6526 Pickering Avenue was built in 1911. This residence was home to Venona D. Whallon, widow of S.S. Whallon, as listed in the 1920 Whittier City and Suburban Directory. Originally from Wisconsin, Venona lived with her two daughters and son-in-law.
This residence is significant as an excellent example of Craftsman architectural style. The Craftsman style evolved out of the Arts and Crafts Movement that began in England in the 1850s as a reaction to the industrial revolution and ornate styles of the time. It espoused a return to the simplicity of handicrafts and the Craftsman architectural style stressed the natural beauty of wood, the relationship of a building to its surroundings, and the use of secondary materials such as brick and stone. In California the style was popularized by the Greene brothers who incorporated an Asian influence. The style was included in pattern books and, in addition to residences, there are also examples of Craftsman style bungalow courts, institutional buildings, and commercial buildings. Whittier boasts both modest, one-story Craftsman bungalows as well as larger two-story homes that feature more architectural detail.
Local designation date is July 7, 2015. The identification number is #96. No Mills Act Agreement was established at the time of the Local Designation.
SOURCES: The information above has been obtained from the original local designation documents and edits from the Whittier Historic Neighborhood Association. It may also include ongoing current ownership input. Please contact us with updated information that you possess.