THE LUMMIS CASTLELocation: Los Angeles, CA
Accessibility: Easy Created: 1897 |
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Born in 1859, Charles Fletcher Lummis would go on to lead a life full of adventure, creativity, and endeavors, and become known as a true American character. Revered as a journalist, an activist for Indian rights, historian, photographer, poet, librarian and more, Lummis wrote numerous literary works to preserve his place in history.
In 1884, Lummis was working at a newspaper in a little town north of Cincinnati when he decided to expand his horizons. Author of “Tramp Across the Continent”, 25-year-old Lummis set off on foot, sporting a pair of knickerbockers and street shoes to journey from Cincinnati to California to earn the attention of the staff at the Los Angeles Times. Speculated to have made the trek *almost* entirely by walking, Lummis set foot in Los Angeles after 3,507 miles and was offered a job in the astute position as Editor of the Los Angeles Times. Beginning work at the Times on Monday, February 2, 1885, Lummis covered an array of interesting stores from the community. Unfortunately, Lummis suffered a mild stroke years later and was paralyzed on the left side of his body.
In 1885, Lummis relocated to New Mexico to recover from his stroke, hunker down on his writing and publish “Some Strange Corner Of Our Country”. After garnering a bit of his strength back following his stroke, Lummis brought a 3-acre plot in 1895. Over the next 13 years, Lummis would use materials from the Arroyo Seco to build a 4,000 square foot home. Also known as El Alisal - the place of the sycamore trees - the Lummis house became Charles’ own castle. In the 1920s, after gaining a new lease on life and a fervent bout of writing, Charles Lummis passed away in his El Alisal on November 25, 1928. Now open to the public as a museum, the Lummis House totes hand-carved doors, a basement, relics from Charles’ life, numerous rooms, and a rich history. Once thought of a “party” house for writers, artists, and prominent figures, the Lummis House is open from 10 AM to 3 PM on Saturdays and Sundays to those who wish to explore Charles Fletcher Lummis’ El Alisal.
In 1884, Lummis was working at a newspaper in a little town north of Cincinnati when he decided to expand his horizons. Author of “Tramp Across the Continent”, 25-year-old Lummis set off on foot, sporting a pair of knickerbockers and street shoes to journey from Cincinnati to California to earn the attention of the staff at the Los Angeles Times. Speculated to have made the trek *almost* entirely by walking, Lummis set foot in Los Angeles after 3,507 miles and was offered a job in the astute position as Editor of the Los Angeles Times. Beginning work at the Times on Monday, February 2, 1885, Lummis covered an array of interesting stores from the community. Unfortunately, Lummis suffered a mild stroke years later and was paralyzed on the left side of his body.
In 1885, Lummis relocated to New Mexico to recover from his stroke, hunker down on his writing and publish “Some Strange Corner Of Our Country”. After garnering a bit of his strength back following his stroke, Lummis brought a 3-acre plot in 1895. Over the next 13 years, Lummis would use materials from the Arroyo Seco to build a 4,000 square foot home. Also known as El Alisal - the place of the sycamore trees - the Lummis house became Charles’ own castle. In the 1920s, after gaining a new lease on life and a fervent bout of writing, Charles Lummis passed away in his El Alisal on November 25, 1928. Now open to the public as a museum, the Lummis House totes hand-carved doors, a basement, relics from Charles’ life, numerous rooms, and a rich history. Once thought of a “party” house for writers, artists, and prominent figures, the Lummis House is open from 10 AM to 3 PM on Saturdays and Sundays to those who wish to explore Charles Fletcher Lummis’ El Alisal.