During this season of heat waves, it seems only fitting that as we enjoy a bit of a sea breeze, we recognize the foresight of our city founder. Harry Culver’s diligent, hands on research pointed to land where the climate and location yielded the perfect spot for his Culver City community.
This early ad shows what was meaningful in terms of nearby development. Abbot Kinney’s resort of Venice, is drawn at bottom left. In the distance to the right, Los Angeles is noted. And in the middle, the arrow points out Culver City, National, Pico above, and Washington, with the transportation routes denoted as “Santa Monica Air Line” (top) and “Short Line,” both heading to the sea. It is clear from this ad, that the Harry H. Culver Co. was concentrating on acreage between Los Angeles and Venice.
The fine print specifically says “The city is growing toward Venice and Venice is growing toward Los Angeles at a remarkably rapid rate. Acreage bought now, in between, is bound to reap large profits for you. Not one of our clients who has bought on our advice and who has held for a short time, has failed to make a profit.”
Culver touted his sales staff, which numbered in the hundreds, as he continued, “Bring us your clients—we will take them out and do all the work. Call, phone or writer for appointment. Ask for our list of SNAPS. We cooperate.”
This advertisement also shows the Harry H. Culver Co. located in the Story Building in Los Angeles, but after September 1, they were moving to the Second Floor of the Hollingsworth Building. Culver later re-located his offices to Main Street in Culver City, before he built 1924 Hotel Hunt (now known as the landmark Culver Hotel). He eventually occupied space on the first two floors of the hotel. A local Lincoln Avenue resident, Josephine McMinn, who worked for the Harry H. Culver Co. in the hotel, often told of the staff walking over to Media Park to enjoy their brown bag lunches.
Culver built his first family home on Delmas Terrace. Although relocated to Cheviot Hills, the home still stands, a reminder of the importance of family to Mr. Culver. As we celebrated Independence Day last week, with a plethora of local block parties and backyard barbecues, I cannot help but think that Harry Culver would be proud.
Visit CulverCityHistoricalSociety.org for more information.