It has been said that a prominent figure built the Queen also known as “The Widows Walk”
If you follow me on Instagram then you already know that the first very big clue about the house popped up rather unexpectedly.
This is the underside of the upstairs railing, where the banister attached.
We can see what looks like a “ke”
It has always been my suspicion that the home was built by Mitchell “Mike” Duffy
However, a few people have told me that the house was built for The Crocker Family.
A very prominent family that came from New York and was instrumental in running the early railroad here
and later best known for The Crocker Bank.
Both of these names have “ke” in them.
I hated to remove these filler pieces of wood, but there was no way to know what it said if I didn’t.
Drum Roll Please!
I actually gasped out LOUD when I saw it
O.K.
Actually I squealed
Or
Maybe I SCREAMED!
CROCKER!
C-R-O-C-K-E-R
Can you BELIEVE IT?
My heart still flutters when I see this.
It is most probably the writing of the builder or craftsman of the staircase.
Now to ask..
Which Crocker?
Wikipedia has the whole breakdown on The Crocker family
Charles Crocker Sr. died in 1888.
This home was built in 1895
He had 3 sons and 1 daughter.
- Charles Frederick Crocker (1854–1897), who married Jennie Ella Easton (1858–1887).[11][12]
- George Crocker (1856–1909), who married Emma Hanchett (1855–1904).[13][14]
- Harriet Valentine Crocker (1859–1935), who married Charles Beatty Alexander (1849–1927).[15][16]
- William Henry Crocker (1861–1937), who married Ethel Sperry (1861–1934).[17]
But this leaves me wondering if it isn’t a different Crocker Family?
Historic Places LA says that Mercy J Powers and W H Crocker owned the house.
According to Ancestry.com, They were brother and sister
Their Parents were Henry A. Crocker and Ellen A. Crocker
Perhaps this was another William H. Crocker that was a nephew to Charles Crocker?
These people lived in San Pedro.
My head is spinning!
Here is a close up of the Directory page for William H in 1914
The Crocker Family owned apartment buildings and houses all over the town.
I do believe that this house was built as a type of boarding house.
There was a second house in the backyard that has since been moved next door.
The more I research the Crockers on Ancestry.com the more confused I get!
The Queen seems to be holding onto the past.
I am hoping she will continue to give me more clues.
I will keep looking.
If anyone has any insight or information on the history of this home, please let me know!
If you missed that last post about the Crumbling Plaster, check it out!
And hold on to your hats my friends
we are in for a wild ride on the next post!
