Dewella Apartments
Also known as: Dewella Court
Why it's listed
Dewella Apartments is a Spanish Colonial Revival apartment court at 234-236 East Wilshire Avenue in Fullerton, California, completed in 1929 for $11,000. Two identical two-story wings extend north and south from a central courtyard, joined at the rear by a one-story building holding garages, storage and a laundry room. Eight five-room units open onto a formal garden with an oval fountain, curved tiled staircases and wrought iron details. White stucco walls, red clay tile roofs, Mission-style turrets and Monterey-style balconies give the complex its character. Interiors retain oak floors, gas fireplaces, built-in china and linen cabinets and coved ceilings. The property is notable because it is the only apartment court built in Fullerton and the only apartment building there designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, in a city where most apartments were plain two-story boxes. Its twelve-foot neon sign is the oldest surviving one in town. It was listed for its architecture, with 1929 as its period of significance.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the complex is architecturally significant as the only apartment court built in Fullerton and the only apartment building there in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. It blends Mission-style turrets with Monterey-style balconies, a combination described as unique to the city, and integrates building and landscape. It also keeps the oldest surviving neon sign in Fullerton.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 08001406, listed February 2, 2009. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 234-236 E. Wilshire Ave., Fullerton |
|---|---|
| County | Orange County |
| Listed | February 2, 2009 |
| Reference number | 08001406 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1929 |
| Architect / builder | Noble, Ora Vinton |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals: Spanish Colonial Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition, with only minor exterior and interior changes; the apartments are rented as residential units. |
| Acreage | 3.1 |
| Coordinates | 33.87208, -117.92064 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 08001406.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q133324473
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.