Hobbs House

A Mediterranean Revival era residence with Tudor features, this consumer-oriented architectural style was intended to appeal to returning servicemen who visited Europe in World War I, succeeding the Craftsman and Victorian styles that were commonly found in southern California between 1880 and 1917.

Constructed by an unknown merchant builder in 1928, the residence was first owned by Joseph T. and Grace E. Hobbs through 1934, and alone by Mrs. Hobbs until 1954.  The Hobbs had children named Donald and Uriel. Mr. Hobbs was the owner of the barber and beauty shop at downtown Fullerton's historic California Hotel, an historic local landmark now known as the Villa del Sol.

The house sold to G.E. De Esco in 1954, and sold again in 1958 to Fred J. and Edith E. Smith, who were retirees. The Smiths lived here until 1973.

Edward and Marlene Papendick acquired the house in 1974. Mr. Papendick was employed by Southern California Edison Company.

In 1987, the house was purchased and remains occupied by Kelly S. and James M. Donovan. Eamon Stewart Donovan was born at a local hospital in 1989. Eamon compiled research on prior owners from sources in the Fullerton Public Library while he was a junior high school student.

The house was fully retrofitted and rehabilitated in 2012-2013.  Kelly is a graphic designer and Jim is a public agency planner and project manager.

The renovation project was selected by Fullerton Heritage as Residential Preservation Award in 2014. Fullerton Heritage is a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation dedicated to preserving Fullerton's past for the future. 

Info

508 E Wilshire Ave
Fullerton, CA  92832

All photographs by Jim Donovan or Herb Stewart.

This project was made possible with the good faith and support of Wells Fargo Bank renovation construction program. Thanks to our general contractor Ray Carlin of Bar Diamond R Services, who brought the project to completion.