Andy Chase

It Only Took 12 Years
Originally uploaded by Usonian

Back in 1998, I became a docent at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Ennis House in Los Angeles. I built the first proper web site for the house, and as a token of appreciation I was given this block tile - while not a reproduction of the actual blocks used for construction, it’s a full-size, fully accurate representation of the pattern repeated throughout the house.

This thing has spent the last 12 years leaning in various places - mostly in dusty corners and occasionally on shelves, and I’m quite pleased to finally have a place to hang it.

I’m still obsessed with Wright’s textile block houses. I swear I’m going to build a folly using the technique someday.

(For more information, see http://www.scottishrite.org/where/hq.html)

After about 5 and a half years with my current hosting company, my account is a predictably cluttered mess of files, some of which are still being hosted while others are just junk thrown up for testing purposes, and others which are just sitting there taking up space.

In the past I have resisted the idea of doing a clean sweep, not wanting to irk people arriving from search engines, or who might actually have a page bookmarked… but considering that I don’t really pay attention to my stats or incoming searches these days, do I really care?

12/30/2001 - Covina Bowl

1060 West San Bernardino Road • Covina, California

Although Covina Bowl's decor is not tiki-themed, a pseudo-polynesian influence is definitely evident in the high, peaked roof over the entrance to the alley.

12/30/2001 - La Habra Flower Shop

2274 West Whittier Blvd • La Habra, California

Although the signs and color scheme look like they jumped right out of a 1960's episode of Dragnet, the sharply angled, jutting roof looks more like a product of the 1950's.

12/30/2001 - Shangri Lodge Hotel

5640 Rosemead Boulevard • Pico Rivera, California

A classic 1950's hotel name if ever there was one.

12/30/2001 - 12/30/2001 - Friendly Hills Bowl

15545 East Whittier Boulevard • Whittier, California

The contrast of the futuristic boomerang roof against the stone material of the wall is a perfect example of the Googie style.

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12/30/2001 - Tastee Freez

127 N. Asuza Ave • Covina, California

I believe the orange A-Frame design pegs this as one of the original Tastee Freez restaurants, but never having had them around central Massachusetts (at least, not that I knew of) I can't say for sure.

12/30/2001 - Paradise Island
5430 Rosemead Boulevard • Pico Rivera, California

I nearly locked the brakes on my poor car when I spotted this amazing tiki apartment building on Rosemead boulevard. I quickly pulled onto a side street and parked to take some photos.

Safari Inn - 1911 West Olive St, Burbank, California

A wonderfully preserved sign presides over the classic 1950's motel, which you may recognize as one of the filming locations for True Romance. Be sure to visit 8 Ball, a retro clothing and accessories store located across the street.