5837 Friends Avenue was built in 1923. This residence was home to R.E. Mayme Whittekin, as listed in the 1926 Whittier City and Suburban Directory. R.E. Whittekin was a salesman at W.B. Haney.
This residence is significant as an excellent example of Mediterranean Revival architectural style, which is a variant of Spanish Colonial Revival, popular in California and Florida. Accompanying the rise of eclectic Period Revival styles attributed to architects trained in the tradition of l’Ecole des Beaux Arts, a group of influential French design institutions that emphasized literal representations of European architectural precedents, Spanish Colonial Revival derived inspiration from ornate buildings in Latin American and Mediterranean regions, specifically Spain. Sharing many character-defining decorative features and materials with Spanish Colonial Revival, including terra cotta tile roofing, stucco wall surfaces, and arched openings, Mediterranean Revival drew greater inspiration from designs of seaside villas and resorts in coastal regions of Italy and southern France.
Local identification date was July 7, 2015. Identification number is #67. There was no Mills Act Agreement connected to this residence at the time of its Local Identification.
SOURCES: The information above has been obtained from the original local designation documents published by the City of Whittier and edits from the Whittier Historic Neighborhood Association. It may also include ongoing current ownership input.