Babb and his business partners completed plans for an eleven acre residential development on Signal Hill, shortly before oil was discovered there.

[2] Subsequently, Babb made a fortune on oil royalties, and designed and constructed 4252 Country Club Drive in 1927.

She attended a school in Pasadena to rid herself of her French accent, and as a graduation present, Russell Pray purchased the English Tudor house for her.

[5][6] Following the 1973 open house, the Long Beach Press-Telegram wrote: "Everyone is still talking about Leonie Pray's elegant New Year's Eve party, so I will too.

Her lovely Los Cerritos home bloomed with pink azaelas but the guests were most impressed by the 14-foot Christmas tree.

"[7] In 1976, a Long Beach newspaper described the holiday tradition: "Champagne sparkled at the Los Cerritos home of Leonie Pray just as it has each New Year's Eve for half a century.

Except for the World War II years, Leonie and her late husband, Russell, invited friends and neighbors to open house.

The paper wrote: "When things get dull on the fishing and hunting fronts, one can always turn to the North Forties, out in Los Cerritos Heights, for wildlife notes.

[3] The house also has a huge two story living room paneled entirely in hand carved wood, was a natural setting for "salons.