Saturday, March 6, 2010

Harden Gatehouse Gate at Portuguese Point

The gate.
The threshold: "PRIVATE PROPERTY - PERMISSION TO PASS OVER REVOCABLE AT ANY TIME"

The lovely plaque by the Historical Society - artist unknown

"HARDEN GATEHOUSE - PORTUGUESE POINT: Edward Walker Harden married Ruth Isabel Vanderlip in 1908, in Chicago. They built the gatehouse, as it stands today, in 1926. Gordon Kaufmann was the architect and the Olmsted brothers designed the landscapint. The imposing structure is of Tuscan design. The planned villa was not built due to the 1929 stock market disaster. 1.94 acres remain and command one of the most beutiful ocean views on the pneinsula. Dedicated as an historical site. This, the 18th day of August 1990 (Rancho de los Verdes Historical Society)"

In this 1955 photograph, the Gatehouse can be located at the very left edge, about two-thirds down: Aerial view of Abalone Cove and Portuguese Bend, Rancho Palos Verdes (The Palos Verdes Library - Local History Collection)

16 comments:

Pasadena Adjacent said...

I've walked past this home often (if it's the one I'm thinking of). The historical photo shows a pier. I wonder when that was dismantled.

They film the building of the house in the movie "Life as a House" with Kevin Kleine on Portuguese Bend. I was very distraught when I took a walk on the bluff and discovered the wood framing up on the far edge. Thank goodness it was for a movie. I thought it was the Trumpsters doing.

BlossomFlowerGirl said...

Wonderful photos Tash, and I love the "permission" to pass one. Being there and seeing that I would have an irrestigble urge to pass right over!
Cheers.
Melbourne Daily Photo

Laurie Allee said...

These are so gorgeous.

gogouci said...

Awesome ancient, heavy looking doors.

brattcat said...

That first shot is so rich in color and texture. Love it.

crocrodyl said...

Wonderful photos! Great atmosphere of these shots! I agree with brattcat - lovely colors and textures!

Louis la Vache said...

Is this the "movie trailer"? Are you going to show us the "feature film"?
;-)

Cafe Observer said...

A good one despite it all looking basically like one color!

Pat said...

Gorgeous gate, the wood, the iron...and the plaque!

Cezar and Léia said...

I want to open that gate! :)
Wonderful pictures and so impressive door!
Hugs
Léia

humanobserver said...

very beautiful and decorative

Babzy.B said...

i like old doors the first shot is beautiful :)

colleenmc said...

You always have such great pictures, I love coming to this site.
I just finished listening to "The Year of Magical Thinking" by Joan Didion and I believe this is an important spot (Portuguese Bend gatehouse)that she refers to in her book. She and her husband lived in the gatehouse when they were young and not too long married; they started raising their daughter there. There are many happy mentions of it in this sad but wonderful book.

George said...

Call me picky, but I have a correction. My wife's greatgrandparents were married in 1903, not 1908. Otherwise, thanks for featuring the house. I hope you return to it at another time!

-J said...

Thank you so much for sharing.

-J said...

Beautiful pictures of a gorgeous house built by a visionary man. Thank you for sharing.