Lyman Farwell

Lyman Farwell (December 19, 1864 – November 4, 1933) was an American architect and politician. As the co-founder of the architectural firm Dennis and Farwell, he designed many buildings in Los Angeles County. He also served in the California State Assembly.

Lyman Farwell
Member of the California State Assembly
In office January 2, 1911 – January 4, 1915
Preceded by	Philip A. Stanton
Succeeded by	James Stuart McKnight
Constituency	71st district (1911–1913) 75th district (1913–1915)
Personal details
Born	December 19, 1864 St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
Died	November 4, 1933 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting place	Rosedale Cemetery
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Flora A. Howes
Children	3 sons
Education	Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Occupation	Architect

Early life

Farwell was born on December 19, 1864, in St. Paul, Minnesota to Frank Ball Farwell, a hardware businessman, and Mary Mason. He had one brother.^[1][2][3]

Farwell graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1887, and he studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris in 1890-1891.^[2]

Career

Farwell began his career as a draftsman at McKim, Mead & White in New York City in 1892, then began as an architect in 1894. From 1895 to 1913, Farwell was a partner in Dennis and Farwell, an architectural firm he co-founded with Oliver Perry Dennis.^[2]

Farwell served as a member of the California State Assembly twice from 1911 to 1915.^[2][3] He also served on the Planning Commission for the City of Los Angeles^[2] and he was a director of the Better America Federation.^[3]

List of works

Kimberly Crest in 2008

Farwell's most notable works were done during his time at Dennis and Farwell. These projects include:

• Kimberly Crest, Redlands, 1897, NRHP #96000328,^[4] CHL #1019^[5]

Hollywood Hotel in 1905

• Hollywood Hotel, Los Angeles, 1902^[6]
• Janes House, Los Angeles, 1903, LAHCM #227,^[7] contributing property in the Hollywood Boulevard Commercial and Entertainment District^[8]
• Santa Ana Public Library #1, Santa Ana, 1903^[9]
• Hollywood Art Center School, Los Angeles, 1904,^[6] LAHCM #1202^[7]
• Cline Residence, Los Angeles, 1906, LAHCM #854^[6]

Magic Castle

• Rollin B. Lane House, Los Angeles, 1909, a near mirror duplicate of Kimberly Crest that later became the Magic Castle, LAHCM #406^[7][10]
• James R. Toberman House, Los Angeles, 1909, LAHCM #769^[6]
• Iowa Building, Los Angeles, 1910^[9]
• Los Angeles Police Department Boyle Heights Station, Los Angeles, 1911-1912^[9]
• Occidental College Hall of Letters, Los Angeles^[11]

Personal life and death

Farwell married Flora Howes in 1901. The couple gave birth to four children by 1910, three of whom survived to that year. All three were boys.^[3]

Farwell died of a heart attack on November 4, 1933.^[1][3] His funeral was held at St James' Episcopal Church, and he was buried in the Rosedale Cemetery.^[3]