Nuestro Pueblo LbNA #: 51775
| Placed by: Kelsung (Contact the Placer) | |
| Placement date: Dec 23 2009 | |
| State: California | |
| County: Los Angeles | | | Nearest city: Watts |
| Number of boxes: 1 |
CluesMy 100th plant!
Alive and well as of 8/16/10
"I had in mind I'm gonna do something, something big."
When I look at all my finds in So-Cal on a map, there's this big empty hole in the middle. Of course, that's because nobody feels safe visiting south-central Los Angeles. But there's one landmark that deserves the recognition and is worth the trip.
Italian immigrant Simon Rodia was a divorced and lonely cement and tile worker at age 42 when he began work on his masterpiece on the triangular lot where he lived in the poor neighborhood of Watts. Over the next 34 years, from 1921 to 1954, he created a total of 17 connected structures, including 2 towers standing nearly 100 feet tall, decorated with a variety of found objects: stones, sea shells, broken glass and tile, as well as impressions of tools and other items. At age 75 he unexpectedly sold the property to his neighbor and moved away, never to return.
After changing hands a few times, surviving vandalism and barely avoiding demolition, in 1963 the City of Los Angeles declared the towers a Historical Cultural Monument. In 1978 the property was turned over to the California State Parks and officially designated The Watts Towers of Simon Rodia Historic Park. Finally, in 1990 the towers were accorded National Historic Landmark status.
Exit the 105 freeway at Wilmington Ave and follow the signs for Wilmington Ave north. Turn left on Santa Ana Blvd, just after 108th St, and park along the street, or turn left at Graham Ave and again at 107th St to the front of the Watts Towers Arts Center. Guided tours are Fri 11-3, Sat 10:30-3, Sun 12:30-3 - adults $7, children 13-17 and seniors $3, children 12 and under free. Also, outside along the fence on the south side is a free self-guided tour.
To find the letterbox, find the ampitheatre and travel back in time to 1542, then follow the blue snake to the last bench before the stop sign. Walk just past the bench, face the first tree, kneel down to lift the plants in front of Shorty's triangle and reach back about a foot.
When you're finished, make sure the logbook is sealed in a bag, and that bag and the stamp are both sealed in the second bag. |
|
Before you set out, please read the
waiver of responsibility and disclaimer.
Please be sure to reseal baggies and boxes carefully so that they stay dry
and rehide boxes in their original location, completely hidden from view. |
|
