Native American Archives

#175: Saddlerock Ranch Pictograph Site (Malibu)

October 9, 2023

The pictographs at Saddlerock Ranch are the earliest known indigenous documentation of the arrival of the Europeans in the LA area. They are believed to represent an encounter between the Chumash tribe and Gaspar de Portolá's exploration party in 1769-1770.

#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.

#127: Grace Nicholson Building / Pacific Asia Museum (Pasadena)

November 21, 2022

Architecture

The USC Pacific Asia Museum continues the legacy of Grace Nicholson, who built this remarkable Chinese building in 1925 to house her massive collection of Asian and Native American art and artifacts.