On the way back to the Chateau for my peppered bacon breakfast, I noted that the gate to the Wattles Mansion was open. I had walked by it a number of times but never had the chance to explore the grounds. You don't have to ask me twice.
This 1907 Mission Revival home was designed by local architects Myron Hunt and Elmer Grey for banker Gurdon Wattles. His son, Gurdon Wallace Wattles, Jr. sold the home to the City of Los Angeles in 1965, eventually becoming part of the City of Los Angeles Parks and Recreation division.
In 1983, Hollywood Heritage began to restore the property and the estate functioned as their headquarters until May 22, 2009 when control of the property reverted to the Los Angeles Department of Parks & Recreation.
You can see the mansion in a number of films and television shows, including "The O.C.," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (the episode titled "Reptile Boy"), "Troop Beverly Hills," and the sanitarium scenes for "Rain Man," and "The Lost Empire."
The estate is absolutely beautiful, and the hillside leading up to the mansion makes for a breathtaking entrance.
Lots of original little details remain at the mansion to drool over.
Walking around and peering in the windows, I just got the feeling that this place had seen better days. It looked like it could use a little TLC.
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