Restored, this 1905 home is a knockout
This Mt. Washington house was built in 1905 by evangelist Alexis Jeffries, the father of Jim Jeffries, whom sportswriters dubbed “The Great White Hope” when he tried to regain a boxing title from Jack Johnson in 1910.
Jeffries, a great fighter at the turn of the century, was coaxed out of retirement for the match with Johnson, the first African American to become heavyweight champion of the world. When he failed to unseat Johnson, riots nationwide left at least 26 people dead.
Back on Mt. Washington, life continued. Jeffries’ father, a farmer and a minister, lived there with Jeffries’ mother, Rebecca Boyer Jeffries. Jim Jeffries had seven siblings. Some local streets -- including Isabel and Alice -- are named after them. There is a street called Jeffries.
About this house: Santos and Kay Rodriguez bought the home, a mix of Greek Revival and Southern Colonial styles, about five years ago. Despite its neighborhood reputation as the “haunted house,” the Rodriguezes saw the deteriorating home’s potential.
It was designed by John C. Austin, who also designed the Griffith Observatory and the Shrine Auditorium. The Rodriguezes’ restoration work has been recognized by the Highland Park Heritage Trust of Los Angeles.
Asking price: $1,225,000
Size: There are four bedrooms and 3 1/2 bathrooms in nearly 5,800 square feet. The house sits on a 19,000-square-foot-plus lot.
Features: The home has a finished attic with an additional 1,400 square feet. There is also a basement, gym, study, office, service entrance and pantry.
Where: Mt. Washington
Listing agent: Terry Burgon, (213) 276-2700, and Lorraine Comeau, (213) 840-0620, both with Coldwell Banker, Los Feliz.
To submit a candidate for Home of the Week, please send color interior and exterior photos with caption information on a CD and a brief description of the house, including what makes the property unusual, to Ruth Ryon, Real Estate Section, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.
Questions can be sent to homeoftheweek@latimes.com.
