One of the things that I love about Los Angeles, but also one of the things that makes its history so enigmatic, is the tendency to find very historic things next to very unglamorous things. Earlier this week I got a chance to visit the Pico Adobe. When it was built there was only one other second story house in existence in all of Los Angeles (according to the docent). The core of the structure was built in 1834 and additional rooms were added on in following years. Although it was blazing hot outside it was cool and comfortable inside, and I marveled at the usefulness of old timey construction methods.
The adobe is in the northernmost reaches of metro Los Angeles – and right next to a trailer park. This juxtaposition of über historic California craftsmanship with a cluster of small thin walled dwellings is somehow appealing. It’s this sort of tucked away quirkiness of Los Angeles history that often makes it difficult to parse, but also gives it its charm.