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William A. Peschelt Collection
archPeschelt
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Title: William A. Peschelt
Collection
Dates: c. 1905-1912
Collection Number: archPeschelt
Creator:
Peschelt, William A.
Extent:
1 flat folder
Repository:
The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens.
Architecture Collections
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Phone: (626) 405-2191
Email: reference@huntington.org
URL: http://www.huntington.org
Abstract: The collection documents the landscape
work of landscape designer William A. Peschelt during the early part of the 20th century, with a focus
on his work for Arthur Letts’ Holmby Park residence in Los Angeles, California.
Language of Material: The records are in English.
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services
Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.
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 permission rests with the researcher.
[Identification of item], William A. Peschelt Collection, The Huntington Library,
San Marino, California.
This collection was purchased in 2009.
William Peschelt was born in Berlin, Germany in 1853, and came to Los Angeles in 1880
at the beginning of the population boom. Not much is known about the early part of
his career, but in the first decade of the century he went into private business
with Adolph Scheffler as a nurseryman and landscape designer. By 1905, Peschelt had
likely gained a reputation as a landscape designer and ornamental horticulturalist
because in the same year he was hired to work on possibly the largest and most
elaborate residential garden in the city of Los Angeles. In 1904, English born
Arthur Letts (1862-1923), founder of the Broadway Department Store, purchased 60
acres in the Los Feliz area, built his residence Holmby House, and began
transforming the landscape. His collection of trees, plants, shrubs, and succulents
was unrivaled, and his formal garden with deodor-lined roads, fountains, statuary,
terraces, and sweeping lawns made it one of the most beautiful in Los Angeles. In
addition to the Letts estate, Peschelt created a residential garden plan for Isaac
Millbank of Santa Monica, and an elaborate cemetery plan for Inglewood Park
Cemetery.
Collection consists of five renderings in total, including three of the Letts
residence. In addition to the Letts estate, Peschelt created a residential garden
plan for Isaac Millbank of Santa Monica, and an elaborate cemetery plan for
Inglewood Park Cemetery.
Peschelt, William
A.
Landscape Architects –-
California.
Landscape Architecture -- California --
Los Angeles.
Landscape Architecture -- Designs and
plans.
Architectural drawings.