By James R. Bozajian
While death is not commonly used to attract patrons to restaurants, one notable exception from our past was a whimsical eatery named, “Hangman’s Tree Café.” This establishment’s logo was an image of the Valley Oak (Quercus Lobata) that once existed in the heart of Old Town Calabasas and was known colloquially as the “Calabasas Hanging Tree” (despite the fact that there is scant historical evidence to support the legend that it was ever employed for such purposes).
Though actually located a few miles east of Calabasas in Tarzana, Hangman’s Tree Café was inspired by the Calabasas Hanging Tree. The restaurant was in operation for two decades starting in the 1940s at 18671 Ventura Boulevard. (It was later revived for a short span in the 1970s, during which time I visited there as a child.) The decor was reminiscent of the American Old West.
As its proprietors explained long ago: “In choosing the name of Hangman’s Tree we are attempting to perpetuate and commemorate a famous tree in Calabasas – a genuine old pioneer spot which lies just a few miles up the road. This place was once infested with the most notorious band of outlaws and cattle-rustlers in the State of California and many of them stretched the rope on a limb of Hangman’s Tree, Calabasas. The tree still stands.”
Dangling outside from a nearby tree was a life-sized, straw-stuffed dummy dubbed, “Reseda Red.” This drew vociferous complaints from the Tarzana Chamber of Commerce, which posited that the scene projected an unflattering image of the community. So heated did the dispute over the presence of Reseda Red become, that in 1945 the Chamber formally petitioned the State of California to rescind Hangman’s Tree Cafe’s liquor license. But the effort proved unsuccessful, and Reseda Red remained.
Advertising for Hangman’s Tree Café was punctuated by the kind of dark, morbid, and self-deprecating humor not normally associated with enterprise, including a tag-line which read: “Hangman’s Tree Café. Where you, too, should hang out.” Or another which boasted: “Hangman’s Tree Café. The rendezvous for those who enjoy lousy food.”
The menu was billed as “jail fare” that consisted of “lousy food,” “warm beer and cocktails” and “sneering service.” Customers were admonished: “Don’t be a glutton! Leave a little on the plate. Remember, all ‘left-overs’ are used in our Sunday Hash for ‘First-time Losers.’” The wine list was described as “seasoning for the town’s most tasteless food.” In 1955, the owners announced that “much to everyone’s regret,” a second Hangman’s Tree Café was opening in Van Nuys.
Perhaps most intriguing of all was an original poem used to promote Hangman’s Tree Café (and printed within its menus) entitled, “Ode to Calabasas.” The grim poetry relates the (fictional) story of an execution carried out by utilizing the Old Town Calabasas Hanging Tree. Not exactly light reading during mealtime.
All of which is to say that this was one weird place to eat, the likes of which are not to be found in these parts today.
James R. Bozajian has served on the Calabasas City Council since 1997 and is a member of the Calabasas Las Virgenes Historical Society. He can be reached at jbozajian@cityofcalabasas.com.
