Pasadena Adjacent Research and Development: Phase One
We are now arriving at Westchester’s LAX: adjacent to my work site. This vintage photograph is by Garry Winogrand “Untitled” Los Angeles International Airport 1964. It’s of Paul William’s “Theme building” the center of my Wee Video production. You might also remember that Paul Williams designed the Batman House (now destroyed). Photo credit anyone?
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In the Research and Development stage of our project, we were treated to a insider peek into the Westchester “Closet of History” whose curator and top selling real estate agent, met us briefly with the instructions to “lock up when your done”. I got to take home a post card (pictured), some sheets of letter head stationary (pictured) and a colorful plastic writing implement with aero plane adhered to the top (not pictured).
All subsequent phone calls inquiring as to the identity of “Horse With No Name” at the corner of Manchester and Sepulveda blvd, were not returned.
Dear Pamuk Scholar,
The eagle has landed, and we anxiously await the next installment.
Sincerely,
Hamlet (the cute one)
The Batman house makes me sad….
It’s nice to be trusted to “lock up when you’re done” and speaks highly of PAR&D. I want to know more about Wayne Manor, did the Boy Wonder escape unharmed? How about Alfred? Did The Penguin set the blaze? Mr. Freeze? (how ironic that would be) or maybe Batman needed the insurance money. Hopefully the batcave remains intact.
Allowed to rummage through the closet of history? How cool.
Are the easels of historical significance?
I know people love this landmark but I have always found it hideous.
Somehow, it looks good in the black and white vintage photo (the bee-hive hairdos help), but in person, that thing is uggggly!!
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Those interested in the work of Los Angeles native Paul Revere Williams (and you should be) do check out this link from the Big Orange Landmark blog. Next, follow the orange links (the Big Orange does all the home work for you)
http://bigorangelandmarks.blogspot.com/2008/08/no-170-paul-r-williams-residence.html
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Cute Hamlet: I’m rethinking the whole Pumak thing. Yes, I did listen to a book on tape from a well received Indian author. I think the story revolved around a apartment building. The again, with the population of India tipping ??? gazillion, there may be more then one Indian author. Then again perhaps Pumak isn’t Indian. Silly me
Queen V: Remember when mom was working in real estate back in the mid 70’s and the Batman house up for sale? I recall it being $420.000.00. There was talk about keeping the remaining facade and rebuilding…then the taggers hit it, then the bulldozers. ( I was inside twice on those “show case” tours)
D: In actuality, another house claims to have been the site for the Batman series. The problem is that everyone has always referred to this house as the Wayne Manor. And it wasn’t the Penguin. It was one of the Gettys. ??? Getty was having the wiring reworked and it appears things didn’t go according to plan. (the bat cave is actually tucked away in Griffith Park on the same mountain as the Hollywood sign.
Jean: when we make finalist on a project the first thing we do is locate the town historian and within a short period of time try to get a grasp on a cities past/present/future. “Closet” may be an exaggeration but it wasn’t much bigger or much help in terms of our needs.
Easles? haven’t a clue. Basically Grandma dies and rather then throwing her pictures away, they donate them. Boxes, yearbooks, advertasments, folders etc. Nothing is organized.
Virginia: I admire the range that Paul Williams exhibited throughout his long career. A feature that I love about this building is at night it was spot lit with colored lights. Since it’s currently undergoing rehab, we’ll see those lights again.
You surprise me since Paul Williams was the first African American certified architect west of the Mississippi. I would have thought that that alone would merit the structure a step above the description ugly/hideous.
If you look closely at the wee video you might catch sight of the rehab scaffolding.
The Eagle E – V – E – N – T – U – A – L – L – Y landed.
vintage pic and Batman manor are stunning!
I am not a fan of modern architecture, I admit it. I am stuck with a love for Neo-classical architecture, but this is just me.
I will give the LA airport spaceship/spider, another chance next time I go to the airport.
Beautiful design !! Nice work..Unseen Rajasthan
This reminds me of the Dome of a Home and the Spaceship House, both on Pensacola Beach. I’m glad it’s being restored. And the montage is tits.
I like this. Very cool.
I guess I commented on this only in my mind… The photo/postcard and the letterheads are priceless. I love the “horse with no name” name – I wonder if I could find the bank president of the IHOP bank who would know something about it. Now I know why you laughed re Westchester Historical Society. Did you ever go into the IHOP? It is a mecca of Westchester historic photos – Beatles and Jackie Kennedy arriving at LAX, along with a lot of local area photos.
Totally marvelous post.