Deadly wildfires in Southern California this week destroyed or damaged thousands of structures, including many landmarks in film and cultural history.
A wildfire in the Los Angeles area that authorities say has killed at least six people has destroyed homes, businesses and schools at an alarming rate. One of the hardest-hit areas was the affluent neighborhood west of downtown Los Angeles that the Beach Boys referenced in their 1963 song “Surfin’ USA,” about life on the sunny California coast. , Pacific Palisades.
Some of the famous landmarks that were damaged are listed below.
Palisades Charter High School: This public school is a popular filming location for Hollywood productions, including the 1976 supernatural horror classic “Carrie” and the 2003 remake of “Freaky Friday,” starring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis. It has been used. The school was one of several in Los Angeles County with “significant” fire damage, according to the Los Angeles Unified School District.
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Principal Alberto Carvalho said about 30% of the high school campus was damaged. The Los Angeles Times published a dramatic photo showing him climbing the concrete steps that once led to classroom buildings, but now just a pile of rubble.
As of Wednesday, the high school’s main structures were still intact, with most of the damage to the back of campus, including the athletic facilities, the Times reported.
The high school’s alumni include singer-songwriter Will.i.am, film director J.J. Abrams, and actor and singer Katey Sagal. About 3,000 students were on winter break when the fire broke out.
Will Rogers Ranch Home: Actor Will Rogers owned this 31-room home until his death in 1935. His widow Betty donated the ranch to the California Department of Parks and Recreation in 1944, and the property became a state park. The Palisades fire destroyed a home and other structures on the property, the department said in a news release. The ranch house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
“California State Parks mourns the loss of these precious natural and cultural resources, and our hearts go out to everyone affected by the devastating fires in the Los Angeles area,” said State Parks Director Armando Quintero. .
Topanga Ranch Motel: Also owned by the State Park Service, the Topanga Ranch Motel was built in 1929 by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. When it opened, this bungalow-style motel offered an inexpensive retreat for families and writers across from Malibu’s Topanga Beach. It has appeared on TV and in movies over the years, including in the 1990s in Bridget Fonda’s film Leather Jacket.
The State Park Service acquired the motel in 2001 with plans to restore the approximately 20 cabins for public use. The department confirmed in a news release that the Palisades fire destroyed a motel.
Reel in Malibu: “After 36 years in business, we have lost a beloved restaurant,” staff at this iconic Malibu seafood restaurant said in an online fundraiser. The Malibu Times published video of smoke and fire embers surrounding the restaurant.
A classic on the Pacific Coast Highway, the Reel Inn was popular with locals and celebrities like model Cindy Crawford and comedian Jerry Seinfeld.
Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center: The Eaton Fire destroyed this synagogue dating back to the early 20th century. Executive Director Melissa Levy told NBC Los Angeles that staff were evacuated Tuesday night and Torah scrolls were safely removed from the premises.
Theater Palisades, Pearson Playhouse: This Pacific Palisades community theater, founded by three television writers in the 1960s, has closed due to “severe damage sustained in the Palisades fire,” its website says. said.
Bunny Museum: Billed as “the world’s only museum dedicated to all things rabbits,” this quirky museum in Altadena features more than 45,000 rabbit-related items. It has been recognized multiple times by Guinness World Records as the largest collection of bunny goods.
Officials shared on Facebook that the museum was “burnt down” and later posted: “Today was not a very hoppy day.”
