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1.39 million is the asking price for a 1,200‑square‑foot bungalow in Benedict Canyon that once served as a private retreat for Katharine Hepburn and her close companion, New York socialite Laura Harding. The property sits on a half‑acre lot, accessible via a secluded lane that once offered the duo a quiet escape from Hollywood’s glare.

    Listed by Carl Gambino and Cassie Levine of the Gambino Group at Compass, the cabin—built around 1923—features two bedrooms, a stone‑floor kitchen, a bright living room, and a rustic bathroom with a freestanding tub. Original oak trim and a stone fireplace lend the space a timeless charm. The kitchen still houses a working Magic Chef stove from 1928, a rare relic that ties the home to its early 20th‑century roots.

    Hepburn and Harding relocated together from New York to Hollywood in the late 1920s. For years, Hepburn would visit Harding’s wood‑paneled home, where she was often referred to as Harding’s secretary. The two women’s bond has long fueled speculation about a romantic relationship, a claim Hepburn denied in her 1991 memoir “Me.” In a 1990 interview with Katie Couric, Hepburn described herself as a tomboy, once shaving her head and calling herself “Jimmy” while living with three brothers.

    After Hepburn’s meteoric rise, Harding moved to a 60‑acre farm in New Jersey but retained ownership of the Beverly Hills cabin for many years. Her wealth stemmed from an inheritance tied to the Smith, Barney & Co. investment firm, which later merged into Morgan Stanley following the 2008 financial crisis.

    The 2007 biography “Kate: The Woman Who Was Hepburn” by William J. Mann, cited by the Daily Mail, explores the depth of their friendship through anecdotes from friends and family. Some describe the pair as “great loves,” though whether that affection was platonic or romantic remains debated. Harding’s grandniece, Emily King, suggested that Harding might have been happier if she had been openly gay, noting that both women shared a tomboy sensibility.

    Since the time of Hepburn and Harding, the home has been updated with solar panels, skylights integrated into the ceiling beams, and a large deck overlooking the canyon. Despite these modern additions, the historic Magic Chef stove remains a centerpiece of the kitchen. The property’s blend of early‑20th‑century architecture and contemporary amenities makes it a unique find in Benedict Canyon.