Visiting Bolton Hall

Sometimes the best places I visit are completely off the beaten path and the coolest historical spots are often tucked in the midst of neighborhoods. Like the Lummis House and Virginia Robinson Gardens and Lomita Railroad Museum. All hidden gems. Recently, I found yet another special spot, Bolton Hall.

Bolton Hall is located in the small community of Tujunga in the San Fernando Valley. Currently it’s home to the Little Landers Historical Society and contains exhibits related to its corner of the valley.

The Hall itself was built in 1913 and is Los Angeles Historic Monument #2. When it was built the area was completely rural and the hall was surrounded by emptiness. It was built by a Utopian community called Las Terrinitos and was named after Bolton Hall, a proponent of the back-to-the-land movement. It was hand built completely of native materials found in the surrounding countryside. After a few years it became and American Legion Hall and then city hall. When Tujunga was incorporated into Los Angeles it became an administrative building at times serving as a jail and library. In 1959 it was threatened with demolition and, as a response, the Little Landers Historical Society was formed. The building was saved and, after 20 years, restored in 1979. Today it’s a beautiful example of the early architecture of the area.

It truly is a beautiful structure that, thankfully, was saved from demolition. It’s a perfect example of a specific time in the valley’s history and I’m happy it’s still around today.