Valley Oddities
The first of a series in which we explore the strange, the peculiar & the slightly off-kilter
This round house stands halfway up La Tuna Canyon Road in the Northeast corner of the Valley.
I discovered it a while back during a cycling trip. It's one of several round houses I've come across in and around the Valley. But this one, with its crown and columns, is the most spectacular so far. I wonder if it was built as a home, originally, or if it started out as a spa or a restaurant or as some other attraction. One day I'll knock on the door and find out.
Be sure to click on the image to see all the detail.
This round house stands halfway up La Tuna Canyon Road in the Northeast corner of the Valley.
I discovered it a while back during a cycling trip. It's one of several round houses I've come across in and around the Valley. But this one, with its crown and columns, is the most spectacular so far. I wonder if it was built as a home, originally, or if it started out as a spa or a restaurant or as some other attraction. One day I'll knock on the door and find out.
Be sure to click on the image to see all the detail.
posted by M2 at 10:27 AM
12 Comments:
Thank you! Keep coming!
M2
I grew up in Sun Valley, CA. When I was in high school in the early 70s, my friends and I would go up in those hills and hang out, etc. One of my friends always told me that that house was built round so the "ghosts had no corners to hide in"! After seeing your picture, I'll have to go up La Tuna Cyn and take a look at that house again, after all these years. I always wondered, was my friend right?? :-)
As a child, I lived at 8705 La Tuna Canyon Rd., now where the dam sits. The round house was my favorite house on the road, which didn't go through to the la Crescenta side at the time. I went to the house often and was inside a few times. It's constructed of bottles, I can't recall if all but at least part of it is. My mother told me that in the early 1920's, her parents (my grandparents) used to go there when it was a cotillion (a dance place). Can you just imagine roaring 20's dances there?!? I imagine there were patios or a dance floor around it as the building doesn't seem large enough for dances. It's such a cool place.
Believe it or not... the Boy Scouts used to go on hiking & camping outings here ... Our parents dropped us off in the driveway...and we hiked up and around to the hills behind.... (1947 & 1948)
Always a Valley Landmark .... WONDERFUL!!
Thanks for the Pics !!
I grew up in Tujunga, 1976-1984; rumor was that, this has was built round, as the wife of the owner said she would haunt her husband when she died in every corner of the house, thus, her husband built it round, without corners. Made for a fun tale to tell.
I live in Okla. but used to live out there. I shared this on a site, and there are conflicting reports as to when it was built. One person said 1940. I am interested on "locks" comments..nothing like eyewitness. Was there a fire place in center of house? Thank you. Robert Fishback Tulsa OK
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I grew up on Elben Ave just off of La Tuna Canyon Rd. I lived there from 1962-1971.The myth goes like this. The house originally occupied on that property was not round. The owner and his wife had no children. One night during a huge and terrible arguement, he killed his wife through strangulation. As she was able to take one last gasp of air she swore she would haunt every corner of the house. Feeling the truth of her words, he tore down the original house and built the infamous Roundhouse. The house next door was owned by the Pfund family and the entire time I lived in the canyon or visiting (which I still do today, still know people in the area), I never once saw who lived in the house. Even though I knew it was lived in, I never once saw a soul. And I would be at that area all the time. I also did most of my scouting at the Pfund residence. I am still friends with the Pfunds, Moulton and Jones family. We call ourselves the Takasugi fearsome foursome in honor of Mrs.Takasugi our kindergarten teacher at Vinedale Elementary .
You are right. Some of the outside walls are made from very old soda bottles, but not in the construction of the home. La Tuna Canyon pavement stopped at Elben Ave. It wasn't until the late 60's that it finally went all the way through. All planned out for the brand new 210 freeway.
Troop 4 represented La Tuna Canyon Cub Scouts, Weblos and Boy Scouts. Proud to be a former scout in Troop 4.
I sure miss growing up in the canyon. It was unique and many of the behind the scenes or stunt people from the studios lived all over the canyon. The Roundhouse is surely the most fascinating homes in Sun Valley. Although the Pfund home next to the Roundhouse has some pretty incredible history. The house we lived in on Elben was originally built by Jack London, the author of Call of the Wild. It was a single bedroom cabin at the time, but when we moved in (1962) there was no modern heat or electricity and my dad did wonders to that home. Unfortunately all of the rock wall surrounding the house collapsed during the 71 Sylmar quake. Totally enjoy the reminiscent stories. Thanks for the pictures .
One of my favorite memories growing up in Sun Valley. The Round house always fascinated me. I heard the same stories about the owner being afraid of ghost haunting in corners. Does anyone know if it is still standing in 2020?
Yes, the Round House on La Tuna Canyon is still there in 2023. It was really impacted by the mudslides after the canyon fire in 2018, but eventually the area was cleaned up. It’s been up for sale a couple times by it’s current elderly owner. But it’s not in a great location and most likely needs a lot of updates. I see her taking the trash out on some mornings. I enjoyed reading all the interesting history surrounding it. The Roundhouse is still there and surviving.
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