Watts Towers of Simon Rodia State Historic Park

When you finally see the Watts Tower that you may have heard about, it boggles the mind that someone could create such an intricate network of sculpted metals and tiles. It takes a long time to absorb the subsets that comprise the overall effect of this monster statement created in the Watts district of Los Angeles, California.

The Watts Towers are comprised of 17 sculptural pieces constructed from steel pipes and rods, wrapped with wire mesh, coated with mortar, and embedded with pieces of porcelain, tile and glass. Two of the towers rise to a height of nearly 100 feet. Surrounded by houses in a residential community two short blocks walking distance from the Los Angeles Metrorail, you can exit the Watts station and get up close to the sculptures. While the gates are only open on certain days of the week, you can still stand outside and see most of the details of this enchanted garden by looking through the ironwork gates or by looking straight up to the spire tips.

Inspired by his homeland, Italian immigrant, Simon Rodia used hand tools and broken glass, sea shells, pottery and ceramic tile creating a tribute to the spirit of individuals and their dreams. It took him 30 years from 1921 to 1955 to build.

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1765 E 107th St
Los Angeles, CA 90002

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