about SAM (SIMON) Rodia
was born on February 12th, 1879 in Ribottoli Italy.
"I build the tower people like, everybody come."
Rodia's older brother immigrated to the United States in 1895 and settled
in Pennsylvania where he worked in the coal mines. Rodia followed his
brother a few years later. Little is known about his early life in the
United States except that he moved to the west coast and found work
in rock quarries and logging and railroad camps as a construction worker.
He lived in Pennsylvania, washington (Seattle), California (Oakland,
San Francisco and Martinez), Texas (El Paso) and again in California
(Long Beach).
In 1921, after having lived in Long Beach since 1917, Rodia purchased
the triangular-shaped lot at 1761-1765 107th Street in Los Angeles and
began to construct his masterpiece, which he called "Nuestro Pueblo"
(meaning "our town"). when he was asked why he made the towers, he answered
"I wanted to do something big and I did it."
In 1955, when Rodia was approaching 75, he deeded his property to a
neighbor and retired to Martinez, California to be near his family.
On June 17th, 1965 Sam died there.
For further information on the Watts Towers of Simon Rodia located at
1761-1765 East 107th Street call the
Cultural Affairs Department (213) 473-8493 or
the Watts Towers Arts Center and tours
call (213) 847-4646 fax (323) 564 7030
add +1 when dialing from abroad
e-mail cadwattsctr@earthlink.net
Accommodations for disabilities are available upon 72-hour notice for
department events/programs. Information in alternative formats also
is available upon request.
Call +1 (213) 473-8343 or TDD (213) 473-8339
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