Home Economics Building

The Home Economics Building is a school structure in Torrance featuring Mediterranean Revival design from the early nineteen-twenties. It has stucco walls, distinctive red tile roofs, and traditional design details that reflect the Mediterranean architectural style popular in California at that time.

The architectural firm Farrell & Miller designed this educational building between 1922 and 1923, a period when Torrance was expanding its schools and institutions. The structure arrived during a time of rapid growth that transformed the city from a small community into a more established urban center.

The building reflects how homemaking skills were valued as serious academic subjects in early twentieth century education. Walking through the space, you sense the importance placed on teaching students practical domestic knowledge alongside traditional academics.

The structure sits on Torrance High School grounds as part of a historic campus that includes several National Register listed buildings. You can view the architecture from public areas and appreciate the Mediterranean style alongside other older structures on the same property.

The structure earned National Register historic designation in 1983 and stands as one of four preserved buildings on this single school campus. This cluster of historic school structures from the same era creates a rare snapshot of how California schools developed during the early twentieth century.