Collection Guide
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Peschelt (William A.) Collection
archPeschelt
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: William A. Peschelt Collection
Identifier/Call Number: archPeschelt
Physical Description:
1 unit
(1 flat folder)
Date (inclusive): c. 1905-1912
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.
RESTRICTED: Items are fragile and oversized; available with curatorial approval.
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.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Landscape Architects –- California
Landscape Architecture -- California -- Los Angeles
Landscape Architecture -- Designs and plans.
Architectural drawings