Watts Towers of Simon Rodia — Roadside & Outdoor Oddities in Los Angeles

Entry No. 28 — the Los Angeles file — filed under: roadside-oddity

Watts Towers of Simon Rodia

Italian immigrant tile-setter Simon Rodia spent 33 years (1921-1954) building these seventeen interlocking spires by hand, the tallest reaching nearly 100 feet, using no scaffolding, bolts, rivets, or welds. The skeletal steel armatures are wrapped in wire mesh and mortar and studded with broken glass, seashells, pottery shards, tile, and bottle bottoms he scavenged. In 1955 Rodia gave the property away and walked off, never returning. As of June 2026 the on-site guided tours and arts center are paused for campus renovations (set to resume in July 2026), but the towers themselves loom over the neighborhood and are easily seen from the surrounding sidewalk.

The move: Walk the perimeter fence together at golden hour, picking out the embedded green 7-Up glass and seashells glinting in Rodia's mortar.

📍 Before you go Guided gate tours paused as of June 2026 for renovation; towers remain viewable from the public sidewalk. Park on the street in daylight.

Where: 1727 E 107th St, Los Angeles, CA 90002

Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

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Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4

last checked: 2026-06-23