The Togneri Clan and the Lone Mansion on Mayberry Street
Sitting on a high perch on the border of Silver Lake and Echo Park, I was always curious how such a stately home came to be in neighborhood of small, unassuming bungalows. My answer came on a fine spring day in 2003, when walking my dogs along Mayberry Street, a short hop-and-and-a-jump from my home on Occidental Boulevard, I was fortunate to catch Clara Togneri on the front porch of the house. Clara was kind enough to engage me in a brief history of the house, how the original owner-builder, Innocenti Palombo, had purchased vacant lots and made plans to build three fine homes, hoping others would follow suit. His investment didn't exactly pay off as most of the surrounding homes turned out to be quite modest by comparison. Some years later, after posting an online article about my discovery, I was contacted by Greg Togneri, one of the heirs of the estate who had seen the article and wanted to talk to me about the possibility of listing the house for sale. A short time later I found myself sitting with the Togneri family in the living room, learning about their history. Our father, "Michale Togneri an immigrant from the small town of Coreglia Anteiminelli near Lucca, Italy came to the U.S. during the massive migration brought about the worldwide Great Depression. Arriving at Ellis Island, he moved on to Chicago, but found the weather depressing. Hearing that the Southern California climate would remind him of his home in Italy, he arrived in Los Angeles at the age of 21. He found employment washing window in the high-rises of downtown Los Angeles. The dangerous work fetched him the princely sum of 10 cents per window. Within a few short years the resourceful immigrant had his own business, and was able to send for his wife, Marina, who had remained behind in Italy, and their first child, Bianca, who was now seven years old.
Members of the large Togneri clan, including two spinster sisters who were Silver Lake beauty salon operators, the late Gloria and Clara Togneri, lived in the house during the nearly 60 years it remained in the family, virtually untouched.
The Mediterranean Revival style house towers over the next-door Mayberry Street Elementary School (The other houses Palombo built were torn down to make room for the school). The house has a rare full basement, an underground three-car garage and views of Silver Lake and city lights from its rooftop sun porch. Inside, however, not much changed in the five-bedroom home since Italian immigrant-made-good Michale Togneri bought it in the early 1940s as a reminder of his Tuscan homeland. In the 1927 time capsule, Art Deco chandeliers and wall sconces toss light onto glass prism knobs on built-in gumwood cabinets and French doors. In nearly every room, the original, hand-painted murals of kissing cherubs or delicate flora and fauna trail across walls, along ceilings and above the wood-burning fireplace. Togneri planted a citrus grove, a grape orchard and an olive tree in the backyard, not only to remind him of his homeland, but also for practical purposes; the underground basement was outfitted with a wine and olive presses, and a large oak barrel for aging his homemade wine. a visit to the mansion is a step back in time: hand-painted murals and ceilings with allegorical themes, authentic art deco light fixtures and inlaid hardwood floors; coved ceilings with crown moldings; a 1929 Studebaker Touring Car can still be seen parked in the garage.
Photo courtesy of Togneri family photo archives
Tags: Michael Locke Michael Locke, Photographer Michael Locke, Realtor
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A Beaux-Arts Masterpiece c. 1927. Popularized by the great classical architects of the time (like Paul Williams and Irving Gill), Mediterranean and Spanish style mansions were all the rage of the rich and famous of the period. Not much is known about the builder, however, it is said, that he hoped that in building this fine mansion others would follow suit. It must have been a little more than disappointing to realize the result. The house, located on Mayberry Street, is set in a neighborhood characterized by modest California bungalows, and yet it makes a statement. It is considered the 'Crown Jewel' of Mayberry Heights.
Set on the eastern reaches of Silver Lake, a visit to the mansion is a step back in time: hand-painted murals and ceilings with allegorical themes, authentic art deco light fixtures and inlaid hardwood floors; coved ceilings with crown moldings; a 1929 Studebaker Touring Car can still be seen parked in the garage.
Michael Togneri an immigrant from the small town of Coreglia Anteiminelli near Lucca, Italy purchased the home in the 1940s. Togneri came to the U.S. during the massive migration brought about the worldwide Great Depression. Arriving at Ellis Island, he moved on to Chicago, but found the weather depressing. Hearing that the Southern California climate would remind him of his home in Italy, he arrived in Los Angeles at the age of 21. He found employment washing window in the high-rises of downtown Los Angeles. The dangerous work fetched him the princely sum of 10 cents per window. Within a few short years the resourceful immigrant had his own business was able to send for his wife, Marina, who had remained behind in Italy, and their first child, Bianca, who was now seven years old.
The purchase of the house on Mayberry Street symbolized Togneri's acheivement in realizing the 'American Dream' of owning his own home, similar to the style he remembered from his youth in Italy, with room to grow grapes and make fine wine. His family grew to include two sons and three daughters. He worked well into his '70s and retired, enjoying cooking, gardening, tending to his fruit and olive trees (some of which still remain on the property). A huge wooden wine vat remains in the underground basement.
The Villa, which has been in the Togneri family for more than 60 years, was listed for sale in November 2008 for $990,900. It has five bedrooms, some with dressing rooms and cedar closets, a formal/parlor living room, formal dining room, breakfast room, a full basement and a level backyard, large enough for a swimming pool or tennis court.
The Villa was dedicated a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 2010 No. 971), located at 2508 Mayberry Street in the Mayberry Heights neighborhood of Silver Lake.
The mansion was Los Angeles Times "Home of the Week" on January 4, 2009. The photo is of formal dining room, elegantly finished with hand-painted ceiling and wall coverings, custom-made draperies, art deco fixtures and original furnishings. For more details, please visit www.2508MayberryStreet.com
Tags: Villa Togneri Silver Lake Silver Lake Architecture 2508 Mayberry Street Michael Locke Treasures of Los Angeles Architecture Los Angeles Architecture Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument Los Angeles Conservancy archiref Michael Locke, Photographer Michael Locke, Realtor
© All Rights Reserved
A Beaux-Arts Masterpiece c. 1927. Popularized by the great classical architects of the time (like Paul Williams and Irving Gill), Mediterranean and Spanish style mansions were all the rage of the rich and famous of the period. Not much is known about the builder, however, it is said, that he hoped that in building this fine mansion others would follow suit. It must have been a little more than disappointing to realize the result. The house, located on Mayberry Street, is set in a neighborhood characterized by modest California bungalows, and yet it makes a statement. It is considered the 'Crown Jewel' of Mayberry Heights.
Set on the eastern reaches of Silver Lake, a visit to the mansion is a step back in time: hand-painted murals and ceilings with allegorical themes, authentic art deco light fixtures and inlaid hardwood floors; coved ceilings with crown moldings; a 1929 Studebaker Touring Car can still be seen parked in the garage.
Michael Togneri an immigrant from the small town of Coreglia Anteiminelli near Lucca, Italy purchased the home in the 1940s. Togneri came to the U.S. during the massive migration brought about the worldwide Great Depression. Arriving at Ellis Island, he moved on to Chicago, but found the weather depressing. Hearing that the Southern California climate would remind him of his home in Italy, he arrived in Los Angeles at the age of 21. He found employment washing window in the high-rises of downtown Los Angeles. The dangerous work fetched him the princely sum of 10 cents per window. Within a few short years the resourceful immigrant had his own business was able to send for his wife, Marina, who had remained behind in Italy, and their first child, Bianca, who was now seven years old.
The purchase of the house on Mayberry Street symbolized Togneri's acheivement in realizing the 'American Dream' of owning his own home, similar to the style he remembered from his youth in Italy, with room to grow grapes and make fine wine. His family grew to include two sons and three daughters. He worked well into his '70s and retired, enjoying cooking, gardening, tending to his fruit and olive trees (some of which still remain on the property). A huge wooden wine vat remains in the underground basement.
The Villa, which has been in the Togneri family for more than 60 years, was listed for sale in November 2008 for $990,900. It has five bedrooms, some with dressing rooms and cedar closets, a formal/parlor living room, formal dining room, breakfast room, a full basement and a level backyard, large enough for a swimming pool or tennis court.
The Villa was dedicated a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 2010 No. 971), located at 2508 Mayberry Street in the Mayberry Heights neighborhood of Silver Lake.
The mansion was Los Angeles Times "Home of the Week" on January 4, 2009. The photo is of formal dining room, elegantly finished with hand-painted ceiling and wall coverings, custom-made draperies, art deco fixtures and original furnishings. For more details, please visit www.2508MayberryStreet.com
Detailed photo showing some of the original wall decorations.
Tags: Villa Togneri Silver Lake Silver Lake Architecture 2508 Mayberry Street Michael Locke Michael Locke, Photographer Michael Locke, Realtor
© All Rights Reserved
A Beaux-Arts Masterpiece c. 1927. Popularized by the great classical architects of the time (like Paul Williams and Irving Gill), Mediterranean and Spanish style mansions were all the rage of the rich and famous of the period. Not much is known about the builder, however, it is said, that he hoped that in building this fine mansion others would follow suit. It must have been a little more than disappointing to realize the result. The house, located on Mayberry Street, is set in a neighborhood characterized by modest California bungalows, and yet it makes a statement. It is considered the 'Crown Jewel' of Mayberry Heights.
Set on the eastern reaches of Silver Lake, a visit to the mansion is a step back in time: hand-painted murals and ceilings with allegorical themes, authentic art deco light fixtures and inlaid hardwood floors; coved ceilings with crown moldings; a 1929 Studebaker Touring Car can still be seen parked in the garage.
Michael Togneri an immigrant from the small town of Coreglia Anteiminelli near Lucca, Italy purchased the home in the 1940s. Togneri came to the U.S. during the massive migration brought about the worldwide Great Depression. Arriving at Ellis Island, he moved on to Chicago, but found the weather depressing. Hearing that the Southern California climate would remind him of his home in Italy, he arrived in Los Angeles at the age of 21. He found employment washing window in the high-rises of downtown Los Angeles. The dangerous work fetched him the princely sum of 10 cents per window. Within a few short years the resourceful immigrant had his own business was able to send for his wife, Marina, who had remained behind in Italy, and their first child, Bianca, who was now seven years old.
The purchase of the house on Mayberry Street symbolized Togneri's acheivement in realizing the 'American Dream' of owning his own home, similar to the style he remembered from his youth in Italy, with room to grow grapes and make fine wine. His family grew to include two sons and three daughters. He worked well into his '70s and retired, enjoying cooking, gardening, tending to his fruit and olive trees (some of which still remain on the property). A huge wooden wine vat remains in the underground basement.
The Villa, which has been in the Togneri family for more than 60 years, was listed for sale in November 2008 for $990,900. It has five bedrooms, some with dressing rooms and cedar closets, a formal/parlor living room, formal dining room, breakfast room, a full basement and a level backyard, large enough for a swimming pool or tennis court.
The Villa was dedicated a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 2010 No. 971), located at 2508 Mayberry Street in the Mayberry Heights neighborhood of Silver Lake.
The mansion was Los Angeles Times "Home of the Week" on January 4, 2009. The photo is of formal dining room, elegantly finished with hand-painted ceiling and wall coverings, custom-made draperies, art deco fixtures and original furnishings. For more details, please visit www.2508MayberryStreet.com
Tags: Villa Togneri Silver Lake Silver Lake Architecture 2508 Mayberry Street Michael Locke Michael Locke, Photographer Michael Locke, Realtor
© All Rights Reserved
A Beaux-Arts Masterpiece c. 1927. Popularized by the great classical architects of the time (like Paul Williams and Irving Gill), Mediterranean and Spanish style mansions were all the rage of the rich and famous of the period. Not much is known about the builder, however, it is said, that he hoped that in building this fine mansion others would follow suit. It must have been a little more than disappointing to realize the result. The house, located on Mayberry Street, is set in a neighborhood characterized by modest California bungalows, and yet it makes a statement. It is considered the 'Crown Jewel' of Mayberry Heights.
Set on the eastern reaches of Silver Lake, a visit to the mansion is a step back in time: hand-painted murals and ceilings with allegorical themes, authentic art deco light fixtures and inlaid hardwood floors; coved ceilings with crown moldings; a 1929 Studebaker Touring Car can still be seen parked in the garage.
Michael Togneri an immigrant from the small town of Coreglia Anteiminelli near Lucca, Italy purchased the home in the 1940s. Togneri came to the U.S. during the massive migration brought about the worldwide Great Depression. Arriving at Ellis Island, he moved on to Chicago, but found the weather depressing. Hearing that the Southern California climate would remind him of his home in Italy, he arrived in Los Angeles at the age of 21. He found employment washing window in the high-rises of downtown Los Angeles. The dangerous work fetched him the princely sum of 10 cents per window. Within a few short years the resourceful immigrant had his own business was able to send for his wife, Marina, who had remained behind in Italy, and their first child, Bianca, who was now seven years old.
The purchase of the house on Mayberry Street symbolized Togneri's acheivement in realizing the 'American Dream' of owning his own home, similar to the style he remembered from his youth in Italy, with room to grow grapes and make fine wine. His family grew to include two sons and three daughters. He worked well into his '70s and retired, enjoying cooking, gardening, tending to his fruit and olive trees (some of which still remain on the property). A huge wooden wine vat remains in the underground basement.
The Villa, which has been in the Togneri family for more than 60 years, was listed for sale in November 2008 for $990,900. It has five bedrooms, some with dressing rooms and cedar closets, a formal/parlor living room, formal dining room, breakfast room, a full basement and a level backyard, large enough for a swimming pool or tennis court.
The Villa was dedicated a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 2010 No. 971), located at 2508 Mayberry Street in the Mayberry Heights neighborhood of Silver Lake.
The mansion was Los Angeles Times "Home of the Week" on January 4, 2009. The photo is of formal dining room, elegantly finished with hand-painted ceiling and wall coverings, custom-made draperies, art deco fixtures and original furnishings. For more details, please visit www.2508MayberryStreet.com
Tags: Villa Togneri Silver Lake Silver Lake Architecture 2508 Mayberry Street Michael Locke Treasures of Los Angeles Architecture Los Angeles Architecture Villa Palombo-Togneri Innocenti Palombo archiref Michael Locke, Photographer Michael Locke, Realtor
© All Rights Reserved