With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Marilyn Monroe’s Brentwood home is LA’s newest historic-cultural monument
Marilyn Monroe's Brentwood bungalow home. She lived here until her death in 1962. She is seen here in her last public appearance June 2, 1962.
(
Courtesy Los Angeles Public Library and the Los Angeles Herald Examiner Photo Collection
)
Topline:
Marilyn Monroe’s former Brentwood home is now officially a Los Angeles historic-cultural monument.
Why now: The L.A. City Council approved the designation in a 12 to 0 vote on Wednesday, with council members Kevin de León, Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Eunisses Hernandez absent.
Why it matters: Councilmember Traci Park, whose 11th District includes Brentwood and the property on 5th Helena Drive, said to lose the only home Monroe ever owned would be a “devastating blow for historic preservation and for a city where less than 3% of historic designations are associated with women's heritage.”
Support for LAist comes from
The backstory: The current owners planned to demolish the home last year, where Monroe died in 1962. The move sparked a battle on saving the property as fans stepped in to advocate for it to be preserved. Los Angeles' five-member Cultural Heritage Commission unanimously voted to move forward with the designation earlier this year.
What's next: Park said this wasn’t an action she took lightly, and she’s introducing a motion to explore tour bus restrictions on surrounding streets to address neighbor concerns about traffic and safety. Park said her office has also been working closely with the property owners to see if the home could be moved to a place where people could actually visit and spend time there.
Go deeper: Learn more about the struggle to save Monroe’s Brentwood home.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Tens of thousands of workers across Southern California walk out over pay and staffing issues. -
People in and around recent burn scars should be alert to the risk of debris flows. Typical October weather will be back later this week. -
Jet Propulsion Laboratory leadership says the cuts amount to 11% of the workforce. -
The rock legend joins LAist for a lookback on his career — and the next chapter of his music. -
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain. -
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember.
Best of LAist