History and Heritage of the Southland

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Camera Obscura, the term is a scientific mechanism. On your trip to Los Angeles visit this 108 year-old edifice in Senior Recreation Center which introduces you to this fascinating device. Standing in the dark rooms of this building, it is truly delightful to watch the outside scenery projected on a four foot disc. Don't miss out on this one, as this is one of the very few devices that are still running in the world!

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This is a rare chance to walk into a star's home without violating trespassing laws. Killed in a plane crash in 1935 near the peak of his career, Will Rogers was one of the biggest box office stars of his day. He lived here from 1924 until his death, as well as having a home in Beverly Hills. Today the 31-room house is open to the public, as are the 186-acre surrounding grounds. Outside the house, one can enjoy a great picnicking area, panoramic views and polo matches on weekends. Admission is free. Polo matches are played between 2pm and 5pm on Saturdays and 10am and 1pm on Sundays, April through September.

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Ardent Hollywood fans over the years will recall the likes of Donna Reed, Dean Martin, Natalie Wood, Peggy Lee, Eve Arden, Carl Wilson, Eva Gabor and Truman Capote. But if these can only extract an indifferent shrug from you, perhaps the name "Marilyn Monroe" would ring a bell. Yes, the Hollywood siren has been laid to rest right here. It's quite an experience to stand where friends and families of these celebrities once stood—the park, though small, is quite capable of whiling away your time, as you scout around for famous names. Just a tombstone's throw away is the UCLA campus, and though a visit here might sound morbid to some, it might just be the closest you could get to these erstwhile stars!

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This is one of the final resting places of Hollywood stars, and suitably overlooks the Universal, Disney and Warner Brothers studios in North Hollywood. Though huge in its own right, the park is smaller than its Glendale counterpart, located just 10 minutes away. Well-known names at the Hollywood Hills cemetery include Lucille Ball, Gene Autry, Ricky Nelson and Steve Allen. The place also salutes the American Revolution with "The Birth of Liberty", allegedly the largest historical mosaic in the world, and life-sized bronze statues of erstwhile presidents. Models of old-world churches also dot the scene, adding to the ambiance. Admission is free and hours are seasonal. Gather some stardust!

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Across the street from the Hollywood Bowl, this small museum features exhibits on the early days of film making. Originally a barn, the building was rented in 1913 by legendary director Cecil B. DeMille for the production of The Squaw Man, his first film. Among the curiosities here are props, antique cameras, vintage film clips and costumes.

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Built in the early 1920s, the Hollywood Bowl has just undergone a major overhaul. The elegant Greek-style natural outdoor amphitheater, cradled in a small mountain canyon, is the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Hollywood Bowl orchestras, and often hosts internationally known conductors and soloists on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Friday and Saturday concerts typically feature orchestral swing or pops concerts. The summer season also includes a jazz series; past performers have included Natalie Cole, Dionne Warwick, and Chick Corea. Other events, from standard rock-'n'-roll acts like Radiohead to Garrison Keillor programs, summer fireworks galas, and the annual Mariachi Festival, are often on the season's schedule.

To round out an evening at the Bowl, many concertgoers use the occasion to enjoy a picnic dinner and a bottle of wine -- it's one of L.A.'s grandest traditions. You can prepare your own or order a picnic basket with a choice of hot and cold dishes and a selection of wines and desserts from Patina's on-site catering department, which also provides delivery to box seats: Call tel. 323/850-1885 by 4pm the day before you go to place your food order. Arrive a couple of hours before the show starts, in order to dine while listening to the orchestra or band tune up.

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Gene Autry opened this museum in 1988 to showcase western history. The museum features several rotating exhibits as well as a permanent collection. Art and artifacts from the Old West are on display, from the West's prehistoric roots to the 20th Century's Hollywood glamorization of the Wild West. Using film, radio and television clips, and a hands-on discovery center for children, the museum sheds a bright light on this part of the nation's heritage.

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Although its counterpart in Glendale is arguably more impressive, this cemetery is as Hollywood as they come. Genuine elegance is provided by its Egyptian temples, Greek statues and Roman memorials. This is the final resting place for some of the most famous names in early Hollywood history including Cecil B. DeMille, Douglas Fairbanks and Rudolph Valentino. The Paramount Studios lot lies adjacent to these grounds, and many of its stars have been buried here. Some of the more impressive grave sites include the water-guarded mausoleum of William A. Clark, Jr. and Douglas Fairbank's monument and reflecting pool.

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This complex offers plenty of historical stimuli. The Museum of Mexican History features a re-creation of an Aztec calendar and an actual Mayan tomb, as well as costumes, mosaics and a bevy of other reproduced and genuine goods. Outside in the plaza there are more examples of Mayan and Toltec creations, much like those that can still be found adorning ancient ruins. Admission is free.

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In addition to being one of the most well preserved Victorian homes in Los Angeles, this museum houses many local antiques and artifacts. Presented through seasonal exhibitions, the museum seems to always have something new to look at. In addition, the staff is extremely helpful and informative and always willing to help educate. John Krieger presents a show entitled "Remembering Los Angeles" each Saturday, which is a brief foray into the forgotten history of the city through his collection of antique postcards.

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Angelus Temple was opened by Aimee Semple McPherson in 1923. She was a highly eccentric and spiritual woman who rejected her Methodist upbringing in order to preach her famous Pentecostal "Foursquare Gospel." In addition to opening the church, she started a radio station and opened a Bible College. Her church became known as the Church of the Foursquare Gospel. The "foursquare" refers to the four symbols Aimee saw in a vision: the cross, the crown, the dove and the cup. The church itself is magnificent, a large, domed, circular structure based on the design of the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City. Regardless of doctrine, the structure and its historic significance is worth a visit to this site.

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Located in two houses that were built in the 1880s by French immigrants, this historical society displays historical documents, photos and artifacts. There are items from the history of Chinatown and how it has evolved through the years. It is a fascinating glimpse into a part of Los Angeles culture that often seems closed off to the rest of the city. Tourists will enjoy stepping off the beaten path and away from Hollywood to see a side of Los Angeles few visitors see.

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This adobe structure, built by Don Francisco Avila, is considered the oldest existing house in Los Angeles. By modern standards the home is quite small, though at the time it was the largest in the area. Although it has been heavily restored, much of the original walls survive today. It now functions as a museum with the interior having been refurbished to include a four-post bed and other furniture from the era.

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This historic district was built in the 1930s on the site where the city was founded, as an alternative to the razing of a particularly unsightly slum. The result is a contrived nostalgic fantasy of the city's beginnings, a kitschy theme park portraying Latino culture in a Disney-esque fashion. Nevertheless, El Pueblo has proven wildly successful, as L.A.'s Latinos have adopted it as an important cultural monument.

El Pueblo is not without authenticity. Some of L.A.'s oldest buildings are here, and the area really does exude the ambience of Old Mexico. At its core is a Mexican-style marketplace on old brick-paved Olvera Street. On weekends the carnival of sights and sounds is heightened by mariachis, piñatas, and more-than-occasional folkloric dancing. Olvera Street, the district's primary pedestrian street, and adjacent Main Street are home to about two dozen 19th-century buildings. Free 1-hour walking tours are given Tuesday through Saturday; for tour times contact El Pueblo Visitor Center (622 N. Main St.; tel. 213/628-1274; www.lasangelitas.org). Also, don't miss the Avila Adobe, at E-10 Olvera St. (Mon-Sat 10am-5pm; free admission); built in 1818, it's the oldest building in the city.

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The oldest religious structure in Los Angeles, this 1822 building is also known as the Church of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels. Originally built as a simple adobe by Franciscan Padres with the labor of local Native American Indians, it took an additional 40 years to construct the whole church. This Catholic church now features some fine modern additions, including a tile mosaic of The Annunciation, created by artist Isabel Piczek in 1981. Services are held all day on Sunday, but be advised that each session is in Spanish, except for the 8am session. Visitors are invited to walk the grounds throughout the week as well.

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Now used as a visitor information center for Olvera Street and the surrounding El Pueblo area, this building was originally built as a boardinghouse in 1887 by Eliosa Martinez e Sepulveda, whose name marks not only this home but one of the longest and busiest streets in Los Angeles. In addition to a useful 50-cent tour pamphlet of El Pueblo, the building also screens a short film on the history of the area upon request.

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This theater district (also known as the Broadway district) stretches from Third Street to Olympic Boulevard. It was the first district of its kind to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are a dozen major theaters covering a six-block area. Theaters on this strip include the Million Dollar Theater, the Los Angeles Theater and the United Artists Theater. Recently, the L.A. Conservancy has been working to revitalize this district and make it a center of downtown life. They give tours of the area; call the number listed for more information.
 
Also note this guide of historic theaters through-out the Los Angeles area.

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The Italian-Spanish influence is evident everywhere at this hotel. The hand-painted frescos, the bas-relief décor, the fountains, the polished wood floors, the ornate ceilings and the abundant flowers all contribute to class and elegance that is practically beyond words. A favorite since 1923, and a member of Historic Hotels of America, this famed hotel, once called the Regal Biltmore, hosted the Academy Awards during the 1930s and 1940s. Guests have included dignitaries like Winston Churchill, Presidents Kennedy, Ford, Carter and Reagan, as well as British royalty. Smeraldi's offers excellent California cuisine. The Rendezvous Court hosts afternoon tea and evening cocktails.

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The Old Plaza Firehouse is a castellated brick building built in 1884 as a firehouse for the Los Angeles area. Nowadays, it is a museum showcasing firefighting equipment and interesting photos of different fire stations of the 19th century around the country. It is an interesting site if you are in the downtown area and want to do something different. Admission is free and guided tours are provided.

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Of 13 large estates built at the turn of the century, this is one of the grandest. Built on a block-size park, this large European-style chateau was owned by oil baron Edward Doheny. Now owned by Mount St. Mary's College and used for faculty residences, the mansion has survived well over the years with few alterations. The interior is not open to the public but the exterior of the house and the surrounding estates provide a fine walk along Adams Boulevard.

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This non-profit organization is dedicated to the conservation of L.A.'s landmark architectural buildings. To help spread awareness, it offers downtown walking tours that include Art Deco, the Biltmore Hotel, Broadway Theatres, City Hall, Little Tokyo, Marble Masterpieces, Mecca for Merchants, Palaces of Finance, Pershing Square, Terra Cotta and Union Station. Many of these walks visit places that aren't accessible to the public, so this is a great way to get to know the city's history. Because they are walking tours, some are suitable for wheelchairs and others aren't. Call the office for more information. Reservations are necessary, so call ahead to book your specific tour.

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The Evergreen Cemetery, with 67 acres and 300,000 graves, was established 1877 and is the oldest cemetery in Los Angeles. This cemetery does not have many celebrity graves, but does host some real historical heavyweights like George A. Ralphs (founder of Ralphs), Biddy Mason (co-founder of the First African Amerian Episcopal Church), and many Hollenbecks, Lankershims, and Van Nuyes.  Evidently the Pacific Coast Showmens Association bought land here in 1922 which has been used as the burial ground for over 400 carnies (carnival workers).

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The Southwest Museum is the country's foremost center to come and see the history and art of the American Indian, stemming from Alaska to South America. The exhibitions display art and installations, such as teepees and traditional costumes. You can even get cultural information regarding the American Indian and there are a host of Hispanic, Latino and Spanish artifacts. The main focus is on the indigenous cultures of Mesoamerica and the West of America. The museum also has an annual Navajo Rug auction, which is worth checking out.

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A kind of preserve for Los Angeles' endangered buildings (focusing primarily on the Victorian era), the chronology of homes and history that is found in this outdoor museum spans from 1865 to 1914. Since then, four major structures have been moved to the site, including the Hale House, the Octagon House, the Knudsen House and the Lincoln Avenue Methodist Church. There is no admission fee on Friday, but no tours inside the homes are given.

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Founded in 1771, Mission San Gabriel Arcangel retains its original facade, notable for its high oblong windows and large capped buttresses said to have been influenced by the cathedral in Cordova, Spain. The mission's self-contained compound encompasses an aqueduct, a cemetery, a tannery, and a working winery. Within the church stands a copper font with the distinction of being the first one used to baptize a Native Californian. The most notable contents of the mission's museum are Native American paintings depicting the Stations of the Cross, done on sailcloth, with colors made from crushed desert flower petals.

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A brief visit here can give you a great sense of California's early history. 45 years after the Mission San Gabriel was constructed, Native Americans from the mission built this water-powered mill, the first of its kind in Southern California. Although the mill itself has largely been lost, the tile-roofed building that enclosed it is still in good condition. The location is very appealing, as the mill is set in a beautiful courtyard with fruit trees and other surrounding vegetation. Admission is free.

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El Alisal is a small, rugged, two-story "castle," built between 1889 and 1910 from large rocks and telephone poles purchased from the Santa Fe Railroad. The architect and creator was Charles F. Lummis, a Harvard graduate, archaeologist, and writer, who walked from Ohio to California and coined the slogan "See America First." A fan of Native American culture, Lummis is credited with popularizing the concept of the "Southwest," referring to New Mexico and Arizona. He often lived the lifestyle of the Indians, and he founded the Southwest Museum (234 Museum Dr.; tel. 323/667-2000), a repository of Indian artifacts. Lummis held fabulous parties for the theatrical, political, and artistic elite; his guest list often included Will Rogers and Theodore Roosevelt. The outstanding feature of his house is the fireplace, which was carved by Mount Rushmore creator Gutzon Borglum. The lawn has been turned into an experimental garden of water-conserving plants.

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This five-acre early California rancho includes the original nine-room de la Osa Adobe, the two-story limestone Garnier House, the Reyes Hut, natural springs, and a lake (shaped like a Spanish guitar.) The springs at the site attracted Native Americans for centuries. Spanish explorer Captain Gaspar de Portolá stopped there in 1769. The spot later became a stagecoach stopover and a Basque sheepherder's home before construction of the rancho. The park contains exhibits on early California ranch life. A historical area with a enchanting spring.

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In the late 18th century, Franciscan missionaries established 21 missions up the California coast, from San Diego to Sonoma. Each uniquely beautiful mission was built 1 day's trek from the next, along a path known as El Camino Real ("the Royal Road"), remnants of which still exist. The missions' construction marked the beginning of European settlement of California and the displacement of the Native American population. The two L.A.-area missions are located in the valleys that took their names: the San Fernando Valley and the San Gabriel Valley. A third mission, San Juan Capistrano, is located in Orange County.

Established in 1797, Mission San Fernando once controlled more than 1 1/2 million acres, employed 1,500 Native Americans, and boasted more than 22,000 head of cattle and extensive orchards. The fragile adobe mission complex was destroyed several times but was always faithfully rebuilt with low buildings surrounding grassy courtyards. The aging church was replaced in the 1940s and again in the 1970s after an earthquake. The Convento, a 250-foot-long colonnaded structure dating from 1810, is the compound's oldest remaining building. Some of the mission's rooms, including the old library and the private salon of the first bishop of California, have been restored to their late-18th-century appearance. A half-dozen padres and many hundreds of Shoshone Indians are buried in the adjacent cemetery.

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This park was once the ranch of William S. Hart, a silent film cowboy star. The now-public park is 253 acres in area, 110 of which are a wilderness preserve. The other areas feature a picnic area, an animal compound, and a house called La Loma de los Vientos that is used to showcase artwork and sculpture by artist Charles M. Russell. Visit the website for information on the museum inside. The William S. Hart Regional Park features a western art museum, barnyard animals including wild buffalo and picnic facilities. The western art museum rests atop a hill within the park; the Spanish colonial Revival style mansion exhibits a stirring art collection, original furnishings, mementoes of early Hollywood and Native American artifacts.

Deep respect for Native Americans grew within William S. Hart eventually leading him to become a blood brother to the Sioux tribe and an officer in the National League for Justice to American Indians. In memorial, today the park hosts an annual event titled, Hart of the West Powwow, a Native American gathering at a cowboy ranch. The event began back in 1986 with a few hundred people and today gladdens over 25,000.

Other events such as animal fairs and "Olde Towne Days" delight the whole family. The facility is available for weddings and special gatherings. The park is open daily from 7 AM to sunset; call for museum hours (see Contact Information for phone number).

Visitors come to this special park to enjoy the art museum, view barnyard animals, dine under the open sky, or enjoy special events either of the park's making or their own.

The William S. Hart Regional Park is off Interstate 5 north (Golden State Freeway) . Take I-5 north to the 14 North, exit San Fernando Road West. (Road loops under freeway.) Travel another 1 to 2 miles - bear left at fork - park is on left hand side of road past tracks.