The Eastsider LA
Photo by Martha Benedict
By Nicole Possert
A rare glimpse inside a Medieval-style landmark of Arroyo Culture – the Abbey San Encino in Highland Park – will be available to the public this coming Sunday, April 21, as part of a fundraising for Highland Park Heritage Trust. This private home built in 1915 with stones hauled up from the Arroyo Seco includes a pipe organ, dungeon (yes), stained glass by Judson Studios and a Batchelder fireplace among the many unique hand-built features of this arroyo stone structure.
Docent-led tours of the Abbey San Encino are 45 minutes long and accompanied and include a wine and cheese reception. The tours, are however, are limited to exclusive small group experiences and start at pre-designated times. Tickets are $40 general public ($30 for Trust members) and a tour time can be reserved at www.hpht.org Tour is not recommended for those with difficulty walking on uneven terrain. Unfortunately, there are no accommodations for wheelchairs.
Nicole Possert is an artist, writer, historic preservationist from Highland Park
Great! Now will someone PLEASE save the pagoda house behind it?
Ha! that’s my thought exactly!
Here’s a link to the Pagoda in its original glory, complete with clinker brick chimney.
http://pasadenaadjacent.com/2011/10/16/garvanzas-lost-pagoda/
and for those of you who want a tour but don’t want to shell out the dough, here’s an awesome video tour
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlyypX88hvk
I was part of a film production that shot in this “house” and may I say it is beautiful. The dungeon is pretty creepy at night if you are there all alone. Please KEEP it alive