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Watts Towers of Simon Rodia Review

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Watts Towers of Simon Rodia

Address: 1727 E. 107th St., Take I-110 to I-105 east; exit north at S. Central Ave., and turn right onto 108th St., left onto Willowbrook Ave., Watts, Los Angeles, CA, 90002 | Map It
Phone: 213/847-4646

Category: Memorials/Monuments
Location: Downtown Los Angeles

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Fodor's Review:

The jewel of rough South L.A. is the legacy of Simon Rodia, a tile setter who emigrated from Italy to California and erected one of the world's greatest folk-art structures. From 1921 until 1954, without any help, this eccentric man built the three main cement towers, using pipes, bed frames, and anything else he could find. He embellished them with bits of colorful glass, broken pottery, and more than 70,000 seashells. The towers still stand preserved, now the centerpiece of a state historic park and cultural center, part of an effort by Watts neighborhood leaders to overcome the area's gangland/riot-zone history—but it's still best to use your street smarts while visiting.

Cost: $7, includes tour
Open: Gallery Tues.-Sat. 10-4, Sun. noon-4; tours Fri. 11-3, Sat. 10:30-3, Sun. 12:30-3

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