From the son of the owner of 1617 Silverwood

"My father was a geologist — a creative scientist who generally aspired to experience the unusual. He grew up in New England, but fell in love with Los Angeles after serving as an officer in the Army Air Corps in the 1940s followed by moving here for his education. He went to Caltech and UCLA, where he received his PhD. By around 1950, he was invited to teach at Occidental College, where he was bestowed the honor of Professor Emeritus after serving for more than 30 years as a beloved member of their faculty.

His interest in the unusual was reflected in where he chose to live. Early-on, we grew up in a Schindler home, a place best known for its stylish modernity, until it was taken by the 134 Freeway construction. He would eventually buy 1617 because he could not resist, just like the Schindler home, the different architecture.

The home was designed for people to enjoy. On any given night, neighbors were treated to concert-level piano playing of Beethoven, Mozart, or Chopin. If not by his hands on a 1909 baby grand piano, then certainly from his amazing mid-century stereo system. The vaulted ceilings are a sheer delight for their acoustics, but even more, for the view they afford of the San Gabriel Mountains. My father the geologist never tired of that view for the roughly 40 years he lived there. Nor did anyone who would come to visit. This is truly a special place by any measure.

By the way, one of the stories my father told me when he bought the home, was that he purchased it from a prominent L.A. DJ. He thought this was great because the idea that an artist owned it before him was most intriguing. My father the scientist also created several works of art over the years that were beautifully placed within the setting. It just inspires this level of attention, and there is truly no other home like it anywhere. It’s humble in size, but grand in its impact. I can say with great sincerity, that I both miss my father and the times we had enjoying his home."