The Magical
History Tour

These unique widgets and tools were salvaged from the old Linda Vista Hospital in Boyle Heights (now Hollenbeck Terrace). Built on the site of the original Santa Fe Coast Lines Hospital, the current Spanish Colonial Revival Structure was constructed over several phases, most significantly from 1925-1939. It was designed by Santa Fe Railroad architect H.L. Gilman, who also collaborated on the Los Angeles Union Station. The hospital was eventually renamed the Linda Vista Community Hospital in 1989 but, following years of steady decline, was finally closed in 1991.

Purchased by AMCAL Multi-Housing Inc. in 2011, the Linda Vista Hospital Complex was converted into affordable housing for seniors and includes a medical facility. It was renamed Hollenbeck Terrace. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and named Los Angeles Historic Cultural Monument #713 in January 2006. The site was also used as a filming location for numerous movies, television shows and music videos.

Spectra Company was hired to complete selective demolition and abatement, and historic metal window restoration.

The Union was originally the Pomona YMCA originally built in 1922. It had become a safe haven for the community thorough it’s mission of Mind, Spirit, and Body (what the triangle in the logo represents). Many generations swam, ran, played, and lived here in this building. The sign was beacon of hope. This original Banister was discovered during the restoration after hidden for many years. You can still find the iconic YMCA triangle symbol throughout the building’s architecture. After many years of standing vacant and neglected, Spectra Company lovingly brought the building to life. Even though the YMCA organization is not at this location any more, we honor the years of community that was built in these walls. This is the original sign that hung outside for almost 100 years.

The Pomona YMCA was built on the former location of the famed Hotel Palomares, which stood from 1897 and 1911, and caught fire on June 14, 1911. The tall palm trees lining Garey Ave were the original trees from the Hotel Palomares.

Within the Union, there are numerous remnants from the First Trust Building (Lloyd’s Bank) in Pasadena. Some of the items salvaged by Spectra Company during their restoration were the doors on the lobby ceiling, the owner’s corner office, and the wood panels used within the Cathedral on the walls and Front of House media booth.

One of the unique artifacts salvaged from Downtown Los Angeles’ historic Hall of Justice is this hand carved wood elevator cab corner. Spectra Company worked on the restoration of this monumental building.

When the Title Insurance and Trust Building opened it was called the “Queen of Spring Street” due to its great size. These gold ornamental floral wall plates were salvaged by Spectra Company from the building during the recent historic renovation. UCLA’s announcement in June 2023 of the acquisition of the historic Trust Building in downtown Los Angeles represented a significant step for the university.

Though, not as old as some of our other artifacts, this book cart has a history all it’s own. A community member, who we affectionately call Juan de Libros, brought in the book cart and replenishes it regularly with free books. The cart was originally used by him at a small church on Spring Street, half a block from the famed The Last Bookstore. He shared a story of a time when a gentleman came in the church looking for something to steal and Juan told him he could take as many books as he wanted from the cart. He further explained that if he walked down the street, The Last Bookstore would give him cash for the books (they still do this, but there’s a bit of a process now). The legacy of free books continues to live on in our lobby, thanks to Juan de Libros and his love for community and literature.

Opening in 1929 in Glendale, CA, the Masonic Temple was later utilized as a theatre. Spectra Company worked on the adaptive reuse of this historic property and was able to salvage many doors, light fixtures, and other artifacts, now located in the Union and Cathedral.

Tiffany & Co’s Flagship store on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills was restored by Spectra Company in 2016. During the process they replaced the iconic steel doors. The doors are the same as the famous vault like doors seen in films like “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” scene at the NYC 5th Ave Flagship store. We received two pairs, one set is installed in the lobby’s Cathedral entrance and one set is installed at the lobby’s MPR entrance.

The Globe Theatre, originally the Morosco Theatre, and Garland Building, was built as a combination office tower and theatre venue. The 1913 Beaux Arts-style Garland Building was designed by Morgan, Walls & Morgan. Built for full-scale live theatre productions, the interior was designed by Alfred F. Rosenheim. While restoring this historic theatre, Spectra Company was able to salvage 5 of these beautiful octagon shaped chandeliers. Working with a local Pomona glass fabricator, they were able to recreate this magnificent lighting feature.

The shingles surrounding the TV in the Cathedral hallway, as well as the shingles in the upstairs Cathedral mezzanine, are from the historic Bridgeport Covered Bridge in Yuma County. The bridge has over 27,000 Sugar Pine shingles, but many needed to be replaced, and Spectra Company salvaged some during its work on the current restoration. The wood beam brackets underneath the mezzanine walkway were originally part of the covered bridge as well. The wood had deteriorated over time with significant damage due to heavy flooding both in 1971 and 1997.

The Bridgeport Bridge was closed to visitors in 2011 due to the compromised structural integrity. Spectra Company worked vigilantly on the project, including raising the bridge on new abutments to mitigate flood damage and in situ replacement of the deteriorated wood. Existing iron and steel hardware was restored while new hidden moment frames and steel stiffeners were added.

The Chandeliers in the Cathedral main hall were originally part of the historic St Paul’s Cathedral located between Figueroa Street and Wilshire Boulevard. The historic Cathedral was unfortunately demolished in 1980 and the Chandeliers somehow made their way to the historic Glendale Masonic Temple, where during the restoration 2016, Spectra Company was able to salvage the chandeliers. Each one was restored to their original beauty and are able to be lifted and dropped via motors.

The remnant plaster wall detail pieces in the Cathedral were salvaged by Spectra Company from the Apple Tower in Downtown Los Angeles. The Tower Theatre opened in 1927 and was the first theatre designed by renowned theatre architect S. Charles Lee. The creative designer fit 900 seats and ground floor retail onto a tiny corner lot. In June 2021, the Tower Theatre was adaptively reused and reopened as a new Apple store.

The Salvation Army Corps Community Center - Pomona was built in 1962 after the organization moved from the Armory (2nd & Parcel), where they had served the community from at least 1900. After they sold the property to Patria Church, the sanctuary pendant lights were donated to the Union. These lights, which were popular in the 40s-60s, have been restored and now hang in the Cathedral’s MPR space.

Stephen Stills, known for his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills & Nash, had a house in Laurel Canyon that served as a popular music hangout. The house, previously owned by Peter Tork (The Monkeys), was a frequent rehearsal space for CSN and even hosted the Rolling Stones for a week of rehearsals in 1969. It was also a place where musicians like Jimi Hendrix and Buddy Miles would jam. Neil Young also lived in a cabin on the property, adjacent to a garage where John Densmore of The Doors lived. The house is believed to be the inspiration behind the Crosby, Stills & Nash song "Our House”. The house was known for its pool and basement studio, which added to its appeal as a music hub. The wood parquet flooring in the Cathedral’s MPR floor and back wall, was from the basement studio floor in Stephen’s infamous home in Laurel Canyon. Legend has it, if you stand on those wood parquets, you can hear them all singing ever so quietly (not really, but you never know).

Caille Bros. provided the Peerless Weighing Machine Co. with 3 popular scales. The first of these was known as the Aristocrat, made in 1916. In the Cave, our green room hidden under the Cathedral stage, we have a beautiful working example that visiting bands use to weigh themselves for fun. It still works with only a penny, which we provide on the wall in old Mason jar.

Hidden in the Cathedral are a set of red theatre seats salvaged by Spectra Company during their restoration of the historic Variety Arts Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles. The Variety Arts Theater, designed by architecture firm Allison & Allison, opened in 1924. Some of the character defining features of the Italian Renaissance style theater include a gold-leafed coffered ceiling and faux marble columns. The theater was originally built for the Friday Morning Club, a social and political organization for women. The main theater, referred to as the Playhouse, would help generate financial support for the building. During its time as the Playhouse, the theater played host to speakers such as Eleanor Roosevelt and Dorothy Parker. Al Jolson and Eddie Cantor hosted live radio shows that were broadcasted from the Playhouse, and it is rumored that Clark Gable got his start performing Romeo and Juliet at the theater in 1925. By the 1970s, the theater had fallen into disrepair. Several attempts were made to reuse the theater for live performances and nightclubs. Today, the building has been rehabilitated as part of a Historic Tax Credit project. It is listed as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.