Sportsmen's Lodge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sportsmen's Lodge |
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| General information | |
| Address | 12825 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, California, U.S. |
| Opened | c. 1880s 1945 (as Sportsmen's Lodge) |
| Closed | July 24, 2020 |
| Owner | Midwood Investment & Development |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 5 |
The Sportsmen's Lodge was a famous hotel in Studio City, Los Angeles, California. It was located on Ventura Boulevard. For over a hundred years, it was a popular place for parties, dinners, and events.
The Lodge was a well-known spot in the San Fernando Valley. Many famous actors and movie crews from old Hollywood loved to gather there. Stars like Clark Gable, Bette Davis, John Wayne, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Spencer Tracy, and Katharine Hepburn often visited.
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A Look Back: The Early Days
The Sportsmen's Lodge first opened in the 1880s. This was long before movies were made and before Studio City even had its name. People called it a symbol of the old, country-like life in the Valley.
The Lodge was always a busy spot for travelers. It was close to the Los Angeles River and natural springs. Before big highways were built, all traffic went along Ventura Boulevard. The Lodge was like an oasis for people on road trips.
In the early 1900s, the Sportsmen's Lodge was famous for its trout-fishing lake. Families could catch their own fish, and the Lodge's restaurant would cook it for them. In the 1910s, it was called "Hollywood Trout Farms." Later, in the 1920s, more lakes were added. Fish were brought in from places like Las Vegas and San Luis Obispo.
Hollywood's Favorite Hangout
The Sportsmen's Lodge became a favorite place for actors and film crews. They worked at the nearby Republic Studios. Many stars from Western movies, like John Wayne, Gene Autry, Rex Allen, and Roy Rogers, spent time there. Signed movie posters from these "Hollywood cowboys" once hung in the Lodge's coffee shop.
In 1945, the property officially became the Sportsmen's Lodge. A fancy restaurant and cocktail lounge were added. Guests could still get fishing rods and bait to catch their dinner.
Many famous actors taught their kids to fish at the trout ponds. These included Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart, Bette Davis, and John Wayne. Celebrities like Tallulah Bankhead, Lena Horne, and Joan Blondell also visited. They would bait their hooks and enjoy dinner served on white tablecloths.
A small pier next to the restaurant was a special spot for celebrities. It was said to be Clark Gable's favorite fishing place. Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall were also regular visitors.
As the San Fernando Valley grew, buildings and roads appeared around the Lodge. In 1962, a modern hotel was built next to the original lodge. The fishing lakes were then changed into beautiful ponds for swans. These ponds were surrounded by some of the Valley's first fancy restaurants.
The fishing era at the Lodge ended after the 1971 San Fernando earthquake. The earthquake changed the natural spring that fed the lakes.
Stars and Entertainment
The Sportsmen's Lodge had a long history of welcoming celebrity guests. It was known as a comfortable and friendly place. General manager Steve Scheck once said that some stars just wanted to feel at home.
Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn were frequent visitors. Former Beach Boy Brian Wilson reportedly liked to relax by the Olympic-sized pool. Other famous people who stayed or hung out there included Marlon Brando, Doris Day, Gene Autry, Tim McGraw, David Lee Roth, Billy Bob Thornton, Randy Travis, and Trisha Yearwood.
For several years, a popular salsa club operated at the Lodge. It was run by salsa promoter Albert Torres. Celebrities like Vanessa L. Williams and Randa Haines enjoyed dancing there.
The Lodge's Final Years
The Sportsmen's Lodge remained a popular spot for events, dining, and lodging. Movies and TV shows were sometimes filmed around its waterfalls, lagoons, and gazebos. Music stars and their crews often stayed there.
One writer described the Lodge as unexpected. It had a mountain chalet bar with a stone fireplace and moose antlers. This was unusual to find in the middle of a city.
The hotel went through some renovations. While it changed a bit, it was still a peaceful place with lots of character. It had spacious rooms overlooking a heated pool. The Patio Cafe and Muddy Moose Bar were also popular. The hotel sat on 8 acres of beautiful grounds with waterfalls and swans. Many celebrities and important people in the entertainment industry visited this luxurious hotel.
The Sportsmen's Lodge closed to the public in early 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. For a short time, it helped shelter people without homes as part of Project Roomkey. It then closed permanently on July 24, 2020.
Trying to Save History
In the early 2000s, people tried to get the Sportsmen's Lodge recognized as a historical site. In 2002, a local group, supported by the Los Angeles Conservancy, asked for the Lodge's banquet center to be a Historic-Cultural Monument.
The Cultural Heritage Commission approved this idea. However, a City Councilman named Jack Weiss disagreed. He said he didn't think the Lodge was important enough. The Conservancy argued that the Sportsmen's Lodge told the story of the San Fernando Valley. It showed how the Valley changed from a rural area to a city. It was also important for car culture, fine dining, and its connection to the entertainment industry.
New Plans for the Site
In 2021, the owners, Midwood Investment and Development, announced new plans. They planned to tear down the hotel. In its place, they would build a large apartment complex with 520 units. There would also be new shops to go with the existing Shops at Sportsmen's Lodge.
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