House of Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, designed by Paul Williams, circa 1943

Title: House of Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, designed by Paul Williams, circa 1943
Alternative title: Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, tap dancer and actor
Architect: Williams, Paul R., 1894-1980
Date Created: [circa 1943]
Collection: Miriam Matthews Photograph Collection
OpenUCLA Collections

Description: Paul Williams was an African American architect who designed almost 2,000 homes in the Los Angeles area. He worked for wealthy celebrity clients, but also designed affordable homes, public housing, and civic, commercial, and institutional buildings. His works exhibit elegant composition and perfect proportion.
Exterior view of the 2-story house of Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, designed by Paul Williams, shortly after it was finished. The house is located at 1194 West 36th Place.
Bill "Bojangles" Robinson was an African American tap dancer and actor, and he was one of the best known and most highly paid African-American entertainer in the first half of the twentieth century. His long career mirrored changes in American entertainment tastes and technology. In 1989, the U.S. Congress designated May 25, Robinson's birthday, as National Tap Dance Day.