Watts Towers
Watts Towers
The Watts Towers are some of the most recognizable landmarks around Los Angeles. There are a number of interesting facilities built around the Watts Towers as well that share their rich history.
Watts Train Station is designated as a National Historic Landmark. This wood frame station showcases construction techniques used in the early 1900s. Plans in the future for this station include housing a Train museum, visitor information center and gift shop.
The Watts Towers Arts Center provides a diverse selection of programs designed for the cultural enrichment of the Watts entire community. The Center houses a jaw dropping collection of African sculpture, an extensive ethnic instrument collection from both Africa and America, and hosts a myriad of changing exhibitions in rotation within the Center's gallery space.
The Watts Towers are an awesome creation. Simon Rodia spent 33 years working to build his towers consisting of nine major sculptures constructed of structural steel and covered with mortar containing a diverse mosaic of broken glass, sea shells, broken pottery and tiles. The monument also features a gazebo with a circular bench, three birdbaths, a center column and a spire reaching a height of 38 feet. Over 12,000 people per year visit this historic site.
The Watts Towers Art Center Amphitheater is a state-of-the-art open-air venue providing a home for the annual Watts Towers Jazz and Drum Festivals. There is also a huge Cinco De Mayo celebration and scheduled performances by the Watts Prophets' Youth Poetry Choir, as well as other musical and theatrical events. Interestingly, the amphitheater depicts a historical timeline of Watts area beginning as early as 40 BC. which can be seen in the land around the area.
Watts Towers area is a cultural and historical treasure chest, be sure to make it a stop on your next trip to Los Angeles.
