Who is this Bunker Hill Fellow??

I look at a lot of slides, hunting for images of Bunker Hill architecture. The Hill’s built environment had character, which was documented, fortunately, because photographers shot images of the Hill — especially in its declining days, so as to capture the area’s rich personality.

Less evidenced in the photographic record are the Hill natives, who also had character, and no lack of personality:

I was combing through some random Los Angeles slides when this collection of six caught my eye and I exclaimed “holy heck! That’s 244 South Bunker Hill! And who is this guy?!”

The first question being, when we these shot? When you’ve got a pile of slides, their dates are often stamped on the mounts (but sometimes not, in which case if you’re lucky someone wrote “Uncle Bill, April ’61” on them or something). Or you may deduce their approximate age by their mounts. However, in this case, these slides had been rehoused in blank modern plastic slide mounts.

But, here’s a clue. This, for example, is a 1959 Cadillac—

—so the shots postdate autumn ’58, and 244 South Bunker Hill Ave. was demolished about mid-1964.

244 South Bunker Hill Avenue is notable for being the first Bunker Hill structure to be purchased by the Community Redevelopment Agency:

This was, of course, discussed on page 68 of Bunker Hill, Los Angeles:

The house had been built in 1891 by Henry LaRue Crittenden, Los Angeles branch manager of Liebig’s World Dispensary (Liebig’s was a famous purveyor of nostrums, most notably “invigorating” tonics made from beef extract and alcohol). Henry, wife Lena, and daughter Elsie began renting out rooms after the financial crash of February 1893. The elder Crittenden died of bronchitis, aged 61, in December 1894, and the property became a rooming house proper soon after.

Now let’s look at these kooky pix —

The above image shows neighbor-to-the-south 246 South Bunker Hill Ave. 246, the former Ira Smith house, is notable for having been during its final years the home of Rose-the-Cat-Lady, immortalized by Leo Politi in his book of Bunker Hill watercolors (seen here, with the original, at LAPL Central) and in my book Bunker Hill, Los Angeles.

The question remains, of course, who was this guy? Who were both of them, in their dirty trousers and whisky-soaked shirts? I have no idea. I checked phone books from the era; there was an Edith Marshall in Apt. 6 at 244, but no fellas listed. (Believe it or not, kids, once upon a time not everyone had a phone.)

Then I checked the newspapers for any mention of 244. Interestingly, there are two obituaries from between 1958 and 1964 that raise an eyebrow —

Maybe? But Frank Donovan was, according to FindAGrave, 91 years of age when he passed. Neither these guys in photos strike me as nearing their nineties.

Now we’re talking. According to FindAGrave, Greene was 65 when he passed. Either of these fellows — especially Mr. Beard — have the look of a hard-worn 65, and nearing the end. Unfortunately, the usual digging in Ancestry, FamilySearch, and various newspapers yielded nothing more about the elusive Mr. Greene, save that he was born in Ireland, and his mother was clan Ryan. He as well had two brothers, Joseph and Martin; perhaps these two photographed men are brothers? Of course it’s just as likely this deceased Greene character was simply one of the other boarders there at 244. Or for all we know neither of the characters pictured here even lived at 244.

Will we ever know? You tell me! Heck, these could be your great-uncles! Spread the word and let’s unravel this mystery. If you’ve any input, leave a comment below, or contact me.

POSTSCRIPT: Almost immediately after I posted this on the 10th inst., esteemed researcher Ronald Bodtcher linked to (in his comment below) the 1960 Los Angeles County Great Register: Los Angeles City Precincts 301-650. Therein can be found the listing for Precinct 942, which was the west side of the 200 block of Bunker Hill Avenue, and the east side of the 200 block of Grand Avenue (which looked like this).

In said voter rolls, we can find the listings for four people who inhabited 244 SBHA:

…a Thomas Foust, a Thomas McDonald, and a Thomas Walsh (evidently it’s required you be named Thomas to lodge at 244, unless you’re a lady, like Edith Marshall). Mr. Bodtcher notes in his comment there’s a Frank Walsh at 223 South Grand (behind 244 to the east) and posits, could they not be brothers, engaged in some roughhousing together, or perhaps with one of the other Thomases?

Will we ever know? It may seem a fatuous ask, but — if I make it to the Father’s House — don’t think I won’t query the King of Kings about this fellow. I may even meet him there!

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Oh, and while we’re on the subject of the Hill’s denizens, check out these kids making zines about old Bunker Hill! They’re part of Bunker Hill Refrain, who recently put out this absolutely incredible video about the Hildreth/Hopecrest.