Spadena House
The Spadena House, also known as the Witch’s House, is a storybook house in Beverly Hills designed by Hollywood art director Harry Oliver. It was originally built in 1921 to serve as the offices and dressing rooms for Irvin Willat’s silent film studio in Culver City. When Willat joined Paramount, his entire studio (including the house) was sold to Ward Lascelle, who moved the house to Beverly Hills in 1924 and lived in it with his wife, Lillian. The Lascelles divorced in the late 1930s and as part of the divorce settlement, Lillian was awarded the house. In the late 1940s, Lillian married Louis Spadena whose surname became associated with the unique property. The house was sold to Doris Green in 1965. Every Halloween, Green welcomed trick or treaters dressed as “the Witch of Walden.” The Spadena House is a City of Beverly Hills Landmark.
Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County
Photographer: John Bare
