HOFC: Architect!

OTRSS: Go! HOFC: Architect!

Friends Of Old Fort Oliver, Org.
The Old Dream Merchant!
Desert Rat Scrap Books - Etc.

ARCHITECTURE etc!

Welcome to the Harry Oliver archive! Below, you'll find material about the Old Mirage Salesman's architectural designs and constructions, both in Greater Hollywood and out in the Desert. Expect this to grow as more contributions arrive — but we need your contributions of memorabilia, images and texts to fill in the holes. [hint, hint...] Join the Desert Rat Scrap Book discussion group and post or upload your goodies there. Enjoy —Ric

CONTENTS:

Harry's Adobe & Quaint Architecture
Old Fort Oliver	Adobe de Rancho Ballona	Adobe de Borrego
Gold Gulch calaboose	In his Hollywood days and later, Harry crafted many sets, houses, villages, forts, fantasies. He also designed some notable homes and commercial structures, most famously the Willat-Spadena 'Witch' House and the Van De Kamps bakery windmill. And he build numerous adobe 'forts' and 'ranchos' both for others and for his own use, being the least expensive possible lodging.	Borego Adobe Under Const.

Van De Kamp Bakery windmill	Original Van De Kamp windmill	Tam O'Shanter
*FLASH:* Last VanDeCamps on Route 66 has been SAVED! Click here for brief. (page down)

Spadena (Witch) House "The Spadena house in Beverly Hills is perhaps the ultimate example of Storybook Style, as well as its most literal link to the film industry. The house was designed by Harry Oliver in 1921 and constructed in Culver City to provide offices and dressing rooms for a movie studio. With its serpentine fascia boards and cartoonishly lopsided walls and roofs, the entire design is a cleverly-wrought caricature of dilapidated antiquity. The house appeared in a number of silent films of the era before being moved to Beverly Hills in 1934 and converted into a residence."		Witch House - Willat Studios
1989: Betty Stohler at WITCH HOUSE	Description of the Witch House From Kate Danley's journal:: January 19, 2002: But what was truly the highlight of the whole trip and a place I recommend to everyone was "Witch's House". From the tour book "Designed in 1921 by Harry Oliver, this "Hansel and Gretel" style house was originally built in Culver City as offices for the Irwin C. Willat movie stuidio. Moved here in the early 1930's, it is now a private residence. 516 Walden Drive". It is a home straight out of a dream. It has a moat in front, a rickety bridge going to the teeny front door. The shingles are all catiwampus. Absolutley the most adorable home I have ever seen.

Harry's First Home Hello, Just browsed across your sight (sic) on a whim. Thought you might be interested in a photo of Harry's first home. He was born in this home in Hastings, MN in 1888, and lived there for several years before he headed to California. My wife and I currently own and live in the home which we purchased in 1998 for it's historical value, appearance, and location. Interesting sight you have here. We will add it to our own archives. Thanks for your time. John and Judy Bowles		Harry's Bus Stop bus stop at Varner Road and Harry Oliver Trail, 1000 Palms CA OK, so as architecture it's pretty damn minimal, but at least Harry got a street and bus stop named after him. That's more recognition that YOU probably ever got, eh?
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