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June 12, 2009

ATWATER’S HISTORIC OLD “LIBRARY BUILDING” GETS A MUCH NEEDED FACELIFT

Atwater Public Library, Circa 1950 

Photo of Atwater Public Library, Circa 1950's

Photo of 3229 Glendale Blvd before renovations, photo by Atwater Village Newbie

The historic old “Library Building” at 3229 Glendale Blvd is getting a much needed facelift after many years of neglect. The building housed Atwater’s public library for 36 years from 1953 to 1989 until it relocated to a larger building at the corner of Glendale Boulevard and Revere.  The most recent occupant of the original building was Thousand Fabrics, which also relocated about a year and a half ago.  Since that time, the building has stood empty and had fallen into disrepair.

Jeff Gardner, above

The old “Library Building” was recently purchased by Amesbury Partners, LLC of which Jeff Gardner is a partner. Mr. Gardner currently serves on the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council as a business representative. He also owns another commercial property on Glendale Blvd, the Town Medical Center at 3161 Glendale Blvd.

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May 14, 2009

A Letter from Van de Kamps Coalition

Hello Friends & Neighbors,

Dr. Moore, the President of Los Angeles City College will be at the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council this Thursday May 14, 2009 @ 7:00 pm @ Christ's Church, 3852 Edenhurst Ave. to make a presentation on the future of the Van de Kamps / North East Campus. Due to the many inquires about the site and the recent article in the LA Times, we felt it necessary to address some of the issues briefly and give you some background information.

In 1999, the Van de Kamps Coalition formally known as the Coalition to Save the Van de Kamps Bakery spearheaded the campaign to make sure that this site became a viable asset for the North East Communities instead of another controversial BIG BOX Development. Through their and then Senator Richard Polancos’ efforts, they were able to stop this development and lead the campaign to save the building from demolition. Having completed the main goal of the coalition, now the task before them was to find a use than benefited the community for that site and after countless meetings with various organizations, they secured an agreement from LACC to construct a satellite campus.

Funding became their next issue, with the help of Senator Richard Polanco who secured $3 million dollars in seed money from the state budget and the passage of Proposition A/AA bonds, LACC and LACCD had the funds to start construction of the campus. With total of $61 million dollars budget allocated in 2004 for this campus and a targeted date of opening in Fall of 2005, the plans for this site quickly fell into internal political strife bringing on delay after delay and burning through millions of construction dollars.

The VDK Coalition has been on the LACC Steering Committee striving to make sure that LACC completes its promise to the community made back in 2004 to construct and open their satellite campus. However, recently, Steering Committee meetings have been suspended. The Coalition has not been notified of any Steering Committee Meetings for over a year and has called on the District to resume those meetings.

Countless delays, personnel and administrative changes, endless meetings, consultants and $20 million wasted in endless revisions of the original plans, cost overruns  wasted in endless revisions (one building lost) the project finally emerged from the arduous process. While “green” technology is being used in the final project, the original plans included even more use of “green” technology due largely to a prescient concept put forth by the Coalition and Dr. Dan Seymour, who originally headed the project for LACC. He also produced an innovate plan for funding the satellite campus that has since, apparently, been dropped by the district. Though diminished in building funds, less “green”, lacking its sustainable funding plan and smaller in scope, the project was back on track in 2006.

As late as 2008, we were lead to believe that this campus would open in the fall of 2009, a full adult community college campus with programs such as a Child Developmental Center, Work Force Center, availability to the community for some space for community functions and Fitness Center that would complement the academic portion of the college.

In January, the VDK Coalition learned that LACC, without forewarning, had turned over this site to the Los Angeles Community College Board to "manage" for the next five years due to budget shortfalls. Upon hearing this, the Coalition immediately contacted Dr Moore and advocated that LACC and LACCD hold community meetings throughout the Northeast Communities.

LACC and the LACCD would reveal no further information to the community or the Coalition until plans for the site would be outlined in the community meeting at LACC held on April 27th. Upon hearing the plans that the LACCD has for this site, the VDK Coalition went into immediate action.

 LACC and LACC District has now said that it is budget issues that prevent this campus from opening - conveniently believable at this time of state budget crisis.  But in-fact the State of California has money available to start up new campuses in the form of Center Status grants.  LACCD paid a consultant hundreds of thousands of dollars to prepare and complete such a grant for the Van de Kamp's location, then withdrew the application.  Why?  We may never really know.  Regardless of the reasons, there is nothing standing in the way of the application being submitted and a community college opening other than the will of the Community College District.

The Coalition has asked for a complete accounting of all the funds and their uses since the inception of this process. Despite being assured by the district personnel that this was an easy thing to do and would take little time, the Coalition has not heard back about this.

We are asking that you attend these meetings and voice your concerns. Los Angeles voters voted for Prop A/AA Bonds (a total of 3 Billion Dollars) to build Community Colleges and not to create buildings for the District to unilaterally decide to lease out to Charter Schools and place LACCD Administrative Offices. In this time of economic crisis, how can LACC and LACCD afford to waste taxpayer’s money? Please let your voices be heard.

The VDK Coalition is as committed today as they were when they first helped bring LACC into this process and secured the promise of a Satellite campus, to see that this college opens. We are in the midst of organizing thousands of emails, documents, and pictures for our new website, along with conducting our own investigation. We will be sending out an announcement soon when our website is up and running. If you would like to be added to our list for future developments, "action alerts", or would like to email your comments/questions regarding this “new change of management”, please send us an email at vdkcoalition@gmail.com.


Thank you,
Van de Kamps Coalition

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Atwater Village Photo of the Month: "Atwater 1955 Glendale Blvd"

Click here for more information about the photo

For more Atwater Village pictures go to Flickr group "Atwater Village, 90039"

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May 09, 2009

Museums of the Arroyo Day 5/17: six museums along historic Arroyo Seco open for FREE to public

MUSEUMS OF THE ARROYO CELEBRATE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF “MOTA DAY” BY TRAVELING BACK IN TIME TO THE 1920s

Six museums in Los Angeles and Pasadena located along the Arroyo Seco will open free to the public

Sunday, May 17; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Participating museums: Heritage Square Museum, The Gamble House, Los Angeles Police Historical Society Museum, the Lummis Home and Garden, the Pasadena Museum of History and the Autry National Center’s Southwest Museum of the American Indian

Calendar summary follows release

PASADENA, Calif. Longtime devotees of the daylong event where six museums located along the Arroyo Seco in Pasadena open free to the public call it “MOTA Day.” But those who have yet to discover this opportunity to travel back in time to experience life in early Los Angeles through its art, architecture and history may appreciate a little more explanation.

“MOTA Day stands for Museums of the Arroyo Day,” explains Kori Capaldi, program and operations manager at the Gamble House in Pasadena, which is internationally recognized as the most complete and best-preserved work of American Arts and Crafts architects Charles and Henry Greene. “And, this year, our MOTA Day participants are excited to be celebrating our 20th anniversary.”

Museums joining the Gamble House at this year’s event on Sunday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., include Heritage Square Museum, the Los Angeles Police Historical Society Museum, the Lummis Home and Garden, the Pasadena Museum of History, and the Autry National Center’s Southwest Museum of the American Indian. Most will also present exhibitions that pay tribute, in some form or fashion, to the event’s milestone anniversary.

“For example, at the Gamble House, visitors will see cars from the 1920s,” says Capaldi. “We’ll also have children’s crafts and refreshments on site. But, of course, the highlight of a visit to every museum participating in MOTA Day is a tour of the facility itself. There’s a lot to see and even more to learn!”

Ample parking is available at each museum, as well as continuous shuttle service between sites, for those who don’t wish to drive from venue to venue. However, as MOTA Day ends promptly at 4 p.m., when making plans to visit, please remember that shuttles will stop running shortly after 4 p.m. as well.

“The writer Pearl Buck wrote, ‘If you want to understand today, you have to search yesterday,’ ” says Diane Siegel, Manager of Programming and Curriculum Development at the Pasadena Museum of History. “I can’t think of a better place for all of us to start our journey than with MOTA Day.”

For more information on the 20th Annual MOTA Day, visit www.museumsofthearroyo.com or call the hotline number at 213.740.TOUR (8687). Programs may be subject to change.

SPECIAL EVENTS AT MUSEUMS OF THE ARROYO DAY:

The Gamble House:
Although car enthusiasts will enjoy seeing the collection of 1920s-era cars on site at The Gamble House, the star attraction for MOTA Day visitors will undoubtedly be the house itself. Designed in 1908 by architects Greene & Greene, the Gamble House was commissioned by David and Mary Gamble, of Cincinnati, Ohio, as a retirement residence. David and Mary lived in the house until their deaths in 1923 and 1929, respectively. Their son, Cecil Huggins Gamble, and his wife, Louise Gibbs Gamble, lived in the house beginning in 1946 and briefly considered selling it. They soon changed their minds, however, when prospective buyers spoke of painting the interior teak and mahogany woodwork white! The Gambles realized the artistic importance of the house and it remained in the Gamble family until 1966, when it was deeded to the city of Pasadena in a joint agreement with the University of Southern California School of Architecture.

Cookies, lemonade and smoothies from Jamba Juice will be available on the lawn as well as craft projects for children. The Gamble House is located at 4 Westmoreland Place in Pasadena.

Heritage Square:
Heritage Square, a “living history museum” of 8 historic structures reflecting the settlement and development of Southern California from the Civil War to the early 20th Century, will present   “Lost to Progress” – a look at the balance between preservation and progress, as illustrated by how the three historical neighborhoods of Chavez Ravine, Chinatown and Bunker Hill were destroyed so that Los Angeles could develop into a modern, world class city – as part of its MOTA Day programming.  Visitors are encouraged not to miss The Longfellow-Hastings Octagon Veranda, one of three buildings of this type of rare architecture in the state of California. Costumed docents will be available at each building to answer questions.

Guests can also visit a Spanish American War encampment, view traditional woodcarving and blacksmith demonstrations, listen to historical storytellers, hear live music, and much more. Children are encouraged, too, to play with Victorian games and make period crafts throughout the day.

“Heritage Square takes its guests back in time to an era where electricity was a novelty, a trip to the beach was often a full-weekend activity and manners were distinctly different from those of today,” says Jessica Maria Alicea-Covarrubias, Director of Museum Administration and Operations. Heritage Square is located at 3800 Homer Street in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Police Historical Society Museum:

The Los Angeles Police Historical Society Museum, which chronicles the history of the LAPD from 1869 to the present, is located in the former Renaissance Revival style Highland Park Police Station, at 6045 York Boulevard in Los Angeles.

“The station was built in 1925, which fits perfectly into our 1920s theme, ” says Executive Director Glynn Martin. “After it closed in 1983, it suffered from vandals, arson fires and water damage. But, since then, the station has been salvaged and restored by the Historical Society and is now a registered National Historic landmark.”

MOTA Day visitors can tour the facilities, which feature private collections and historical memorabilia dating back to the late 19th century. Children will have a chance to climb into a retired police helicopter and try on police gear. Many guests also enjoy using their own cameras to create a “Booking Photo” of their favorite “crook” in the historic jail.

Autry National Center’s Southwest Museum of the American Indian:
The Autry National Center’s Southwest Museum of the American Indian is the oldest museum in Los Angeles. It also houses one of the nation’s most important museum, library and archive collections related to the American Indian.

Visitors can enjoy Native American performers and tour the ethnobotanical garden, as well as learn about the museum’s recent major repair projects. Video presentations will be shown in the Braun Research Library.

 The museum is located at 234 Museum Drive in Los Angeles.

Lummis Home and Garden:

The turn-of-the century home of the founder of the Southwest Museum of the American Indian, Charles Fletcher Lummis, is part of the MOTA Day tour as well. Lummis – an early activist, author, anthropologist, photographer, and civic booster who encouraged and nurtured some of the West’s finest poets, writers and artists – was also the first city editor of the fledgling Los Angeles Times. Tours of the Lummis Home, built over a 12-year period with stones from the arroyo, will be available throughout MOTA Day as well as self-guided garden tours.

In addition to touring the house and water-wise demonstration garden, MOTA Day visitors are invited to hear folksingers, Gigi and Mike, entertain children and adults with turn of the century folk songs and sing-alongs from 11 am to 12 pm. At one and three pm. historian Daniel Lewis will present “Charles F. Lummis in Chautauqua,” a historical characterization of the home’s creator

In the El Alisal garden, the Arroyo Arts Collective will present a multimedia display, “Bringing the Past to Light: New Art from Old Images” featuring an innovative mix of past, present and future visions of the Arroyo area. The Lummis Home and Garden is located at 200 Avenue 43 in Los Angeles.

Pasadena Museum of History:

The Pasadena Museum of History –located on the grounds of the Fenyes Mansion, an elegant 1905 Beaux Arts style building that is one of the few remaining grand homes on Pasadena's former "Millionaire's Row" – will celebrate MOTA Day’s 20th Anniversary by placing special emphasis on telling stories from the 1920s. “Family Stories: Sharing a Community’s Legacy” will chronicle the lives of six different families representing the largest population groups in early Pasadena. All had settled in Pasadena by the 1920s.

Several times throughout the day, visitors will hear “Travels with Babsie,” a dramatic monologue near a 1920s Model T car, which will chronicle Pasadena resident Leonora Curtin’s adventures by car throughout the Southwest. The monologue is based on postcards Leonora Curtin sent her grandmother throughout the 1920s.

In addition, “newboys” carrying news bags filled with stories culled from archival 1920s newspapers stroll throughout the campus. A guest artist will also lead children in making paper dolls in the style popular with children of the 1920s and teach them about 20 famous people who have lived, worked, or studied in the Pasadena area. The museum is located at 470 West Walnut Street in Pasadena.

Calendar Summary:

Museums of the Arroyo/MOTA Day
Sunday, May 17 -10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Participating Museums open free to the public:

  • The Gamble House, 4 Westmoreland Place in Pasadena
  • Heritage Square, 3800 Homer Street in Los Angeles
  • Los Angeles Police Historical Society Museum, 6045 York Blvd. in Los Angeles
  • Autry National Center’s Southwest Museum of the American Indian, 234 Museum Drive in Los Angeles
  • Lummis Home and Garden, 200 Avenue 43 in Los Angeles
  • Pasadena Museum of History, 470 West Walnut Street in Pasadena
For more information, visit www.museumsofthearroyo.com or call the hotline at 213.740.TOUR (8687)

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January 11, 2009

ALERT: HELP BRING LANDMARK STATUS FOR GRIFFITH PARK HOME

GRIFFITH PARK LANDMARK APPLICATION FACES FIRST CITY COUNCIL TEST: TUESDAY, JANUARY 13

In late October, before a standing room only crowd, the Cultural Heritage Commission voted to recommend landmark status for Griffith Park. The news was greeted with jubilance citywide.

But it's not over yet and next week the nomination enters the home stretch.

First stop is this Tuesday, January 13 at 2 p.m. , Room 350 City Hall, 200 N. Spring Street. The City Council's Planning & Land Use Management (PLUM) Committee will debate whether or not to send the matter to the full council for an up or down vote and, as we saw on October 30th, a strong public presence can affect the outcome.

Please be there, but if you cannot, you can definitely help influence PLUM members by e-mailing them your individual message of support for the designation (see addresses below). If you belong to an organization that supports the nomination, please include that, too and cc you communication to

councilmember.labonge@lacity.org

Your advocacy has and will continue to make a difference!

Chair, Councilmember Ed Reyes: councilmember.reyes@lacity.org

Councilmember Jose Huizar: councilmember.huizar@lacity.org

Councilmember Jack Weiss: councilmember.weiss@lacity.org

 

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November 14, 2008

Commission to Hold Public Hearing on New Preservation Ordinance

The Office of Historic Resources and the Cultural Heritage Commission (CHC) invite you to participate in a public hearing on Thursday, November 20 (after 10:00 a.m.) to provide input on a significant overhaul of the City's historic preservation ordinance. The hearing will be held in Room 1010 of City Hall (10th Floor), at 200 N. Spring St.

The staff of the Office of Historic Resources (OHR) is proposing important changes aimed at strengthening demolition review procedures, clarifying criteria for historic designation, and enhancing notification of private property owners. The City of Los Angeles' Cultural Heritage Ordinance, originally approved by the City Council in 1962, created the procedures for the designation and protection of significant Los Angeles buildings and sites as Historic-Cultural Monuments. While the Ordinance has undergone several minor, procedural modifications, it has never been comprehensively updated to give our City a state-of-the-art historic preservation program.

The Cultural Heritage Commission held public workshops and hearings on these ordinance amendments earlier this year. The amendments have since gone through additional refinements as recommended by a Cultural Heritage Ordinance Working Group and are now returning to the Commission for its review and for your input. If you will not be able to attend the hearing, we would welcome your written comments and suggestions on these proposals as the OHR and Commission finalize a draft ordinance for submission to the City Council.

The OHR has now made available the revised text of the proposed ordinance changes. To review the draft ordinance and a summary of the recommendations under review by the Commission, click on the attachment at the bottom of the OHR's web site article on the hearing, at:
http://www.preservation.lacity.org/node/94

You may also review the existing ordinance by clicking on the attachment "Cultural Heritage Ordinance" at:  http://www.preservation.lacity.org/commission

Contact Information
Office of Historic Resources, Department of City Planning 200 N. Spring Street Room 620 Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 978-1200
Fax: (213) 978-0017
Website: http://preservation.lacity.org

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November 02, 2008

Office of Historic Resources October E-Newsletter

The City of Los Angeles' Office of Historic Resources is pleased to present the October issue of our quarterly E-Newsletter. Click below to read this month's issue.

The E-Newsletter is available directly on the Office of Historic Resources web site, at: http://preservation.lacity.org/node/424

Please help us spread the word to others who are interested in historic preservation: new subscribers may sign up on our web site to receive future issues of the newsletter. We hope that you enjoy receiving these periodic updates on Los Angeles' historic preservation activities, and we welcome your feedback.

Inside this issue:
•             Asian and Pacific Islander Neighborhoods Become Preserve America Communities
•             Tell Us About Your Historic L.A.
•             SurveyLA Speakers Bureau
•             Become an Intern with the OHR
•             New HPOZs Proceed Toward City Approval
•             Los Angeles' Newest Historic-Cultural Monuments

Contact Information
Office of Historic Resources, Department of City Planning 200 N. Spring Street Room 620 Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 978-1200
Fax: (213) 978-0017
Website: http://preservation.lacity.org

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February 29, 2008

3rd Lummis Day Set For Sunday June 1

Los Angeles— The 3rd annual Lummis Day: The Festival of Northeast Los Angeles event, a free, public celebration of the diverse culture and history of the L.A.’s Arroyo neighborhoods will take place on Sunday, June 1, featuring musical, visual, culinary and literary artists representing an array of the region’s cultural traditions.

This year’s Lummis Day event will be presented by the Annenberg Foundation and the Autry National Center, with over a dozen community organizations, neighborhood councils, City Council Districts 1 and 14, the Department of Recreation and Parks and public radio station KPFK acting as sponsors.

Principal activities for the event will be staged as Sycamore Grove Park at 4900 N. Figueroa Street, where music, art, multi-cultural performances and food service begins at 12:30 pm, and at Lummis Home, 200 E. Avenue 43, where the program will begin with an 11:00 am poetry reading followed by a "trek" led along the route of Arroyo Seco riverbed. The Festival will feature musicians, local restaurants, dancers, performing artists and visual artists representing many cultural traditions of the Southern California region.

Last year’s event drew over 3,500 people to events at Sycamore Grove Park and Lummis Home. Over 25 community groups, a dozen galleries and half dozen restaurants participated.

Continue reading "3rd Lummis Day Set For Sunday June 1" »

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February 19, 2008

SW Museum's Status Elevated to "National Significance"

The National Register of Historic Places has elevated the status of the Southwest Museum of the American Indian to “national significance” on its official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation, clearing the way for an application for Save America's Treasures funding for the building’s rehabilitation and for other federal-level assistance.

The National Register’s initial listing of the Southwest Museum in 2004 as a site with “state
significance,” was based on the role of Charles Lummis and the museum he created in the growth of Los Angeles and the Southern California region. The change in status follows recognition of the museum’s major contribution in the advancement of archaeological and Native American studies in the U.S. during the first part of the 20th century.

Announcement of the elevation of the Museum’s status on the National Register comes as the Southwest Society begins a year-long observance of the centennial of the Southwest Museum’s founding. A Centennial Lecture Series, titled "A View From the Braun," will feature guest speakers each month, a Southwest Summer Nights program will bring music, poetry and film to the Museum during July and August and several programs will be staged in support of the community’s third annual Lummis Day Festival.

Though closed weekdays while undergoing extensive rehabilitation work, building repairs and collections conservation, the museum remains open to the public weekends from noon to 5pm and features a variety of programs.

Members of The Southwest Society, including Native American tribal leaders, Southern California elected officials and community activists, have expressed thanks to the National Register and are supporting the Autry National Center’s application for Save America's Treasures funding.
 
The National Register of Historic Places is the Nation's official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation. Authorized under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Register’s purpose is to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect our historic and archaeological resources.

Properties listed in the Register include districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that are significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture. The National Register is administered by the National Park Service, a part of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

The Southwest Society is dedicated to supporting the revitalization and sustenance of the Southwest Museum of the American Indian, which includes the Casa de Adobe. The Society will work in partnership with the Autry National Center to further a shared vision for the re-establishment and enhancement of these historic resources as premiere cultural destinations for Angelenos, visitors and scholars.

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February 14, 2008

EVENT LAUNCHES EFFORT TO SAVE DWINDLING LA HISTORY COLLECTIONS

Heritage Square Museum to launch Heritage Alliance with March 2 kick-off event: LA Heritage Day
LOS ANGELES -With dwindling to non-existent public funding for culture in Los Angeles, private non-profits and dedicated volunteers committed to preserving our collective past have stepped up to almost literally save the day. On March 2nd, 2008, from 12pm to 4pm Heritage Square Museum will host Los Angeles Heritage Day. LA Heritage Day reconnects public at large with all of their cultural institutions and resources, whiles aiding historical sites and museums from across Southern California in showcasing their respective histories to the public. This event will be the first step in the launch of the LA Heritage Alliance.
For a City believed to have no "real" history, Los Angeles' heritage is not going unnoticed. The Los Angeles region has over 200 historical organizations, societies, and museums dedicated to preserving and promoting the varied pasts of the various regions, industries, and individuals in Los Angeles. And with Heritage Square as the epicenter of heritage, anyone seeking out the past needs to look no further.

Continue reading "EVENT LAUNCHES EFFORT TO SAVE DWINDLING LA HISTORY COLLECTIONS" »

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January 30, 2008

Commission Seeks Your Input on Preservation Ordinance

The Office of Historic Resources and the Cultural Heritage Commission (CHC) invite you to participate in a special Commission policy workshop on February 7, 2008 - a meeting that will provide the first public forum to discuss a significant overhaul of the City's historic preservation ordinance.

The staff of the Office of Historic Resources (OHR) is proposing important changes aimed at strengthening demolition review procedures, clarifying criteria for historic designation, and enhancing notification of private property owners. The City of Los Angeles' Cultural Heritage Ordinance, originally approved by the City Council in 1962, created the procedures for the designation and protection of significant Los Angeles buildings and sites as Historic-Cultural Monuments. While the Ordinance has undergone several minor, procedural modifications, it has never been comprehensively updated to give our City a state-of-the-art historic preservation program.

The Cultural Heritage Commission has scheduled an initial public workshop on these ordinance amendments for February 7, 2008, 10:00 a.m. in Room 1010 of City Hall (200 N. Spring St., in downtown Los Angeles). This meeting will also include a presentation on the OHR's work program for 2008, and an update on SurveyLA, the Los Angeles Historic Resources Survey. We also welcome your written comments and suggestions on these proposals as the OHR and Commission finalize a draft ordinance for submission to the City Council later this year.

Continue reading "Commission Seeks Your Input on Preservation Ordinance" »

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November 09, 2007

“Past, Present and Future” Mural Dedication Ceremony

Mural Dedication Ceremony

Tuesday, November 13th, 2007 – 1:00pm

Vince’s Market

3250 Silver Lake Blvd

Corner of Silver Lake Blvd & Atwater Ave

Join Friends of Atwater Village for another Mural Dedication Ceremony, this time at the historic Vince’s Market building, located at the corner of Silver Lake Blvd. and Atwater Avenue.

The mural’s theme, “Past, Present and Future”, recreates the Vince’s Market building as it was prior to 1946. What is now Vince's Market was originally three separate businesses -- a beauty shop, a barber shop, and the market. The mural shows images of the everyday items and products that were found at a “superette” market, barber shop and beauty salon in the 1940’s.

This project was funded by a Community Beautification Grant from the L.A. Board of Public Works.

Click here for event flier (pdf file)

---

Click here for project photo gallery.

Friends of Atwater Village (FAV) is a "hands on" group of volunteers working to improve and beautify our neighborhood, from neighborhood clean-ups to mural projects and more. At our core, we are a group of friends dedicated to improving Atwater Village. For more information about FAV you can contact them at 323.913.2999 or visit them online at www.FriendsofAtwaterVillage.org

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October 28, 2007

FAV CELEBRATES ATWATER VILLAGE HISTORY AT VINCE’S MARKET

Friends of Atwater Village (FAV) has completed another graffiti abatement mural, this time at the historic Vince’s Market building, located at the corner of Silver Lake Blvd. and Atwater Avenue.

The mural’s theme, “Past, Present and Future”, recreates the Vince’s Market building as it was prior to 1946. What is now Vince's Market was originally three separate businesses -- a beauty shop, a barber shop, and the market.  In 1946 the beauty shop and barber shop were moved across the street and the market was expanded.

The mural shows images of the everyday items and products that were found at a “superette” market, barber shop and beauty salon in the 1940’s.

Vince's Market Circa 1940's

Muralist Rafael Escamilla who created and painted this wonderful piece of art, worked closely with the original owners of Vince’s Market, the Caravellas, and other long time residents so that he could keep all the images historically accurate for the 1940’s. They relied on old Atwater Village pictures and good memories of a bygone era. Come by and view this wonderful recreation of a bygone era and sit a moment on the “bench” to take it all in.

This mural project was funded by a Community Beautification Grant from the L.A. Board of Public Works.

Click here for project photo gallery.

Friends of Atwater Village (FAV) is a "hands on" group of volunteers working to improve and beautify our neighborhood, from neighborhood clean-ups to mural projects and more. At our core, we are a group of friends dedicated to improving Atwater Village. For more information about FAV you can contact them at 323.913.2999 or visit them online at www.FriendsofAtwaterVillage.org

Posted by Atwater Village News at 09:57 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

July 24, 2007

L.A. Office of Historic Resources E-Newsletter, July 2007

Click here to download newsletter (pdf file)

The July issue includes:

* SurveyLA -- the Los Angeles Historic Resources Survey Project: How Can You Participate?

* State Awards Los Angeles Its First Preservation Grant

* Mia Lehrer Joins Cultural Heritage Commission

* Profiles of Los Angeles' 10 Newest Landmarks

 

Ken Bernstein

Ken.Bernstein@lacity.org

Manager, Office of Historic Resources

Department of City Planning, City of Los Angeles

Posted by Atwater Village News at 04:37 PM |

May 20, 2007

Atwater Village History Tidbit: "ATWATER REPRESENTED AT STATE CONVENTION"

 

This news article was obtained from the Atwater Avenue PTA Scrapbook 1936 - 1937. The scrapbook was the work of Mrs. Grace Edith Roche the Atwater Avenue PTA president of 1936 - 1937.

First published on Friday, May 25, 1936 – Griffith Park News

By Mrs. H.H. Shattuck

"Atwater Ave. Parent-Teacher Association was ably represented at the recent annual convention of the California Congress of Parents and Teachers held in San Jose, by four enthusiastic delegates.

Mesdames Harry Stover, Harley Roche, Charles Pons and Melvin La Bare made the trip and report an interesting and inspiring week.

The convention opened officially on Tuesday, April 28 in the new San Jose auditorium. General Sessions were held in the mornings and in the afternoons conferences pertaining to some phase of parent-teacher work.

Mrs. Pons and Mrs. Roche attended the Press breakfast and enjoyed a splendid program depicting the editing of the “Convention News.”

 

San Jose schools, both elementary and high schools were represented on the programs, on of the most outstanding being a "Gay Nineties" skit done in costum with songs and dances of that period."

Continue reading "Atwater Village History Tidbit: "ATWATER REPRESENTED AT STATE CONVENTION"" »

Posted by Atwater Village News at 07:00 PM |

May 08, 2007

Atwater Village History Tidbit: “Open House Will Be Held on May 21 at Atwater Gr. School”

This news article was obtained from the Atwater Avenue PTA Scrapbook 1936 - 1937. The scrapbook was the work of Mrs. Grace Edith Roche (referred to as Mrs. Harley Roche in many the the news articles) the Atwater Avenue PTA president of 1936 - 1937.

First published on Friday, May 8, 1936 – Griffith Park News

By Mrs. H.H. Shattuck

“Parents and friends of children in the Atwater Avenue school will have the opportunity of seeing the work accomplished this past year at the annual open house of the school, which will be held Thursday, May 21 room 6 to 9 p.m.

In order to give visitors more time to enjoy the exhibits no program will be given but musical numbers by the school orchestra and signing groups will be presented in the patio.

We urge you to come out and see the splendid work your child is doing under the fine corps of teachers Atwater is so fortunate in having.

In conjunction with the open house the parent-teacher group is serving a spaghetti dinner in the school cafeteria beginning at 5:30 o’clock.

A very nominal charge will be made for this dinner, so bring the family and make an evening of it. We’ll guarantee you will get enough to eat.

Remember the date, May 21, from 6 to 9 pm.

Mrs. Edith Passmore wishes to announce that the school playground is open week days from 3 to 5pm and Saturdays, from 10am to 2pm.

Members of the Atwater PTA executive board were called together last Wednesday, May 6, ostensibly for the regular monthly board meeting of that group, by Mrs. Harry M. Stover, president of the association. This meeting was held at the home of Mrs. H.H. Shattuck, 3322 Perlita Avenue, and following the short business meeting a delightful garden luncheon was enjoyed at which Mrs. R. M. Angel, child health chairman, was surprised with a shower.

Decorations were in colors of pink and white and Mrs. Angle was presented with many lovely gifts.

Those enjoying the party were Mesdames: Angle, C. Nyquist, H. Roth, Lewis Arbogast, Wayne Dooley, M. Hyatt, Harry Stover, E. M. Thurston, E.J. Challister, Richard Ulm, Harley Roche, Melvin La Bare, Charles Pons, Silas Moore, E. P. French, E. Ray Brown, Frank Starr, R. H. Behrens, E. M. Ferguson, Jesse Few, Lee Cogswell, Geo. Howard, Fred Richards, L. E. Rogers, Edith Passmore and H.H. Shattuck.”

Click here to download news article (pdf file)

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Friends of Atwater Village (FAV) sincerely thanks Atwater Avenue School for sharing this historical scrapbook with Atwater Villlage.

Posted by Atwater Village News at 09:35 PM |

May 07, 2007

Atwater Village History Tidbit: Mrs. Grace Edith Roche, Atwater Ave PTA President 1936-1937

Mrs. Grace Edith Roche 

 

Mrs. Grace Edith Roche served as Atwater Avenue School PTA President 1936-1937. Born in Cresco, Iowa, she lived in California for 42 years, many of them in Atwater Village. In addition to her service as PTA President she was a member of the Los Feliz Women’s Club and the Atwater Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star.

 

She died November 5, 1972 at the age of 82 and is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale.

 

During Mrs. Roche 1936-1937 tenure as PTA president Atwater Ave School had 24 teachers, 750 students and had eight grades.

Atwater Ave School - Circa 1936

Posted by Atwater Village News at 10:21 PM |

April 20, 2007

History of Atwater Park Baptist Church

Atwater Park Baptist Church, Circa 1920

Atwater Park Baptist Church is an American Baptist congregation started in March 4, 1923 using three tents and with 45 people in attendance at the corner of Perlita and Tyburn Streets of Atwater Village. Tents were used throughout that summer until a permanent structure was built. The first building was dedicated on October 14, 1923 and a temporary organization with 9 persons signing for membership was formed a week later.

Atwater Park Baptist Church, Circa 1920

In February 1949, construction of the present sanctuary began. Dedicatory services were held on March 12, 1950, All rooms in the older building were remodeled in 1954 and three new rooms were added in 1962.

Atwater Park Baptist Church is located at 3370 Perlita Avenue in Atwater Village.

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FAV sincerely thanks Atwater Park Baptist Church for sharing their history and pictures with Atwater Village.

Posted by Atwater Village News at 05:16 PM |

April 18, 2007

History of Beach Grocery Co. Inc.

Beach's Market, Circa 1980 - Glendale Blvd / Glenhurst Ave

Written by Jan Zufall

Max Arthur Beach was the man behind the vision of Beach’s Markets. He began at the age of twelve to support his widowed mother and two sisters. Max as a bookkeeper who in the mid 1930’s went into partnership with Izzsy Sol. Izzsy had two markets in his chain. This chain grew until 1930 when it was sold and Max acquired two stores of his own. He now owned the Acme Market in the San Fernando Valley and Beach’s Market on Glendale Blvd., in the Atwater District of Los Angeles. He still owned the Market in Atwater at the time of his death in 1988.

During the 1950 and 1960’s Max also had drugstore and hardware businesses. Max continued to expand his chain of stores by purchasing small markets and other real estate around the city. His purchases were to generate income for future expansion of his markets. His dream came true with the retail centers he build in the mid 1960’s. In Downey his retail center includes a Beach’s Market, (which houses an independent bakery), a restaurant (Bakers Square), and a cleaner. In Rosemead he built a big new supermarket to replace the small neighborhood store. He also built a drugstore (now CVS Drugs) opposite the market, and a Jack in the Box. He also owns several rental properties all around this market. In the next decade he concentrated on his two retail centers, owning and operating the two Beach markets. A privately owned corporation was formed in the 1970’s.

Continue reading "History of Beach Grocery Co. Inc." »

Posted by Atwater Village News at 06:13 PM |

March 23, 2007

Friends of Atwater Village Is Awarded Its 8th Community Beautification Grant for a Graffiti Abatement Mural

Friends of Atwater Village (FAV) has been awarded a Community Beautification Grant through the L.A. Department of Public Works which will fund a new graffiti abatement mural at the historic “Vince’s Market” building at 3250 Silver Lake Blvd, at the corner of Silver Lake Blvd. and Atwater Ave. The theme of the new mural will be “Past, Present and Future”.

This newest grant marks the 8th time FAV has been awarded a Community Beautification Grant. In the past FAV has been awarded grants to fund such community project as:

The “Past, Present and Future” mural will depict historic images of the Silver Lake Blvd and Atwater Ave area. Such images will include the original Atwater Avenue Elementary School building and the original façade of the Vince’s Market, both circa 1950.

FAV has commissioned muralist Rafael Escamilla for the newest mural. Rafael has worked with FAV on other mural projects such as the “Dover Street” mural, the “Atwater Ranch Market” mural, the “Blot the Blight” mural, the “Revisiting the Red Car” mural and the “Trains Shaping History” mural.

For more information this project or about FAV please contact us at 323.913.2999 or at favboard@friendsofatwatervillage.org.

Posted by Atwater Village News at 04:47 PM |

February 13, 2007

Occidental College Is Lummis Day Presenting Sponsor

Occidental College will serve as Presenting Sponsor for the second annual Lummis Day: The Festival of Northeast Los Angeles event, a free, public celebration of the of the multi-cultural heritage of L.A.’s Arroyo neighborhoods, on Sunday, June 3, featuring musical, visual, culinary and literary artists representing an array of the region’s cultural traditions.

Principal activities for the event will be staged as Sycamore Grove Park at 4900 N. Figueroa Street, where music, art, multi-cultural performances and food service begins at noon, and at Lummis Home, 200 E. Avenue 43, where the program will begin with an 11:00 am poetry reading followed by a "trek" led along the route of Arroyo Seco riverbed. Musicians, a variety of local restaurants, dancers and other performing artists and the work of visual artists representing many cultural traditions of the Southern California region will be featured.

Last year’s inaugural event drew over 1500 people to events at Sycamore Grove Park and Lummis Home. Over 25 community groups, a dozen galleries and half dozen restaurants participated in the event.

Continue reading "Occidental College Is Lummis Day Presenting Sponsor" »

Posted by Atwater Village News at 10:27 PM |

December 09, 2006

Revisiting the Atwater Village Pedestrian Oriented District (POD)

Since January 2001 the Atwater Village POD has guided the business development along Glendale and Los Feliz Blvd's. The POD main purpose is to encourage a pedestrian friendly business environment.

Click here to download the Atwater Village POD complete text (pdf file)

Click here for 1998 news article: "Atwater Village takes steps to put togther pedestrian plan" (pdf file)

Posted by Atwater Village News at 10:24 PM |

Atwater Village Historical Society Election & Historic Presentation, Jan 9th

Atwater Village Historical Society: Election - 2007 Board of Directors

Tuesday, January 9, 6:30pm
Atwater Village Branch Library (3379 Glendale Blvd)

Also, there will be a short presentation given of some historical highlights of the Atwater Village area.

Click here for event flier (pdf file)

Posted by Atwater Village News at 05:13 PM |

November 28, 2006

Atwater Village Historical Society (AVHS) UPDATE

Join the AVHS at the Farmers Market (Wells Fargo Bank Parking Lot, 3250 Glendale Blvd) on December 3, 2006 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Society members will be on hand to answer questions and take new society memberships.  

AVHS Board Election will be held on Tuesday, January 9th - 6:pm at the Atwater Village Branch Library (3379 Glendale Blvd, in the Barbara Lass Community Meeting Room). New society officers will be selected and a presentation on Atwater Village history will be conducted.

Posted by Atwater Village News at 06:13 PM |

November 26, 2006

Vince's Market - Atwater Village History

Vince's Market (3250 Silver Lake Blvd, Corner w/ Atwater Ave.) opened in June 1939. The store was purchased by Joseph Caravella and his wife Mabel and named it for their son Vince.

Joseph Caravella's mother and father came from Italy to the U.S. in 1887 with their first son. The next year, 1888 their second son, Joseph, was born. They remained in the U.S. for 2 years then returned to Italy were they had to more sons and two daughters. In 1898 the entire family returned to the U.S. and settled in Birmingham, Alabama, where the elder Caravella sold fruits and vegetables from an open truck then later opened a small market. In 1912 Joseph married Mabel Bowes and they had 4 children.

Their only son, Vince, came to California in 1937. While living with his married sister he attended South Gate High School the Los Angeles City College and worked at Cash's King and EF Smith Markets. Vince's Parents came to California in 1939. Joseph and Mabel purchased a market at the corner of Silver Lake Blvd and Atwater Avenue in 1939. Vince helped his parents run the store until he entered the Navy during World War II. Vince was in the Navy from 1942 to 1945. During this time the market was run by Joseph and Mabel, affectionately called "Big Daddy and Big Mama" by their family. When Vince was discharged from the Navy he again helped his parents run the market until their retirement in 1953.

Continue reading "Vince's Market - Atwater Village History" »

Posted by Atwater Village News at 09:44 PM |

November 09, 2006

2006 Historic Echo Park Home Tour Sunday Nov. 12th

*2006 Historic Echo Park Home Tour: *

*The Bohemian Havens of Elysian Heights*

Sunday, Nov. 12 11 am - 4 pm

Explore the steep hills and secluded canyons of the Elysian Heights, the north end of the neighborhood that has attracted artists, writers and creative individuals of all kinds for decades. Find out how the homes of today's residents reflect Echo Park's creative spirit and legacy.

Homes will be open Nov. 12 from 11 AM - 4 PM. On the day of the event, tickets for this self- guided tour will be sold at Williams Hall, 2000 Stadium Way near Scott Avenue. Forward this message to your friends!

Ticket Prices: $20 or $15 for Echo Park Historical Society members.

Click here <http://historicechopark.org/id19.html> to buy your tickets now.

Visit the Home Tour <http://historicechopark.org/id14.html> section of www.HistoricEchoPark.org for details.

Posted by Atwater Village News at 08:31 PM |

October 06, 2006

Fletcher Drive Mural Dedication, Oct 26th!

 

Mural Dedication Ceremony

Thursday, October 26th, 2006

11am to Noon

3105 Casitas Avenue

Join Friends of Atwater Village and the Fletcher Drive Improvement Association to celebrate the successful completion of Atwater's newest mural depicting local railroad history!

This graffiti abatement and public art project was funded by the Atwater Village Neighborhood Council (AVNC); for more information about the AVNC please visit them online at www.atwatervillage.org or call 323.634.AVNC.

On the sidewalk at the Casitas and Fletcher overpass; street parking is very limited, please park at La Clede Ave and walk to site.

Click here to download event flier (pdf file)

www.fletcherdrive.com

Posted by Atwater Village News at 09:04 PM |

September 06, 2006

Fletcher Drive Mural "work-in-progress" photo gallery!

For updated pictures of this "work-in-progress" project visit:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/fletcherdrivemuralproject

For more information about this project go to www.fletcherdrive.com

Posted by Atwater Village News at 08:35 PM |

August 30, 2006

Club Tee Gee Celebrates 60th Anniversary!

“This month Club Tee Gee, 3210 Glendale Blvd., celebrates 60 years of doing business on Glendale Blvd.here in Atwater Village. The business was originally opened in 1946 by owners Joe Grzybowski and Neal Tracy, and has had the name Club Tee Gee ever since (Tee for Tracy and Gee for Grzybowski).

 

In 1962 Joe was introduced to an outgoing young girl in her 20s who lived with her family in Atwater. Her name was Betty Bartlotta and she was working as a secretary at another business on Glendale Blvd. Betty and Joe became close and eventually became business partners in Club Tee Gee. Sadly, Joe suffered a fatal heart attach in 1984 and died, but Betty continued running the Club.

Over many years Club Tee Gee has survived, providing a friendly “Cheers-like” neighborhood place to meet and have a cocktail. Today, Betty still can be found at the Club most evenings, assisted by new partner Bob Kick. As well as running Tee Gee, Betty serves as Vice-President of the Atwater Griffith Park Chamber of Commerce and also the local Lion’s Club.

Stop by Club Tee Gee and have a drink, and congratulate Betty and Bob for keeping the Club part of our community”

From the Atwater Village Residents Association (AVRA) September 2006 newsletter. For more information about AVRA or to subscribe to AVRA's print community newsletter please contact them 213.488.4431

Posted by Atwater Village News at 09:33 PM |

August 24, 2006

Atwater Village Historical Society (AVHS) Update!

Monthly Meetings


All are welcome to attend regularly held Board meetings on the second Tuesday of each month,
beginning at 6:30pm at the Atwater Village Branch Library, 3379 Glendale Blvd.
For more information call 323.662.0095.

Annual Meeting and Election


AVHS will hold its Annual Meeting and Election of the 2007 Board of Directors on Tuesday, January 9, 2007, beginning at 6:30pm at the Atwater Village Branch Library, 3379 Glendale Blvd. Members are encouraged to attend, and the general public is welcome.

Posted by Atwater Village News at 05:50 PM |

August 09, 2006

A History of Atwater Village by Neil Malmberg

A history of Atwater Village up to about 1940

Click here to download History of Atwater Village (pdf file)

Posted by Atwater Village News at 10:22 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

July 31, 2006

Los Angeles State Historic Park -Update

Attached you will find the most recent newsletter  updating you on the progress of the new Los Angeles State Historic Park RFQ/Design Competition. 

Please note there is a public meeting upcoming on August 26th - more information in the newsletter.

Sara Feldman

Southern California Director

California State Parks Foundation

PLEASE NOTE NEW CONTACT INFORMATION:

213.748.7458 (w)

213.748.7495 (f)

323.717.8912 (c)

sara@calparks.org

Click here to download newsletter (pdf file)

Posted by Atwater Village News at 08:22 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

July 27, 2006

Graffiti abatement mural project on Fletcher Drive: "Trains Shaping History"

Trains Shaping History  

This is an Atwater Village Neighborhood Council funded project; for more information about the AVNC please visit them at www.atwatervillage.org

Friends of Atwater Village (FAV), in collaboration with the "Take Back Fletcher Drive" campaign, is spearheading a mural / beautification project.  The goal of this project is to abate graffiti and help beautify Fletcher Drive with a 60ft long and 16ft high (960 sq ft) mural. The mural will depict historical images of Fletcher Drive, Atwater Village and local railroad history (Union Pacific, Taylor Yards, etc…).

Mural Concept

The mural concept would be a colorful mosaic of images depicting local railroad history; such as the Union Pacific trains, Glendale Metrolink Station, and Taylor Yards. Painted on the mural would also be the mural title, names of the collaborating community groups, artists, and funding source. Rafael Escamilla was selected as the artist due to his extensive experience and success in working on graffiti abatement murals. He has already done 4 murals in Atwater Village which includes the “Revisit the Red Car” mural just completed in October 2005.

Future site of mural 3105 Casitas Avenue

Continue reading "Graffiti abatement mural project on Fletcher Drive: "Trains Shaping History"" »

Posted by Atwater Village News at 08:29 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

July 25, 2006

Sister community event: “SILVER LAKE MODERNISM – THEN AND NOW”

 

Tour of historic and new Modernist homes set for Sept. 30

Following in the tradition of two previous sold-out events, “Silver Lake Modernism – Then and Now” will feature tours of a collection of Modernist works in hip, historic Silver Lake on Saturday, September 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  At least ten homes will be showcased, including both vintage works by Modernist masters as well as examples of recent designs by a new generation of architects who have embraced the principles, aesthetics and techniques of the 20th Century Modernist movement. 

This year’s tour will feature pioneering works by Modernist masters Rodney Walker (the O’Neill Complex), Richard Neutra (the Flavin Residence), Gregory Ain (the Avenel Cooperative), Rudolph Schindler (at least two of the Bubeshko Apartments), Raphael Soriano (the Meyers Residence), Harwell Hamilton Harris (the Hansen Residence) and Edward Fickett (the Jacobson Residence).  It will also introduce several works by contemporary architects, including Barbara Bestor, Ana Henton and John Southern, who have been inspired by Modernist designs and techniques and have incorporated them into their recent local work. All sites will be open for interior viewing, and shuttle buses will be available to transport tour goers between the sites.

Contact: Michael Locke
323-533-3151

Carla Lazzareschi
323-667-1082

Committee to Save Silver Lake's Reservoirs 

www.csslr.org

 

Posted by Atwater Village News at 09:57 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

July 22, 2006

Call for Old Atwater Village Photos!

Vince's Market @ Silver Lake Blvd & Atwater Avenue 1942 

Friends of Atwater Village is looking for photos of Atwater Village area from the 1960’s or older. We are looking for pictures that haven’t been published or included in the L.A. City Library Photo Archive. Qualifying photos will be included in our upcoming calendar.

 

 

For more information please contact us at 323.913.2999 or at favboard@friendsofatwatervillage.org  

Posted by Atwater Village News at 09:09 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

June 15, 2006

Los Angeles City Council Presents LA River Day Award to “Revisit the Red Car” Mural

 

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles City Council has selected a dramatic new mural from Friends of Atwater Village titled “Revisit the Red Car” for an L.A. River Day Award, to be presented Friday, June 9, 2006 at City Hall.  The mural depicts Los Angeles’ historic Pacific Electric Red Car in a dramatic 30-foot rendition as it crosses the river into one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, Atwater Village.  The city award describes the project as “a vibrant mural that celebrates the Red Car and perhaps creates a source of hope for our neighborhood, the river and the cause of mass transit in Los Angeles.”

“Great things happen when you mix artists with community activists and city resources,” said Cesar Portillo of Friends of Atwater Village.  “The mural is helping to re-establish the river as a destination point in our community, which is what we hoped it would do.”

Los Angeles City Councilman Eric Garcetti (www.cd13.com) officiated at the mural dedication earlier this year with over 100 local elementary school students in attendance, saying “We welcome the Red Car back to Atwater Village today not just as a depiction of our past, but also as a reflection of renewed commitment to our city’s youth.  This mural helps us reclaim the Los Angeles River by creating an attractive neighborhood destination in what was once a graffiti-blighted and forbidding corner.  And it helps us imagine again a city with mass transit that serves all our neighborhoods.”

Continue reading "Los Angeles City Council Presents LA River Day Award to “Revisit the Red Car” Mural" »

Posted by Atwater Village News at 09:05 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

June 02, 2006

Community Analysis of Atwater Village

Community Analysis of Atwater Village

by Chelsea Levine,Darlene Fernandez, Nancy Jo Williams

February 21, 2006

Click here to download "Atwater Village Analysis" pdf file (1.3mb)

 

Posted by Atwater Village News at 09:27 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

December 29, 2005

Evidence of Things Past

It's always amazing when I discover a bit of historical Los Angeles that's been sitting beneath my nose. It happened again while I was visiting my father in Atwater, whose apartment is located alongside the Los Angeles River.

The image of the Los Angeles river is commonly one of concrete and graffiti. In the eyes of most of us living in Los Angeles, the river is more a joke rather than the powerful force of nature that often flooded large parts of Los Angeles until the mid-part of the last century. It's power only coming to the fore when the inevitable news is broadcast that someone has been caught in the rush of water caused by a severe storm. It is then that the river reminds everyone that it is truly a force of nature ...

But Saturday, the water traveled leisurely amongst the rocks and the plant life that only occur on this particular stretch of river. Here the bottom of the river is not sealed with concrete. Here there is depth to the river and as a result evidence of growth and life.

My father and I have spent a lot of time here. I have photographed him here several times before. Today, there was a new addition to the backdrop, a mural. It was a painting of a Pacific Electric Red Car, part of an extensive system that had once served numerous areas of Los Angeles. It is while we were sitting here talking that a man approached with a small digital camera in his hand.

His name is Bob Wildman and he is a member of the Friends of Atwater Village. They were responsible for the mural, which was painted on the concrete supports that had once held up the weight of the rails and the cars as they traveled back and forth between Downtown and Glendale. Though I had known about the Red Car route that went down Broadway and Hollywood Blvds, I hadn't known about the route that passed through Atwater. I had never thought much about these stands of concrete, though they seemed strangely out of place, serving no obvious purpose. But like so many things, I never thought to look into what purpose they had or did serve.

As Bob told us about the groups efforts in the community, I imagined the red car rumbling over the tracks. With traffic in Los Angeles become increasingly worse, it was sad to think of the demise of a public transportation system that had once been one of the most extensive one's in the country. With the rise of the automobile, the rail cars days were numbered. What need would there be with such a system when "everyone" was going to own a car?

Fifty years later, we see the result, a city struggling to move its populace if not with improved efficiency at least with reduced anxiety and frustration. Suffice it to say that things are less than successful.

Looking at the mural, which is located just below the Hyperion Bridge, I see many things. I see a community reclaiming a piece of a city and a bit of it's history. I see a glimpse of what moving through this city was and should be. I also see a little stretch of river that means many things to many people.

Saturday, I got to claim just a lit bit more of Los Angeles for myself.

By:  Ibarionex_Perello on Monday, October 31, 2005 - 10:08 PM

Copied from: http://lavoice.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1230

Picture from Friends of Atwater Village

Posted by Atwater Village News at 10:11 PM | | TrackBacks (0)

December 21, 2005

About the Street Names of Atwater Village

Provided by C. Lane


There are exactly fifty (50) individually named streets in the Atwater Village district, none of them designated by numbers or letters of the alphabet. In only one instance (Dover Street and Dover Place) is the same name used for different streets. Several names, though, are similar enough to confuse outsiders: Garden and Gardenside; Glenfeliz, Glenmanor, Glenhurst and Glendale; and Hollydale and Hollypark. 


Only four streets continue uninterrupted beyond the Atwater Village District. All the others are self-contained except Silver Lake Blvd., which has a secound, longer segment elsewhere in Los Angeles. Several street names (Revere,) are repeated elsewhere in the city, using a different generic name to distinguish them.


A few street names connote local or nearby geography: Silver Lake, Vallybrink, Griffith View, and Legion Lane (named for a former American Legion hall). The cleverly-named Petite Court is about the shortest street.


Spanish-language names were out of fashion at the time of street-naming in Atwater, but a few names in Spanish or pseudo-Spanish occur: Casitas, Gracia, Larga, Los Feliz, Madera and Perlita. Some street names appear to have been chosen for their favorable effect upon the original lot buyers: Greensward, Sunnynook, Verdant, Greenside, and others suggest pleasing surroundings, while names like Chevy Chase, Edenhurst, Ingledale, Brunswick and Glenmanor suggest distinguished European traditions.


At least 15 of the 50 streets names appear simply to be personal names, most of them obscure in origin and perhaps known only to the namers themselves, while a few may celebrate important historical personages such as Seneca and LaClede. “Bemis” duplicates the name of the Bemis Bag Company, a former nearby industrial plant, while “Minneapolis” may have been chosen by homesick subdivider trying to attract fellow immigrants.


Being so isolated by nature, Atwater Village lends itself to unique street names, rather then taking the names of already named streets that have simply been extended into the District from outside areas.

Also, the streetcar right of way in the center of Glendale Blvd. posed a physical barrier to cross-streets, making it difficult to extend north-south streets the length of Atwater Village. And most important, Atwater Village was laid out a few blocks at a time in a series of small tracts in different years by different entrepreneurs there was never any unified plan of street naming. To this day, no single street, either in name or physically, runs the full north-south extent.

Posted by Atwater Village News at 10:21 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)