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The Sowden House: A Mayan Residence of Mysteries

The Sowden House, designed by Lloyd Wright.

From serving as suitable scenery for scary movies to keeping real-life secrets within its walls, the famous Sowden House knows how to attract both film enthusiasts and amateur detectives. In 1926, skilled architect Lloyd Wright designed this masterpiece of a house for painter and photographer John Sowden, who the Mayan-style residence is named after.

The Sowden House, designed by Lloyd Wright.
Photo by depositphotos.com

The history of Wright’s best work

There have been more than ten owners of the Sowden House, John Sowden being the very first possessor of them all. The breathtaking residence was designed for him by Frank Lloyd Wright Jr, son of the icon Frank Lloyd Wright. John Sowden and his wife Ruth were known to be talented artists and held a reputation for being real party animals. As a newlywed couple, they sought an experienced designer to build their dream house. Having designed numerous sets for Paramount Studios, Lloyd Wright was a perfect match, fulfilling their expectations. In 1926, he flawlessly designed a mysterious and theatrical house for the artistic party couple, which nowadays is known to be his best work and is even listed as one of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments

The Black Dahlia mystery

The Sowden House plays a significant role in the Black Dahlia mystery. The residence is the perfect setting for many horror and thriller cinematics because of its unique design and the scary history it holds. The Black Dahlia mystery refers to the dark and somber crime involving Elizabeth Short, a 22-year-old victim who got brutally mutilated and cruelly murdered in the year 1947. Dr. George Hodel, a physician and probably an even bigger party animal than the Sowden couple, bought the residence in 1945. He frequently held outrageous parties driven by sex and drugs. When Hodel passed away, his son implied that his father was a sadist and accused him of mercilessly cutting her up and killing her in the basement of the once-innocent Sowden House. However, the case remains officially unsolved until this day.

The design of the Jaw House

Among the homes for rent los angeles has to offer, the Jaw House may be one of the most fascinating ones. The captivating yet frightening front entrance reminds many of the mouth of a shark, which is where the nickname Jaw House comes from. The sand-colored zigzagging blocks of pre-cast concrete create the iconic and jaw-like entrance look is based on…

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