Abbey San Encino, Clyde Browne, Designer 1909-1925

Abbey San Encino, Clyde Browne, Designer 1909-1925, a photo by Michael Locke on Flickr.

Clyde Browne began building his medieval abbey in 1909, reportedly using bits of discarded masonry from old ruined buildings and undoubtedly picked up some stones from the arroyo below. Browne, a printer and bibliophile, lived in the house which served as a repository for his rare book collection. His grandson, singer Jackson Browne lived here for a time; the house is now the music studio and residence of his younger brother, Severin Browne

Browne originally called his home Oldestane Abbey. It was designated a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 1972 (No. 106). Located at 6211 Arroyo Glen Street in the Highland Park Historic District of Los Angeles.