Los Angeles
County
Biographies
FREDERICK
W. BLANCHARD
The late Frederick W. Blanchard was one of the
stanch upbuilders (sic) of Los Angeles, taking an
abiding interest in everything that had for its object the development of
southern California from the time of his arrival here in 1889 until the time of
his death in 1928, thirty-nine years of activity in cultural and commercial
affairs. He was born in West Millbury, Worcester county, Massachusetts, August
25, 1864, a son of John and Harriet (Putnam) Blanchard, both natives of the Bay
state, where the father was for many years a prominent factor in the business
life of that community as the owner of a large shirt factory in West Millbury.
Frederick W. Blanchard attended the public schools of his native city and
completed his education in the Boston Latin School. At the age of sixteen he
went abroad and toured the various countries of Europe and upon his return to
the United States went to Denver, Colorado, in 1882. There he obtained
employment in a music store, a business for which he had a natural aptitude. In
1883 he opened a store in partnership with a Mr. Clark under the firm name of
Clark and Blanchard and continued business under that name until he sold his
interests to come to Los Angeles, California, in 1889.
Soon after his arrival here Mr.
Blanchard organized the firm of Fitzgerald & Blanchard Music Company. This
establishment soon gained recognition as the leading music firm in southern
California, a position which it retained during the later years through its
progressive and up-to-date policies. Mr. Blanchard erected Blanchard Hall, the
first structure west of Chicago devoted primarily to music and art, and it was
during his leadership in Blanchard Hall, and his presidency of the Gamut Club,
that many celebrities of international repute were brought to Los Angeles.
Early in 1906, Mr. Blanchard became
interested in and actively identified with the aesthetic development of his
adopted city. He organized the Art Commission, of which he was secretary, and
through his efforts this body became a municipal commission under the
provisions of the city charter of September 5, 1911. He was made president and
secretary of this commission in 1912 and was thus enabled to direct the early
efforts of the organization along lines that resulted in the greatest good to
the city. On August 12, 1922, he was again elected to the presidency and
reelected each year thereafter until his death on September 21, 1928. He it was
who originated the movement for an exhibit in the city hall, and in the
beginning secured a small collection of paintings. The plan was to replace
these from time to time with others, all of which were to be the work of local
artists. His influence in the musical life of the city was large, for he
founded the well known Brahms Quartet, and was president of the Los Angeles
Symphony Orchestra Association. He was deeply interested in the development of
a civic center worthy of Los Angeles, as well as an advocate of a union
railroad station on the Plaza site, as president of the Central Development
Association. He took a leading part in planning the new city hall and devoted much
time and study to the inscriptions, he being a member of that commission. Mr.
Blanchard served as county chairman of the first good roads commission, and was
chairman of the group of citizens that planned the first ornamental lighting
system for Broadway. In 1920 he formed the Community Park and Arts Association
of Hollywood and served as its president 1920-1923. This later became the
Hollywood Bowl Association, of which he served as a member of the board of
directors until resigning on account of ill health. He was one of the pioneers
in civic, musical and cultural life of the city. The following lines were
approved by the Hollywood Bowl Association September 11, 1926: “Mrs. Artie
Mason Carter and F. W. Blanchard deserve praise above all others for the success
of the summer symphony concerts and for popularizing this form of outdoor music
in southern California.” Mr. Blanchard served as a member of the City Plan
Commission, was chairman of the Police and Fireman’s Relief Fund, chairman of
the first Community Chest and head of the Agricultural Board for the new Winsor
Square. He was identified with the Hollywood land, Arrowhead and Dana Point
development, and president of the American Opera Association. At the time of
King Albert of Belgium’s visit to Los Angeles Mr. Blanchard was chairman of the
reception committee. He was a member of the California, the City, the Gamut (of
which he was one of the organizers), the Los Angeles country (a charter
member), the California Yacht, the Catalina Yacht, and the Newport Yacht Clubs.
Mr. Blanchard was twice married. His
first wife was Marian Tucker by whom a son, Dudley Tucker Blanchard, was born.
For his second wife he married in Los Angeles, Grace Hampton, on June 18, 1902.
She is a native of New York and a daughter of Ellis C. and Minerva (Baker)
Hampton, both of whom were born in New York state. The mother died when her
daughter was but three years old. Mr. Hampton came to Los Angeles in 1898 and
purchased twelve acres of land on Western and Sunset boulevards. Frederick W.
Blanchard was a progressive, virile and public spirited citizen, thoroughly in
harmony with the spirit of the age in which he lived. His keen business
instincts and mature judgment in practical matters yielded individual success
fully commensurate with his efforts. He never permitted the accumulation of
money to affect his attitude towards those less fortunate but was always
kindly, considerate and gracious to all whom he contacted. His career was
fraught with inestimable blessings to his community and no resident of the city
held a more exalted place in public confidence and respect than did he.
Transcribed By:
Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: California
of the South Vol. V, by John Steven McGroarty, Pages
181-183, Clarke Publ., Chicago, Los Angeles, Indianapolis. 1933.
© 2012 Cecelia
M. Setty.
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BIOGRAPHIES