Address: 2034 La Mesa Drive
Known As: John Byers Third House
Architect: John Byers
Built: 1924
Designated: June 8, 2003

The house at 2034 La Mesa Drive is in the Monterey Revival Style. The Monterey Style was the Anglo-influenced interpretation of the Spanish Colonial houses of Northern California. They combined Spanish adobe construction with pitched roofs and plans reminiscent of the shapes brought to California from New England. The revival version brought more Spanish eclectic details. Monterey dwellings are usually horizontal in character, two stories, with a second story balcony which is usually cantilevered and covered by the principal roof form. Roofs are usually wooden shingle or tiles. Exterior walls are stucco, brick or wood. They typically feature asymmetrical facades with asymmetrical window placement.

2034 La Mesa displays many of these features, in particular, the materials, asymmetry and cantilevered balcony.

The architect and builder, John Winford Byers, made more of an impact on Santa Monica’s architectural landscape than any other architect during the period between the World Wars. Byers, who originally was a French and Spanish teacher at Santa Monica High School was a graduate of Harvard University. His first commission in 1916 was for the principal of Santa Monica High School, W. F. Barnum (whose name graces the theater on campus, Barnum Hall, also a city landmark.)

Byers career in Santa Monica spans three decades from the teens to the forties. He was fascinated with the native California architecture and its Mexican and Spanish roots. He was interested in using the traditional materials crafted in the traditional way. He often hired old world craftsmen to create tile, adobe brick and wrought iron for his work.

Byers and his family lived in the House at 2034 La Mesa Drive for almost thirty years.

(Adapted from the Evaluation report prepared prior to designation by PCR Services Corporation, Santa Monica)