3508 Wilshire Boulevard

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John C. Austin designed 3508 Wilshire Boulevard in 1908, with the Department of Buildings issuing its construction permit to manufacturer's representative John W. Bowen on September 28 of that year; the house was built at the southeast corner of Irolo Street before that avenue was rerouted with a jog above Seventh Street to meet Normandie Avenue extending north from Wilshire. A permit for the garage, also designed by Austin, was issued to Bowen on September 23 of the following year.

A permit for the demolition of 3508 Wilshire was issued by the city on August 9, 1955; a Carl's Jr. is on its site today next to a pedestrian mall on the path of the abandoned half-block of Irolo.


A wide view eastward on Wilshire Boulevard, circa 1949; 3508 is at far right, where Irolo Street
meets the boulevard. This corner no longer exits, Irolo having been rerouted a block east—
behind the site of the house and through that of 3500—to meet Normandie Avenue,
which passes this side of the former Wilshire Christian Church, seen at far left.



Illustrations: Los Angeles ExpressLAPL