Built in 1909 the Holly Chateau looms ominously over Hollywood. Now called the Magic Castle the building has a storied past. The house built in the "chateau" or Gothic Renaissance style was originally the home of real estate investor Rollin B. Lane and his wife Katherine. The Lane's were members of turn of the century Los Angeles society and were very generous with their money. Mrs. Lane was such a tree lover and avid donor of trees to the city she was known as "the tree lady". One of their investment properties Lanewood Ave. in Hollywood is to this day lined with pines planted by Mrs. Lane.
The Lanes entertained extensively at Holly Chateau. They entertained LA society but specifically not with members of the entertainment industry.
Rollin Lane died in Holly Chateau in 1940. Katherine Lane died five years later leaving the house to her son who held onto the property until 1955. The Chateau was turned into a multi-family house and then was turned into a boarding house. The house once owned by people who dislike the "movie people" was now home for struggling actors.
In 1963 Milt Larsen a witer on "Truth of Consequences" bought the house with his brother their idea was to turn the house into a club house for Magicians. It was then it became The Magic Castle.
A small correction: The Larsen brothers did not buy the house. They leased it, and still lease it, from the Glover family.
ReplyDeleteOther than that, it's a very balanced, lucid and accurate summary. Thanks.