Watts Towers ~ 1727 East 107th St. ~ Los Angeles, CA 90002
If you have never been, and you have the opportunity to go, ya just gotta go! Its a few blocks away from the 103 St Blue Line station.
Watts Towers was built by Simon Rodia (all by himself!)- You can read more about Watts Towers here.
Now, about my visit...
I went on a Saturday afternoon with some friends from out of town. I have never been before, but have always wanted to go (in theory) but in practice I just wasn't that motivated to travel that far south. It just looked so far away on the metro map. But really, it took about 40 minutes to get there via red line (Hollywood & Highland), blue line (103rd St) and foot. -And the travel time went by really fast.
Watts Towers is right in the middle of a residential neighborhood, being out of place with its surroundings (Rodia built the towers on his property). There were quite a few people in the houses nearby lounging around on their porches and children playing in the front yard which kind of gave the neighborhood a personable and interactive feel. I asked some guy who was chill'n on his porch with his friends "Whats it like to live across the street from Watts Towers?" "I see the towers everyday so its kind of boring." he said while sipping is beer.
I would so love to live on this street.
We went to buy our admissions ticket (which was about $7-$8, I forgot exactly) in the building west to the towers and then waited around outside the locked gate for the next tour (the general public is only allowed in for the guided tour, after the tour roaming around to look at the place yourself is allowed).
The guided tour lasted about 15-20 minutes. The tour guide has a monotoned voice and would tell us precise details about Rodia's life and the Towers, as if he did this everyday several times a day.
After the tour we watched a 15 minute video that was made in the 1960's about Simon Rodia and Watts Towers. - I would recommend watching it.
On our way back to Hollywood some dude was singing (on the bottom left) in the blue line and a security guard was groov'n along. That is the very first time I have ever seen an MTA security guard just chill and enjoy the music.
[For those not in the know, performing in MTA trains and buses can get you kicked off or fined up to $250.]
This entry has been cross posted at Memo Pisa El Lodo
