History
The building is an authentic Chateau-style or Chateauesque mansion built in 1909 by banker, real estate developer and philanthropist, Rollin B. Lane. The house was designed and constructed as a near duplicate of the 1897 Kimberly Crest House and Gardens in Redlands, California. Ownership of the mansion remained in the Lane family until 1955 when it was sold to Thomas O. Glover, whose family still owns the property. (Contrary to some "tour guide" stories, it was never owned or occupied by actress Janet Gaynor.) In September 1961, the mansion was leased to Milt Larsen and Bill Larsen, Jr., who began converting it to its present state. The Magic Castle opened for business on January 2, 1963. It was declared a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 1989.
On October 31, 2011, the Magic Castle suffered damage from a fire that broke out in the attic. Significant interior refurbishing was necessary as a result of extensive water damage caused by fighting the fire. The Magic Castle was reopened in its entirety in February 2012.
One of the Castle's most famous members was the late Dai Vernon, an expert in sleight of hand, who often sat in the bar area entertaining and teaching. Vernon was the Magician-in-Residence at the Castle for many years, up until his death in 1992.
Other famous magicians who have been regular performers at the Magic Castle include Mark Wilson, Jay Ose, Senator Crandall, Johnny Platt, Kuda Bux, and Billy McComb. Many "celebrity magic hobbyists" have also performed at the Magic Castle, including Cary Grant, Steve Martin, Johnny Carson, Neil Patrick Harris and Jason Alexander of Seinfeld.
Read more about this topic: Academy Of Magical Arts
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