USA > California > Los Angeles County > Ingersoll's century history, Santa Monica Bay cities prefaced with a brief history of the state of California, a condensed history of Los Angeles County, 1542-1908 > Part 34
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54
One of the first topics which engaged the attention of the town trustees was the matter of sewage disposal. The part of the town already sewered was con- nected with the Santa Monica outfall, by the old contract with Kinney and Ryan. But it was understood that the city of Santa Monica would demand some other arrangement, and in fact, notice was received by the Ocean Park trustees that their sewer connection would be cut off August Ist. Many plans were discussed and investigated. A sewer farm was proposed, but after study of conditions was found impracticable ; then it was suggested that the sewage of the entire beach might be carried south to a connection with the Los Angeles outfall : eventually the septic plant was decided upon and, January 30th, 1905, a special election was called to vote $20,000 bonds for a sewer system and $5.000 for fire apparatus. April 4th, another special election was held to vote $15,000 addi- tional for sewer system. Still another election was called October 17th, 1906. to vote $20,000 for the completion of the sewer system. At the same time bonds were voted-$10,000 for engine house and fire-fighting apparatus; $5,000 for city hall and jail and $5,000 for sites for these buildings, and $10,000 for a gar- bage incinerator, all of which were carried.
21
322
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
The necessary mains and the septic tank, with an outfall at Center street was constructed, and later the outfall was carried out on piling into the ocean. The destruction of the Santa Monica outfall by the storms of April and May, 1905, resulted in a change in the situation. The Ocean Park sewage was turned into its own system and the trustees invited Santa Moncia to use their new sep- tic tank, rather than have the sewage discharged into the ocean at Pier avenue, to the detriment of that locality. Santa Monica, in spite of complaints and court orders, continues to use the Ocean Park mains, pending the completion of her own septic tank. The situation thus created, because of the large amount of sewage handled and the defective action of the septic tank has been productive of much trouble and ill feeling.
The question of liquor licenses also has been a critical one in the brief annals of Ocean Park. On June 21st, 1904, a high license ordinance was passed and for some time the only license granted was for a wholesale house. Later licenses were granted for various restaurants and bars. The opening of the various concessions at Venice and especially on "the Midway " in 1906, gave rise to much discussion and uncertainty as to the business licenses and this too has proved a difficult subject for the city to handle.
In August, 1904, the city of Ocean Park voted $10,000 for school purposes. A school district had already been formed, and the county superintendent appointed as a temporary board, Mrs. M. de Luna, Mrs. Frank A. Werner and A. R. French. The school census of the spring showed 207 children. The first school was opened in the fall in two tent-houses on the Country Club grounds. Considerable difficulty was found by the first regular school board in securing a suitable location for the school-house. Values were now so high in Ocean Park that any desirable site was beyond the means of the board. Land was finally obtained from Mr. Kinney and in September, a contract was let for a two-story, seven-room building. It was sufficiently completed to be dedicated with elaborate ceremonies in January, 1905; but another bond issue of $10,000 was necessary to complete the building. It is a handsome, modern structure completely equipped for grade work. In the spring of 1907 a tract of five acres of land, adjoining the school grounds, was donated for the use of the school and the children were encouraged to engage in gardening. A skilled gardener was engaged by Mr. Kinney to instruct them and the school gardens thus estab- lished promise to become an important part of the school curriculum. Prizes are given the children for the best results and much interest has been aroused in the subject of gardening among the children and their parents as well.
One of the most important improvements of 1904 was the building of the Ocean Park Bath House. A stock company was formed by T. H. Dudley, G. M. Jones, J. F. Mullen, A. Ed. Robinson and Force Parker, with a stock of
323
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
$150,000. A site between Marine and Navy was first selected, but later the loca- tion was moved south to the block between Navy and Ozone, thus bringing the building entirely within Ocean Park. The structure was of concrete and was, when completed in 1905, the finest bath house on the Pacific coast.
In May, Messrs. Fraser and Jones purchased from the Recreation Gun Club a tract of land with 4,200 feet of ocean frontage and extending back 1,200 feet from the shore. Through it ran an extension of the Playa del Rey lagoon. The price paid for the property was $135,000. This tide land, when purchased by the Gun Club, was considered utterly worthless and had con-
-
OCEAN PARK CITY NALES
OCEAN PARK CITY HALL.
tinued to be considered a bad investment until the time of the sale. In June, 1905, the Guaranty Realty Company purchased this tract, paying for it somewhere in the neighborhood of $300,000, it was reported. The tract was platted and in a single day, Monday, June 19th, $308,000 worth of property was sold, making a record-breaking pace in this summer of wonder develop- ments. As an example of the phenomenal rise in values caused by the creation of Venice, the Venice Gateway tract may be cited. In 1893 John Metcalf pur- chased 55 acres of marsh, lying to the east of the tract on which Venice was located, for $3,000. During the summer of 1905 this land was platted and put on the market as the Venice Gateway tract. In a few weeks 175 lots were sold for $200,000, while the value of the entire tract was estimated at half a million.
324
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
Among the improvements of the year, aside from the city of Venice, were the Horseshoe pier at Marine and Pier avenues, the new seaside theatre and the Masonie Temple on Marine avenue. In July it was estimated that the assessed valuation of property in the new town would reach one million. The Times says: "There are altogether, at this writing, 1,200 homes in Ocean Park and many others are being built. The original buildings are being constantly replaced by fine modern houses of the most approved type, and many of them are occupied the year round by business men of Los Angeles, as Ocean Park is one of the nearest beaches to the city, lying less than fifteen miles from town and reached in forty minutes by electric car."
By the annexation of various subdivisions during the year of 1905 Ocean Park nearly doubled its area and its assessment roll, in January, 1906, was fig- ured at $4,000,000. Up to this time $85,000 in bonds had been voted for school and sewers. A bond issue voted October 17th included funds for city hall, jail and fire house also. The Speedway had been paved with asphaltum for more than a mile, at a cost of about $30,000, and many other street improvements had been made. The lagoon had been completed from Venice to Playa del Rey. thus giving a waterway between the two resorts.
The year of 1906 was not marked by such precipitate and unprecedented advances ; but it showed a solid growth and a strengthening of the lines all along the beach. One of the first matters given attention was the protection of the shore along the Short Line Beach. An election was called to vote bonds for buikheads, but the bonds did not carry and eventually Mr. Kinney advanced money to build a temporary protection for the property menaced. About $10.000 was expended in building a bulkhead south of Venice, and then to protect this a system of jetties was put in. A sand pump was also used to fill in back of the bulkhead and still further protect the beach. About 3,000 feet of bulkhead was built altogether.
In January the Ocean Park postoffice was removed to the new Masonic building on Marine avenue, after a strong protest had been made by citizens of South Santa Monica. It was still in the municipality of Santa Monica, how- ever, and the necessity of some other arrangement for Ocean Park led to the establishment of a postoffice on Windward avenue, with the name of Venice. Robert M. Granger was the first postmaster. During the year the agitation for free delivery was continued. The postoffice inspector at one time recommended that the Ocean Park office be made the main office with sub-stations at Venice and Santa Monica, and free delivery for the entire bay district. This plan met with strong opposition both in Santa Monica and Venice and was not carried out. In December it was announced that C. E. Lovelace, editor of the Ocean
325
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
Park Journal, had been appointed as postmaster for Ocean Park in place of Meigs, the incumbent.
The sewage question continued to disturb the peace of mind of both Santa Monica and Ocean Park citizens, while the failure of the septic tank to deodor- ize the sewage disturbed the nostrils-and the minds-of many Ocean Park citizens. Suits were begun by the Ocean Park trustees against the Santa Mon- ica trustees to compel them to disconnect their mains; suit was begun by citizens of Ocean Park against their own trustees for permitting such a nuisance. The result was, of course, bad feeling and hard words.
The location of the city hall and public buildings was another topic which led to discord. After the bonds had been voted for this purpose, Abbot Kinney offered a site on Windward avenue. Another site, containing several lots, was offered free of cost on the Venice Gateway tract, at a considerable distance from the business section of the town. The latter site was finally accepted and the trustees put the entire bond issue into the construction of a public building here. although many citizens objected strenuously on account of the inconvenience of the location. Other differences of opinion arose between the city trustees and the Venice interests owned by the Abbot Kinney Company and finally the breach was so widened that it was proposed to disincorporate the town of Ocean Park and make a fresh start. After a hotly waged contest, in which every resource of each side was taxed to its utmost, a disincorporation election was finally called for September 30th, 1907. At that election the vote stood 202 for disincorporation to 176 against, lacking 60 votes of the requisite two-thirds majority. As a result of this election and the fight preceding it, many damage suits for libel were filed and promises of future disincorporation were freely made. It was suggested that Venice might ultimately become an annex of Los Angeles. There was talk, too, of a greater Santa Monica which should be made up of Santa Monica, Ocean Park and Venice united as a happy family in one corporation. But such an iridescent dream was received with smiles by most residents of the beach.
ABBOT KINΝΕΥ.
CHAPTER XI.
VENICE OF AMERICA AND ITS FOUNDER.
A BBOT KINNEY was born in Brookside, N. J., November 16, 1850. his parents being Franklin Sherwood and Mary Cogswell Kinney, both descendants of old colonial families. His boyhood was mostly passed in Washington where his uncle, James Dixon, represented the state of Con- necticut in the United States Senate. Here the young man had advantages of education and of contact with many of the prominent men of that time and thus retains memories of the men who made the history of that period. To complete his education, he went to Europe and studied at Heidelberg, Germany, and in France and Switzerland, perfecting himself in foreign languages and making a special study of political, economic and social problems.
On returning to Washington, he became interested in the tobacco business and after a couple of years practical experience, he decided to go to Turkey and make a personal study of their methods of manufacturing cigarettes. In 1877. he started on a three years' tour of the world, one year of which was passed in Egypt. His keen powers of observation and active intellect were devoted dur- ing these years to the study of conditions as he found them in various countries. and the conclusions thus acquired have since been applied in many ways to the problems presented in our own country.
He reached San Francisco, on his return voyage, in the winter of 1880, and finding himself unable to proceed directly east on account of heavy snow block- ades in the Sierras, he came to Southern California. Here, after a few weeks spent at the old Sierra Madre Villa, he felt that he had found the climate for which he had sought the world over. He secured a large tract of unimproved land in the vicinity of Sierra Madre and at once set about creating a beautiful and profit-yielding home out of what had been a waste. He planted out a large citrus orchard and turned his mind to the solution of the many difficulties which seemed almost unsurmountable to the pioneer horticulturists of this region. As a result, " Kinneloa " became a fine example of the possibilities of citrus culture and is known as one of the most beautiful country homes in California.
Broad-minded and public-spirited, he devoted the knowledge gained through investigation and costly experiments to the public use and became one of the projectors of the Southern California Pomological Society and served as its president.
328
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
In 1883, he was appointed a commissioner to serve with Helen Hunt Jack- son in an investigation into the condition of the Mission Indians of Southern California. After several months of travel and personal examination of the various reservations and their people, Mr. Kinney prepared a report to the gov- ernment, advising the breaking up of the reservation system and the use of common-sense methods in the treatment of these miserable and helpless rem- nants of the first occupants of our country. It was during this period that Mrs. Jackson gathered much of the material used in the construction of Ramona and in her articles on the Missions and the Mission Indians.
In 1884, Mr. Kinney was married to Miss Margaret, the daughter of Judge James D. Thornton, justice of the Supreme Court of California.
In 1885 he was appointed chairman of the newly created board of forestry. Since that time Mr. Kinney has devoted much research and practical experi- menting to the subject of forestry, particularly in its relation to the welfare of Southern California. In 1887 a tract of twenty acres, located on Santa Monica Heights, was donated to the state as a site for a Forestry Experimental Station in this section of the state. The board at once set apart a fund to be devoted to this purpose. Mr. Kinney took a keen interest in the experiments and prac- tical working of this station and made an especially exhaustive study of Euca- lypti, the results of which he later published. He was also instrumental in securing the initiation of National Forestry on a practical basis and in procur- ing the legislation which set aside the forest reserves in California and in estab- lishing the School of Forestry in connection with the University of Southern California. This school gave especial attention to the subjects of forestry in relation to water-sheds and preservation of forests, with lectures by such men as Abbot Kinney, A. H. Koebig, Henry Hawgood, J. B. Lippincott, T. S. Van Dyke and T. P. Lukens.
Mr. Kinney is an unusual combination-the practical man of affairs, look- ing personally to his large interests-and at the same time the student and thinker. He has been an investigator along many lines of thought and has pub- lished several books as the result of his study. In 1893, he issued " The Con- quest of Death," dealing with a sociological subject, and " Tasks by Twilight," which sets forth some original theories as to the training of the young. As the author is the parent of five sons, he had practical data to deal with. He devoted much study to the workings of the Australian ballot system and published a pamphlet on this subject and earnestly advocated its adoption in this country. ITe has also published a strong argument on the tariff question : made a study of climatology, particularly with reference to Santa Monica, and written many valuable lectures and monographs upon various topics. In all of his writing his use of English is direct and forcible and his course of reasoning clear and logical.
329
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
He has served as president of the Southern California Academy of Science and of the Southern California Forest and Water Association; and as vice- president of the American Forestry Association of California. In 1897 he was appointed by Governor Budd as one of the Yosemite Park Commission, which made sweeping reforms in the conditions which had nearly destroyed the pleas- ure of a visit to this wonder of the world. In all of his public work, Mr. Kin- ney has shown a broad public spirit and devotion to the general good.
After a few years residence at "Kinneloa," Mr. Kinney found that the sea- side air was better suited to his health than the foothills, and, in the early eighties, he purchased a home on Ocean avenue, Santa Monica. Since that time he has been closely associated with the development of the Santa Monica bay cities. In 1886 he formed a syndicate to purchase a large parcel of land on the north side of Santa Monica Canyon. Here, he proposed to make an ideal resi- dence tract, with unsurpassed views of ocean, mountains and valley. Trees were planted, streets were laid out and a railroad planned. Later this tract was transferred to the Southern Pacific Company and furnished the site for the "long wharf."
In 1888, Mr. Kinney was one of the organizers of the Santa Monica Im- provement Company which built the Casino on North Third street and laid out the grounds and tennis courts about it. This was the forerunner of "Country Clubs " and was for years the center of tennis interests in Southern California. About this time he was appointed road commissioner in the district of Santa Monica and devoted much time and energy to the opening up and improvement of the roads of the vicinity. The boulevard to the Soldiers' Home was laid out under his supervision and during his administration he set out some nine miles of trees along the public roads and started them to growing-a Herculean task in this country of sheep, squirrels, and other hungry varmints-to say nothing of the lack of water.
Mr. Kinney was a member of the first library board of Santa Monica and was also instrumental in establishing the public library at Pasadena and in pro- viding a free library at the Soldiers' Home.
About 1891 Mr. Kinney acquired an interest in a strip of ocean frontage, extending from the south boundary of the Lucas tract to the southern boundary of Ballona grant. This strip of sand was then considered worthless for any purpose whatever. But Mr. Kinney has imagination and foresight. In the face of many discouragements, he and his partner, F. G. Ryan, began putting up cottages and leasing lots in what was then known as South Santa Monica, because such lots on the sand could not be sold until their advantages were dem- onstrated. Through their effort the Y. M. C. A. was induced to locate its sum- mer home on this beach and the "Ocean Park" Association was formed.
330
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
Messrs. Kinney and Ryan planted out trees, planned parks and pavilions, wharfs and sidewalks, and, slowly, they developed what became, for a time at least, the most popular resort on the beach -- the old Ocean Park district.
But there was still a stretch of sand to the south of the settled area which was apparently hopeless, as it was little more than a salt marsh. Drainage sug- gested canals to Mr. Kinney, and he had a vision of a city that should equal in beauty and picturesqueness the Venice of his youthful enthusiasm. With the unfettered confidence of the progressive American in the power of mind and
CREATING VENICE.
money over material obstacles, he began the creation of an ideal city upon his salt marsh. The courage and the persistence with which he has met the many unforeseen obstacles, the misunderstanding, and the opposition of a small but bitter faction, makes the history of Venice of America the crowning achieve- ment of Mr. Kinney's long and active career in California. While the plans and the hopes of her projector have not all been fulfilled, Venice is already the most beautiful and the most unique pleasure resort on the Pacific coast.
VENICE OF AMERICA.
In January, 1904, the Ocean Park Improvement Company was dissolved and Mr. Kinney took over the unimproved and apparently worthless tract of land lying to the south of the Club House Tract and the Short Line Beach. When he began to talk of his plans for a city which should have canals for streets and
33
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
which should recall the most picturesque and romantic city of Europe in its features, the public was distinctly skeptical. "Kinney's dream " was a phrase heard on all sides, while the plans were taking form and the scheme was still in the paper stage. Still, as the plans were outlined, rumors of the new rival to " Alantic City " excited interest, although the doubters were in the ascendency. The first decided move was made when the Board of Supervisors were petitioned for the vacation and abandonment of that portion of the Ballona-Santa Monica road passing through the proposed city of Venice. On May 10th, 1904, Mr. Kinney presented to the board of city trustees of Ocean Park a plat of Venice View tract, lying to the east and north of the Club House and containing 67 lots
Soon afterward Mr. F. V. Dunham was sent east to visit resorts, study plans and obtain ideas which might be of value in making the new city beautiful and attractive. June 21st the first contract was let, that for the excavation of the grand canal which was to be 70 feet wide, 4 feet deep and half a mile long. Other canals were to extend from this canal and form a net work. These canals were to be lined with concrete. The first spadeful of earth on the canal system was turned August 15th and thereafter an army of men and teams were em- ployed in removing the tons of sand and earth necessary to make these water- ways. The system was completed by the extension of a canal through from the Venice tract to the lagoon at Playa del Rey, the work being done by the property owners.
June 27th the contract for the ship-hotel was let. This idea of a ship-hotel was regarded as chimerical, at first, by the public. But as the piers were set and the outlines became evident, interest was aroused and real estate men began to drop in to see what was going on. In July the contract for the electric light- ing and power plant was let and soon afterward work began in preparation for building the pier. This was planned to be 1700 feet in length and thirty feet wide. The first timber was set September 5th and thereafter work was pushed as rapidly as men and material could be procured.
December 5th ground was broken for the first building on Windward avenne -St. Mark's Hotel. Already contracts for $300,000 worth of building had been let. By this time the newspapers and the public were fully alive to the fact that something was doing in Venice of America, and the interest increased as the greatness of the plans and the lavish expenditure of the projector became evident. It was reported that the sales in fourteen days during November amounted to $386,000 and lots were now rapidly changing hands.
With 1905 developments moved even more rapidly. Plans for an Audi- torium on the pier, which was to be the finest building of the kind on the coast, began to take shape. It was announced that a Summer Assembly would be held here which should represent the best of modern thought and art. Speakers and artists and teachers, the best afforded by our country, were to be heard and the
332
HISTORY OF SANTA MONICA BAY CITIES
summer was to be one long intellectual feast. Work on pier and buildings was rushed at even greater speed, for there was none too much time to complete the preparations. And then, during February and March, came the heaviest seas known on the Pacific coast for a generation. The Venice pier was wrecked, the pavilion and other buildings were badly damaged. At a low estimate the losses reached $50,000 and the public declared that the buildings over the water, as planned, would never be safe.
But Mr. Kinney was not daunted. He immediately secured permission from the government to erect a breakwater at his own expense to protect his property. This-the only private breakwater in the United States-was constructed as soon as it was possible to do the work. It was made of rock, 500 feet in length, circular in form and extending 60 feet from the shore at a cost of about $100,000. It forms a safe refuge for small craft and for swimming. The rebuilding of the pier and the wrecked buildings was carried on at top speed. The present Audi- torium, a beautiful building, perfect in its adaptation for public uses, with all the fittings of a modern theatre and a seating capacity of 3600, was ready for use on the date announced for the opening of the Assembly, July 2nd. It had been constructed in 28 days. No better example of the conquest of apparently un- surmountable difficulties has been shown in our business world.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.