West Adams Neighborhood, Los Angeles

[@bradbell3744]

If you enjoyed this video, please consider subscribing.

[@CliftonBowers-pc2xu]

Omg there home was like in dallas too ..on Swiss Ave and one in commerce I had one similar too..😮

[@yahwea]

I worked on Tales from the Crypt, in Greystone, here in Los Angeles.

[@bradbell3744]

@@yahwea That must have been fun. Lucky you.

[@joycekellner9957]

I was born in L.A,. in 1946 and had relatives who lived in West Adams. I remember driving by these magnificent homes. Imiss the L.A. of the '50s, '60s., and'70s.

[@LizRob187]

I wasn’t born there but lived from South Central, West Adams❤, to just outside Beverly Hills to The Inland. I moved out of Californiain 2017 and have no desire to go back.

[@bizygirl1]

Thank you! As a W. LA native, I enjoyed watching this.

[@cobracommander9138]

I pass by that yellow building everyday on my way to catch the 10 fwy and never knew there was a memorial there. I'm born and raised in that area and never knew the history. Thanks for this video.

[@AlanSenzaki]

As a teenager i loved jumping in our family car an old Plymouth Valiant and driving all the way from Altadena to 5162 West Adams Blvd... Sam's Jazz Record Store!!❤ 🎷🎹🎺😮

[@bettyespy2683]

So beautiful thank you so much for sharing. I know where the W,est Adam's District is and have viewed a lot of the old gorgeous homes, please keep your videos coming. I have subscribed. ❤

[@tysonreyes4535]

Nicely done historical tour of West Adams. The iconic AAA headquarter building and St. Vincent Catholic Church at the intersection of Adams and Figueroa Street are also historic in the West Adams neighborhood.

[@bradbell3744]

Thanks for sharing this, and the compliment.

[@genehart261]

When I was born in 1953 we lived in "the little house" behind my grandparents house on west 17th street. Both parents USC alum., moved to "the valley" in 1957. Lots of memories here.

[@armandolopez8983]

Brad, I really enjoyed your video. I have driven by these places for over 50 years and now my questions are answered!

[@VivienWeng-sq5rh]

Great history of Los Angeles.

[@linedanzer4302]

I love that area! The homes are so beautiful and full of character.

[@IBKNW]

I was born in Los Angeles 1957-- My grand parents lived on Arlington in those historic homes. My grandma made clothes for celebrity Singers , I and maybe even H M...This is so jaw dropping. I love hearing history like this. I never new this history of West Adams. I lived in the area in my 20's, never knew this. I would like to hear about Arlington as well...Even a story on the famous Golden Bird Chicken located on Adam I think or Western/Adams.. We drove from San Fernando valley to Los Angelss to get this famous chicken. I think now China owns. everything about it changed. Not the same. popularity all gone. Amzin

[@zroy9263]

It's always interesting to listen to the subject of Los Angeles history! I'm originally from Brooklyn, NY, but I grew up in the suburbs of the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles. Hollywood and Los Angeles are amongst the most interesting places on the entire planet! As a result, I enjoy reading 📚 true crime novels by the greats James Ellroy and Walter Mosley. As an organized crime historian, LA also has an interesting history as well. Thank you for also sharing the history of the talented and affluent Black American entertainers and professionals that gave this affluent community a great history and prominence. Paul Williams was a brilliant architect! It's a shame that society only focuses on Black entertainers and athletes! West Adams is a very interesting location in Los Angeles! I hope that it will stand the test of time.

[@bradbell3744]

I'm glad you liked the video. Thanks for sharing.

[@marving1416]

I wish I had know about this area when I was in L.A several years ago!

[@cocoaorange1]

I never heard of West Adams, very informative video.

[@yvetteg]

I just came across your video. This was a great video to watch!

[@bradbell3744]

Thank you, Yvette.

[@scotverdin9401]

Great video. I grew up in LA but moved after high school so it's nice to revisit and learn new things about my birthplace.

[@sue8237]

Such rich history and gorgeous buildings!

[@christinacolazzo9885]

Brilliant! I so lament beautiful Old Los Angeles specially for us natives the transplants do not appreciate history it's only a house in an area that might be convenient!!

[@francisspratley7212]

This was wonderful. Thank you. 👏🏽👁️🖤🏨

[@machinelearng]

Another celebrity who lived in West Adams was Big Mama Thornton. She made the songs "You Ain't Nothing But A Hound Dog" or just "Hound Dog" famous. She lived a few houses from my house. Same side of the street.

[@bradbell3744]

I had no idea that she recorded this song three years before Elvis Presley.

[@machinelearng]

​@@bradbell3744 Lol yep. Us kids on the had no idea she was a woman because she wore mens suits with a big fedora covering her eyes. She had a big belly and she was tall for a woman. We were all afraid of her until one of the adults told us it was Big Mama Thornton. There were TV commercials on selling her oldies at that time, so we realized she was ok lol. It was a great neighborhood. A 7 bedroom house cost 20k back then.

[@machinelearng]

​@@bradbell3744 And isn't it a terrible shame what these vultures are trying to do to the Presley Estate. They're trying to steal it. I wish I or someone could start a fund raiser to keep the Presley Estate (Graceland) in the hands of the Presley family. The Carpet baggers coming to pick the bones clean. My aunt sang background for Elvis when he performed in Vegas and on several of his songs he recorded in the late 60s to the 70s. She was part of the group called The Sweet Inspirations, so I have personal feelings about that

[@gloriousjohnson1807]

: As well as Marvin Gaye

[@chairlesnicol672]

@Machinlearng What's your name?

[@edgardosalguero9979]

One of the best videos well done sir I grew up in west Adams. Awesome place

[@goldenlady1213]

Would love to visit Hattie McDaniels house !!!!!!! Do you know if tours are offered or is it privately owned ????

[@bradbell3744]

@@goldenlady1213 I would think it is privately owned. Haven't heard otherwise.

[@HugoBrown]

That was really interesting Brad, thanks for taking the time to provide us with people and history of West Adams. Love it when youtube recommends channels I might like

[@pivotshot6121]

Thanks, for the wonderful tour and history of the West Adams neighborhood. I used to work at Mount Saint Mary’s University for many years and spent a lot of time in the Doheny mansion. The whole campus is nice. An oasis!

[@bradbell3744]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video. It wasn't until I read a book about Fredrick Rindge and found out he had a home in the West Adams neighborhood that my interest was piqued. I had always known that there were famous mansions in the neighborhood. Then around this same time I made several trips Earle's sandwich shop on Crenshaw to help Cary sell a car. See my video: "Restored Vehicle for Sale". Thanks for the comments pivotshot6121.

[@machinelearng]

I'm commenting as the video goes by. Paul Williams also designed my grandfather's church on Central Avenue. New Hope Baptist Church. Its more art deco style like the Shine Auditorium or LA City Hall

[@goldenlady1213]

Thank you so much for sharing a wonderful part of history. Paul Williams was ABSOLUTELY THE BEST !!!!!!! I would love to own one of the homes he designed . I've already included this on my vision board and with FAITH..... I will OWN one of those homes.

[@cocoaorange1]

Who was Paul Williams?

[@machinelearng]

​@@cocoaorange1 Paul Williams was the first black Architect certified west of the Mississippi. In the 1920s he experienced that some white people didn't want to sit next to him while he sketched out the drafts for their homes or other buildings so he learn to draw everything upside down. That way he could sit on the opposite side of the table and draw the building so the image was right-side up for the customer but upside down for him. He grew up in Los Angeles and went to USC.

[@barbarawright5548]

Beautiful house.

[@machinelearng]

When I was in 5th and 6th grade my sister and I would walk past the Golden State Mutual Life Building every day. A sharp dressed bookie named Sam use to give every single kid that passed that side of the street a shiny quarter. Which back then was enough to get a few things from the store. The actress Yvette Wilson who played Andell Wilkerson on the Moesha TV show and later The Parker's TV show walk to and from school with my sister and I. There was a short cut going past the First AME Church where we would all walk in between the old buildings back then. Everything was run down at that time. All the kids were told, that big house in the center of the street was where the Black Panthers use to hang out in the 60s

[@gloriousjohnson1807]

: I watched them construct The First A.M.E. Church. My grandmother lived on 23rd/Lasalle.

[@machinelearng]

@@gloriousjohnson1807 Lol Nice. We lived on LaSalle also. Two blocks south of Adams. My cousins lived on the block behind the Hattie McDaniel's house. The apartment building diagonally south, across from First AME is where they made the finale scene from Cleopatra Jones. That building was vacant for almost 15 years

[@bluewave7120]

What year was that back in the day?

[@Melinda_Ross]

What a lovely house.

[@bradbell3744]

Hi Melinda. Here's a link to Huell Howser showcasing the mansion: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXjJn5t-qZymm80

[@JaNeDoE-001]

Very interesting history

[@user-xt3gh6du9r]

Loved the tour

[@antoniahamilton3201]

Well done! I just subscribed. I can't wait to view all the rest. You must really love Los Angeles. Thank you.

[@bradbell3744]

Thanks for the kind words.

[@trishrobinson5828]

Thank you for all the fascinating information about this area. I appreciate your sharing with us.

[@bradbell3744]

Thank you for the compliment. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@goldenlady1213]

​@@bradbell3744Wonderfull job !!!!! I appreciate you for giving Mr. Williams ALL of his propers !!!!!Look forward to seeing the rest of videos. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@rflores70312]

Amazing work sir !!!! Thank you

[@bradbell3744]

Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@joankrieger2673]

Thank you so very much Mr.Bell for this very informative architectural video.I had the privilege of living in Hancock Park,LA for 6years and walked every block of it admiring the various archiectural styles....still I knew nothing of the West Adams neighborhood!

[@dinopulizzi8481]

A very informative video !

[@tommybutler2454]

Beautiful !

[@ono2767]

I'm Dad works for Mt Saint Mary's University. I have been inside this home many times as a kid

[@bradbell3744]

I would have loved to have taken a tour of the interior. But I did get an interior tour of Greystone mansion 20+ years ago. There was, however, a tour of the mansion with Huell Howser.

[@rchoper21]

I went to 24th st elementary school! It had over 2000 students in the 60s when me and my sister all went to. The surrounding neighborhood was rundown and poor that's why this is eye opening for me. I walked past some of these home as a small child. I lived on 22nd st.

[@bradbell3744]

I parked very near the school when I went to see the Paul Williams Memorial. Lots of interesting homes in the neighborhood.

[@user-qy3ml6bv1d]

Not sure, but the Doheny house looks like the house in Captains and the Kings, the mini series based on Taylor Caldwell's novel, as Joseph Armagh's house. Also, maybe, the Fred Ridge house. At least, maybe, designed by the same architect.

[@lisamarts5678]

i love this

[@pittsburge88]

Much Appreciated!

[@machinelearng]

I grew up in this neighborhood, it goes further west than Western Blvd. I would say it goes just past Arlington to the west.

[@bradbell3744]

That might be true. There are several sources that clarify the boundaries for the West Adams neighborhood, and they differ slightly. If you look at "West Adams, Los Angeles" on Wikipedia, then scroll down to Geography you'll find differing opinions. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Adams,_Los_Angeles

[@machinelearng]

​@@bradbell3744 I understand. But I lived there for 30 years and learned the history of West Adams from those who lived there since the 50s. I also put very little trust in Wikipedia. Sugar Ray Robinson lived on Adams Blvd, on the corner at the light just before you get to Crenshaw, until his death, and he used to say, West Adams was his home

[@bradbell3744]

@@machinelearng Thanks for your perspective and your adding that Sugar Ray Robinson lived in the area.

[@IBKNW]

How about Hancock Park. I remember Diana Ross lived in this area as well as the Golden Bird Chicken owners 1953 opened ( Willie and Zelma Stennis.)

[@nellienell924]

My neighborhood 🤗

[@JesusOnlyWay-d8e]

nice historic homes

[@marknelson2-ih6sq]

House #3 was used for the CURSE OF THE CAT PEOPLE fantasy/ chiller movie

[@TheIndependentLens]

The house used in the Insidious movies is in the West Adams area. I think it’s on Victoria Circle.

[@jazz2020]

Great upload!

[@chairlesnicol672]

@Machinelearning Thnx for that one!

[@stardel]

You left out one of Paul's most magnificent structures the Darby hotel which housed the presidents of the United States and even Marilyn Monroe right on west Adams.

[@bradbell3744]

I had never heard of the Darby Hotel before, but was able to find photos online. It appears to have been built in 1910 so Paul Williams was not the architect. It was beautiful though. If you find links to the hotel or information regarding it's history, please share. I was able to find out that this building is still there and the exterior is still the same. It is now called the Grace Apartment Hotel.

[@barbarawright5548]

What is the house used for that was donated to Mount Saint Mary.

[@bradbell3744]

I don't know. But you call call Mount Saint Mary's University (Doheny Campus) and inquire. Here's a video by Huell Houser about the mansion: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXjJn5t-qZymm80

[@JesusOnlyWay-d8e]

roscoe arbuckle had a house here too. he was a silent film star.

[@jamesr2164]

The Doheny mansion is not located at 10 Chester Place, the address is 8 Chester Place.

[@satatay23]

The campus follows no rhyme or reason in regards to address. They consider the whole campus as 10 Chester Place, with numbered buildings. Those numbers do not correlate to surrounding address measures. They should fall under the 700 block, or 2300 block numbering.

[@bradbell3744]

@bradbell3744 I've seen references to both 8 and 10 Chester Place. I think the distinction is that when the home was the mansion of Edward Dohney the address was 8 Chester Place, but now, the mansion is part of Mount St. Mary’s University which has a 10 Chester Place address.

[@tracieallen5445]

I grew up in Los Angeles, Adams area Marvin Gaye

[@mylesgarcia4625]

Am disappointed that you did not include what is today the home of the LA84 Foundation and Olympic Library. That is the one mansion in the West Adams neighborhood I am familiar with and fond of.

[@bradbell3744]

At 1:12 into the video there is an image of the LA84 Foundation building. Thank you for mentioning two additional points of interest in the area.

[@mylesgarcia4625]

@@bradbell3744 Right. I had skipped over that part earlier. Sorry.

[@hoboninjas]

Brad be getting me Stoney Point Beta and LA Beta

[@hoboninjas]

I used to live at 1190 W Adams, so this video was very interesting.

[@rurirury380]

I have a friend there opinaldo

[@shelbynamels7948]

it's what's called a 'historically white neighborhood'.

[@imatexasfetushoescantkillm2768]

people of european descent create beautiful things

[@micheleemcdaniel389]

Paul Williams was African American.

[@zroy9263]

Yes, people of European descent create beautiful things. However, ALL people of this world create beautiful things!

[@goldenlady1213]

​@@micheleemcdaniel389❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@JesusOnlyWay-d8e]

ROSCOE WAS RAILROADED.. HE WAS INNOCENT!!!

[@paulguycaspermanzanares9404]

The whole area used to be all white neighborhood back in the day 😮

[@bluewave7120]

Fatty should not have been acquitted

[@bradbell3744]

I tend to agree. But, Maude Delmont, his main accuser, had a police record for extortion, blackmail and prostitution. Those interested can take a look at this: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Rappe

[@ms.annthrope415]

West Adams is a shithole. Go there. Just leave before the sun goes down. Dont wear anything expensive on your person. Dont drive a nice car.

[@CaliBestEats]

Fear not lol