Bundy’s Lock and Key Co.

Bundy’s located at 1533 Sawtelle Boulevard address & was like the New York Empire State building, a “Sawtelle community fixture” that would never be moved but in 2023 Bundy’s Lock & Key Co. was relocated and moved to Pico Boulevard, just east of Barrington Avenue.

Bundy’s Lock & Key was Located at 1533 Sawtelle Boulevard since 1948. This photo was taken in 2019

Frank E. Bundy was born April 15, 1878 in New York. In 1899 he enlisted in the military at Elmira, New York and was discharged at Fr. Riley Kansas in 1902. In the 1917-1918 WW1 draft Card, His address was Columbia, County Pennsylvania and his wife was Dora Bundy. In the 1922 Military record, at 43 years of age he is listed as Private First Class in Troop F Calvary. The 1925 Sawtelle Soldier’s Home record indicates that he registered there from 1925 to 1927, with a health issue, with he and his wife, Dora, Living in Azusa, California. Source: Extracted form various Census and Military records

1927

In 1927, the Sawtelle directory lists’ Frank E. Bundy’s wife as “Dora” and living at 1518 Sawtelle Boulevard, not far from the Soldier’s Home, where he was registered at the Sawtelle Soldier’s Home from 1925 to 1927 with a health issue.

1928

In 1928, the Sawtelle directory lists’ Frank Bundy and his wife as managers of the Colorado Apartment where they lived at 1518 Sawtelle Boulevard. I could see where he may have wanted to stay close to the Veteran’s Home because of his health issue.

1929

In 1929, Frank E. Bundy Locksmith opened the “Sawtelle Key and Fixit Shop” at 1516 Sawtelle Boulevard just south of the Soldier’s Home at the age of 50. The Major Sawtelle Business activity in the 1920s was located near the Civic Center, along Sawtelle Boulevard and on Santa Monica Boulevard.

West Los Angeles Independent Newspaper December 13, 1929

In 1906 there was also a prominent Santa Monica Real Estate agent also named Frank E. Bundy in the Westside area. Santa Monica’s Francis Eugene Bundy worked as a Jeweler in Santa Monica. He ventured into the Oil Business, was successful and and with the profits bought Tracts of Land in Santa Monica to subdivide and sell. In the new developments on the Westside, he built and sold over five hundred homes and Buildings during his career. The 3 story F.E. Bundy Block Building housed the Citizens State Bank and was Located on the SW Corner of Sawtelle Boulevard and Santa Monica Blvd. On the top, it said F.E. Bundy Block. Today, a small part of this interesting Architectural Structure of Brick exists. See the Link: https://sawtelle1897to1950.wordpress.com/about/1906-citizens-state-bank/

1930

This 1930 directory indicates two Frank E. Bundy’s. The abbreviation “h” before the street address indicates “householder”. Frank E. Bundy’s wife is mistakenly listed as Ethel in the red letter’s and should have been “Dora”.

1934

Source: West LA Independent March 16, 1934 – Frank E. Bundy was owner of the business at that time.

1947

Major Changes to the original Bundy’s Key Shop

In 1947, after WWII, we find some major changes. Bundy’s Key Shop has been relocated to 1533 Sawtelle Boulevard. H. R. Jacobson opened a clothes cleaners business where Bundy’s Key Shop was originally located at 1516 Sawtelle Boulevard.

Mr. G. R. Hawton Locksmith is at 1533 Sawtelle Boulevard (Bundy’s Key Shop new address.)

Frank E. Bundy departs from the Western Los Angeles area to the San Diego area at the age of 69. His old Westwood home address at 2001 Fairburn Avenue indicates he is no longer living there.

Source: Sawtelle Telephone Directories from the 1940s

1948

In 1948 we find Mr. G. R. Hawton Locksmith at 1533 Sawtelle Boulevard (Bundy’s Key Shop new address.)

1950

April 1, 1950, Frank E. Bundy passed away at Oceanside, San Diego, California at the age of 72.