Mount Washington, next to Highland Park, is a bohemian community developed in the early 20th century. Nestled in the hills are Victorian and craftsman-style homes with a close view of Downtown Los Angeles. You’ll find Gothic Revival, Colonial Revival, Italianate, Octagon and other homes.
By 1909 Mount Washington was the home of artists, intellectuals, free thinkers, and some hunters who made their homes there.
I lived there in the mid-1970s and remember hearing tales of the Night Stalker who dropped off victims in the hills near Mount Washington. At the time, the neighborhood was distressed but now it has become populated with the younger generation who work in downtown Los Angeles and have good-paying jobs.
Most of the old homes in the hills have steep steps to climb which are difficult for older residents so that makes sense.
The Southwest Museum building (now closed)
The building that housed the old Southwest Museum is a landmark in Mount Washington established in 1907 by Charles Fletcher Lummis. He was an anthropologist, historian, journalist, and photographer. It was acquired by the Gene Autry Museum and closed for good in 2022.
Still, the Mission Revival building, designed by architects Sumner P. Hunt and Silas Reese Burns, cannot be missed from the 110 Freeway and is quite impressive.
An LA Metro stop is at the foot of the hill near the old museum that travels to Chinatown and Union Station and then on to Long Beach.
The Self-Realization Fellowship International Headquarters
Up the hill from Avenue 45 in Mount Washington or Highland Park from San Rafael Avenue, you can visit the Self Realization Fellowship International Headquarters and meditation gardens. Moon Canyon Park is also nearby with spectacular serene views of the hillside.
The Self-Realization Fellowship is a secret hideaway that not many people know about. Visitors can walk on the grounds for free, but the building is closed to the public except for special events, classes, and services.
It was established by Paramahamsa Yogananda in 1925 and is called “the Mother Center.” Yogananda lived there for more than twenty years. It has a spectacular view and a gorgeous and well-tended tranquil garden that is well worth visiting if you are in the area.
Just a warning: The hills are steep going up the Mother Center, so make sure your brakes work.
Eldred Street – The tallest street in Los Angeles
If you want a thrill, try driving up. Eldred Street. It is one of the three steepest streets in the United States. Its residents are called Eldred Highlanders. You can also attempt to climb the Eldred Stairs, a set of wooden stairs that are the oldest in Los Angeles.
The Lummis House
Lummis House was the residence of Charles Fletcher Lummis built in the late 19th Century in Rustic Craftsman Style. Weekend tours are available but you must check for availability.
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