Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for November, 2019

At The Forefront

Posted in Alhambra Preservation Group, tagged , , , , on November 24, 2019| Leave a Comment »

Pyrenees.Castle.Tour.APG.Groupby Oscar Amaro, Founder and President, Alhambra Preservation Group

“Historic Preservation Plays Starring Role in Alhambra’s General Plan Process”

“APG Hosts Sold-Out Tour of Alhambra’s Pyrenees Castle”

“Alhambra Craftsman Featured as Inspiration House on ‘Restored’”

“Alhambra’s Neon Signs Return in a Blaze of Glory”

Have you seen these headlines online? Perhaps you’ve reacted to or shared a recent Facebook post featuring one or more of these stories. All told, these recent historic preservation-related articles garnered an impressive 16,200 views online in 2019. Why?

The momentum for historic preservation continues to build here in Alhambra. Residents have made it clear with their words and actions that they want to preserve and protect Alhambra’s historically and architecturally significant resources. And as historic preservation continues to take center stage, Alhambra Preservation Group is proud to be at the forefront of these ongoing efforts.

It is because of Alhambra Preservation Group’s leadership and persistent lobbying over the past 13 years that historic preservation implementation action items were included in Alhambra’s General Plan and the development of a historic preservation program received a “high priority” designation.

And, it is because of your willingness to speak up at countless public workshops and city meetings that Alhambra’s leaders are finally listening and our city is taking its first steps towards developing a historic preservation program.

Be assured that Alhambra Preservation Group will be there every step of the way as we now begin the very real work of drafting and creating a historic preservation program, which includes an ordinance.

Can we count on you to join Alhambra Preservation Group and continue to financially support our efforts?

We are stronger together. It is our sincere hope that you’ll join or renew your Alhambra Preservation Group membership in 2020 and that you’ll give as generously as you are able. Memberships begin as low as $25/year at the Household level. Here are just a few of the benefits membership affords you:

  • Access to our online Resource Guide, which offers real-time listing of “member approved” home improvement vendors and contractors
  • A subscription to our informative and educational quarterly e-newsletter, APG News
  • Notification and Action Alert e-blasts about issues of concern here in Alhambra
  • Invitations to special educational events and field trips, like the free exclusive tour of Alhambra’s Pyrenees Castle which we offered to 50 members this past summer
  • The knowledge that you’re supporting an all-volunteer organization whose mission boosts Alhambra’s current civic renaissance

This year during our 2019-20 member drive, we’re pleased to also offer a special gift to two new or renewing members. Join APG during this member drive and you’ll be entered into a random drawing to win one of two $50 gift cards for Los Angeles’ newly restored Formosa Café. We will announce the lucky winners in January 2020.

Once again, 100% of the funds raised during this fall membership drive will be set aside for a future Alhambra citywide historic resources inventory. Last year APG raised $4,500 in membership dues. Those funds were earmarked for future inventory efforts. It is our goal to raise a total of $25,000 for future citywide inventory efforts.

APG celebrated quite a few milestones in 2019 – historic preservation implementation action items included in the General Plan, an Alhambra home featured on the nationally syndicated TV show Restored, and an exclusive tour of Alhambra’s Pyrenees Castle. Won’t you help Alhambra Preservation Group reach another milestone – Alhambra’s adoption of a historic preservation ordinance?

Join APG and help us do just that and thank you!

Photo courtesy of Alhambra Preservation Group.

Read Full Post »

APG Members Enjoy an Insider’s Look at Alhambra’s Pyrenees Castle

Posted in APG Events, tagged , , , on November 11, 2019| Leave a Comment »

Pyrenees.Castle.Stairs.Entryby Barbara Beckley, Alhambra Preservation Group Board of Directors

It was a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Taking a guided tour inside Alhambra’s beautiful Pyrenees Castle.

Sitting atop a forested hill at the end of a long private driveway off Grand View Drive, for most Alhambra residents the mansion has remained a lifelong mystery, with only glimpses of the castle’s rooftop among the trees leaving us to wonder what it looks like inside.

The curiosity was finally satiated on Saturday, September 21, for a select number of Alhambra Preservation Group members who signed up for the exclusive APG-members-only tour of this beautiful residence.

IMG_3032Arranged through the courtesy of Ladd Jackson, the Estates Director of Hilton & Hyland, which is listing the hilltop castle for $4.9 million, APG members were treated to a one-hour walk and talk – led by Ladd – through the 8,686-square-foot, two story home and its 2.5-acre walled grounds.

A landmark since it was built in 1924 by Sylvester Dupuy, a wealthy Basque immigrant who wanted to recreate a chateau-style residence of his homeland, the mansion was home to his family into the 1960s. It was divided into apartments for a few years, then returned to a single-family mansion in the 1980s. Phil Spector bought it in 1998. His ex-wife is currently in residence.

The day was sunny and bright, and Ladd was extremely knowledgeable as he led us through the grand marble foyer, flanked by the wood paneled living room and formal dining room, both with impressive fireplaces, pointing out the crystal chandeliers, hand-painted murals and original hardwood floors. While renovations have changed much of the interior’s originality, the nine bedrooms, two kitchens, kitchenette, billiards room, full bar and 10 baths remain impressive.

The kitchen and breakfast nook opens off the formal dining room. Walking up the main stairway – and down what we thought was the maids’ stairway – Ladd provided insight into the castle’s mysterious past.

No, the back stairway wasn’t for staff. The Dupuys didn’t have staff, Ladd revealed. They kept up the mansion themselves – and only lived on one side of the house. Being from Europe, they liked wine and made their own. But the castle was built during Prohibition. Ladd pulled out what looked like a heavy wall mirror in one of the bedrooms to reveal a hidden staircase. Just one of the several secret doorways and staircases that led to where the family hid their wine barrels.

We learned that the wide, sunny room on one side of the upstairs, was where Mrs. Dupuy did her needlepoint – a grand take on our grandmothers’ sewing rooms. And the spacious downstairs billiard room originally built and enjoyed by Mr. Dupuy and his buddies had been changed to other uses throughout the years – until Mr. Spector returned it to a billiard room.

Sweeping Los Angeles views from the upstairs veranda were complimented by equally picturesque views from the front of the home, which is landscaped with old-growth trees on one side and a beautiful water fountain in the main courtyard.

IMG_3023Photos were not allowed inside, but members captured memorable photos from the grounds. To see the interior rooms visit the Hilton & Hyland website.

The tour was limited to 50 APG members only. The response was enthusiastic with the tour selling out within 24 hours. Proof that historic preservation remains a priority for many Alhambrans and visiting Alhambra’s most famous mansion is just one of the many benefits of APG membership.

Why not join APG during our 2019 fall membership drive and be a part of our next members-only tour?

Photo courtesy of Alhambra Preservation Group.

Read Full Post »

Alhambra’s Neon Signs Return In a Blaze of Glory

Posted in Alhambra History, tagged , , on November 10, 2019| Leave a Comment »

Alhambra.neon.signAnyone who has lived in Alhambra any length of time has probably caught a glimpse of one of three “Alhambra” signs located at the city’s borders – East Main Street on the border of San Gabriel, West Huntington Blvd on the border of El Sereno and West Valley Blvd at the 710 terminus. The problem is that two of the iconic neon signs haven’t worked for decades and the third sign on West Valley, while still working, has been looking worn out and neglected.

That all changed when Alhambra’s Arts Commission voted earlier this year to allocate funds to fix these three neon signs. Alhambra Preservation Group applauds the City’s decision to give these signs a bit of TLC and get them working once more. “Fixing Alhambra’s neon signs is an easy way to preserve an important historic resource and demonstrate pride in our city,” stated Oscar Amaro, APG Founder and President. “I’m sure there are a lot of people who never noticed these signs at night. Now it’s impossible to miss them as you drive into Alhambra after sundown.”

Neon signs were first introduced in the United States in the early 1920s by Georges Claude and his French company Claude Neon. Georges Claude had demonstrated neon lighting in a modern form at the Paris Motor Show in December 1910, but it didn’t catch on here in the U.S. until 1923 when a Los Angeles Packard car dealership purchased two signs advertising “Packard” for $24,000. Soon after that, neon lighting became a popular outdoor advertising fixture in America with patrons stopping to stare at the neon signs dubbed “liquid fire.”

In Alhambra, there are several establishments who have retained their neon signs from the mid-20th century. The Hat on the corner of Valley Blvd and Garfield Avenue lights up their neon sign nightly. Alhambra’s Bun and Burger located on east Main Street has an intricate working neon sign, but it’s rarely on because the restaurant is not open during evening hours. One of Alhambra’s most iconic neon signs was recently removed when Twohey’s left its location at the corner of Atlantic and Huntington.

Alhambra.Come.Again.Soon.NeonWe are pleased that Alhambra’s welcome signs have returned in a blaze of glory. Here’s hoping that they shine bright for generations to come.

Do you have a favorite neon sign in Alhambra or Southern California? Let us know in the comments below.

Photo courtesy of Alhambra Preservation Group.

Read Full Post »