The Spanish Colonial Revival house at 201 S. Rockingham is widely regarded as the project that launched the architectural career of John Byers. It was built 1919-1920 out of adobe bricks that were made on site. The house is an outstanding example of Byers’ work and is in excellent condition. (More details about the house and its story are below).


Although the house was marketed as one of the first homes in Brentwood Park, and previous owners had respected its historic character in making additions and renovations, it was sold recently to a buyer who plans to demolish it.

The Santa Monica Conservancy was asked for assistance, nominated the house as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument, and worked intensely to rally public support. The Los Angeles Conservancy supported the nomination as did many Westside residents as they became familiar with the history of the home.

Councilman Bill Rosendahl, who represents the district where it is located, opposed the nomination. With just 3 of the 5 members of the Cultural Heritage Commission present, the motion to approve the nomination received one vote in opposition and failed.

What does it mean to be a Landmark or Historic-Cultural Monument?
The landmark process does not seek to freeze the home in time. Rather, it identifies the significant attributes of a historic structure to be protected while allowing change so long as it is consistent with nationally recognized standards for the treatment of historic properties. Major additions can be made, building systems can be upgraded, and interiors can be remodeling reflecting an individual homeowner’s needs and taste. Preservation ordinances give owners a lot of flexibility with their properties and offer financial incentives as well.

In Los Angeles, designation as a Historic-Cultural Monument allows the Cultural Heritage Commision to object to and delay the issuance of a demolition permit, and activates the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) which protects historic buildings from adverse impacts without environmental review. For more information about Historic-Cultural Monuments, see www.preservation.lacity.org/commission.

John Byers and the Johnson House
John Byers was teaching Spanish and French at Santa Monica High School in 1919, when his wife's cousin, Harry Johnson, asked him to act as translator to the Mexican workers hired to build an adobe house for him and his wife Olivia. Byers, who had built a home for himself and his wife and had traveled and lived extensively in Latin America, quickly became involved in the design and construction of this new adobe. The Johnson residence marked a turning point in his life, as he gave up teaching and devoted himself to architecture and building, starting a very successful career that lasted for decades.

Byers is well known for the fine detailing and authenticity in design and construction of his Spanish Colonial Revival homes. He established shops where terra cotta tile, wrought iron and wood were hand crafted. Byers’ buildings are found across Southern California, particularly in Santa Monica, Brentwood and Pacific Palisades. His Bradbury House in Santa Monica Canyon is designated as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument and several of his homes as well as his office and the Miles Playhouse are designated as Santa Monica Landmarks.

While some have questioned Byers’ role as the architect, it is clear that although he was not yet licensed at the time of construction, Byers and the architectural community of the 1920s considered 201 S. Rockingham as a Byers project. This is evident by the article written by Byers in the April 1929 issue of California Arts and Architecture, where the first page of the article includes a photo of 201 S. Rockingham with the caption declaring, "An Adobe House for Mr. H. R. Johnson at Brentwood Park. John Byers, Architect". Furthermore, in an August 1926 article by Harris Allen in Pacific Architect, there is a photo of the family room of 201 S. Rockingham. The caption reads, "Living Room for Mr. Harry R. Johnson, Brentwood Park, Santa Monica California. Designed by John Byers."

Construction of the house was extensively photographed and documented in scrapbooks, copies of which were given to the Conservancy. Olivia Johnson wrote: “Thank God for John Byers, a trained architect, who added interest and beauty to our rather stark plan!”