Today we’d like to introduce you to Nathan Marsak.
Hi Nathan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
As a child, I lived with my parents—both historians—in a very lovely, very old house, which was falling into great disrepair. I found safety and comfort that ancient home and took great pains to attempt repairs on her.
I moved to Los Angeles in the early 1990s, and it broke my heart to see beautiful old buildings neglected and demolished. I turned my attention to historic preservation and the study of lost structures.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It certainly has not been a smooth road. Preservation is pain. Becoming obsessed with threatened buildings guarantees you experience heartache on a regular basis.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My book Bunker Hill, Los Angeles was published in 2020. It has been a best seller and I’m thrilled how it turned out; it is the culmination of two decades of work. Its companion piece, Bunker Noir! has nearly sold out its entire print run. My next publication, Marsak’s Guide to Bunker Hill, is nearing completion.
In addition, I have advocated for threatened buildings on my site RIPLosAngeles. Moreover, my library of several thousand slides and rare images of old Los Angeles has proven to be boon to other historians and collectors, and I have lent images to many publications. I try and lecture about Old LA as much as possible, and I volunteer my time at libraries and museums, helping them with their collections and aiding them in publishing what they have.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Principiis obsta, Finem respice. Its literal translation from the Latin being resist the beginning, consider the end. I take it to mean don’t give the developers and the city an inch, because they’ll take a mile.
The other lesson being, of course, when it’s gone, it’s gone.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bunkerhilllosangeles.com, https://nathanmarsak.substack.com/
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/bunkerhilllosangeles/
Image Credits
Nathan Marsak Collection
Popular
-
What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
-
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
-
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
-
Life, Lessons, & Legacies
-
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
-
Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
