August 13, 2005
Disney Animation Studio
Just recently, the Los Angeles City Council approved the expansion of L.A. Historic-Cultural Monument #163, better known as the "Disney Animation School Site" at 2710 Hyperion Avenue in Silverlake. This was the location of the Walt Disney Studios animation school from 1935 until 1940, when the company picked up and moved to Burbank.
Recognizing the Silverlake location where Disney trained cartoonists in the art of film animation is completely appropriate. But why was there a need to expand the boundaries of an existing monument to include additional parcels?
I tend to agree with The Skunks of Los Feliz that expansion of the Monument designation seems odd. What exactly are we preserving here? According Councilmember Tom LaBonge's recent CD4 update, none of the original Disney buildings remain. As one of the Skunk's commentors has suggested, wouldn't putting up a sign at the existing monument site saying "on this site from 1935-1940 stood the original Disney Animation studios" be more beneficial?
Instead, any future development on the expanded site is now subject to design review by the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission and the city's associated preservation ordinances. I suppose the designation might even trigger cultural resource requirements of the California Environmental Act (CEQA).
This would be fine if there was a historic building or structure to protect. Otherwise, I see it as having the potential to create problems. For one thing, it could result in negative press for historic preservation when proposals for development do occur. It all depends on how such a request is handled, of course, and nothing may come of this action whatsoever.
There is value in recognizing the history of our community, even when the physical manifestation of that history is missing. If anything, the expansion of Historical-Cultural Monument #163 should make us think about how we are using the tool of local landmark designation, what we are preserving, and why. There are obviously people in the community who feel strongly about the Disney Animation School Site. This is an important fact, and one that cannot be easily dismissed. As long as people find value in it, who are we to question their efforts to recognize this history.
Following is an excerpt from the CD4 newsletter. Also be sure to check out the L.A. City Communication on the Monument expansion.
DESIGNATION EXPANDED FOR HISTORIC DISNEY STUDIOS Historic-Cultural Monument No. 163, better known as the “Disney Animation School Site” in Silver Lake, was expanded this week by the Los Angeles City Council to include some additional parcels of land on Hyperion Avenue, Griffith Park Boulevard and Angus Street. This property was the site of the animation school for the Walt Disney Studios from 1935 until the studio was moved to its present location in Burbank in 1940. The school was where founder Walt Disney trained cartoonists in the art of film animation. None of the original Disney buildings remain. Today, the various parcels include several commercial buildings along Griffith Park Boulevard and a number of dwelling units accessible from Angus Street.
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