· Nathan Marsak · 1 min read
The Cecil’s Ghost
Which, to be correct, is not truly a ghost sign, as it _still_ advertises the famed, magnificent Hotel Cecil. It is the grandest of our great painted palimpsests, originally added to the wall in 1924
No, I’m not talking about Pigeon Goldie walking the halls. Rather, I speak of the ghost sign on the Cecil’s south wall.
Which, to be correct, is not truly a ghost sign, as it still advertises the famed, magnificent Hotel Cecil.
It is the grandest of our great painted palimpsests, originally added to the wall in 1924, then about 1940 repainted higher, in a bit different configuration—a downtown touchstone ever since.
Easter weekend, though, its lessee decided that space was better suited for, what, giant GTA ads in the manner of the Figueroa…
…trouble being, no. No, when you enter into a legal contract with the City of Los Angeles to be subsidized in your restoration efforts, you’re not allowed, legally, to go about effing the place up.
Find out all about it here:
The Cranky Preservationist in Hotel Cecil Whitewash Blues (episode 28)
