Earle C. Anthony
Encyclopedia
Earle C. Anthony was a pioneer businessman based in Los Angeles
, California
. He is primarily known for his achievements in two fields: Broadcasting and automobiles. He was also a songwriter, journalist and playwright.
In 1923 he was founder and owner of what eventually became 50,000 watt KFI
AM640 radio, a station he controlled until his death in 1961. From 1929 to 1944, he also owned KECA-AM 790, now KABC
. He was an early president of the National Association of Broadcasters and during his term oversaw the establishment of the organization's first paid staff. He also was a founder of one of the earliest television stations in Los Angeles, KFI-TV, channel 9 and KFI-FM, both of which were disposed of in 1951.
From 1915 to 1958 he was the Packard
distributor for all of California (one out of every seven Packards ever sold were through the Anthony organization). He was also instrumental in developing the concept of the gasoline service station (the Chevron was the trademark of the National Supply Co., a service station chain Anthony headed in concert with several other auto dealers and sold to the Standard Oil Company of California in 1913.) He was also a pioneer in inter-urban bus transportation, founding a company later incorporated into Pacific Greyhound lines and had a role in the development of car radios.
He was active in many civic activities. He helped save the Hollywood Bowl
by assuming leadership of the Symphony Under Stars Foundation in the early 1930s. He donated resources for a wind resistant cross to replace others that had previously been blown over in the Coachella Valley
(Palm Springs
).
He had a major supporting role in helping bring major league baseball to Los Angeles. This resulted in the Los Angeles Dodger games being carried on KFI and Dodger owner Walter O'Mally becoming a board member of Earle C. Anthony, Inc., according to his biographer, Arthur Landing.
Anthony is also credited with having founded the Los Angeles Auto Show, introducing neon sign
s to Southern California from France
, and personally building the first automobile ever constructed in Los Angeles (later rebuilt and now in the possession of the Petersen Automotive Museum
in Los Angeles).
His house in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles was designed by Bernard Maybeck
and was later bequeathed by a subsequent owner to the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It is currently run by this order and is now known as the Cardinal Timothy Manning House of Prayer for Priests and the Immaculate Heart Retreat House.
The former Anthony Estate, to which the Sisters have made major additions, offers a place of peace from the surrounding hustle and bustle. It is an urban sanctuary available to individuals or groups for a few hours or a day for reflection and prayer. A chapel, dining room and conference rooms are available.
The core building was designed by Maybeck in the style of a medieval renaissance castle. The basic Norman-French and Spanish structure also exhibits Greco-Roman and Moorish influences. After the death of Anthony's wife the home was purchased in the early fifties by Sir Daniel J. and Countess Bernardine Murphy Donohue. The mansion was donated to the Immaculate Heart Sisters in 1971 upon the death of the Countess.
The interior of the Nordic entrance tower was furnished by Donohue as a replica of the prayer room of the Holy Father at the Vatican in Rome (Anthony was a life long Episcopalian). Many internationally distinguished visitors were entertained in the mansion and its eight and one half acre environs.
Anthony's only son, Kelly Anthony, was disabled in a tragic WW2 mishap and died months after the demise of his famous father. Anthony's fortune went to a trust primarily benefiting the California Institute of Technology and the University of California (the latter of which was Anthony's alma mater). Some of Anthony's employees and friends also received pensions from the trust for the rest of their lives.
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. He is primarily known for his achievements in two fields: Broadcasting and automobiles. He was also a songwriter, journalist and playwright.
In 1923 he was founder and owner of what eventually became 50,000 watt KFI
KFI
KFI is an AM radio station in Los Angeles, California. It received its license to operate on March 31, 1922 and began operating on April 16, 1922 as one of the United States' first high-powered, "clear-channel" stations...
AM640 radio, a station he controlled until his death in 1961. From 1929 to 1944, he also owned KECA-AM 790, now KABC
KABC (AM)
KABC is a Los Angeles radio station, and a West Coast flagship station for the Cumulus Media company. A pioneer of the talk radio format, the station went "all-talk" in 1960 and was one of the first stations to do so...
. He was an early president of the National Association of Broadcasters and during his term oversaw the establishment of the organization's first paid staff. He also was a founder of one of the earliest television stations in Los Angeles, KFI-TV, channel 9 and KFI-FM, both of which were disposed of in 1951.
From 1915 to 1958 he was the Packard
Packard
Packard was an American luxury-type automobile marque built by the Packard Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan, and later by the Studebaker-Packard Corporation of South Bend, Indiana...
distributor for all of California (one out of every seven Packards ever sold were through the Anthony organization). He was also instrumental in developing the concept of the gasoline service station (the Chevron was the trademark of the National Supply Co., a service station chain Anthony headed in concert with several other auto dealers and sold to the Standard Oil Company of California in 1913.) He was also a pioneer in inter-urban bus transportation, founding a company later incorporated into Pacific Greyhound lines and had a role in the development of car radios.
He was active in many civic activities. He helped save the Hollywood Bowl
Hollywood Bowl
The Hollywood Bowl is a modern amphitheater in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles, California, United States that is used primarily for music performances...
by assuming leadership of the Symphony Under Stars Foundation in the early 1930s. He donated resources for a wind resistant cross to replace others that had previously been blown over in the Coachella Valley
Coachella Valley
Coachella Valley is a large valley landform in Southern California. The valley extends for approximately 45 miles in Riverside County southeast from the San Bernardino Mountains to the saltwater Salton Sea, the largest lake in California...
(Palm Springs
Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs is a desert city in Riverside County, California, within the Coachella Valley. It is located approximately 37 miles east of San Bernardino, 111 miles east of Los Angeles and 136 miles northeast of San Diego...
).
He had a major supporting role in helping bring major league baseball to Los Angeles. This resulted in the Los Angeles Dodger games being carried on KFI and Dodger owner Walter O'Mally becoming a board member of Earle C. Anthony, Inc., according to his biographer, Arthur Landing.
Anthony is also credited with having founded the Los Angeles Auto Show, introducing neon sign
Neon sign
Neon signs are made using electrified, luminous tube lights that contain rarefied neon or other gases. They are the most common use for neon lighting, which was first demonstrated in a modern form in December, 1910 by Georges Claude at the Paris Motor Show. While they are used worldwide, neon signs...
s to Southern California from France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, and personally building the first automobile ever constructed in Los Angeles (later rebuilt and now in the possession of the Petersen Automotive Museum
Petersen Automotive Museum
The Petersen Automotive Museum is located on Wilshire Boulevard along Museum Row in the Miracle Mile neighborhood of Los Angeles. One of the world's largest automotive museums, the Petersen Automotive Museum is a non profit organization specializing in the education and history of the...
in Los Angeles).
His house in the Los Feliz area of Los Angeles was designed by Bernard Maybeck
Bernard Maybeck
Bernard Ralph Maybeck was a architect in the Arts and Crafts Movement of the early 20th century. He was a professor at University of California, Berkeley...
and was later bequeathed by a subsequent owner to the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It is currently run by this order and is now known as the Cardinal Timothy Manning House of Prayer for Priests and the Immaculate Heart Retreat House.
The former Anthony Estate, to which the Sisters have made major additions, offers a place of peace from the surrounding hustle and bustle. It is an urban sanctuary available to individuals or groups for a few hours or a day for reflection and prayer. A chapel, dining room and conference rooms are available.
The core building was designed by Maybeck in the style of a medieval renaissance castle. The basic Norman-French and Spanish structure also exhibits Greco-Roman and Moorish influences. After the death of Anthony's wife the home was purchased in the early fifties by Sir Daniel J. and Countess Bernardine Murphy Donohue. The mansion was donated to the Immaculate Heart Sisters in 1971 upon the death of the Countess.
The interior of the Nordic entrance tower was furnished by Donohue as a replica of the prayer room of the Holy Father at the Vatican in Rome (Anthony was a life long Episcopalian). Many internationally distinguished visitors were entertained in the mansion and its eight and one half acre environs.
Anthony's only son, Kelly Anthony, was disabled in a tragic WW2 mishap and died months after the demise of his famous father. Anthony's fortune went to a trust primarily benefiting the California Institute of Technology and the University of California (the latter of which was Anthony's alma mater). Some of Anthony's employees and friends also received pensions from the trust for the rest of their lives.