The woman was a true pioneer and a unique example of bohemia who came to Los Angeles in the early 20th century. She was looking for freedom from conventions, so she decided to try a new life. Losangeleska will reveal more about the story of the oil heiress and committed feminist.
Rebellious Aline
She was called a radical and labeled as a devout feminist, a progressive woman, noting her rebellious nature. How did she manifest it? For example, Aline Barnsdall deliberately chose to have a child out of wedlock, at the time, it was quite a scandal. The marriage itself she considered a vestige of the past. Aline’s goal was to make changes, so she headed West.
In her opinion, Los Angeles was the perfect place to implement her dreams. Whereas, she thought the opposite of New York. It is worth adding that Aline wasn’t an average girl but a multimillionaire, the heiress of the oil industry, black gold, and Texas tea.
Olive Hill
In 1919, Aline hired Frank Wright to design a cultural acropolis, Olive Hill. Apparently, a rich lady chose the architect who matched her personality, the most controversial and avant-garde individual. The land plot was on top of a hollow mound. At that time, 0,4 hectares were sold for 10,000 dollars. Aline Barnsdall could purchase 14,6 hectares for 300,000 dollars, she offered cash to the owner.
How did Aline imagine the future building? It had to be a multi-disciplinary art park where during breaks in the experimental theater, visitors could walk around the territory, chat, hold political discussions and have dinner on the roof surrounded by a magical garden. These events would be accompanied by dancing under olive trees and stars. It was rather a progressive view and far from the vision of traditional society. Aline wanted to raise her daughter in this place, in this new world for her.
Interestingly, Hollyhock House was located on the top of Olive Hill. From there, Aline observed the artistic, multi-disciplinary art park. She intended to encourage others to explore theater, dance and film.
An ambitious project
It’s curious that Wright’s design was a combination of Mayan temple styles. Subsequently, Wright never fulfilled his promises regarding the drawings for the theater, constantly increasing the costs. Aline was tired from all of this, she lost patience and enthusiasm. In 1921, she fired architect Wright. The main house, a garage and two boarding houses were the only completed parts of the large project (only one boarding house has survived to this day).
In 1927, Aline donated most of her property to the city, continuing to live part-time in the house. In 1946, she died in one of the guest houses. Los Angeles authorities faced a tricky question: what should they do with such a generous gift?
The most disconcerting fact was that for about 15 years the house, the manifestation of talent, ambitions and artistic ideas of the famous heiress, just stayed boarded up. The locals got into there, walked around, stealing custom-made exclusive items. So, mysteriously, all the original living room set and other valuables disappeared from the house.
In 2019, Hollyhock House became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is prestigious and a great honor.
A gift to the city
In her will, Aline specified that she was donating Barnsdall Art Park to the city of Los Angeles. This place should forever remain a public park, created for the pleasure and leisure of the citizens.
Aline herself was later said to be such a person who had an underestimated impact on Los Angeles culture. She introduced talented people and provided financial support to the artistic community, for instance, she was a contributor to the Hollywood Bowl. Aline Barnsdall became a patroness of photographer Edmund Teske and architects Richard Neutra and Rudolph Schindler.
