James E. Dolena collection, approximately 1926-1970s

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Summary

Creators:
Dolena, James E., 1888-1978
Abstract:
This collection contains architectural drawings, project records, and photographs for approximately 150 projects designed by Los Angeles architect James E. Dolena.
Extent:
119.5 Linear Feet (42 boxes, 46 oversize folders)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. James E. Dolena collection, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains working plans, original drawings, renderings, correspondence, and photographs for approximately 150 projects designed by architect James E. Dolena in the mid-20th century. The majority are residential projects primarily in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills dating from 1926 into the 1970s. Many of Dolena's commercial and public projects are also represented. There are over 100 plans, drawings, and details for the landmark Los Angeles Farmers Market complex, dating from approximately 1934 to the 1960s. There are a few projects outside of California, and two projects are by architect Arthur R. Kelly. Photographers represented in the collection include Fred Dapprich and Maynard Parker.

Biographical / historical:

James E. Dolena (1888-1978) was born in St. Petersburg, Russia and immigrated to the United States in 1905. He earned an architecture degree from the Art Institute of Chicago and moved to Los Angeles in the early 1920s. He became well known as a Hollywood architect, designing homes in West Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, and Bel Air for prominent movie industry clients such as Irving Thalberg, Constance Bennett, Walt Disney, and other wealthy clientele including Hilda Boldt Weber. Dolena's commercial projects included the Los Angeles Farmers Market in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles, and the Lockheed Air Terminal in Burbank, California.

Acquisition information:
Gift of the James Dolena Estate, November 1978.
Processing information:

Processed by Erin Chase in 2010. In 2025, Suzanne Oatey created a finding aid.

Arrangement:

Organized in four series:

  1. Residential projects
  2. Public building projects
  3. Los Angeles Farmers Market
  4. Miscellaneous drawings and photographs
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. James E. Dolena collection, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2129
reference@huntington.org
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