School Site

A few images from my look-see around the next LAUSD school site, on Washington Blvd. at 2nd & 3rd. A group from WAHA (West Adams Heritage Association) was permitted to visit the upcoming demolition site, and earmark potentially re-usable house parts/building elements. The group was led by the godfather of Harvard Heights Eric Bronson, but also included WAHA president Jefferson Davis, and preservation contractor Steve Pallrand.

This marvelous "bungalette" will likely face the bulldozer. I like its flared or peaked (sometimes also referred to as Oriental) roof lines.

I found these photographs inside the bungalette. Who are these people, and why were their likenesses abandoned? What else has been abandoned? Feelings? Relationships? A connection to the past.

I don't like to find photographs inside doomed buildings, I like even less finding stuffed animals. For a time, I kept some discarded teddys, including a four-foot tall powder-blue bruin, in my garage. Finally I cleaned the lot and donated them to a fire-fighter charity.

Most of the windows in the condemned buildings were boarded up, primarily to deter the entry of homeless persons. The electricity was off as well, and we had to conduct our inspections with flashlights.

Despite these and other measures, the homeless were still able to gain entry. The items they needed for day-to-day life were strewn about: canned food, blankets, clothing, a bible.

At one location mail was left behind, a post or two appeared personal.


Over-ripe fruit littered one yard with a hen house and rabbit pen.









Sometimes articles aren't even considered valuable enough to cart away. A playground horsey left behind in a bungalow court.



On an unrelated note, I'll be holding 1522 S. Hobart Blvd. open tomorrow (Tuesday) from 11 to 2:30 pm. Come by and take a look!