Kern Place - The Kern Place Gate

The Kern Place Gate

Much like the Hollywood sign, a monument was built to enhance home sales in the new neighborhood. In 1916, Kern constructed a gate that formed an archway to the entrance of the neighborhood at the intersection of North Kansas Street and Robinson. At Kern's insistence, the arch was built by workmen who were descendants of the Toltecs of Mexico. The gate was one of the most interesting personal touches that Kern contributed to Kern Place. Kern designed the gate himself and called it a "monument to Lady Luck".

It consisted of two rock and mortar pillars bounded on top by intricate designs and elaborate symbols representing Kern's love of mysticism and the engraver's frills and scrolls covered the arch. The iron gate contained swastikas (an ancient symbol found in the Anasazi Indian culture and many others) and sauvastikas, a zodiac calendar, an array of other ancient symbols, the Kern family crest and 444 electric light globes that illuminated the words "Kern Place" over the center of the gate.

The Kern Place Gate remained lit for about two years before residents in the area complained about the bright lights at night. Eventually, the entire gate was dismantled in 1954 during a street-widening project.