The Old Trapper’s Lodge!

Old Trapper's Lodge
Landmark #939-2 Los Angeles County Visited: October 23, 2011 Plaque?  YES! 🙂
What is it? The sculpture work of John Ehn is still preserved today on the Pierce College campus!
What makes it historical? THE GUIDE SAYS: Old Trapper’s Lodge is one of California’s remarkable Twentieth Century Folk Art Environments. It represents the life work of John Ehn (1897-1981), a self-taught artist who wished to pass on a sense of the Old West, derived from personal experiences, myths, and tall tales. From 1951 to 1981, using his family as models, and incorporating memorabilia, the “Old Trapper” followed his dreams and visions to create the Lodge and its “Boot Hill.”

OTHER TIDBITS: John Ehn was a former tracker who opened a Western themed motel in Burbank in 1941. When business just wasn’t cutting it, legend has it he approached Claude Bell, who later constructed the Cabazon Dinosaurs, figured after three days of observation that anyone could create art, and decided to make his own sculptures without any training! After the motel land was sold, the sculptures were spirited away to Pierce College and touched up by mysterious volunteers!

How can I Help the Helpers? HERE’S HOW:

Where is this place? LISTED DIRECTIONS:
Los Angeles Pierce College
Cleveland Park
6201 Winnetka Ave
Woodland Hills, CA 91367

ANNOTATIONS:
Parking is about 500 feet west of the intersection of Mason St and El Rancho Drive! From there, head north, over dirt or through another parking lot, until you come to the sculptures. Once you start walking, you can’t miss ’em!

From Los Angeles: ~25mi (41km) — 0.5hrs
From Sacramento: ~379mi (610km) — 6.4hrs
From San Diego: ~149mi (240km) — 2.5hrs
From San Francisco: ~376mi (606km) — 6.3hrs

When should I go? Whenever the mood strikes you!

Old Trapper's Lodge

Old Trapper's Lodge

Old Trapper's Lodge

Old Trapper's Lodge

Click here to see more California historical landmarks!

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