Doesn’t this view make you want to yell “This is my city!”? That’s how many feel when they visit Everett Park. This tiny park sits on the edge of Echo Park and Chinatown. It remains relatively unknown, despite starring in several movies over the years.
Everett Park is a distinctive natural space. It allows local residents and visitors to gather. They gaze out over the city. On a clear day, you can see Catalina Island far on the horizon.
Everett Park and the surrounding Everett Street have a rich history. The neighbors and friends of Everett Park have united. They celebrate and preserve the history of this remarkable street and park. It is crucial to protect the historic homes and neighborhoods. They are integral to the fabric of this wonderful city.
In the early 1900s, residents and visitors would walk to this small grassy park. It is shaped like an upside-down teardrop. They came from the newly established electric-powered Trolley Line on Sunset Blvd. They enjoyed unparalleled views of the Los Angeles basin. They also enjoyed the charm of turn-of-the-century homes lining the street. These homes would witness massive changes across the basin in decades to come. Today, Everett Park still offers that distinctive natural space.
Everett Street is situated on the eastern edge of the original 1886 Angeleno Heights Tract, Block 31. It was part of the first suburban development of Los Angeles. This development is second only to Bunker Hill as the oldest district in LA. William Stilson and his partner Everett E. Hall originally subdivided Angeleno Heights. They marketed it to the local elite during the construction boom of the 1880s.
Unfortunately, the U.S. economy and housing market collapsed around 1888. Development abruptly halted. Stilson died later that year. His widow Mary Stilson took charge of the struggling tract development. Enlisting her son, Fielding, they began commissioning spec houses. These were designed by the firm of Aiken and Benton. They wanted to promote and sell the rest of the Angeleno Heights lots. Fielding Stilson’s new vision differed from his father’s Victorian preferences. He favored the growing Arts and Crafts movement. The architecture of the homes erected between 1900 and 1915 reflects this shift in aesthetic.
Shortly after 1900, Mary and Fielding sold lots to Mr. Timothy S. Abbott. Abbott was an Architect, Builder, and Owner. He built several houses on Everett Street. The Abbott Everett House stood for over a century. It was a great example of early American Four Square architecture. It had hints of Craftsman influence. Sadly, it was demolished in 2016. Timothy’s brother, Edward H. Abbott, purchased another lot. He constructed three more buildings, including a 12-room building for “Flats.” In 1903, Timothy sold a lot to John Restovich. Restovich built a Neoclassical style home. It is now known as The Restovich House. The Restovich House was landmarked in 2016. It is a rare, intact example of early residential development in the area.
Timothy and Edward Abbott knew a great thing when they saw it. They established a large presence in the development of Everett Street’s distinctive circular drive. They erected their properties directly across the street from Everett Park. They took full advantage of the unique setting and sweeping views. Others followed their lead. Craftsman, Prairie Boxes, and Bungalow homes remain. Today, these surviving early homes mingle with the apartment complexes lining the street and Everett Park. Both are named after Stilson’s partner Everett E. Hall.
Hall’s influence extends down the hill to Marion Ave. It was named after his daughter. He also constructed his home and “The Hall Twins.”
Unfortunately, Everett Park and the buildings surrounding it were not included in the Angeleno Heights Historic Preservation Overlay Zone of 1983. The early residences on Everett Street do not enjoy the protection their Angeleno Heights sisters receive. This leaves them exposed to careless developers. Nearly a third of the original buildings on Everett Street have been demolished or altered beyond recognition. The legacy of this quaint and historic hilltop community is threatened by a lack of awareness and respect.
Everett Park has also appeared in many films and television productions. These include Training Day, Drag Me to Hell, The Italian Job, Hancock, and The Nice Guys. Television productions include Hunter, Murder She Wrote, Monk, CSI LA, and Southland.
Remember Everett Park. It is a place where Los Angeles began. It is a place with unmatched views and a rich history.