Researching my novels has lead me to discovering all sorts of places. One of them was a hotel called the Chapman Park Hotel and Bungalows. I was surprised I hadn’t heard of it because it stood at 3401 Wilshire Blvd across the corner from both the original Brown Derby restaurant and the Ambassador Hotel where the Cocoanut Grove was. Moreover, as you can see from this postcard, it rather resembled the Garden of Allah Hotel (and Bungalows) – a main building, a large swimming pool and a series of bungalows set among a well-tended garden. It was around during roughly the same time (1936 to late 1960s – it was torn down to make way for the 34-story Equitable Plaza office building erected in 1969.) and had a swanky looking cocktail bar, called the Zephyr Room, which is where you’ll find me throwing back Manhattans.
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The next three photos were sent to me by Andrew Cohen. They were taken at the Chapman Park Oratorio during this parents’ wedding on August 7, 1949:
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And here are a couple of photo of a crumb collector that Nicole Gleason has found in among her family’s good silver. I’ve never seen anything shaped like this before!
We have a hanger from the Chapman Park Hotel. No idea how we got it. I was just checking to see if it still existed. Apparently not. when torn down?
A hanger from the Chapman Park, huh? I’d love to see a photo of it. The hotel was torn down to make way for the 34-story Equitable Plaza office building erected in 1969.
I have a clothes hanger from Chapman Park Hotel I’ve had for as long as I can remember. Got it at a thrift store I believe back in the 70’s. Have had it in my closet for years. Would you like to have it?
Thanks, Lyla. I don’t, but perhaps someone reading this will.
[…] to the Gaylord. The original site of the first Brown Derby was later used for Chapman Hotel (https://www.martinturnbull.com/?p=4788) Recommended Reading Two great books to evoke the era – must have for anyone interested in […]
My parents were married here on The Bride And Groom radio show on September 13, 1946. Dad died in 1999, and Mom died in 2013, 84 and 94 respectively. Married 54 years, they were.
My parents were married here on August 27, 1949 in the Oratorio chapel. Dad passed away in 2011 and Mom in 2014.
Hi Andy, and thanks for sharing. Do you have any photos of your parents’ wedding day?
Yes I do, but I don’t know how to post them.
Martin, nothing else but sickening that this so very beautiful Chapman Park was torn down to put up yet another office building. Can just see myself enjoying life in the white bungalow (4th black and white picture down) which is quintessential Golden Age of Los Angeles to me.
Did you know that back in 1932, 126 female athletes participating in the Olympics were excluded from staying at the Olympic Village with their male competitors and were sequestered here at the Chapman Park? Boy, times have changed, huh?
http://www.kcet.org/socal/departures/columns/assets_c/2012/07/female%20athletes-thumb-600×476-33165.jpg
Enjoy your posts so much!
Jean
Jean, I’ll meet you in your bungalow at 5 for cocktails. I’ll bring the ice!
It housed all the female athletes during the 1932 LA Olympic Games.
I’ve been reading’Dreamers and Schemers’by Barry Siegel. Judmst learned the Chapman Park Hotel was the host for the 127 women athletes of the 1932 Olympics. Thanks for sharing the history.
Yes, it was! For a largely forgotten hotel, it had quite an interesting history.
I ran across this website after purchasing an ashtray from The Chapman Park for my son. I wanted to provide him with some history and I was delighted to find the in depth information you provided. Thank you.
Hey Serra, thanks for stopping by. I’m glad this post was helpful to you!
Came across your website and enjoyed the photos of the Chapman Park Hotel. My parents were married there in 1946 on Bride and Groom. I’am in the process of finding someone to transfer the original recording to CD.
Hi Lee and thanks for stopping by. If you do get the footage transferred to digital and are able to get some clear freeze-frames of the Chapman Park, we’d love to see them!
Charm, That is all I can say about this place. We have none of that today. What a shame.
I am reading Dick Van Dyke’s autobiography and he writes about this place (page 29). It sounds wonderful! Beautiful pictures!
Oh, really??? I must get a hold of that. This hotel is mentioned so seldomly that I almost feel like it’s LA ghost hotel!
I just saw an RKO short on TCM channel on young diving students in pools,
one had signage for the Chapman Park Hotel, Los Angeles. Another was the El Mirador Hotel. Looked to be pre-1960s, black & white, with narration.
Showed a wall of the largest of the hotel buildings, various poolside chairs, etc. as well.
I just saw that same short film on diving. Looked up the hotel because I never heard anything of it. Too bad it was lost to big developers.
I found a cake cutter with the hotel’s name engraved on the back in my family’s good silver. It’s gorgeous!
What a wonderful find!
Martin, thank you for all of this. My sons have moved their band to Hlywd so I spend time there again. I am desperate to show them remnants of the glory that Hollywood once was. We eat at Musso’s etc but the Golden Age keeps vanishing. When I walk/drive the boulevards, I think if the history that happened no doubt on every spot. I hope they preserve what’s left of this magical place.
Hey Michael, Yes, it feels as though we lose pieces of old Hollywood month by month. So keep walking those boulevards while ye may!
Just saw an episode of The Fugitive that was shot there in the mid-60’s