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Los Angeles Department of City Planning RECOMMENDATION REPORT

PROJECT: Historic-Cultural Monument Application for the AVALON BLVD. MEXICAN FAN PALM TREES

REQUEST: Declare the property a Historic-Cultural Monument

APPLICANT: Wilmington Historical Society PO Box 1435 Wilmington, CA 90744 APPLICANT’S Simie Seaman REPRESENTATIVE: 1217 Lakme Dr. Wilmington, CA 90744

OWNER: City of Los Angeles

RECOMMENDATION That the Cultural Heritage Commission:

1. Take the property under consideration as a Historic-Cultural Monument per Los Angeles Administrative Code Chapter 9, Division 22, Article 1, Section 22.171.10 because the application and accompanying photo documentation suggest the submittal may warrant further investigation.

2. Adopt the report findings.

S. GAIL GOLDBERG, AICP Director of Planning [SIGNED ORIGINAL IN FILE] [SIGNED ORIGINAL IN FILE] Ken Bernstein, Manager Lambert M. Giessinger, Preservation Architect Office of Historic Resources Office of Historic Resources Prepared by: [SIGNED ORIGINAL IN FILE] ________________________ Edgar Garcia, Preservation Planner Office of Historic Resources Attachments: August 18, 2007 Historic-Cultural Monument Application ZIMAS Report

CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMISSION

HEARING DATE: November 1, 2007 TIME: 10:00 AM PLACE: City Hall, Room 1010 200 N. Spring Street Los Angeles, CA 90012

CASE NO.: CHC-2007-4271-HCM Location: Avalon Blvd. from Lomita to W. I St. Council District: 15 Community Plan Area: Wilmington-Harbor City Area Planning Commission: Harbor Neighborhood Council: Wilmington Legal Description:

Avalon Blvd. Mexican Fan Palm Trees CHC-2007-4271-HCM of 2 SUMMARY Planted in 1931, these 218 Mexican Fan Palm Trees (Washingtonia Robusta) line the length of Avalon Boulevard as a streetscape feature. The palm trees average about 80’ feet tall with an average trunk of about 3’ feet wide at the base and narrowing as it approaches the crown of large palmate leaves. The palm trees are planted at intervals of every 10’-12’ feet. They are located on a thoroughfare with primarily commercial uses as well as some residential and school buildings. The proposed Avalon Blvd. Mexican Fan Palm Trees historic monument was planted in 1931 by the City of Los Angeles as part of beautification efforts for the 1932 Olympic Games. The palm trees were also planted as an improvement effort for Avalon Blvd, used as a route between Los Angeles and the Catalina Terminal, a major transportation hub for travelers going to Catalina Island and elsewhere. Later changes to the proposed historic monument include the removal of palm trees on the 1200 Block of Avalon Blvd and replaced with another species type.

CRITERIA The criterion is the Cultural Heritage Ordinance which defines a historical or cultural monument as any site (including significant trees or other plant life located thereon) building or structure of particular historic or cultural significance to the City of Los Angeles, such as historic structures or sites in which the broad cultural, economic, or social history of the nation, State or community is reflected or exemplified, or which are identified with historic personages or with important events in the main currents of national, State or local history or which embody the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type specimen, inherently valuable for a study of a period style or method of construction, or a notable work of a master builder, designer or architect whose individual genius influenced his age. FINDINGS Based on the facts set forth in the summary and application, the Commission determines that the application is complete and that the property may be significant enough to warrant further investigation as a potential Historic-Cultural Monument.

Avalon Blvd. Mexican Fan Palm Trees CHC-20074271 -HCM Page 2 of 2

SUMMARY

Planted in 1931, these 21 8 Mexican Fan Palm Trees (Washingtonia Robusta) line the length of Avalon Boulevard as a streetscape feature. The palm trees average about 80' feet tall with an average trunk of about 3' feet wide at the base and narrowing as it approaches the crown of large palmate leaves. The palm trees are planted at intervals of every 10'-12' feet. They are located on a thoroughfare with primarily commercial uses as well as some residential and school buildings.

The proposed Avalon Blvd. Mexican Fan Palm Trees historic monument was planted in 1931 by the City of Los Angeles as part of beautification efforts for the 1932 Olympic Games. The palm trees were also planted as an improvement effort for Avalon Blvd, used as a route between Los Angeles and the Catalina Terminal, a major transportation hub for travelers going to Catalina Island and elsewhere.

Later changes to the proposed historic monument include the removal of palm trees on the 1200 Block of Avalon Blvd and replaced with another species type.

CRITERIA

The criterion is the Cultural Heritage Ordinance which defines a historical or cultural monument as any site (including significant trees or other plant life located thereon) building or structure of particular historic or cultural significance to the City of Los Angeles, such as historic structures or sites in which the broad cultural, economic, or social history of the nation, State or community is reflected or exemplified, or which are identified with historic personages or with important events in the main currents of national, State or local history or which embody the distinguishing characteristics of an architectural type specimen, inherently valuable for a study of a period style or method of construction, or a notable work of a master builder, designer or architect whose individual genius influenced his age.

FINDINGS

Based on the facts set forth in the summary and application, the Commission determines that the application is complete and that the property is significant enough to warrant further investigation as a potential Historic-Cultural Monument.

CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMISSION

HISTORIC-CULTURAL MONUMENT APPLICATION

H m O R K - O J L W MONUMENT APWCATlON

C I T Y O F L O 6 A N Q C L L S

SIGNIFICANCE WORK SHEET

TYPE OR H A N D PRINT IN ALL CAPITAL BLOCK LETTERS

Complete One or Both of the L@m and Lower Portions of 7b13 Page

THE AVALON BOULEVARD MEXICAN FAN PALMS IS AN IMPORTANT EXAMPLE OF NAME OF PROPOSED MONUMENT

STREET LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE ARCHlTIlCTURAL SP(LE (SEE LINE 8)

AND MEETS THE CULTURAL. HERITAGE ORDINANCE BECAUSE OF THE HIGH QUALITY OF ITS DESIGN AND THE RETENTION

OF ITS ORIGINAL FORM, DETATLING AND INTEGRITY.

THE AVALON BOULEVARD MEXICAN FAN PALMS WAS BUZLT IN 1931 NAME OF PROPOSED MONUMENT YEAR BUnT

WILLIAM WRIGLEY JR. WAS IMPORTANT TO THE NAME OF FIRST OR SIGNIHCANT OIMER

DEVELOPMENT OF LOS ANGELES BECAUSE (PLEASE SEE

HISTORIC-CULTURAL MONUMENT APPUCAllON

HISTORIC-CULTURAL MONUMENT

APPLICATION

TYPE OR HAND PRINT IN ALL CAPITAL BLOCK LETTERS

IDENTIFICATION

1. NAME OF PROPOSED MONUMENT AVALON BOULEVARD MEXICAN FAN PALMS

2. STREET ADDRESS AVALON BOULEVARD

CITY WlLMlNGTON ap CODE 90744 COUNCTL DISTRICT 15

3. ASSESSOR'S PARCEL NO. (PI FASF SFF ATTACHFr))

4. COMPLETE LEGAL DESCRIPTION: TRACT PLEASF SFF ATTACHFD)

BLOCK Lo'Us) ARB. NO.

5. RANGE OF ADDRESSES ON PROPERTY 1750 TO 900 BLOCK AVALON BOULEVARD

6. PRESENT O ~ R CITY OF LOS ANGELES

STREET ADDRESS E-MAIL ADDRESS:

CITY LOS ANGELES STATE CA ZIP CODE 90012 PHONE (213) 847-3077

OWNERSHIP: PRnTATE PUBLIC x

7. PRESENT USE STREET LANDSCAPE ORIGINAL USE STREET LANDSCAPE

DESCRIPTION

8. ARCHITECTURAL STYLE STREET LANDSCAPE (SEE SIYLE GUIDE)

9. STATE PRESENT PHYSICAL D E S C m O N OF THE SITE OR (SEE OIWONAL DECRlPTION WORK SHEET. 1 PAGE MAXIMUM)

(PLEASE SEE ATTACHED)

HISTORICCULTURAL MONUMENT APPLICATION

HISTORIC-CULTURAL MONUMENT

APPLICATION

NAME OF PROPOSED MONUMENT AVALON BOULEVARD MEXICAN FAN PALMS

10. CONSTRUCTION DATE: APRll 1011 FACTUAL: ESTIMATED:

11. ARCHITECT, DESIGNER, OR ENGINEER COUNTY SUPERVISOR JOHN R. QUlNN

12. CONTRACTOR OR OTHER BUILDER W

13. DATES OF ENCLOSED PHOTOGRAPHS AUGUST 18,2007 (1 8x10 B U C K AND WHITE GLOGSY AND 1 DIGITAL EMAILED TO CULTURhL HERITAGE [email protected])

14. CONDITION: EXCELLENT GOOD FAIR DETERIORATED rl NO LONGER IN EXISTENCE

15. ALTERATIONS IN THE 1100 BLOCK OF AVALON BOULEVARD SOME PALMS WERE REMOVED AND

REPLACED WITH ANOTHER SPECIES.

16. ~ T S TO SITE: NONE KNOWN e PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT VANDALISM PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT

[7 ZOWG C OTHER THE 1200 BLOCK OF AVALON SITE FOR NEW K-8 SCHOOL

17. IS THE STRUCTURE: @ ON ITS ORIGINAL SITE C MOVED [7 UNKNOWN

SIGNIFICANCE

18. BRIEFLY STATE HISTORICAL AND/OR AR- IMPORTANCF? INCLUDE DATES, EWENIS, AND PERSON ASXL4TED

WITH THE SlTE (SEE ALSO SIGNIFICANCE WORK SHEET. 750 WORDS MAXlMUM IF USING ADDITIONAL SHEETS)

( PLEASE SEE ATTACHED)

20. DATE FORM PREPARED 0811 812007 PREPARER'S NAME SlMlE SEAMAN

ORGANIZA~ON WlLMlNGTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY m m ADDRESS P.O.BOX 1435

CITY WlLMlNGTON STATE CA ZIP CODE 90744 PHONE (3Q) 713-81 77

HISTORIC-CULTURAL MONUMENT APPUCATlON

CITY OF LOS ANGELES HISTORIC-CULTURAL MONUMENT APPLICATION AVALON BOULEVARD MEXICAN FAN PALMS

CONTINUATION SHEET: PAGE 1 of 6

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

THE AVALON BOULEVARD MEXICAN FAN PALMS (218) ARE ELIGIBLE FOR DESIGNATION AS A LOS ANGELES HISTORIC CULTURAL MONUMENT FOR THEIR HISTORICAL, AESTHETIC AND SOCIAL QUALITIES RELATING TO LOS ANGELES AND WILMINGTON. THE PALMS WERE PLANTED IN 193 1 AS PART OF THE BEAUTIFICATION EFFORT NOT ONLY FOR THE 1932 OLYMPIC GAMES IN LOS ANGELES, BUT ALSO OUT OF NECESSITY FOR THE 650,000 TO 700.000 PEOPLE A YEAR TRANSPORTED TO CATALINA ISLAND FROM THE FOOT OF AVALON BOULEVARD. IN ADDITION, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ANNUALLY ARRIVING AND DEPARTING FOR NEW YORK, ATLANTIC SEABOARD PORTS AND EUROPEAN PORTS WERE GETTING THEIR FIRST VIEW AND IMPRESSION OF LOS ANGELES.THE PALMS HAVE BECOME PART OF THE COMMUNITY LIFE OF WILMINGTON AND VALUED BY THE LOCALS THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT AND BY VISITORS FOR THEIR AESTHETIC QUALITIES. IN SPEAKING OF THE BENEFITS TO BE DERIVED FROM THE TREES, FRANK MCGINLEY A PROMINENT WRIGLEY COMPANY BUSINESSMAN WAS QUOTED, "THE HARBOR DISTRICT WILL REAP UNTOLD PROFIT AND PROMINENCE FROM THIS MOVE. AVALON BOULEVARD WILL BECOME THE MOST POPULAR ROUTE TO THE HARBOR. PLEASURE-SEEKING MOTORISTS AND THOSE INTERESTED IN BEAUTY WILL, NATURALLY, CHOOSE THIS ROUTE BECAUSE OF ITS BEAUTY. WILMINGTON IN PARTICULAR WILL BE HIGHLY BENEFITTED.

THE PALMS ARE IMPORTANT IN DEMONSTRATING THE EVOLUTION OF WILMINGTON'S HISTORY, AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH WILLIAM WRIGLEY JR., THE CHEWING GUM AND BASEBALL MAGNET. WRIGLEY WAS INSRURMENTAL IN SECURING THE PALM TREES FOR AVALON BOULEVARD.THE MAJESTIC PALMS LINING THE BOULEVARD OF AVALON ARE MORE THAN JUST LANDSCAPING; THEY ARE THE "SIGNATURE" SKYLINE TREES OF LOS ANGELES. IN MOST CITIES, BUILDINGS MAKE THE SKYLINE. PARIS HAS A TOWER, LONDON A CLOCK. ONLY LOS ANGELES SIGNED THE SKY WITH TREES. THE PALMS CREATE A SIGNIFICANT SKYLINE EFFECT IN THE MID TOWN SECTION OF WILMINGTON, RESULTING IN A DISTINCT CHARACTER FROM OTHER NEARBY AREAS AND CONCISELY DEFINE THE GATEWAY TO THE HARBOR. AVALON BOULEVARD IS A DIRECT MAJOR TRAFFIC HIGHWAY FROM THE STEPS OF LOS ANGELES CITY HALL TO THE DOCKS OF THE CATALINA TREMINAL IN WILMINGTON.

THE MEXICAN FAN PALM IS SOUTHERN CALIFRONIA'S TRADEMARK, CHARACTERISTIC OF THE 1920s ERA. THEY ARE THE CITY'S PRIZE FLORA, IMMORTALIZED ON POSTCARDS AND FILM, A UBIQUITOUS IMAGE SYNONYMOUS WITH SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.


CONTINUATION SHEET: PAGE 2 OF 6

3. ASSESSOR'S PARCEL NO

ON THE EAST, SIDE OF AVALON BOULEVARD THE NORTHERN PART OF TRACT NO. 1419 W 128FT OF E 138FT EX OF STS OF LOT 57 AND W128 FT OF E 138FT EX OF ST OF LOTS 58 AND 59. TO SOUTHERN PART OF TRACT NO.CANAL ST LOTS 9,10 AND 11 BLK C ON THE EAST SIDE OF AVALON BOULEVARD. (114 PALMS)

ON THE WEST, SIDE OF AVALON BOULEVARD THE NORTHERN PART OF TRACT NO. 1419 (EX OF ST) LOTS 53 AND 54 AND (EXOF STS) LOTS 55 AND LOT 56. TO THE SOUTHERN PART OF TRACT NO.CANAL STREET TR EX OF STS LOT 1 AND EX OF ST LOTS 2 THRU 4 BLK C. EXHIBIT. (104 PALMS)

4. COMPLETE LEGAL DESCRIPTION: TRACT

THE SUBJECT OF THIS NONIMATION ,( 218) MATURE MEXICAN FAN PALMS ( WASHINGTONIA ROBUSTA) ARE LOCATED ALONG 1.2 MILES OF AVALON BOULEVARD ON BOTH SIDES BETWEEN LOMITA BOULEVARD (1750 BLOCK) TO I STREET (900 BLOCK). THE SURROUNDING PROPERTIES INCLUDE COMMERICAL, RESIDENTIAL, AND SCHOOLS.

9. STATE PRESENT PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE SITE OR STRUCTURE.

THE SUBJECT OF THIS CULTURAL MONUMENT APPLICATION ARE MEXICAN FAN PALMS, ALSO KNOWN AS WASHINGTONIA ROBUSTA, THE SPECIES NAME "ROBUSTA" COMES FROM THE LATIN FOR "ROBUST'.SOARING TO OVER 100FT. (30.5M), THIS SKYSCRAPER OF THE PALM WORLD IS A STRIKING SIGHT WHEN PLANTED AT EQUAL INTERVALS ALONG A BOULEVARD OR WHEN SNUGGLED UP IN GROUPS AGAINIST HIGH RISE BUILDINGS. THE GRAY TRUNK IS RINGED WITH CLOSELY SET LEAF SCARS ALTHOUGH USUALLY AT LEAST PART OF THE TRUNK REMAINS COVERED WITH DEAD LEAVES THAT HANG IN A THATCH. THE SOLITARY TRUNK, ABOUT 10-121N (25.4-30.5CM) IN DIAMETER, BULGES AT THE GROUND AND BECOMES SLENDER AS IT APPROACHES A CROWN OF LARGE PALMATE LEAVES WITH GRACEFULLY DROOPING LEAFLET TIPS.THESE ARE RICH GLOSSY GREEN AND GROW TO ABOUT 5FT. (1.5M) LONG AND 4FT(1.2M WIDE. THEY ARE BORNE ON 3FT (0.9M) ORANGE LEAF STEMS THAT ARE EDGED WITH VICIOUS SAWTOOTH SPINES.

THE SUBJECT (218) MEXICAN FAN PALMS ARE STREETSCAPE ON AVALON BOULEVARD, BETWEEN LOMITA BOULEVARD TO THE NORTH AND I STREET TO THE SOUTH. THE PALMS ARE APPROXIMATELY 80' FEET PLUS TALL WITH A FAN LEAF OF ABOUT 3' TO 4' DIAMETER. THE PALMS HAVE AN AVERAGE TRUNK OF ABOUT 3' WIDE AT THE BASE AND NARROWING TO ABOUT 15" AS IT APPROACHES A CROWN OF LARGE PALMATE LEAVES. THE FROND SPREAD IS APPROXIMILITY 10-12FT. BUT VARIES FROM PALM TO PALM. THE PALMS GENERAL HEALTH IS GOOD AND THE PALMS ARE MAINTAINED. THE LAND SURROUNDING THE PALMS IS USED FOR SCHOOLS, RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERICAL USE.

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CHANGES IN THE COMPOSITION OF THE STREETSCAPE DUE TO NEW CONTRUCTION OVER THE YEARS.



18. BRIEF STATE HISTORICAL AND/OR ARCHITECTURAL IMPORTANCE: INCLUDE DATES, EVENTS, AND PERSONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SITE.

PHINEAS BANNING PASSED AWAY IN 1885. IN 1892 THE BANNING BROTHERS, SONS OF THE FOUNDER OF WILMINGTON, CA. PURCHASED SANTA CATALINA ISLAND, DEVELOPED IT AS A RESORT AND PROVIDED THE SHIPS FOR TRANSPORTATION. THE WILMINGTON TRANSPORTATION COMPANY WAS ENGAGED AS A COMMON CARRIER OF PASSENGERS AND GOODS BY SEA, BETWEEN WILMINGTON MAINLAND, AND AVALON ON SANTA CATALINA ISLAND.

IN THE EARLY 1930S, MEMBERS OF THE WILMINGTON COMMUNITY SECURED THE PALMS FOR AVALON BOULEVARD, THE GATEWAY FROM THE STEPS OF LOS ANGELES CITY HALL TO CATALINA. THE PLANTING OF THE PALMS WERE INITIATED BY THE AVALON BOULEVARD ASSOCIATION THAT INCLUDED PROMINENT BUSINESSMEN AND COMMUNITY PIONEERS: FRANK MCGINLEY, J. N. STEWARD OF THE WRIGLEY COMPANY, J.W. WEIGHTMAN, SECRETARY OF THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, PAUL HILLER, A.N. KEMP, CALIFORNIA YATCH CLUB MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY PIONEERS, E.OPP AND EDWIN W. SANDISON. THESE MEN ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO THE ECONOMIC STABILITY OF WILMINGTON AND PROMOTED THE HARBOR DISTRICT AND THE COMMUNITY AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY.

IN 1919, CHEWING GUM MAGNATE WILLIAM WRIGLEY JR. PURCHASED CATALINA ISLAND SIGHT UNSEEN FROM THE BANNING BROTHERS, SONS OF PHINEAS BANNING. INCLUDED IN THE PURCHASE WAS THE STEAMSHIP LINE KNOWN AS THE WILMINGTON TRANSPORTANTION COMPANY, WHICH PROVIDED TRANSPORTATION FROM THE MAINLAND TO THE ISLAND. WRIGLEY'S FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND MARKETING EXPERTISE ALLOWED HIM TO PUSH CATALINA INTO THE FOREFRONT OF THE NATION'S TOP ATTRACTION. WITH THE ISLAND BECOMING A FIRST CLASS RESORT, THE COMMUNITY OF WILMINGTON AND THE WATERFRONT AT THE FOOT OF CANAL STREET(AVAL0N BOULEVARD) WOULD SERVE AS THE DEPARTURE POINT FOR MILLIONS OF TOURISTS.

IN THE 1920'S, TOURISM TO THE ISLAND WAS BOOMING AND WRIGLEY INVESTED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO DEVELOPING BETTER AND FASTER TRANSPORTANTION AND BETTER HOTELS. HE MOVED THE WILMINGTON TRANSPORTANTION COMPANY OPERATIONS TO THE FOOT OF CANAL STREET (BANNING'S LANDING) IN WILMINGTON TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF CATALINA ISLAND. THE CATALINA TERMINAL BECAME THE BERTH FOR THE SS AVALON AND THE SS CATALINA.

IN APRIL OF 1920, THE SS AVALON MADE ITS MAIDEN VOYAGE TAKING HER FULL CAPACITY OF 3,000 PEOPLE AND WITH THE CHRISTENING OF THE SS CATALINA BY MISS MARCIA A. PATRICK IN 1924, CATALINA BECAME A POPULAR DESTINATION FOR TOURISTS. BY 1927 THE POPULARITY OF CATALINA ISLAND HAD BROUGHT OVER 650,000 TOURISTS TO THE



TERMINAL. BECAUSE OF THE INCREASE OF TOURISUM, A SMALL PARK WITH A PERGOLA, SURROUNDED BY LAWN, SHRUBS AND MEXICAN FAN PALMS WAS ESTABLISHED AT THE FOOT OF CANAL STREET (AVALON BOULEVARD).THE SS AVALON NAME WAS BESTOWED UPON CANAL STREET AND CHANGED TO AVALON BOULEVARD. IT IS BELIEVED THAT WILLIAM WRIGLEY'S INFLUENCE HELPED TO OFFICIALLY CHANGE THE NAME OF CANAL STREET TO AVALON BOULEVARD. IN THE SAME YEAR OF 1927, BOTH WRIGLEY AND HENRY FORD INVESTED A MILLION DOLLARS IN WILMINGTON. THESE INVESTMENTS SHOWED BEYOND ALL DOUBT THE CONFIDENCE OF WRIGLEY IN WILMINGTON AND LED TO THE FORMATION OF THE FLEMING WEBER COMPANY, AN INVESTMENT AND REAL ESTATE COMPANY, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE CATALINA ISLAND COMPANY. ONE OF THE TASKS OF THE FLEMING WEBER COMPANY WAS TO BUILD 100 CUSTOM HOMES, ON THE OLD BANNING HOMESTEAD FOR THE AREA'S ELITE BUSINESSMEN WHO WORKED FOR THE WILMINGTON TRANSPORTATION COMPANY, FORD MOTOR PLANT AND COMMUNITY PROFESSIONALS

BY THE EARLY 1930s, CATALINA WAS THE VACATIONER'S PARADISE AND A DESINATION FOR HOLLYWOOD AND POLITICAL ELITE. MANY CELEBRITIES AND ACTORS WOULD TRAVEL DOWN AVALON BOULEVARD TO THE CALIFORNIA YATCH CLUB WHERE THEIR BOATS WERE ANCHORED AND DEPART TO CATALINA AND OR CATCH THE SS CATALINA AND SS AVALON.

IN 193 1, THE PLANTING OF THE MEXICAN FAN PALMS ALONG THE AVALON BOULEVARD THROUGHFARE, COMPLETED THE FINAL LINK FROM THE STEPS OF LOS ANGELES CITY HALL TO THE HARBOR AND CREATED THE GATEWAY TO AVALON BAY AND CATALINA ISLAND. MAY 2 OF 193 1 IS THE OFFICIAL COMPLETION DATE OF AVALON BOULEVARD AND CLIMAXES SIX YEARS OF LITIGATION AND BATTLE FOR RIGHTS OF WAY, AND OPENED TO THE PUBLIC ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BOULEVARDS IN AMERICA. (WILMINGTON DAILY JOURNAL)

CONCLUSION

THE AVALON BOULEVARD MEXICAN FAN PALMS (218) ARE AN INTEGRAL DESIGNED STREETSCAPE FROM THE EARLY 1930s AND REFLECT THE LOCAL HISTORY. IN THE LAST 75 YEARS, THE PALMS HAVE GROWN TO A HEIGHT OF 80 FEET PLUS AND CAN BE SEEN FOR MILES AS THE BEACON TO THE HARBOR GATE WAY. TODAY IT CAN BE SAID THAT THE PALMS ARE TRULY THE "SIGNITURE SKYLINE TREES OF NOT ONLY WILMINGTON, HARBOR AREA, BUT FOR LOS ANGELES AS WELL. IN APRIL OF 2007, THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES IN A BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT FOR DOWNTOWN WILMINGTON JUST SOUTH OF THE CULTURAL MONUMENT NOMINATION, PLANTED 53 NEW WASHINGTONIA ROBUSTA PALMS ON AVALON BOULVEARD BETWEEN ANAHEIM AND HARRY BRIDGES (.07 MILE). THE NEW PALMS ARE APPROXIMATELY 10 FOOT PLUS IN HEIGHT AND WILL CONTINUE THE LEGACY THAT WILLIAM WRIGLEY CREATED FOR AVALON BOULEVARD IN 1930.



19. SOURCES

CARSON LIBRARY THE CATALINA ISLANDER, AVAILABLE ON MICROFILM AT THE CARSON LIBRARY

CATALINA ISLAND MUSEUM STACEY OTTE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & JEANNINE PEDERSEN, CURATOR, EVOLUTION OF A RESORT COMMUNITY

STACEY OTTE, EXECUTIVE DIRCTOR & JEANNINE PEDERSEN, CURATOR, CATALINA ISLAND HISTORY

NEWSPAPER ARTICLES DAILY WILMINGTON JOURNAL, MAY 2,193 1, AVALON BLVD. WORK IS DONE

DAILY WILMINGTON JOURNAL, MAY 10,193 1, MCGINLEY AIDS IN AVALON TREE PLANTING

DAILY WILMINGTON JOURNAL, M Y 25,1931, PROGRAM IS ARRANGED FOR OPENING OF AVALON BLVD.

DAILY WILMINGTON, JOURNAL, MAY 28,193 1; AVALON BOULEVARD CEREMONY WILL BE HELD AT ROCHA ST. SATURDAY AT 2:30

DAILY WILMINGTON, JOURNAL, MAY 30,193 1, "IN MAY, AVALON WAS COMPLETED TO THROUGH TRAFFIC FROM DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES.

WILMINGTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY HOLSTEIN, WALTER E., "A HISTORY OF WILMINGTON: FROM THE SPANISH PEROID UNTIL 193 1, THESIS, 193 1

PHOTOGRAPH OF MEXICAN FAN PALMS 1940, DON HOTEL, AVALON BOULEVARD.

PHOTOGRAPH OF MEXICAN FAN PALMS, EARLY 1950S, AVALON / ANAHEIM STREET.

PHOTOGRAPH OF MEXICAN FAN PALMS 1959, AVALON BOULEVARD, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BROCHURE.

PHOTOGRAPH OF MEXICAM FAN PALMS 1970, AVALON BOULEVARD, POST CARD



WILMINGTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY CONT.

QUEENAN, CHARLES F., LONG BEACH AND LOS ANGELES, A TALE OF TWO PORTS, WINDSOR PUBLISHERS, INC., NORTHRIDGE, CALIFORNIA, 1986, CHAPTER IV, PAGES 45-50

U.S.ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS "LOS ANGELES-LONG BEACH AREA CULTIRAL RESOURCES SURVEY", WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. PRINTING OFFICE, 1978

THE HISTORY OF WILMINGTON TRANSPORTION COMPANY 1870-1 945

ONE-LINE SOURCES SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SHIP WRECK AVALON, WWW.CAWRECKDIVERS.ORG/WRECWAVALON

STEAMSHIP HITORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CHAPTER WWW.SHAWNANDCOLLEEN.COM/SSHSASOCAL/DOCS/CATALINA.

CALIFORNIA YATCH CLUB, WWW.CALYATCHCLUB.COM.

SAVE THE CATALINA,WWW.SAVETHECATALINA.ORG/HISTORY.

OTHER SOURCES

LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF CITY PLANNING, 2000. "BANNING PARK HISTORICAL PRESERVATION OVERLAY ZONE RESOURCE SURVEY"

PHINEAS BANNING HIGH SCHOOL PILOT WHEEL ANNUAL 1935- PHOTOGRAPH OF MEXICAN FAN PALMS, AVALON BOULEVARD. 1937- PHOTOGRAPH OF MEXICAN FAN PALMS, AVALON BOULEVARD 1941- PHOTOGRAPH OF MEXICAN FAN PALMS, AVALON BPUEVARD. 1942- PHOTOGRAPH OF MEXICAN FAN PALMS, AVALON BOULEVARD. 195 1- PHOTOGRAPH OF MEXICAN FAN PALMS, AVALON BOULEVARD. 196 1 - PHOTOGRAPH OF MEXICAN FAN PALMS, AVALON BOULEVARD.

LEGAL DESCRIPTION

ASSESSOR'S PARCEL NUMBERS

RANGE OF ADDRESSES ON PROPERTY

a -o $ # 1 AVALON BLVD.1 WEST SIDE I LOMITABLVD. I R STREET z 5 k- p ' LOMITA BLVD. YI B H --.-- - - r s - z - ,115n \ z - ---. ca kr .+/ *- -zJ*~: r-i--% , -. -1 - n 8 - 1

V) U

DON 5%

#2 AVALON BLVD. 1 WEST SIDE / R STREET 1 Q STREET

ST. 0

8 9 .

- 'Q b

ST.

I T - - - - T

ii 3 AVALON BLVDl WEST SIDE / Q STREET 1 SANDISON STREET

\ 4- Q ST.

2 z

ST. 2

#4 AVALON BLVD. / WEST SIDE / SANDISON STREET / P.C.HWY -- SANDISON

8 ST.

8

PAC 1 F I C COAST HWY

#5 AVALON BLVD. /P.C.KWY / M STREET % C 1 /

CfZO26-3

PACIFIC COAST H WY.

P. P 8

M ST.

I t

# 6 AVALON BLVD. /WEST SIDE / M STREET 1 L STREET

_I b I I P

15 /s t

# 7 AVALON BLVD. I WEST SIDE / L STREET / DENNI STREET ;!

CI 4 2 DENNl ST.

-1 I 7 r

# 8 AVALON BLVD. / WEST SIDE / DENNI STREET / OPP STREET i 1

I - DENNI ST . g N ,

2 v. 0.

llv

kt9 AVALON BLVD. /WEST SIDE 1 OPP STREET 1 I STREET

OPP ST

CANAL STREET TRACT M.B.6.25

+1 A\IU-ON BOULEVARD / EAST SIDE / LOMITA BLVD. 1 R STREET

# 2 AVALON BOULVEARD 1 EAST SIDE 1 R STREET 1 CHANDLER

TRACT NO. 2009 M.B. 21- I45

f. SEE: 52 1 - 44

$3 AVAL-ON BLVD. / EAST SIDE / CHANDLER / Q STREET

2 CHANDLER s.2 XG I

TRACT NO. 2009 M.D_ PI - 145

=-1.4;4LON BLVD. / EAST SIDE / Q STREET / P.C.HWY

l "d %

2

J SON

~ O Y J O L

63 I

2324 A r .

g PACIFIC COAST $ 8

# 5 AVALON BLVD. EAST SIDE / P.C.HWY. / M STREET

kt 6 AVALON BLVD. / EAST SIDE / M STREET / L STREET

2 L-

= 7 ,AVALON BLVD.1 EAST SIDE 1 L STREET 1 DENNI STREET

a L ST. %

.n

" DENNt ST. " I -7 r

= 8 _4.:%LOX BLVD. EAST SIDE / DENNI STREET / OPP STREET

TRACT NO. 55 M.B. 13-186-b7

I

, DENNI I U

ST. - u C '0

a B OPP ST I= r

EV. ASSMT. SEE: 521- 13

# 9 AVALON BLVD- / EAST SIDE / OPP STREET / I STREET

_I 1- L t- OPP ST 2

a 2 c€i L

los angeles department of city...

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