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KFI founder's mansion now goes to Katy Perry

Really? I thought it was because the Sisters didn't care for Ms Perry and her music, videos, lifestyle, etc.

There is that, true. But having spoken with the sisters and seen their respect for the building's heritage, plus their differences with the diocese and own independence, I think they have a desire to preserve the property's heritage or at least determine its fate. When i visited the convent over twenty years ago I was privileged to ride in the hidden elevator to the prohibition era wine cellar (since cleared of its former contents). I also had shared with me some of the legends about the use of the bungalows. But the sisters cautioned me that the place under their ownership still an operating convent, not open to hordes of visitors.


So you see it was Earl C Anthony's beloved Packard Corporation that eventually killed off Studebaker. Full circle, I'd say.

Anthony died in 1961 - by that time his Los Angeles dealership had been selling Lincolns and the San Francisco San Francisco Mercedes for five years. Anthony wasn't directly involved. He'd sold his Packard shares years before and tried to pivot into television and FM using KFI as a base. He once remarked to one of his managers that he "kissed a microphone every night" before going to bed because that's where the profits were. But he didn't have NBC's backing or the time needed to mature his new ventures and the "golden age" of radio was being eclipsed. When the independent Los Angeles TV station became mired in a jurisdictional labor dispute he sold out.

I never said C-W killed Packard. The depression had forced them to abandon the ability to make their own bodies and maintain their level of research - which in addition to producing superior cars generated royalties from other firms on their patents. Packard was struggling before WW2 as a luxury brand - which is what led to the "Junior" series that made them at least profitable again. But then came the war. When the company that they sold their body fabricating to was gobbled up by Chrysler and the market share war broke out between GM and Ford the fate of Packard was sealed in the early fifties - ditto the other three second tier producers. C-W simply performed the last rites.
 
At the time Packard purchased Studebaker, the former had more cash than the latter. Neither company did their due diligence, for if they had, Packard would have soon discovered Studebaker's break-even number was more than double the car production it was doing at the time. C-W didn't kill either, or performed the last rites. Double suicide IMHO.

Would have given our '76 Gremlin to tour the Anthony digs. Not sure how a boutique hotel would have played with the neighbors in the overturned deal the Sisters struck. They got a small down and a large note from the first buyer, which would have put the property in great risk in the event of a default. Plus the Diocese must have made a compelling argument that they held title and the Sisters didn't. Dunno about the legal ramifications of all this, but the property has historical significance in Boss Angeles and should be preserved.
 
Dunno about the legal ramifications of all this, but the property has historical significance in Boss Angeles and should be preserved.

I agree...fascinating place and story.

Regardless of what anyone thinks of her music, Katy Perry has been showing an appreciation for legends. So she might be more interested in preservation than some might think. However, if she uses it as her primary residence, we won't have much chance to tour the estate.
 
Stupid Topic, People? Studebakers, Nuns owning a mansion, Packards, Curtiss-Wright, etc. But hey, this thread has life so we'll milk it for all its worth!

So there's this station at a lumberyard, that seems to switch to night power at a slightly different time each day.........
 
Stupid Topic, People? Studebakers, Nuns owning a mansion, Packards, Curtiss-Wright, etc. But hey, this thread has life so we'll milk it for all its worth!

So there's this station at a lumberyard, that seems to switch to night power at a slightly different time each day.........

hmmmm...there must be a Lumberyard equivalent in the Land of LA. Prerequisites: night power no more than 10% of day power; non-painted self supporting tower; ground radials extending far beyond lot lines; fully automated; and owned by an operator who seldom, if ever, listeners to what is on the air. Send tape, resume and a list of at least 25 references to our Buckeye corporate headquarters. No phone calls, please.

Back to topic: what's the latest on KECA's move to the east? Better top off the Packard gas tank...that's still a drive from the Anthony House to the new xmttr site.
 
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