TEMPERANCE TEMPLE

(L. A. WCTU Headquarters - 1889)

   The original WCTU Headquarters building was constructed on property located at 301 N. Broadway, Los Angeles and donated by Merrill IOGT. The donation was accepted in 1886 and on April 28, 1889, the building was dedicated.

This landmark building was featured in some early pictorial books on Los Angeles and in 1900 was the site of the National Education Association (NEA) Convention The Frances E. Willard Home For Girls was housed on the 4th floor from its inception in 1919 until 1933.

   In 1925, the City of Los Angeles took 10 feet of property from the Broadway side and in 1928, took another 12-1/2 feet from the Temple side. The 1933 Long Beach Earthquake damaged the building and consequently the two top floors were removed.

   The death knell of the once beautiful structure came in 1947 when the County of Los Angeles took the site by eminent domain and constructed a power plant where the venerable Temperance Temple once stood. When the Temple was razed in 1950, the corner stone was presented to the WCTU and now resides in front of the present Headquarters building (see Visitors Section).

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L. A. WCTU Headquarters
(After 1933 earthquake modifictions.)

This 8 x 10 photo had the above news clipping on the back.
[Provided from Paul B. Scott's WCTU Collection.]

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W. C. T. U. HEADQUARTERS
PANAMA CALIFORNIA EXPOSITION, SAN DIEGO

This postcard was marked July 12, 1915 and mailed to Mrs. Clyde Colby in Pasadena, California
[Provided from Paul B. Scott's WCTU Collection.]

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NATIONAL WCTU CONVENTION COMMITTEE

Committee on Arangements for National W.C.T.U. Convention

(Standing:) Mrs. I. W. Gleason, Miss Gabrella Stickney, Mrs. Myrtle Belcher, Mrs. Julia D. Pheltz, Dr. M. Lenn Hutchins, Mrs. Mary M. Coleman & Mrs. Allie Simmons Wheeler.
(Seated:) Mrs. Stella B. Irvine, Mrs. Clara B. Sheldon, Miss Ada B. Cummings, Mrs. Eva C. Wheeler, Mrs. Anna B. Hale, Mrs. Lizzie Warren & Mrs. Hattie C. Young.

(Written on the back: "Return to WCTU, 301 No. Broadway, Los Angeles, Calif. The same photo is in the 1924 yearbook.)

WCTU OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - 1907

On the back of this old picture was written: "Merry Christmas (with love from) Hester G. Griffith."

It is assumed that this is the WCTU of So. Calif., as Mrs. Griffith was the president.

WCTU HOME FOR WOMEN

   Constructed in 1927 to replace an earlier home in nearby Highland Park, the WCTU Home for Women was a spacious building with accomodations for 100 guests. Later a convalescent hospital wing was added.

   Located at 2235 Norwalk Ave., in the Eagle Rock area of Los Angeles, it served its patrons well for many years. However, with the passage of time, major earthquake and other safety refiting became necessary and the Home was closed and the building sold to GLADD, an agency for the deaf, in the early 1990's.

In 2004, officals of GLADD returned WCTU artifacts including plaques, book, and pictures. Stacey Holcomb here is shown presenting a historic wall plaque to Paul Scott and other members of the Board of Trustees. Left to right: Colleen Wilson, State President, Mary L. Clark, Alice Peterson, State Treasurer, Paul Scott, President, Board of Trustees, and Dr. Lenoa Jones.

ARLINGTON WCTU

   Organized in 1909, many members in this suburb of Riverside, were also members of the Arlington Chistian Church where the union met for many years.

WCTU Meeting at Mrs. Butterfields - 1947
(Arlington, Riverside Co., CA)

[(Back, L to R) Unknown, unknown, Della Partridge, Mrs.Paulene Seaver & baby
(Middle) Mrs. Bridenstein, unknown, unknown, lady & baby, Mrs. Bertha McNicholl & Della Campbell;
(Front) Unknown boy, Mrs. Effie (?) Kirby, Mrs. Martha Ammerman?, unknown & Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson.]

[Can you help identify any of the above ladies?]

Identified in this picture is the union's Recording Secretary, Elizabeth Thompson, seated at the bottom right who is our State WCTU Office Manager's great-aunt. Also Mrs. Bertha McNicholl was identified by her daughter (in MA) and her granddaughter, as well as a few other ladies.

Temperance Crusade

Four Generations

On the back of this Santa Ana, CA photo was written: "Great-grandmother Hill, grandmother ELIZABETH MILLS, Mande & Ernest Winbigler." Note that Elizabeth Mills, front right, is wearing
the White Ribbon Bow, emblem of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union