Silver Lake in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

O’Neill Duplex No. 1

Photographed by Craig Baker, January 5, 2025

1. O’Neill Duplex No. 1 Marker

Inscription.
International style. Rodney A. Walker, architect and builder. Built 1953.
Declared 2007, Historic-Cultural Monument No. 868, Cultural Heritage Commission, City of Los Angeles.

Erected 2007 by City of Los Angeles. (Marker Number 868.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1953.

Location. 34° 5.702′ N, 118° 15.658′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Silver Lake. It can be reached from Cove Avenue east of Silver Lake Boulevard, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2342 Cove Ave, Los Angeles CA 90039, 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.

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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: Mattachine Steps (within shouting distance of this marker); Neutra Studio and Residences (approx. ¼ mile away); How House (approx. half a mile away); Canfield-Moreno Estate (approx. 0.6 miles away); Paul Landacre Residence (approx. 0.6 miles away); Silver Lake & Ivanhoe Reservoirs (approx. 0.7 miles away); Mack Sennett Studios (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named Silver Lake & Ivanhoe Reservoirs (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.

Regarding O’Neill Duplex No. 1. This duplex is one of two built for Virginia O’Neill by Rodney Walker in 1953. The houses were both photo-documented by Julius Schulman in 1954. Walker was a design-build contractor whose Mid-Century Modern homes are frequently compared on par with many of the great architects of his time. Walker, however, never formally studied architecture and was never licensed as one. Later in his life, the AIA offered him a membership.

Photographed by Craig Baker, January 5, 2025

2. O’Neill Duplex No. 1 Marker

Walker, always modest, declined the honor. He always considered himself to be a builder, who happened to design most of his work. The O’Neill Duplexes are set on two graded lots overlooking Silver Lake. No. 1 is situated above Duplex No. 2 in a manner that gives both residences unobstructed views of the lake and beyond. O’Neill Duplex No. 1 retains its original integrity in design and materials. Duplex No. 2 was remodeled into a single family residence in 2005 and then sold. Both interior and exterior materials were replaced with different surfaces. Only No. 1 appears to retain enough of its original material to make it a true historic example of the work of a modest builder who was to create some of the best examples of Modernism over a period of 20 years, doing this at the time when Mid Century Modernism was at its zenith. Walker decided to stop doing construction in the 1960s after he moved his household to Ojai. He eventually bought The Oaks Hotel there and became well known as a gracious host who loved to cook for his guests. He passed away in Ojai in 1986.
-from Charles J. Fisher of Historian4hire.com.

O’Neill Duplex No. 1 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, January 5, 2025

3. O’Neill Duplex No. 1

Mattachine Steps image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, January 5, 2025

4. Mattachine Steps

The duplex is up a few steps on the right.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 197 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 21, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.