Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Courtney Desmond Estate

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 3, 2021

1. Courtney Desmond Estate Marker

Inscription.
Spanish / Mediterranean Revival style, Frank H. Harding and George J. Adams, architects. Built 1926. Declared 1989, Historic-Cultural Monument No. 445, Cultural Heritage Commission, City of Los Angeles.

Erected 1989 by City of Los Angeles. (Marker Number 445.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture. In addition, it is included in the Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.

Location. 34° 6.188′ N, 118° 21.45′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Hollywood Hills. It is on Courtney Avenue 0.1 miles north of Hollywood Boulevard, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1807 Courtney Ave, Los Angeles CA 90046, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Wattles Park Mansion (approx. 0.2 miles away); Henry Bollman House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Rock Walk (approx. half a mile away); The Andalusia (approx. 0.7 miles away); Home of John Lautner (approx. 0.7 miles away); Colonial House (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Ronda (approx. ¾ mile away); Stahl House (approx. ¾ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.

Regarding Courtney Desmond Estate.

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Built on Courtney Avenue by Anna Desmond, heir to Desmond’s department stores. She was the daughter of Daniel Desmond, a native of Ireland who came to Los Angeles in 1862 and opened a hat store. Desmond’s grew into a department store with a chain of locations, and the brand continued until recent decades.

Anna Desmond built the dwelling to rent out, and her family, including her widowed mother and siblings, built other residences in this area above Hollywood Boulevard and east of Nichols Canyon. The “Courtney Desmond Estate,” built in 1926, was declared a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 1989.

The estate consists of five residences. The home at 1807 Courtney Avenue was once the home of actress Margaret Hamilton, who was the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz.
This is private property, not open to the public.

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 3, 2021

2. Courtney Desmond Estate Marker

Courtney Desmond Estate image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, October 3, 2021

3. Courtney Desmond Estate

Hidden behind landscaping.

Photographed by Craig Baker, 2017

4. Courtney Desmond Estate

Former Resident - at left image. Click for full size.

1939

5. Former Resident - at left

Actress Margaret Hamilton in The Wizard of Oz.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 1,609 times since then and 226 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 7, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on July 3, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.