Tail o' the Pup facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tail o' the Pup |
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Exterior of Tail o' the Pup at its current location in 2024
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Novelty architecture |
| Address | 8512 Santa Monica Boulevard |
| Town or city | West Hollywood, California |
| Country | United States |
| Completed | 1946 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Milton J. Black |
The Tail o’ the Pup is a famous hot dog stand in Los Angeles, California. What makes it special? It's actually shaped like a giant hot dog! Built in 1946, this small stand is a great example of what's called novelty architecture. This means buildings are designed to look like the things they sell. It's one of the last old buildings from the mid-1900s that was built in such a fun, product-shaped way.
Contents
The Story of Tail o' the Pup
How the Hot Dog Stand Began
The Tail o' the Pup was designed by an architect named Milton Black. It first opened its doors in June 1946. The opening was a big event, with lots of famous people and bright searchlights.
In 1976, a man named Eddie Blake bought the stand. He bought it from a famous dance team called Veloz and Yolanda. Eddie ran the hot dog stand with help from his son, Dennis.
Tail o' the Pup on Screen
This unique hot dog stand became quite famous. It was used as a filming location for many TV shows and movies. You might have seen it in shows like Columbo or The Rockford Files. It also appeared in movies such as Body Double and L.A. Story.
Saving the Stand from Demolition
Even though it was famous, the Tail o' the Pup almost got torn down in the mid-1980s. Many people were upset about this. Because of the public outcry, the stand was moved. It went a few blocks away from its first spot on La Cienega Boulevard to San Vicente Boulevard.
In December 2005, the hot dog stand closed its doors. The building itself was moved to a warehouse in Torrance. This happened because a company bought the land where the Pup stood. They planned to build new homes there.
The City of Los Angeles recognized how special the Tail o' the Pup was. In 2006, they officially called it a cultural landmark. This means it's an important part of the city's history and culture.
A New Chapter for the Pup
Eddie Blake's grandson, Jay Miller, and his wife Nicole took over the Pup in 2017. They tried to reopen it with a partner, but it didn't work out. So, they gave the structure to the Valley Relics Museum.
Then, in 2018, a group called the 1933 Group bought the stand. They had a plan to fix it up to look like it did originally. They also wanted to find a new home for it and open it again.
Their plan worked! The Tail o' the Pup reopened in July 2022. You can now find it at 8512 Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood.
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