Highland Park Archives - Etan Does LA

#233: Highland Park Masonic Temple

September 13, 2024

Built in 1923, this handsome brick and terracotta building witnessed 60 years of ritual and fraternity as the Highland Park Masonic Temple. Since 2017, it's housed the music venue the Lodge Room and an adjoining restaurant, Checker Hall. All the original Masonic symbols are still intact, and EVERYWHERE.

LA Times: 10 Los Angeles Landmarks on the National Register of Historic Places You Can’t Miss (as curated by me!)

February 21, 2023

Press

Well hey now, the Los Angeles Times asked me to put together a list of 10 Los Angeles landmarks on the National Register of Historic Places that you need to see! Check out the article for a breezy overview, and click through to my own Etan Does LA deep dives.

Five Historic Houses That Even Your Kids Will Love

December 12, 2022

Architecture

LA is full of cool-ass old buildings that offer plenty for both architecture buffs and the young' uns. Here's my "trail" guide to historic LA houses kids will love.

#129: The Lummis House/”El Alisal” (Highland Park)

December 9, 2022

Architecture

The Lummis House (aka El Alisal) in Highland Park is a playful castle-like structure of stone, cement and telephone poles (!), hand-built by one of the most colorful figures in LA history, Charles Lummis. You can appreciate it for its architectural uniqueness, or as a 3D manifestation of Lummis's philosophy. Either way, it's one of my favorite LA landmarks.