House (1986) Film Locations

When my daughter first started at the local elementary, our early morning commute was consumed by talks of the local haunted houses. In fact, she said there were two: Idlewild and the “scary” house on Melrose. Eventually one morning, I pulled up Melrose too see what all the fuss from my daughters was about.

To my surprise, I recognized the house.

This 1986 movie is a horror film directed by Steve Miner from a story by Fred Dekker. It stars some 80s icons: William Katt, George Wendt, and Richard Moll. I was a greatest American Hero fan, so when this movie came out, I remember convincing my buddies to go over to the Orange Mall to see it.

This Eastlake Victorian mansion was designed and built in 1887 by the local firm of Blair and Zimmerman as a wedding gift for Milton S. Monroe (the first son of William N. Monroe, after whom Monrovia is named) and his bride, Mary Nevada Thomas, the only daughter of the prominent Boyle Heights couple John M. and Jane Thomas. The bride’s parents provided the five acres of land; the groom’s parents built the nine-room house. The wedding was the social event of the 1887 season. The marriage of Milton and Mary Nevada ended in divorce, and the house became the property of Colonel John H. and Elizabeth Mills. In those pre-smog days, it was possible to see Catalina Island from the third floor tower. The Mills ownership and the magnificent view combined to give the mansion its popular name.

Remember, this is a private residence, so don’t bother the owners.