WALK 2: East Loop
EAST LOOP
1. This loop is another segment of the neighborhood that may be an add-on to the Five Sisters Walk from #11 (where it says ‘walk up Marion to Park St”). Or you can just make your way up to the intersection of Marion and Palmer and continue north on Marion to get on this loop. An unsubstantiated rumor persists that the street was named for silent screen star Marion Davies. As you walk it you’ll see several houses designed by Louis Selden, a prominent architect in the 1920s and 1930s. Selden designed a group of homes in the English/Spanish styles at 1000-1016 and 1026-1048 Marion in 1925 and 1926. They are recognizable by their decorative vents and medallions. Many similar houses can be found in neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
2. Turn right at Romulus (formerly called Golden Rule Drive) where Marion dead ends. Notice 1308 Romulus on the right as you approach the intersection with Oberlin. This house is one of the few Streamline Moderne style houses in the city, built in 1947. Further up at 1330 find Peterka House, designed by David Alexman in 1959. The striking mid-century Moderist gem has an exterior of plaster and vertical tongue-and-groove wood plank siding. It is a Glendale landmark.
3. Further up Romulus at 1339, on the left is Prock House, designed in 1961 by Richard Flemming, who also designed the modern masterpiece, Dutton House, in Chevy Chase Canyon. Both houses are Glendale landmarks.
4. At 1359 Romulus you will find on the left the Romulus-Hilda Staircase built in 1925. At that time people often made their way around via public staircases and there are many in Los Angeles, chronicled by Charles Fleming in his fantastic book The Secret Stairs. This is likely the only surviving public stairway in Adams Hill, or even Glendale. Continuing on Romulus you are now leaving Glendale and entering the L.A. side of Adams Hill.
5a. At the east termination of Romulus you have 2 choices. Turn right onto Caledonia Way or make a sharp right turn onto Palmer Ave (see #5b, below). On Caledonia, you’ll walk several blocks with views to the east of hilly Eagle Rock. Then you’ll turn up Wawona and then right on Ranons for a short distance and then back onto Marion Drive. On upper Marion Drive you get sweeping vews of Forest Lawn along the way. You can continue walking on Marion, making a left to head downhill back at Palmer and Marion to the Adams Square area - or just keep going and wander around.
5b. Palmer Ave Route: At the termination of Romulus, you can take a sharp right turn onto Palmer Ave for a short steep stretch nicknamed ‘bun hill’ because it may make your booty burn if you aren’t used to exercising. When you top off on upper Palmer you’ll see the Verdugo Mountains to the north (including Mt. Thom (altitude 2,440 ft) with antennae). Veer left to continue on upper Palmer taking in great views of Griffith Park and downtown Glendale. 1335 Palmer, an unusual wood shake shingled house dating from 1924 could not be built today because in 1990 the city restricted the building of wood homes. Palmer makes a jog downhill and you’ll turn right onto Oberlin for a quick minute and then jog left at Palmer to descend.
6. Notice a French Revival house (with some English touches) at 1214 E. Palmer. It has a lot of clipped gables, also called a “jerkinhead roof”. This feature supposedly offers wind resistance and stability. Many 1920s-30s houses have this feature.
7. Palmer eventually takes you back to Adams Square for coffee and snacks at KAFN or Palmer Market and hanging out at the mini-park to view artwork on display in the 1936 gas station.
6. Palmer eventually takes you back to Adams Square, the mini park and KAFN or Palmer Market for snacks and coffee.