LLLL . AAAA.
Some random pathway of information through Wikipedia led me to L.A. and inspired some discoveries and remembrances:
Angelino Heights was the first neighborhood on the National Register of Historic Places in Los Angeles. Surprisingly few people though, native Angelenos among them, are aware that it even exists. It's really damn unique, perched on a hill between Echo Park and downtown, clustered mainly on Carroll Ave., rows of old Victorian mansions with a ridiculous view over to downtown (very Chinatown feeling). It's not fair that people get to own and/or live in the houses there, particularly the one in this picture. But as long as it's allowed, I might as well be one of them. And one day I will be. Unfortunately I missed the best chance I had when I was hanging out in the neighborhood a few years ago and the house was for sale for $500,000. Goddamn.
There's another awesome little lesser-known L.A. gem that I'll divulge: The Garden of Oz in the Hollywoodland neighborhood of the Hollywood Hills, off of Beachwood Canyon close to the Hollywood sign (take a left on Ledgwood and it's on the right side). My mom actually grew up in Beachwood Canyon, and it's great to drive around the neighborhood and check out the houses (one of the best L.A. activities in general). One day I was doing just that with a friend when we literally noticed something sparkling out of the corner of our eyes. We parked and walked over and there was this -- how do I describe it -- tiled mirrored rainbow fantasy land garden in someone's backyard closed in by a gate with a little mailbox next to it that said "Letters to Oz." As we were trying to peer in someone walked out of the garden. It was a neighbor, who said that the woman who built the garden, Gail, gives people keys if they make a vow to "dedicate their lives to whimsy." If that seems a little steep of a commitment, don't worry, Gail opens the garden to the public on Saturdays from 12 to 3 (as I remember), and she sometimes has jazz. She also sent plans and supplies for a sister Garden of Oz in Hiroshima, and as far as I know it is there.
posted by alex at 8:47 AM
1 Comments:
well, i think everything in los angeles is a little more interesting because it exists in the context of the city, but i'm not sure i agree that it's because nothing there is original, which isn't true. i often think of l.a. as a concept more than a physical place, and considering it that way, it's extremely unique. i think some of the city's uniqueness does come from the abundance of simulacra that are so much a part of the place, but come on, this isn't some godforsaken suburb made up of tract homes and big box stores. the huge body of art and literature inspired by and about l.a. could never exist if there wasn't some strong, unique thing that draws people there.
as to the coolness of victorian houses -- i happen to think they're cool anywhere. but, yeah, particularly so in l.a. part of it does have to do with some sort of novelty, but for me that comes more from the oldness of the houses in such a new city.
yeah.
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