Gazing upon the Stimson House, one might think they’ve stumbled onto a medieval castle. It is right here in the heart of Los Angeles. This magnificent structure is more than just a pretty face. It is a testament to the ambition and unique history of its original owner, Thomas Douglas Stimson.
Stimson, a lumber and banking millionaire, commissioned this house in 1891. He wanted to recreate the grand brick and stone mansions of Chicago’s Gold Coast. The Stimson House was designed by H. Carroll Brown. Brown was only 27 years old at the time.
The Los Angeles Times called the Stimson House the “costliest and most beautiful private residence in Los Angeles” when it was built. Its $150,000 price tag made it the most expensive house in the city at the time. Locals quickly nicknamed it “the Castle” or “Red Castle” because of its imposing presence.
The exterior boasts a Richardsonian Romanesque style. This features rough-hewn red stones sourced from a New Mexico quarry. San Fernando sandstone frames the windows and adorns the tower. A four-story Gothic tower is the home’s most striking element. Crenellations and notched battlements finish the tower’s top.
Ironically, though Stimson made his fortune in lumber, he chose stone for his home. The interior is a different story. It showcases a stunning array of woods. Ash, sycamore, birch, mahogany, walnut, gumwood, and oak create a warm and inviting space. Each first-floor room features a different type of wood. Even the doors are double-thick. They match the wood of the rooms they connect.
The Stimson House has a colorful history beyond its stunning architecture. In 1896, someone tried to bomb the house. A stick of dynamite was placed under Stimson’s bedroom. The explosion tore a hole in the house. However, the thick foundation withstood the blast. The culprit was later revealed to be a private detective named Harry Coyne. He tried to blackmail Stimson.
After Stimson’s death, the house saw many changes. A brewer stored his wines in the basement. A fraternity threw wild parties. Mount St. Mary’s College used it for student housing. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet turned it into a convent.
Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity of USC owned the Stimson House in the 1940s. They paid $20,000 for it which was a fraction of its original cost. The fraternity brothers locked erring pledges in the wine cellar. They sprayed them with a hose.
Carrie Estelle Doheny, the widow of an oil magnate, lived next door. She bought the Stimson House to stop the fraternity’s noisy parties. She then donated it to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet.
The Stimson House has also appeared in many films and TV shows. These include “House II”, “After Midnight”, “Mad Men” and “The Bionic Woman”. Vincent Price even recorded some of his productions here due to its spooky acoustics.
Today, the Stimson House stands as a designated historic landmark. It is a testament to Los Angeles’s rich architectural and cultural past. It has survived dynamite attacks and fraternity parties. It has been a home to millionaires, students, and nuns. The Stimson House continues to captivate all who pass by. It reminds us of the enduring power of history and the stories that shape our city.