Arthur Letts built his wealth by transforming a small, bankrupt dry goods store in Downtown Los Angeles into the prominent The Broadway department store, later adding the Bullock's store.
13 Facts About Arthur Letts
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Arthur Letts was awarded a silver medal and clasp for distinguished service, and a grant of land by the Canadian government.
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Arthur Letts named the department store The Broadway and would go on to greatly expand this location and open up numerous others throughout the southwest United States.
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Arthur Letts was the 'behind the scenes' financial founder and owner of Bullock's department store, and put John Bullock from his The Broadway to direct this store.
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Arthur Letts personally christened the developments Westwood and "Holmby Hills," the latter loosely derived from the name of his birthplace, a small village in England called Holdenby.
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Arthur Letts was a member of the Hollywood Masonic Lodge, the Knights Templar, the prestigious California Club in Downtown Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Athletic Club, the elite Los Angeles Country Club, and the Midwick Country Club in Alhambra in the San Gabriel Valley.
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Arthur Letts was a member of the exclusive Bohemian Club in San Francisco.
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Arthur Letts was involved with the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, the Realty Board, the Hollywood Board of Trade, the Federation Club, and the Automobile Club of Southern California.
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Arthur Letts was vice-president of the Boy Scouts of America, and leader of his local troop.
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Arthur Letts married Florence Philp on August 25,1886, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Arthur Letts was a skilled horticulturist and avid plant collector.
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Arthur Letts had remarried by June, 1924 to Charles Quinn.
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Arthur Letts's estate became Hugh Hefner's Playboy Mansion before being sold in 2016 for $100 million to the son of the owner of Hostess Brands.