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Dead History Project DHP is working in West Hollywood history and preservation and making a documentary film about The Palms bar (formally, one of the US' oldest le***an bars).

Kate Eggert and Krisy Gosney founded Dead History Project (DHP) several years ago. At the time, we wanted a way present little-known Los Angeles history and stories in a way that was different. We thought about how ghost stories and legends are also history. So we set out to use the popularity of ‘ghost hunting’ as a way to tell the history of a place and the people who went there. DHP would pick

a building with a bit of known history and a reputation for being haunted. We would then do extensive research on the building and the land it sits on, and then do a paranormal investigation inside building. We intended to present the stories from our research along with ‘evidence’ from the paranormal investigation in a web series. We started with the Silent Movie Theatre on Fairfax in Los Angeles. There was a lot of legend surrounding the theatre’s past but we wanted to find out what was true and how we could back it all up with proof. Some of the photos and history DHP was able to uncover can be found here. And the paranormal investigation we conducted proves the theatre deserves its legendary status. And then we turned our attention to The Palms bar (on Santa Monica Blvd in West Hollywood). If it’s possible to fall in love with a small stucco box, then it could be said that DHP fell hard. We knew the building had a long, rich history when we started. (And we had heard some ghost stories from past patrons and bartenders.) But we didn’t know the building had a soul until we delved deep into the city archives, assessor office, census records, etc and sought out people associated with the building’s long past. Unfortunately, The Palms bar closed and the building it was in was demolished while we were still investigating. We couldn’t let the history and stories die with the building so DHP turned its focus on making a feature-length documentary film on the bar, the history of the building and the city and people that tolerated one of the US’ oldest operating le***an bars and those who kept it in business for so long. DHP is honored to be the repository of the stories from the bar’s past patrons and employees, and to have personally documented the reunions and the goodbyes, the quiet last drinks and the raucous last parties. The little ‘gay bar’ may be becoming extinct as lgbt people no longer feel they can only be their true selves inside windowless bars. We find it a bit sad though that these little safe havens that once filled a desperate need, and likely saved a life or two, for several generations are now disappearing. But DHP’s documentary, currently titled ‘Where the Misfits Go,’ will see that, at least, The Palms bar is not forgotten. Recently, we have taken the personal and institutional contacts we have made, and the research and logistical knowledge we have acquired and turned it toward historic preservation and advocacy. In 2013, we successfully nominated two 1910 Sherman-era bungalows (on Palm Avenue in West Hollywood) to Local Cultural Resource status. And we are currently engaged in a grassroots campaign, along with the Los Angeles Conservancy, to save a 1938 Wurdeman & Becket (Pan Pacific Auditorium) Streamline Moderne commercial structure (8090 Santa Monica Blvd in West Hollywood, Ca). DHP's work in West Hollywood historic preservation and The Palms bar documentary have been covered in the Los Angeles Times, LA Weekly, Shewired, WeHo News, Out in the 562, WEHOVille, Esotouric’s podcast You Can’t Eat the Sunshine, and most recently Press Play with Madeleine Brand on KCRW.

21/05/2015

We are saddened by this news. We extend our deepest condolences to the homeless man's friends and family.The developer and lobbyist, Jeff Seymour, knowingly let a homeless man live in this building. The fire was mainly at the rear of the building, however, the extant of the damage might be major.

Below are photos we took this morning.

Here are some photos taken this morning of the fire damage. (Save the SMB Streamline Moderne sends their condolences to the family and friends of the man who lost his life in this fire.)

When we toured the building back in August of 2014, there was a homeless man living in the building. The developer's (Charles Company) lobbyist, Jeff Seymour, pointed out a room we were not allowed to enter because a homeless man was living in it. Mr Seymour told us he liked the fact that a homeless person was living in the building. (Jeff Seymour was also involved with the planned rehab of the Pan Pacific Auditorium when it burned to the ground in 1989 by "small fires started by transients," according to Wikipedia.)

Councilmember Duran also toured the building with Jeff Seymour that same day.

Please join us in urging the West Hollywood City Council to press the Charles Company to secure this rare and important building so no more accidents happen to this historic building-

Copy and paste the City Council email addresses below:
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

“Dear West Hollywood City Council,

Regarding the May 21, 2015, fire at the historic Wurdeman and Becket streamline moderne building at 9080 Santa Monica Blvd, please direct the building’s owner, Charles Company, secure the building and keep it safe from further harm, and future 'accidents,' while the fate of the building is decided (and until there is a judgement in the lawsuit brought against the City by the Los Angeles Conservancy).

Sincerely,”
Your Name
City, State

03/02/2015
Business Owners, Preservationists, Neighbors Unite to Support San Vicente Inn Project | WEHOville

The San Vincente Inn project was unanimously approved last night by the West Hollywood City Council! This will, no doubt, be a shining example of how historic properties can be rehabbed and integrated into new design.

So often, developers in West Hollywood see an all or nothing approach to development - tear down everything and start new or do nothing at all. So major congrats to Jeff Klein, his team, and Chattel (Historic Preservation Consultants) for their work and their win last night!

On another note...who exactly filed the "anonymous" appeal against the project? The only hint we have so far is what Norma Triangle resident Frances Diaz dug up in a phone call to the appellant's lawyer. This is what she was told - "some 'commercial group' near the project that insisted on anonymity."

So is the appeal by another developer in the area doing the same thing? Or a developer who is threatened by the community coming together to support a development which rehabs historic properties AND builds new development?

After all, it was the city, staff, Norma Triangle residents, and historic preservationists coming together for a rare time to support this development.

Local business owners, residents and preservationists unite to support San Vicente Inn project.

23/01/2015
WHERE THE MISFITS GO a five minute rough cut

Krisy and I love fighting for our West Hollywood buildings but what we'd rather be doing is our films. :)

I put together a rough cut of The Palms Bar doc. We're naming it 'Where the Misfits Go.' It's a bit rough... but I just wanted to share what we have so far. Hope you guys like it!

“It’s a place where misfits belong.” The Palms bar has operated as a le***an bar since at least the mid 1970s. For most of those 40+ years, The Palms bar was…

20/01/2015
Studio One Logo/Video Wallpaper

Just made this post on our new page - www.facebook.com/SavetheFactoryWestHollywood

This is 10 minutes of the Studio One logo with changing graphics (like they would have played on the screen above the dance floor) and Studio One music.
Take these 10 minutes and write an email to the West Hollywood City Council telling them not to demolish The Factory.

THE DEADLINE IS IN 4 DAYS!!

Here's an example:

‘Dear Senior Planner, Mayor, and Councilmembers: This is regarding the proposed 'Robertson Lane' project that calls for the demolition of The Factory. The Factory must not be demolished. It is a historic landmark (Mitchell Camera, Studio One). It is also vital to LGBT history and memory, and to the city that was founded by LGBT (and senior-housing) advocates. Do not demolish The Factory, adapt and re-use it.’

Your email's subject line should read: Robertson Lane project and The Factory

Send your email to: Senior Planner Jennifer Alkire, Mayor John D'Amico and his deputy Michelle Rex, Mayor Pro Tempore John Heilman and his deputy Fran Solomon, Councilmember John Duran and his deputy Ian Owens, Councilmember Abbe Land and her deputy Kiran Hashmi

Copy/paste their email addresses:
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

PLEASE SHARE THIS POST!

Let’s Save The Factory West Hollywood!!

Cool 80's tech!We've come a long way since the creation of this!

06/01/2015

**Update**

Dead History Project has started the page: Save the Factory West Hollywood, and beginning the effort to save The Factory from being demolished.

Also, DHP is currently doing more patron/employee interviews for the Palms bar documentary. Please contact us to be interviewed!

Photo: Sylvester (You Make Me Feel -Mighty Real-) performing at Studio One circa 1981 (photo: discomusic.com)

24/10/2014

To Die And Live In L.A.

This Saturday (Oct 25th) DHP's Kate Eggert will be on a panel at the Los Angeles Archives Bazaar.

The panel is called 'To Die And Live in L.A'. Kate will be talking about the old Palms bar, and its haunted history (also on the panel- Atlas Obscura and GHOULA).

Come experience the diversity of stories that make Southern California such a place of discovery. At the 9th-annual Los Angeles Archives Bazaar, presented by L.A. as Subject and the USC Libraries, anyone with an interest in the region’s history will find something of value.

In addition, the bazaar will feature an archives roadshow, where anyone can bring historic photos or documents from home they want scanned; panels featuring specialists discussing the monsters that lurk throughout Southern California and L.A.’s “magical” year of 1939; and a screening of Monomania L.A., a documentary sponsored by Cal Humanities and airing on KCET about the motives and passions of collectors.

The 9th-Annual Los Angeles Archives Bazaar
Saturday, October 25, 2014
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Doheny Memorial Library
USC University Park Campus

26/09/2014
The Future and Past of a Dog & Cat Hospital — Press Play with Madeleine Brand — KCRW

The Future and Past of a Dog & Cat Hospital — Press Play with Madeleine Brand — KCRW

Architect Welton Becket designed some of L.A.’s most iconic buildings: The Capitol Records building, the Music Center, the Cinerama Dome. He also designed the Jones Dog and Cat Hospital in West Hollywood. Now, it’s about to be destroyed to make way for a mixed use project called the Melrose Triangle…

25/09/2014
KCRW - Home — KCRW

Today, Thursday (9/25), at around 12:35pm --
Kate Eggert and Krisy Gosney from Save the SMB Streamline Moderne (and the Dead History Project) will be on KCRW talking about the SMB Streamline Moderne/Dr Jones Dog & Cat Hospital:
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
KCRW, 89.9 FM
around 12:35pm
(you can also listen to it online at the link below)

KCRW creates and curates a unique mix of content centered around music discovery, NPR news, cultural exploration and informed public affairs. KCRW is driven by the spirit of Los Angeles and delivers in innovative ways—on the radio, digitally and in person—to diverse, curious communities around the c…

07/07/2014

Save the SMB Streamline Moderne

Kate and I filed an appeal to the Planning Commission's recommendation to approve the demolition of the Streamline Moderne at 9080 SMB. Part of the appeal includes a timeline of reports done by and at the City's request. As you can see below, the City Planner learned of the Wurdeman & Becket connection in 2008, however, that info was not made public until 2014 -- this is the reason our effort to Save the SMB Streamline Moderne might seem last minute.
Please write a letter of support to City Council, their email addresses are under the 'About' tab.

07/07/2014

Save the SMB Streamline Moderne

1938 Wurdeman & Becket (and Plummer), West Hollywood.
1947 Wurdeman & Becket, Pasadena, CA.

One of these buildings is on the National Register of Historic Places. The other is threatened with demolition.

Only 7 days left to save a masterpiece - all letters must be sent to West Holllywood City Council by July 11th. Council's email addresses are at Save the SMB Streamline Moderne - under the 'About' tab.

Spread the word!!

29/06/2014

Here's a photo from 1938/1939 of the Wurdeman and Becket streamline moderne on Santa Monica Blvd. This building is extremely rare and important to West Hollywood, Los Angeles, and California history. Please help us save the building by liking the page, spreading the word, and writing the city council members! Check out the page at https://www.facebook.com/savetheSMBstreamlinemoderne for more information. Thanks for any help!

In 1938 Wurdeman & Becket re-designed, and made an addition to, the first small pet hospital in LA county. Dr Eugene C Jones was the "veterinarians to the stars" at 9080 Santa Monica Blvd. He hired the upstart architects, who had recently designed the Pan-Pacific Auditorium, to create a building which reflected his modern practice and his idea of the future of veterinarian medicine.

Photo credit: Wurdeman & Becket, Bruce Becket Archives

29/06/2014
Save the SMB Streamline Moderne

DHP’s Krisy and Kate are fighting to save the 1938 Wurdeman & Becket streamline moderne on Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood. Check out the page we made to get updates and information on writing the city council and/or attending the July 21st city council meeting. Thanks for your support!

Please help save the 1938 Wurdeman & Becket Streamline Moderne at 9080 Santa Monica Blvd. It's rare and important. Updates to come regularly!

28/03/2014

Check out this great photo of The Tropicana Motel on Santa Monica Blvd!

The Tropicana Motor Lodge was L.A.'s answer to the New York's Chelsea Hotel. It was gutter chic - bohemian cool. So very West Coast! The Runaways stayed here in their early career and you could depend on spotting Tom Waits at the original Dukes Diner attached to the hotel. The Tropicana and Duke's were demolished in the eighties to make way for a Ramada Inn.

21/11/2013
CityDig: The Living History of Angelino Heights

Let this article take you back in time...when lots sold for $500 and there was nothing but dirt roads and rolling hills with desert scrub.

The area was seen as Los Angeles-transcendent when William W. Stilson and Everett E. Hall set about subdividing the choice tract on the western

18/11/2013
California ghost town for sale, including liquor license: $225,000

One of our dreams - to own our very own ghost town.....

California ghost town for sale, including liquor license: $225,000

Down a narrow dirt road in the Sierra Nevada lies a once-bustling gold mining ghost town — “the real McCoy” — complete with a gin mill and memories of an o***m den.

12/11/2013
‘Walking Dead’ boosts tourism for ghostly Grantville

Dead History Project has always had a thing for ghost towns - for the name and also the definition - that there are towns out there where time stands still, where history stands still.

After the cotton mill in Grantville, Georgia closed down, so did the town. This is the town where The Walking Dead is filmed. Check this article out.

GRANTVILLE, Ga. When the cotton mill closed, the rural Georgia town of Grantville began a slow transformation into a ghost town.

08/11/2013

This is one of the photos we dug up at City Hall. It's on Santa Monica Blvd, looking north, 1981. The gym right next door to The Palms Bar = good times.

08/11/2013

Wow. Great then/now photo. You should see what Hollywood Blvd looked like at even the turn of the last century - smell of roses and gardens....

1950 & now - 3350 Wilshire Blvd. The mansion, belonging to a bankers son, was razed for an office building.

31/10/2013
WeHo ‘Haunts’ with Ghostly Pasts | WEHOville

WEHOville did a fabulous story on some of the haunts in West Hollywood...including The Palms Bar!

Where have the spirits not crossed over in the Creative City? Comedy Store, Cinefamily and The Palms have spooky pasts.

17/10/2013

With Halloween coming up, we can't stop thinking about our two paranormal investigations we did at The Palms Bar. Sadly the bar is no longer there but it doesn't mean it has stopped haunting.

Here's a still from the web series (promise we're still releasing it!) we did on The Palms bar.

R.I.P. to the greatest bar ever. — with Terri Tilton at The Palms Bar.

17/10/2013

Dead History Project's cover photo

16/07/2013

Thank you to Krisy Gosney - love that we make such a great team! Thank you to the WHPA and all its members for its continued support throughout the whole process. And, thank you to everyone who spoke or wrote in support of this designation.

A very special thank you to Councilmember Jeffrey Prang, Mayor Pro Tempore John D'Amico, and Councilmember John Duran for their vote in designating these homes!

Most of all, thank you to these wonderful homes - I can't wait to see the day when they get restored! Krisy and I would have never fought this hard if we didn't believe these homes were special and unique.

14/07/2013

Gay Pride 1985 on Santa Monica Blvd. The Palms bar is to the left.

13/07/2013

An amazing photograph taken by Steven Soto when The Palms bar came down.

...legendary watering hole-gone...

11/07/2013

Well, we've heard the building that was once The Palms bar is officially gone. I always envisioned filming it. Seems fitting that I didn't. Now The Palms bar is, how it's always been, in all our hearts everywhere across the world. There is no physical structure but that never mattered - it was the connections we took with us. Long live The Palms bar!

11/07/2013

If you're in the West Hollywood area, go to the The Palms bar site and film the bulldozers! Grab your phone, film it, and we'll put in the documentary!

11/07/2013

The Palms is coming down right now. I'm out of town for the day. Is there anybody who can go over there and film it??

26/06/2013

Meet Rosser. If it wasn't for her "Film Fatale" night at The Palms bar, she wouldn't have met her wife! They married on July 7, 2007 and stood with the crowds at West Hollywood City Hall on June 17, 2008 to get married!

26/06/2013

Meet John and Felipe. They met at The Palms bar on July 25, 1996 and 12 years later got married on October 30, 2008 before Prop 8 passed! Congrats you two!!

26/06/2013

Hi everyone! We have so many people to interview and we have haven't forgotten! I looked at 2 spaces today that are nearby to The Palms to do the interviews. Wish we could still do them at The Palms :(

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