IN THE BEGINNING
In 1922, the members of the Men’s Brotherhood of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Los Angeles, led by A. Larson, Sr., were motivated by their concern for “Good Old Folks” with no money and nowhere to go. Insurance statistics cited at the time stated that 82 out of 100 men died in poverty.
EAGLE ROCK
Before 1906, the Eagle Rock area was ranchland and truck farms. Then the Los Angeles Railway arrived, making suburban development possible. The area grew enough by 1911 to be incorporated as the City of Eagle Rock.
SOLHEIM’S MISSION
Now: “The mission of Solheim Senior Community is to provide abundant living…
Then: The first Board of Directors committed themselves to “establish and maintain a Home…
THE ORIGINAL HOUSE
The original Solheim was a 12-room house, called the Chambers house, on one acre. It contained a living room, dining room, kitchen, six bedrooms, two bathrooms and a 2nd floor sitting room. Originally, residents lived two in a room.
WE’RE IN GOOD COMPANY
The Hollywood Sign debuted 100 years ago, the same year that Solheim adopted its first set of By-Laws. Other entities with 1923 beginnings were the Los Angeles Coliseum, the Biltmore Hotel, Disney Brothers Cartoon Studios, and Aimee Semple McPherson’s Angelus Temple (now the Foursquare Gospel Church).
Why 1923?
MUSIC AT SOLHEIM
One of the committees set up by the first Board of Directors was the Music Committee. Among the first donations received to furnish the house was an organ for the parlor. An organist came every week from San Pedro to play the organ. Women from Norwegian Lutheran congregations provided musicians and vocalists.
History at a Glance
Take a Minute to Check out Some of the Foundational Moments of Solheim’s Rich History
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Surprisingly, and grating to our modern ears, the first occupants of Solheim were referred to as “inmates.” By 1948, they were referred to as “guests.” In the 1960’s, they became “residents.” In 1990, the State decreed that “residents” be used, including those living in a nursing home – no longer to be called “patients.”
SOLHEIM’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Part 3
Steps toward the modern Board
1949 marked the beginning of professional management at Solheim, with Rev. Sam Disrud coming off the Board to become the Superintendent of Solheim, a position he held for the next sixteen years. The decision to add this position to Solheim was after a “consultation” with the State Department of Social Services. A similar “consultation” in 1948 resulted in adding three women to Solheim’s Board, a first.
THE HALVORSON FAMILY CONNECTION, Part 2
Morgan and Borghild Halvorson
Olaf Halvorson retired from being President of the Board in 1948. His son Morgan Halvorson became Vice President in 1949. Morgan moved up to Board President in 1950 and continued in this capacity until the mid-fifties. He maintained his connection with Solheim through his sister Borghild. Borghild Halvorson became a resident in 1960.
CITY OF LOS ANGELES PASSES RESOLUTION CELEBRATING SOLHEIM’s CENTENNIAL
Solheim was founded in Eagle Rock in 1923 when it was a separate city. Soon after, the voters of Eagle Rock chose to become part of the City of Los Angeles. Eagle Rock is in L A’s Council District 14. Solheim turned to Michael Nogueira, long-time Eagle Rock booster, to contact the staff at the district office and request a resolution honoring the Centennial. A draft of the resolution was provided by Solheim staff.
SOLHEIM’s ACTIVITIES FOR THE PUBLIC IN 2023
To celebrate Solheim’s centennial year, it was decided that there should be special monthly activities or events. Some, like the Senior Prom, were designed primarily for Solheim residents to enjoy. Others, such as the Spring Lunch, concentrated on residents and their family members. Events inviting public participation have occurred throughout the year, and will continue through the end of the year.
A RESIDENT PROFILE – LEONARD “ROCKY” ROTHBAUER
Rocky Rothbauer came to live at Solheim in 1938. A fine craftsman, he set up a woodworking shop in one of Solheim’s garages. He created the model of the Cologne Cathedral, which is displayed in the hallway between Merton Manor and the Manor.
DINING AT SOLHEIM – THE RESIDENTIAL DINING ROOM
The current residential dining room was included in the first phase of a three-phase construction project in 1953-54. Placed on the north wall of the room was Rocky Rothbauer’s wooden map of ships traveling from Norway to the New World.
BUILDINGS THROUGH THE DECADES, Part 1
1920s through 1950s: Spreading Wings
The original Solheim, the Chambers house, demolished in 1979 to make way for the Manor Building, is not the only structure that has come and gone. The Annex, built in 1940, was the first major expansion, adding eight resident rooms just to the east of the Chambers house.
BUILDINGS THROUGH THE DECADES, Part 2
1960s through 1989: Serving Changing Resident Needs
All the buildings constructed through the 1950s were intended at the time for residents who were relatively independent and mobile. But as residents aged, the need for a higher level of care became apparent.
BUILDINGS THROUGH THE DECADES, Part 3
1989 through Present: Expanding a Connected Community
The construction that began in 1987 to build a new Skilled Nursing Facility was the first of two phases. After completion of the first part in 1989, Solheim turned to the second phase, the building of Merton Manor.
SOLHEIM’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Part 1
The early Board
The original By-Laws, adopted on November 11, 1923, named a fifteen-member Board of Directors. No surprise, Adolph Larson was the first President of the Board. He was President for five years, until ill health caused him to resign. He was replaced by Olaf Halvorson in 1928.
SOLHEIM/EAGLE ROCK MUTUAL SUPPORT
Solheim has occupied its current location for the entire 100 years of its existence, expanding from a single home to a two-and-a-half-acre campus. Throughout its history, Solheim has been championed by the residents of Eagle Rock. in which to live.”
THE HALVORSON FAMILY CONNECTION, Part 3
The beginning of the Halvorson family connection
Planning to set up a separate unit for residents with cognitive impairment began in the late 1990’s. Fund-raising was begun, with support received from both individuals and groups. Policies were written and architect’s plans for securing the unit were developed.
SOLHEIM’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Part 2
The beginning of the Halvorson family connection
1928 marked the beginning of the Halvorson connection. Olaf Halvorson became Board President in that year and continued in that capacity until 1948. Since professional management wasn’t put in place until 1949, the Board President provided the overall leadership.
SOLHEIM’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Part 4
Residents Join the Board of Directors
In 1998, the State of California adopted a new law for Continuing Care Retirement Communities. It stated that the Board must accept a non-voting resident representative, if the residents chose to select one. The Resident Council thought this was a good idea, so an election was held in December 1998.