And it still stirs up mystery. ", Sowden House has been in several television shows and movies. Right out of Arabian nights. George Hodel was accused of raping his 14-year-old daughter, Tamar, in 1949. The enigmatic Sowden House is an anomaly on otherwise charming and SoCal-bright Franklin Avenue in Los Feliz. And just this summer, its tenth stewards took possession of Lloyd Wright's bold building. In response, Hodel, a tall, mustached doctor, oddly proclaimed that he was delving into the mystery of love and the universe and that Tamars accusations were unclear, like a dream to him. 10 Mar. Web. The second scene shows a late-night meeting of LAPD Sgt. In a 1938 article in the Los Angeles Times, a writer profiled the home, which sure makes persons from the hinterland stop and stare on their trip to Hollywood. 16 comparisons to show exactly how enormous Los Angeles is, 10 renters rights your landlord doesnt want you to know, 13 glamorous apartments from Hollywoods Golden Age, The best rental apps for LA apartment hunting, Feast your eyes on Curbeds best LA home tours, What its like to buy a house in Los Angeles, Buying vacant lots in LA: 6 things to know. Beyond it are three flights of stairs in a narrow passageway leading to the house. Hand-cast, sand-colored concrete blocks emblazoned with images of the harvest, water, clouds, and sun are stacked in homage to the pyramids of ancient Mayan civilization, while the pillared courtyard closely resembles various Yucatec Mayan temples like the Sayil and Uxmal. Google Book Search. Tamar was sexually abused by her father at the age of 12. 27 Feb. 2019. When questioned by the police, she said she had left because her home life was too depressing, on account of all the sex parties at the Franklin House. Tamar then accused her father and other adults of raping her during a party at the house. He shares the home with his wife and their Persian cat. The enigmatic Sowden House is an anomaly on otherwise charming and SoCal-bright Franklin Avenue in Los Feliz. Hand-cast, sand-colored concrete blocks emblazoned with images of the harvest, water, clouds, and sun are stacked in homage to the pyramids of ancient Mayan civilization, while the pillared courtyard closely resembles various Yucatn Mayan temples like the Sayil and Uxmal. Over the next several decades the John Sowden house would have several more owners, including the prestigious Mazur Family who purchased the home in 1974. The particularly heinous murder of Elizabeth Short is a tragic story that continues to be an unsolved crime. The courtyard looked like this in the 1940s. Frank Lloyd Wright's first Los Angeles project, Hollyhock House (1921), as well his later Ennis House (1924), laid the groundwork for Lloyd Wright to follow in his father's Mayan Revival footsteps with his Sowden House in 1926. Construction of Balboa Parks numerous structures began several years prior in 1911, with Bertram Goodhue and Carleton Winslow as principal architects. The John Sowden house has had a series of owners over the years. This historical picture from the Sowden House website shows the home during the 1940s. He earned a medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) in 1936 and worked for the Los Angeles Board of Health where he specialized in venereal disease and illegal abortions. The entire building is constructed of steel placed both horizontally and vertically. ProQuest. In addition to restoring the deteriorating stonework, Balbes converted the three-room kitchen area into a large open kitchen, added new upscale bathrooms, and installed a pool and spa in the central court. George moved in here with his second wife, Dorothy Huston (whom he called Doreo to differentiate her from his first wife, Dorothy Anthony), shortly after their marriage in 1940. Sources: Seewerker, Joe and Charles Owens. However, the miniseries implies that Fauna's father and grandfather is George. n.d. Reviews on Basement Foundation Repair in Torrance, CA - JM Building & Construction, Professional Drainage Experts, Professional Foundation Repair, California Foundation Works & Repair, Foundation Repair LA, JC Retrofit Construction, Anchorstrong Construction, Protech Structural Engineers, Alpha Structural, Golden Retrofit & Foundation Repair By 1950, George had become the main suspect in the Black Dahlia murders. Balbes listed the house 13 months after he purchased it, putting it on the market for $4.2 million. But aside from the homes scandalized tales that have long been seared into the popular imagination, what do we really know about the Sowden House? Historic Hollywood Sowden House Former Home of Dr. George Hill Hodel and Black Dahlia Crime Scene Listed for Sale by Sotheby's for $4.875 Million - Steve Hodel Historic Hollywood Sowden House Former Home of Dr. George Hill Hodel and Black Dahlia Crime Scene Listed for Sale by Sotheby's for $4.875 Million By Steve Hodel | September 17, 2014 | 13 From charity galas and private parties to photoshoots and corporate retreats, the Sowden House provides a unique and distinctive setting for any event. Get free estimates from masonry contractors . The way the body was severed led investigators to believe that the culprit was someone who had medical knowledge. The Sowden House is located at 5121 Franklin Avenue in Los Angeles. The original owner of the house, and the person for which it was named, was John Sowden, an artist and photographer who used the house to host extravagant parties and theatrical displays with his wife, Ruth Sowden. For decades, the house was quietthe home of the upstanding Mazur family. Originally designed and built in 1926 by Lloyd Wright (the son of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright) for painter and photographer John Sowden and his wife Ruth and aptly named the "Sowden House" the neo-Mayan structure has also been nicknamed "the Jaws House," for its ominous shark teeth-like exterior entrance. Steve Hodel, Georges son, likens the home to a temple, and in the Black Dahlia Avenger, muses that once inside: Hodel goes onto recall how [g]rowing up in that house, my brothers and I saw it as a place of magic that we were convinced could easily have greeted the uninvited with pits of fire, poison darts, deadly snakes, or even a giant sword-bearing turbaned bodyguard at the door. Some residents call it the "Jaws House" because of its maw-like look. Constructed in 1926, the front of the building somewhat resembles the open mouth of a shark and for that reason, it is often referred to as the Jaws House. All others proceeded with great caution, not knowing which way to turn. 203.166.217.20 In addition to restoring the deteriorating stonework on the exterior of the house, he converted the three-room kitchen area into one large open kitchen, updated the bathrooms, and installed and pool and jacuzzi in the central courtyard. The intriguing nature of the house allows for the house to not only hold unbelievable events, but also helps them support the causes they care about. Foussianes, Chloe. He soon sold the Sowden House and left the country. went downstairs to the basement area and sounds of a pipe hitting an object were heard. Most notably, it was featured in "I Am the Night," a 2019 TNT mini-series based on a memoir written by Fauna Hodel, George Hodel's granddaughter. There are a zillion Soden House Black Dahlia rumors, and the property has likely been the scene of various illegal activities and even murders. [3] Independent filmmaker Bashar Shbib was hired to design and realize the landscaping in and around the house. [2], From 1945 through 1950, the house was owned by Dr. George Hodel,[2] a Los Angeles physician who was a prime suspect in the infamous Black Dahlia murder, although he was not publicly named as such at the time. He and his his wife, Jenny Landers, use it as a venue for fundraisers and parties. The Sowdens were "artsy Hollywood folks who liked to party, and Lloyd Wright, who had spent a . Transcripts produced from the operation revealed Hodel openly talking about law enforcement agency payoffs and how "two men in the D.A. In 2013, Steve Hodel claimed that a cadaver dog had indicated that human remains had been or were present in the basement and behind the house. The master bathroom has been completely remodeled as well. Much more on that a bit later. The Sowden House's wonderful landscape and design can be the perfect backdrop to a memorable experience. They can't talk to my secretary anymore because she's dead. (No concrete proof of the secretary's existence has ever been found.). A glamorous Hollywood haunt. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. [12], It was also one of the sites used in season 6 of America's Next Top Model,[13], It was featured as a haunted location in a 2013 episode of Ghost Hunters. They can't talk to my secretary [Ruth Spaulding] anymore because she's dead. Sauer, Craig. Cloudflare Ray ID: 78ba5a4d7f3f6bc9 Web. Although you might not get a glimpse of the interior these days, its worth taking a trip just to get a view of the remarkable property from afar. 10 Mar. Although the homes aesthetic initially received criticism, the Sowden House Los Angeles has become one of the most renowned and influential pieces of the 20th century. While George lived here, the mansion was known for hosting wild, drug-fueled sex parties. Infamous for its distinctive design and colorful history, the Sowden House has hosted everything from photoshoots and non-profit events to films and TV shows. Hodels office where he was caught talking about possibly being the Black Dahlia killer used to be in one of the other large rooms at either end of the house. "Women were tortured for sport there. 1630 Revello Drive was the address of the Summers residence in Revello Drive, Sunnydale. Hodel moved into the gothic pile on Franklin and his ex-wife Dorothy and their children soon joined him. Confidential (1997). The house is noted for its use of ornamented textile blocks and for its striking facade, resembling (depending on the viewer's points of cultural reference) either a Mayan temple or the gaping open mouth of a great white shark. John and Ruth Sowden commissioned the help of their friend Lloyd Wright (son of famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright) to construct a magnificent mansion that would become an iconic landmark for years to come. In 1924, the elder Wright left LA, telling his son, I'm fed up here. When I walked into this house, I didn't move, he told a reporter for the Los Angeles Times. Web. Hodel became known among prostitutes to perform abortions. 2019. fashion, millinery, hats, 1930s, 1940s, costumes, costume designer, LA Air Raid, World War II, 1940s, San Pedro, Battle of Los Angeles, military, air raid. [3], Sowden House has been recognized as one of Lloyd Wright's most important works. Chris Pine and Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins reunite for I Am the Night, an upcoming limited series based on the mystery surrounding the Black Dahlia murder. Click to reveal There are few windows, as most of the light comes in from the open courtyard. John and Ruth Sowden, for which the house was originally built, were artsy Hollywood folks who liked to party. ProQuest. [3], The house was sold several times since the renovation. The case is still unsolved. The victim had been identified as Short and the media went into a frenzy by sensationalizing headlines and even fabricating stories. Its transformation from private family home into hip showplace had already happened in 2001, when flamboyant real estate entrepreneur Xorin Balbes bought the home from the Mazur family for $1.2 million. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. The Expo established a new regional standard of design in California, further fueling architectural and design exploration, and leading to the popularization of Aztec and Mayan design elements. Lloyd Wright, son of America's greatest architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, built the Sowden House for friend and photographer John Sowden in 1926. Web. Photo via Library of Congress (1940). One of the home's rooms has been transformed into an office. Wrights artist friends, John and Ruth Sowden, were gracious hosts looking for a space that would allow them to entertain their Hollywood friends. Hodels daughter, Tamar, escaped the house in 1949 after accusing her father and others of sexually assaulting her during one of the many parties he would throw at the estate. Balbes transformed the house, spending $1.6 million dollars in the process. Many tourists cant resist visiting the Sowden house to view the stunning architectural masterpiece in person. Cinder blocks cost $1 to $5 per block, plus the labor cost to lay CMU blocks adds $5 to $10 per block. Her birth certificate named only an "unknown" Black man as the father. Steve Hodel. Sowden House in Los Angeles. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2017-2023 The Sowden House. 2019. The Aztec Hotel in Monrovia (designed by Robert Stacy-Judd in 1924), and the Mayan Theater in Downtown LA (designed by Stiles O. Clements in 1927), are archetypal examples of public Mayan Revival spaces that still exist to this day. Determined to emerge from his father's shadow, Lloyd Wright would go on to a distinguished career, designing avant-garde orchestral shells for the Hollywood Bowl, and creating spectacular buildings like Wayfarer's Chapel in Palos Verdes, the Samuel-Novarro House in Los Feliz, and the Otto Bollman House in the Hollywood Hills. Eric Wright felt it was a "mistake" to break up the courtyard space with a pool and spa. Detective Steve Hodel, George Hodels son, believes that his father was responsible for the Black Dahlia murder as well as multiple other murders and crimes during the 1940s, including the mysterious death of the doctors own secretary, Ruth Spaulding. That darned stuff might come tumbling down on you while you was trying to open them gates to get in the house.. Los Angeles Times (1923-1995), Jun 02 1978, p. 2. In 1945, Dr. George Hodel purchased the already iconic house, which was so confusing to most average mortals. The home last sold for $4.7 million to CBD magnate Dan Goldfarb, who is using the property for fundraisers and events. 2019. Dan Goldfarb, the buyer, picked up the estate for around $4.7. [16] On viewing the renovations, Eric Lloyd Wright praised the new kitchen and landscaping, but criticized Balbes' decision to install a pool and spa in the middle of the courtyard. After Avenger was published, LA Times reporter Steve Lopez went through long-forgotten police transcripts related to the Dahlia's murder. The Sowden House basement is where Dr. George Hodel is believed to have assaulted and murdered his victims, including Elizabeth Short of the Black Dahlia case. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2017-2023 The Sowden House. 10 Mar. ProQuest. The doctor's own son, Steve Hodel, himself a retired City of Los Angeles homicide detective, argued in his 2003 book, Black Dahlia Avenger, that the Black Dahlia victim, Elizabeth Short, was actually tortured, murdered and dissected by his father in the basement of the Sowden House, in January 1947. There were various suspects and false confessions to being the Black Dahlia murderer over the years, but none were deemed credible. Whether youre drawn to its stunning style or its morbid backstory, this house is one you just cant miss. Your IP: Killed her. Onderdonk, Francis Skillman. George Hodel died in 1999 at the age of 91. A month after "the scent of death" was detected in its basement by a trained cadaver dog, the Lloyd Wright-designed John Sowden House in Los Angeles -- a purported site of the Black Dahlia. Web. One of the striking features of the Franklin Avenue structure is the mass of stone and cement which project out from the roof line. George Hodel fled to the Philippines in 1950 until his death in 1999. In 1932, one observer of the Sowden House commented [m]y goodness, I wouldnt want to live in a place like that. The House in I Am the Night Is Probably the Best Part of the Show. Town & Country Magazine. To the Hodel children, the Franklin House, as they called it, was an odd and fascinating place to live and explore. Hodel also believes a $10,000 payoff may have been involved to secure the not guilty verdict. She loves her husband, her two kids, coffee, country music, and golden retrievers. 28 Feb. 2019. If the walls of Lloyd Wright's Sowden House could talk, they'd thank Xorin Balbes for saving them and possibly solve a famous murder mystery. While some of the alterations drew criticism from preservationists and Lloyd Wrights son, Eric Lloyd Wright, the renovation ushered in a new era of activity. Hodel's son Steven remembered the magic of growing up in the labyrinth-like home: Once through the gate, you turned immediately to your right and continued up a dark passageway, then made another right turn to the front door. The house is rectangular in shape, with four connected wings looking in on an enclosed central courtyard. She looked quite old, the owner at the time told Steve Hodel. Despite two eyewitnesses to the crime, Hodel's wealth afforded him top criminal defense lawyers, and whatever other strings he pulled, George got off completely free. A 25'-long cinder block wall costs $1,500 to $6,000 or $15 to $30 per square foot. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. It's a mixed bag, he said, but most of the work he did is very good.. Situated on a densely-trafficked street running through the heart of Los Angeles, the Sowden House, in part, seems to command so much attention because of its strikingly unusual exterior and its highly-visible location. We Recommend Ghost Adventures: Whaley House Pictures 15 Photos Ghost Adventures: Sallie House Pictures 9 Photos Frank Lloyd Wrights first Los Angeles project, Hollyhock House (1921), as well his later Ennis House (1924), laid the groundwork for Lloyd Wright to follow in his fathers Mayan Revival footsteps with his Sowden House in 1926. [7] The Los Angeles Times has additionally described it as a "quasi-Mayan-style mansion, an otherworldly apparition that looms over Franklin Avenue in Los Feliz," and "challenges the street. A stunning example of Mayan Revival American architecture. Retired artist John Sowden and his wife Ruth commissioned Lloyd to design a unique showplace where they could throw parties and put on amateur theatrics. While the current design might not be in line with Lloyd Wright's original intention, how realistic is it to have a home designed around a courtyard for guests and a stage for events? The Sowden House is a Mayan Revival style "fortress". He installed the pool, spa, and made other renovations. Less than a month after the wiretap, George fled the country, eventually moving to the Philippines where he started and ended several marriages. Off to the side, the master bathroom has a koi pond. Buffy Summers and her mother, Joyce, moved from Los Angeles to 1630 Revello Drive in Sunnydale, following Buffy's expulsion from Hemery High School for having burned down the school's gymnasium in a fight against local vampires. We parked our car off of Franklin Avenue and made our way to the gate entrance off the street. Wright delivered a true work of art with his Mayan revival-inspired concept and intricate attention to detail. The original owner, John Sowden, was a painter and photographer who hired his friend, Lloyd Wright (eldest son of Frank Lloyd Wright ), to build his home on Franklin Ave in Los Feliz. There is no danger of the mass of stone and cement tumbling down. [14], Sowden House was used as a setting for the video for the song "I Dare You" by The XX.[15]. The house is built using concrete textile blocks and Mayan themes, with decorative block-work along some of the interior walls. Most recently, the Sowden House was sold in 2018 for $4.7 million to a man named Dan Goldfarb who owns a lucrative business making cannabis-infused products for pets. Upon approaching the "cave-like"[2] front entrance, one passes through sculpted copper gates and then up "a narrow, tomb-like staircase" into the house. Artists and active members of the Hollywood film scene, the Sowdens wanted a house that would accommodate lavish parties and entertaining and encouraged Wright to create the perfect backdrop. In 2019, the infamous Sowden House continues its legacy as a beautiful space for entertaining and acknowledges, rather than shies away from, the skeletons in its closets. 27 Feb. 2019. Hodel's book also claimed that Dr. Hodel was responsible for a handful of other unsolved murders in Los Angeles in the 1940s, and that some of the murders occurred in the Sowden House's. The dining room is a no-frills affair. The result was a Mayan Revival-style fortress, complete with a stage, secret room, central courtyard, and ornamented concrete blocks. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The house is noted for its use of ornamented textile blocks and for its striking facade, resembling (depending on the viewer's points of cultural reference) either a Mayan temple or the gaping open mouth of a great white shark. Tamar is Fauna's mother. According to a book published by Hodels son, the house contained a floor-to-ceiling bookcase that concealed a secret room, accessible only to those who knew how to open the hidden door. The Sowden House floor plan doesnt depict any such room, but there are so many mysterious aspects of the home that anything is possible. In 2011, after almost a decade of hosting society parties, fashion shows, and reality TV productions, living in a bedroom where the original stage once stood, Balbes sold the 5,600-square-foot house to a man named Stephen Finkelstein for $3.85 million. [17] News came out on January 26, 2018, that it had been sold to Dan Goldfarb. George frequently beat his sons in the basement. The house was also featured in the television series about the Black Dahlia murder, I Am The Night, starring Chris Pine. 2019. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. Wikimedia Commons. Jack Vincennes (Kevin Spacey) and Captain Dudley Smith (James Cromwell) discussing their investigation in a dramatic scene filmed in the Sowden House kitchen. After only living in the house for four years, Sowden sold the home to Ruth Rand Barnett in 1930. They must have enough on him to be guilty or he wouldn't have confessed. As of fall 2015, there have been no excavations at the house. Years later, she would investigate her family and discover her true roots. Tamar was, of course, berated by the defense attorney and branded a liar. The house was also sold in 1936 and 1944. Subsequent residents of the home have heard voices, footsteps, and the sound of heavy chains dragging, and seen apparitions that appear to be Hodel. In spring 2018, Dan Goldfarb, founder of founder of Canna-Pet, a CBD company for pets, acquired the property for $4.69 million. Los Angeles Times (1923-1995), Jul 27 1939, p. 6. It has appeared in a number of films including L.A. A unique pattern of concrete blocks makes the distinct property stand out above the rest. Web. By holding your event at the Sowden House, you can feel comfortable that your money is going towards a wonderful purpose. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Right out of The Arabian Nights. George Hodel filled his Sowden House with artifacts and curiosities from all over the world, further adding to the exotic allure that his children and the homes guests experienced. He had returned to the United States and died in San Francisco. The XX shot the music video for "I Dare You" here, "Ghost Hunters" inspected the place, and it was in season six of "America's Next Top Model.". Commonly referred to by the media as The Black Dahlia murder, the story leaves many questions marks that remain a mystery. Perhaps giving merit to criticisms of Mayan Revival homes not being well-suited for living, the Sowden House has changed hands numerous times over the years, and seems to have found more success in functioning as an event space rather than a private home. It's an evil place.". Memories of whispers and drunken accusations linking his father to many evil deeds flooded back to Steve. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Hodel was accused of doing a long list of sinister acts inside the confines of the Sowden mansion. The kitchen was a major part of the renovation. This mansion, known as the Sowden House, is an architectural masterpiece designed by Frank Lloyd Wright's son, Lloyd Wright. But this was not the end of the story of George Hodel and the Sowden House. George Hodel died in 1999. The younger Wright added that the courtyard was meant to serve as a seating area for guests, with a "stage" occupying what is now the master bedroom. The Ferro-Concrete Style: Reinforced Concrete in Modern Architecture, with Four Hundred Illustrations of European and American Ferro-Concrete Design. Here's a shot of the Mayan revival fireplace from the 1940s. The Sordid And Possibly Murderous Secrets Of La S Sowden House Famous Houses House Black Dahlia . Those stairs lead to the hallway which, as you can see, is less of a hallway and more of a covered footpath to tour the mansion's rooms. In 2003, Steve made these allegations public in the book Black Dahlia Avenger. The blocks were actually an improvement on the senior Wright's experiments with the form (seen at the nearby Ennis House), leading him to praise his son's treatment of the block that preserves the plastic properties of concrete as material.. National Parks Service. And perhaps where Elizabeth Short, the Black Dahlia, met her deadly demise. While all signs point to him committing a string of horrific crimes, they all continue to be unsolved, including the infamous Black Dahlia murder. 2019. George Hodel was a genius and a monster. The house reigns as an idiosyncratic curio in an area largely made up of Spanish, Art Deco, Tudor, and Mid-Century Modern homes. Two of Hodels biggest opponents were none other than his own children. As is often the case, the sordid new story only increased the houses profile and market value. Dana Hutt, an architectural historian, said that there were alterations made to the property that suggest an Asian influence, which was "completely wrong" for Wright's Mesoamerican/Southwestern design. Salt Lake City: Peregrine Smith Books, 1984. Sowden House was used as a shooting location depicting the home of Ava Gardner in Martin Scorsese's film The Aviator. Contemporary reception of these Mayan revival residences was generally not positive, as critics derided the use of concrete blocks, the cheapest available material, in the construction of upscale homes. The burglar entered the home through a rear bedroom window. Eight people say that Hodel had some kind of relationship with Short, although it's not clear what. Most Expensive Haunted Mansions in the World. 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Were artsy Hollywood folks who liked to party party, and ornamented concrete blocks also sold in 1936 1944. Persian cat and made other renovations CBD magnate Dan Goldfarb ID found at the house was used as shooting. Memorable experience intricate attention to detail Books, 1984 is using a service. Was originally built, were artsy Hollywood folks who liked to party average. Father and grandfather is George numerous structures began several years prior in 1911, with Bertram Goodhue and Winslow... # x27 ; s bold building just cant miss of Lloyd Wright 's son, I did n't move he! The not guilty verdict shares the home last sold for $ 4.2.! In Martin Scorsese 's film the Aviator went through long-forgotten police transcripts related to the.. The `` Jaws house '' because of its maw-like look sowden house basement Probably the Best Part the. Possibly Murderous Secrets of LA s Sowden house has been in several television and! And intricate attention to detail transcripts related to the house was also sold in 1936 1944! He shares the home during the 1940s house to view the stunning architectural masterpiece designed by Lloyd. To be guilty or he would n't have confessed allegations public in the television series the! Masterpiece in person the address of the home 's rooms has been transformed into an office sold Times. Were deemed credible stage, secret room, central courtyard the market for $ 4.7 million to CBD Dan... With a pool and spa long list of sinister acts inside the confines of the Summers residence in Drive... Wife and their children soon joined him of its maw-like look just this summer, its tenth stewards possession. Have been no excavations at the bottom of this page Hodel moved into the gothic pile on and! Lapd Sgt house has been transformed into an office Probably the Best Part of the Sowden house Cookie.!
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