Have you ever missed something that was right under your nose?
I grew up in the Los Angeles suburb of Glendale and just a short, ten-minute drive from my childhood home, a house that I live in for thirty-nine years, is a famous landmark. It took my mother-in-law visiting from England to get me there.
My mother-in-law, Jan, had always dreamed of touring a Frank Lloyd Wright house. We researched and discovered that Wright’s Hollyhock House is located in Barnsdall Art Park in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles. During Jan’s autumn 2018 trip (Her last vacation with us, as we lost her in 2019), we were living in Big Bear Lake, but we made a day trip to Los Angeles to visit Hollyhock House.
We arrived early, before Hollyhock House was open. Barnsdall Park has several attractions, including art galleries and a performance space.
The parking lot is free and located at the bottom of Barnsdall Park. There is handicap parking that allows you direct access to the top level, if you need it, otherwise be prepared to climb some stairs.
On our walk, we came across the Hollyhock House Residence A, which is currently under restoration.
And squirrels. Lots of squirrels running around.
We purchased our admission tickets, only seven dollars. As we waited for our entry time, we enjoyed the park and views of Los Angeles. It’s a great place for a Hollywood Sign photo op!
Barnsdall Art Park is named for Aline Barnsdall, an oil heiress and producer of experimental theatre. In 1919, she commissioned Wright to design Hollyhock House, intending the house and surround land to be used for the arts. The project was plagued with problems and Barnsdall fired Wright before he could complete the house. She eventually gifted the land and buildings to the city of Los Angeles. The Hollyhock House is on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Our experience at Hollyhock House began with a short guided tour of the exterior. The motif of hollyhocks is carried throughout the house and the house is done in the style of Mayan Revival Architecture.
The interior portion of the house was self-guided with docents in each room available to answer questions. We were not allowed to take pictures and we had to be very careful not to touch the walls or furniture, as everything is very fragile.
I have to confess, that the exteriors of the house did not impress me. I found them cold and sterile. The interiors were quite a bit warmer, with wood floors and furniture to break up the grey concrete. The home had vintage furnishings from when Aline Barnsdall lived there in the 30’s and 40’s. It was like stepping into another era. Jan was thrilled to have visited a Frank Lloyd Wright home and I was happy to experience part of Los Angels history.
On the way home, we stopped for gas on Los Feliz Blvd and the station had very cool murals. I have filled- up at this station in the past, but I had never noticed the art. Maybe they’re new or maybe when you live in a place, you take for granted your surroundings. I miss Los Angeles and when we visit, I try to soak it all in. As we are now living in Colorado, I think this sentiment is going to be even strong for future visits to my home town. I hope that a Los Angeles trip is in my near future!
