In 1887, during Los Angeles' great real estate boom, businessman John Scheerer commissioned what would become one of Angelino Heights' most intriguing residences. Rather than hiring an architect for a custom design, the respected orchardist chose the more economical route of ordering a Queen Anne plan from a Montgomery Ward or Sears catalog. The pre-constructed elements were shipped to the site and assembled by local craftsmen, making this a rare example of the "plan-book house" phenomenon that democratized Victorian architecture across America. This approach allowed middle-class entrepreneurs like Scheerer to achieve fashionable architectural styling without the expense of bespoke design.
The modest Queen Anne structure displays the characteristic asymmetrical massing and decorative woodwork typical of the style, despite its prefabricated origins. Bay windows project from the facade, creating visual interest and interior light, while ornate brackets and spindle work demonstrate the high level of craftsmanship that local artisans brought to the catalog components. The house proves that mail-order architecture did not necessarily mean inferior construction, as skilled labor and quality materials elevated the mass-produced elements into a cohesive and well-detailed composition. Gingerbread trim and turned porch posts complete the Victorian vocabulary that made these catalog designs so appealing to aspiring homeowners.
