Next Stop on the America 250 Trail

The Sunland-Tujunga America 250 Trail continues. Leaving the stone gateway of Rock City on Wentworth, head up Mary Bell Avenue, located just a bit down the road. Arriving at a stop sign, continue straight and merge onto La Cañada Way. Take in the environment of this Shadow Hills neighborhood.

In the early 1980s, actor Hervé Villechaize lived near here on a 1.5-acre ranch. One day, so the story goes, he emerged from his home indiscriminately firing a pistol, startling his menagerie of farm animals and pets. His motive that day is unclear but I’ve heard there is a tree with a bullet scar left behind. I’ll believe it when I see it. If you know of this tree, please contact me.

Continue to Johanna Avenue and turn left, all the way to Sunland Boulevard. One hundred yards to the west of this intersection is the location of Old Vienna Gardens at 9955 Sunland Blvd., historic location #5 on the trail. Opening in 1936, this restaurant has quite a story. Let’s go back to the beginning.

August Furst was born in Nuremberg, Germany in 1891. He married Christine Schneider there in 1920 and two years later they immigrated to New York City. Soon, they welcomed two sons into the family, Alfred and Harry. By 1935, they had headed west and purchased numerous acres at the Sunland Boulevard address. The Furst family opened their magical eating place above a stream on July 4, 1936.

On opening day they served wieners, Vienna sausages in sliced buns, otherwise known as hot dogs with sauerkraut. Over the next 11 years, the two boys, Freddy and Harry, built a paradise while August ran the business and Mama Christine prepared the hearty German food. A description from the time was as follows:

“This quaint Alpine Inn of old-world charm is overshadowed by stately sycamores and age-old oaks, appearing to the onlooker as a lavish movie set reincarnating a scene from the forested highlands of Vienna Woods in Austria. A giant old mill water wheel dominates the Swiss-style facades and a feudal drawbridge and ivy-covered citadels beckon one to enter this enchanting wonderland to enjoy an evening surrounded by old-world atmosphere.”

The grounds are traversed by a small stream, bounded by lush vegetation. There’s a dreamy willow lagoon adorned with rustic bridges and bordered with promenades and beautiful landscaped scenery. Hidden bubbling springs, fountains and statuary adorn the winding paths and long rose arbors lead to miniature garden houses and cozy corners. A grotto-labyrinth with illuminated waterfalls creates an underground entrance to the hunting lodge.

The lower sunken garden envelops a large open-air dance pavilion with a terraced patio and a unique bandstand built within the trees. A wishing well stands next to the massive Sentinel stone tower, which you can climb to the top. Swiss log cabin huts border the dance floor while multi-colored lampions create a dazzling, fascinating fairyland.”

By 1939, the gardens were “discovered” and became an “in” place to be. Hollywood types such as Clark Gable and Carole Lombard were said to be among the patrons. Purportedly during this time reservations had to be made three months in advance. During the years of World War II, a great deal of suspicion fell upon the Furst family due to their German roots – none of which was ever substantiated – including claims that German U-boat operations were being directed off the coast from a hidden transmitter somewhere in the gardens.

Many of the charms described in earlier days are no longer present; for instance, the water features are no more, but you can still dine and enjoy a visit to the former grounds. There is much to see that remains from the establishment’s interesting past, including the Sentinel stone tower and water wheel. Today the Old Vienna Gardens operates as Villa Terraza, an Italian restaurant, and can be reached at villaterrazarestaurant.com.