Sportsmen's Lodge facts for kids
The Sportsmen's Lodge is a famous hotel in Studio City, California. It's located on Ventura Boulevard. This special place has been around since the 1880s, though it had different names back then, like "Hollywood Trout Farms." The Sportsmen's Lodge is a well-known landmark in the San Fernando Valley. It's a popular spot for parties, meals, and other events. Because it's close to many movie studios, it was a favorite meeting place for actors and film crews from old Hollywood. Stars like Clark Gable, Bette Davis, John Wayne, and Katharine Hepburn used to visit.
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A Look Back: The Early Days
The Sportsmen's Lodge first opened in the 1880s. This was even before movies were a big deal and before Studio City had its name! People say the Lodge is a reminder of how the Valley used to be, more like a countryside. The land where the Lodge stands has always been important for travelers. It was near the Los Angeles River, canyons, and natural springs. Before big highways were built, all travelers used to pass along Ventura Boulevard. The Lodge was like a welcoming "oasis" for people on long road trips.
In the early 1900s, the Sportsmen's Lodge was famous for its trout-fishing lake. Families would come to catch their own fish. Then, the Lodge's restaurant would cook it for them! Around the 1910s, it was called "Hollywood Trout Farms." It was a simple collection of small buildings. Later, in the 1920s, more lakes were added. Fish were even brought in from places like Las Vegas and San Luis Obispo. Before and during World War II, it was known as "Trout Lakes."
Hollywood's Favorite Hangout
The Sportsmen's Lodge became a popular spot for actors and crew members. Many worked at the nearby Republic Studios. This studio was famous for its Western movies. Stars like John Wayne, Gene Autry, and Roy Rogers became famous there. You can still see movie posters signed by these Hollywood cowboys on the walls of the Lodge's coffee shop. Even today, some old Hollywood cowboys meet at the Sportsmen's Lodge for special awards events.
In 1945, the property was officially named the Sportsmen's Lodge. A fancy restaurant and a lounge were added. Guests could still get fishing rods and bait to catch their dinner. Famous actors like Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart, Bette Davis, and John Wayne reportedly taught their children how to fish in the Lodge's trout ponds. Many famous people, including Tallulah Bankhead and Lena Horne, enjoyed fishing there. They would use liverwurst as bait and have dinner served to them. When stars like Clark Gable visited, a single room cost about $9, and a suite was $25.
There was a small pier next to the restaurant. It was a special spot for celebrities who worked in the nearby studios. People say it was Clark Gable's favorite place to fish. Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall were also regular visitors.
A writer named Ron Miller said the Sportsmen's Lodge was his favorite place to hang out in the Valley. He remembered actor Jack Elam staying in a fancy suite while working on a movie. Miller recalled that Elam sometimes forgot where he parked his car. The friendly waitresses at the Lodge would help him find it after breakfast.
After World War II, the San Fernando Valley grew a lot. Cities and towns popped up around the Sportsmen's Lodge and its fishing lakes. In 1962, a modern hotel was built next to the original Lodge. When the new hotel was built, the lakes became home to swans. They also became the location for some of the Valley's first fancy restaurants, where many Hollywood stars would dine.
Fishing at the Lodge ended after the 1971 San Fernando earthquake. The earthquake changed the flow of the natural spring that fed the lakes.
Stars and Entertainment Connections
The Sportsmen's Lodge has a long history of hosting famous guests. In 2007, a news article called it a "pleasant and unpretentious establishment." The general manager, Steve Scheck, said that while some stars want the fanciest places, others just want to feel comfortable and at home. Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn were visitors. Former Beach Boy Brian Wilson reportedly likes to relax by the Olympic-sized swimming pool. Other celebrities who have stayed or visited include Marlon Brando, Doris Day, Gene Autry, Tim McGraw, and Trisha Yearwood.
For several years, a popular salsa dance club was held at the Sportsmen's Lodge. Celebrities like Vanessa Williams and Randa Haines would go there to dance.
The Lodge Today
The Sportsmen's Lodge is still a popular place for events, dining, and staying overnight. Sometimes, movies and TV shows are filmed around its beautiful waterfalls, ponds, and gazebos. Music stars and their touring crews often stay there. One writer recently described it as "unexpected" to find a cozy, mountain-style bar with a big stone fireplace and moose antlers right in the middle of a busy area. But, as they said, "this is Hollywood's back yard, why not enjoy a hunting lodge right off Ventura Boulevard?"
Even though some parts have been updated, the hotel still has a lot of unique character. It has large rooms that look out over a heated Olympic-sized pool. The old-fashioned Patio Cafe and the Caribou restaurant and Muddy Moose Bar are still popular. LosAngeles.com says this hotel sits on 8 acres (32,000 m2) of beautiful land. It has waterfalls, native California plants, and lovely wildlife, including swans. Many celebrities and important people from the entertainment industry have visited this luxurious Studio City hotel.
Efforts to Protect its History
In the early 2000s, people tried to get the Sportsmen's Lodge recognized as a protected historical site. In 2002, a local group, with help from the Los Angeles Conservancy, asked to make the Lodge's event center a Historic-Cultural Monument. The Conservancy even included the Sportsmen's Lodge on special tours of the San Fernando Valley. These tours attracted many people and got national attention.
The Cultural Heritage Commission approved the historical status. However, a City Councilman named Jack Weiss was against it. He said he didn't think the Lodge was important enough. The Conservancy disagreed. They explained that the Sportsmen's Lodge, even if not a fancy building, tells the story of the San Fernando Valley. Its changes, from a rural spot to a city landmark, show how the Valley grew. It was a popular stop for cars, one of the first "fine dining" places, and always connected to the entertainment industry. Efforts to protect the Lodge's history are still ongoing.
Future Plans
In 2007, a developer named Richard Weintraub bought the land around the Sportsmen's Lodge and its event center. He plans to tear down the event center and build a new luxury complex called Sportsmen's Landing. This new area would have high-end shops, many restaurants, and a fitness center. The hotel itself is not part of these demolition plans.
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