Krotona
Encyclopedia
Theosophy
Theosophy, in its modern presentation, is a spiritual philosophy developed since the late 19th century. Its major themes were originally described mainly by Helena Blavatsky , co-founder of the Theosophical Society...
"colonies" in the U.S. during the early part of the 20th century. Originally built in Hollywood during 1912, the colony was eventually relocated to Ojai, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 1926, where it operates today as the Krotona Institute of Theosophy.
Located just off of State Route 33
California State Route 33
State Route 33 is a north–south state highway in the U.S. state of California. SR 33 replaced part of U.S. Route 399 in 1964 during the "great renumbering" of routes. In the unincorporated sections of Kern County it is known as the West Side Highway...
, the Krotona Institute holds regular classes and workshops on Theosophy, maintains an extensive library on the occult, and has a small bookstore.
The Hollywood Krotona building located at Primrose and Vista Del Mar was erected in 1919. Some tenants include Annie Sullivan Knudsen (sugar cane heiress), New yorker Grace Shaw Duff, Henry Hotchener, Marie Russack, silver screen stars Mary Astor and Charlie Chaplin, record producer Joshua Rumer of Invengo Records and even the guy that used to sell Jimi Hendrix his 'medicines'. When the Krotonians, spurred by Madame Blavatsky, found Hollywood suffocating their peace filled theosophies, they decided to move to Ojai California and that is where they have been ever since.