Code Violations Land 'Phonehenge' Builder in Jail

A Superior Court Judge has ordered the jailing of the builder of an elaborate and eccentric set of unpermitted buildings in the exurbs north of Los Angeles.

1 minute read

July 13, 2011, 7:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg


Known as "Phonehenge West", the compound has 13 buildings, including one shaped like a viking boat and a mobile home remodeled as an antique railroad car. It also has a number of code violations, for which the owner has been warned.

"'He's like Simon Rodia, who built the Watts Towers. This is folk art,' said Bill Guild, one of a handful of supporters who came to court Friday, referring to the Italian builder of the famed towers fashioned out of scrap materials in South Los Angeles. 'It seems a bit punitive to me.'

Fahey, wearing overalls and his long snow-white hair in a ponytail, told the court he has not had enough time to tear down the buildings after his conviction last month on a dozen misdemeanor building code violations.

The 59-year-old retired phone company technician said he has removed about 70 doors and windows from one of the illegal structures, a 70-foot tower, but noted he does not have a crane to pull down the entire edifice.

He added that he's not an electrician and doesn't know how to disconnect the power."

Friday, July 8, 2011 in Salon

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