On LOST ANGELES Episode 19, Host Laura Craven sits down for Part 1 of an exclusive 2-Part in-depth and entertaining interview with author, preservationist, architectural historian and longtime Senior Editor at Los Angeles Magazine CHRIS NICHOLS!  

On part 1, Chris talks about growing up near the legendary Downey McDonald’s that began his illustrious career in architectural history and preservation, his early mentorship with “googie” architecture author Alan Hess and his revealing work about mid-century modern master architect Wayne McAllister, and getting married at McAllister’s massive historic property the “Agua Caliente” in Mexico.  Laura and Chris also get into Early 20th Century cafeterias and drive-ins and how they influenced the space-age structures to come later, as well as how the mid-century leisure architecture of Southern California was created, and much more…

CHRIS NICHOLS has worked with the Los Angeles Conservancy Modern Committee, serving a term as chairman of the group. In addition to creating tours, exhibitions, and lectures about historic Los Angeles, Nichols has advocated for endangered buildings all over Southern California including the Cinerama Dome and the world’s oldest McDonald’s in Downey. His books include "Walt Disney’s Disneyland" for Taschen and "The Leisure Architecture of Wayne McAllister.” He writes the "Ask Chris" column in Los Angeles magazine and has served on the board of Hollywood Heritage.

Go to Episode 20 of Lost Angeles for Part 2 of this fascinating conversation where Chris talks about researching and writing his epic “Disneyland” book for Taschen and the architectural history of the theme park, protecting atomic age bowling alleys (the subject of a future book!), the trials and tribulations of his preservation work protecting historic architecture in Southern California, and of course his popular 20+ year “Ask Chris” column in Los Angeles Magazine. 

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