING NORTHEAST
75. INTERIOR VIEW, SECOND FLOOR NURSERY, FACING WEST
76. INTERIOR VIEW, SECOND FLOOR GIRLS' BEDROOM, FACING SOUTHWEST
77. INTERIOR VIEW, SECOND FLOOR GIRLS' BEDROOM, FACING NORTHEAST
78. INTERIOR VIEW, SECOND FLOOR GIRLS' BEDROOM CLOSET DETAIL, FACING SOUTH
79. INTERIOR VIEW, SECOND FLOOR BOYS' BEDROOM, FACING NORTHWEST
80. INTERIOR VIEW, SECOND FLOOR HALL AND LINEN CLOSET, FACING SOUTH
81. INTERIOR VIEW, SECOND FLOOR LINEN CLOSET, FACING WEST
82. INTERIOR VIEW, SECOND FLOOR MASTER BATHROOM CLOSET, FACING WEST
83. INTERIOR VIEW, SECOND FLOOR MASTER BATHROOM, FACING EAST
84. INTERIOR VIEW, SECOND FLOOR CARETAKER'S LIVING ROOM, FACING NORTHWEST
85. INTERIOR VIEW, SECOND FLOOR CARETAKER'S LIVING ROOM, FACING SOUTHEAST
86. INTERIOR VIEW, SECOND FLOOR CARETAKER'S KITCHEN, FACING SOUTHEAST
87. INTERIOR VIEW, SECOND FLOOR CARETAKER'S KITCHEN, FACING NORTHWEST
88. INTERIOR VIEW, SECOND FLOOR CARETAKER'S BATHROOM, FACING WEST
89. INTERIOR VIEW, SECOND FLOOR CARETAKER'S BATHROOM, FACING EAST
90. INTERIOR VIEW, SECOND FLOOR CARETAKER'S BEDROOM, FACING EAST
91. INTERIOR VIEW, SECOND FLOOR CARETAKER'S BEDROOM, FACING WEST
92. INTERIOR VIEW, SECOND FLOOR HALL FRONT PORCH DOOR, FACING SOUTH
93. INTERIOR VIEW, THIRD FLOOR STAIR HALL, FACING SOUTH
94. INTERIOR VIEW, THIRD FLOOR STAIR HALL, FACING NORTHWEST
95. INTERIOR VIEW, THIRD FLOOR HALL, FACING NORTHWEST
96. INTERIOR VIEW, THIRD FLOOR TEXTILE ROOM #1, FACING NORTH
97. INTERIOR VIEW, THIRD FLOOR TEXTILE ROOM #1, FACING SOUTH
98. INTERIOR VIEW, THIRD FLOOR TEXTILE ROOM #2, FACING NORTH
99. INTERIOR VIEW, THIRD FLOOR TEXTILE ROOM #2, FACING SOUTH
100. INTERIOR VIEW, THIRD FLOOR CHILDREN'S ROOM, FACING SOUTH
101. INTERIOR VIEW, THIRD FLOOR CHILDREN'S ROOM, FACING NORTH
102. INTERIOR VIEW, THIRD FLOOR SEWING ROOM, FACING SOUTH
103. INTERIOR VIEW, THIRD FLOOR SEWING ROOM, FACING NORTH
104. INTERIOR VIEW, STAIR TO CUPOLA, FACING EAST
105. INTERIOR VIEW, CUPOLA, FACING SOUTHWEST
106. INTERIOR VIEW, CUPOLA, FACING NORTHEAST
107. INTERIOR VIEW, CUPOLA STAIR, FACING WEST AND DOWN
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