Curious to hear about a place envisioned as a perfect recuperation resort? That’s the story of Monte Sano Christian Church. While it’s now a place of worship it has a really fascinating story.
Let’s journey back to the early 20th century. Imagine Los Angeles in the 1920s a city booming with dreams. It was during this time that Monte Sano Hospital & Sanitarium emerged.
Monte Sano Hospital & Sanitarium was built in 1923. It was located at 2834 Glendale Blvd at Waverly in Silver Lake. This wasn’t just any hospital. It was California’s first osteopathic hospital. The hospital closed sometime in the 1970s.
Dr. Brigham founded Monte Sano. His son Dr. Creighton Brigham also worked there. The hospital was envisioned as the perfect recuperation resort on its hill of health.
Bob Inman grew up near Monte Sano in the 1950s. He remembered a Spanish-style house at 2727 Waverly. It was the first house built on that part of the street. It was built for the founder of Monte Sano.
The Inman family recalled a huge cage unit on the Brigham property. It was north of the crest. Bob remembered it as concrete and wire. It could have been an aviary.
Dr. Richard Ryder was born at Monte Sano Sanitarium and Hospital in 1931. It was one of the few Osteopathic Hospitals in Los Angeles. It was located above Riverside Drive near Glendale Blvd. Milton Kranz DO attended his birth. His family went to Osteopathic Doctors connected with the LA Clinical Group. It got a cool afternoon breeze before air-conditioning.
In 1955 Richard spoke to the Health Officer for the County of Los Angeles. The Officer said: Well what do you want to be a DO for? Oh well you will be an MD anyway. There’s going to be an amalgamation of the two professions.
Fast forward to today. Monte Sano Christian Church now stands on this historic ground. The mission of Monte Sano Christian Church embodies compassion. It serves as a reminder of the area’s long history of healing. The church’s presence is a symbol of transformation. It shows how spaces can evolve. Monte Sano Christian Church now fosters spiritual well-being. It provides a place for community and reflection. It has replaced its past purpose of physical healing.
Consider the layers of history beneath your feet. The story of Monte Sano reminds us that even as times change the need for healing community and faith remains constant.