Around Silver Lake Heights the air hums with a creative energy. Silver Lake Heights is more than just a neighborhood. It’s a living testament to Los Angeles’s vibrant past and present. Originally part of a small community named Ivanhoe it blossomed after the Silver Lake Reservoir was built in 1907. Named for LA Water Commissioner Herman Silver the reservoir transformed the area.
Before the reservoir Silver Lake Heights was known as Ivanhoe. This name reflects the area’s early development in 1887 by Byram & Poindexter. Many streets in this area still carry names from Sir Walter Scott’s novel Ivanhoe. Think Rowena Kenilworth or Locksley. These names whisper tales of a time long past.
The early 1900s saw the construction of the Fletcher Drive Viaduct. This viaduct connected Silver Lake Heights to downtown Los Angeles via the Pacific Electric Railway. It was rebuilt in 1928 from timber to steel. The concrete footings still remain.
Silver Lake Heights attracted artists writers and musicians. They sought refuge from the constraints of society. Its lush parkland setting further enhanced its allure. Architects like Gregory Ain John Lautner and Raphael Soriano built homes here. Their designs created a unique architectural landscape. More architecturally significant homes exist in Silver Lake Heights per square mile than anywhere else in LA.
The area’s film history is equally fascinating. William Selig established one of the first permanent film studios in Los Angeles here. Mack Sennett and Tom Mix followed soon after. Walt Disney’s first studio was also nearby. The name Hyperion a street name in Silver Lake is still used by Disney today. Tom Mix’s former studio Mixville is now the location of a Whole Foods Market.
Silver Lake Heights is known for its many public staircases. These staircases provide pedestrian access throughout the hilly terrain. The Music Box Stairs are famously featured in Laurel and Hardy’s The Music Box.
Racial covenants once prevented non-Caucasians from buying property. Architect Eugene Kinn Choy challenged this. He went door to door seeking approval before finally building his family home in 1949. This marked a turning point. Asian American and Latino communities began to flourish in Silver Lake Heights.
Today Silver Lake Heights continues to evolve. It blends its bohemian roots with its diverse population. Architects artists and musicians contribute to its unique cultural identity. Silver Lake Heights remains a vibrant and creative hub. It’s a neighborhood where history art and community intertwine. It’s a place you will always remember.