Casa de Rosas, Los Angeles
historic place
Casa de Rosas, located in Los Angeles County, is a historic place designed by architect Sumner P. Hunt. The main building, constructed in 1893, is an early example of Mission Revival style architecture. It first served as The Froebel Institute, a private kindergarten that pioneered early childhood education in Los Angeles. Over the decades, Casa de Rosas housed a girls' school, a hotel, and military barracks during World War II. In the early 1950s, it briefly became the headquarters for L. Ron Hubbard's Dianetics Foundation. In 1951, Essie Binkley West established the Sunshine Mission here, creating Los Angeles's first shelter exclusively for unhoused women. A historical marker, erected in 2005 by the City of Los Angeles, notes its diverse history. After restoration, Casa de Rosas reopened in 2023, now providing affordable housing for veterans. This site is historically significant for its architecture and its continuous role in Los Angeles's social welfare.