Culver City’s 96th anniversary
of incorporation is September 20!
This land of peaceful hunters and
gatherers, transitioned to Spanish,
then Mexican control until
California achieved statehood in
1850.
In 1910, thirty-year old Nebraska-
born Harry H. Culver arrived in
this area, and from his astute observations,
he planned a balanced
“home city.” The railroad tracks
and some streets, like Washington
Boulevard were in place and
the temperate site chosen, halfway
between the growing pueblo
of Los Angeles and Abbot Kinney’s
resort of Venice, was ripe for
development.
Culver City began as 1.2 square
miles centered about a little Main
Street. Coincidentally, that area
was the common border of Ranchos
La Ballona and Rincón de los
Bueyes, from which the city was
carved. By 1914, locals voted to
not be a part of Los Angeles and
in 1917 they cast their votes to
become an incorporated Culver
City.
This city grew to nearly five
(not so) square miles, through
a series of 40+ annexations. We
have developed and redeveloped.
Our draw? The city is an
oasis within the urban metropolis.
Harry Culver’s early ads (on
display at the CC Historical Society
Archives) show the intent
of a balanced community, with
space for L.A. and Venice to grow
to us and us to them. Overall, we
enjoy the advantages of the big
city, home town with valued local
control. We have our own city
government, with accessible city
officials, our own Police and Fire
Departments and our own school
district.
Understanding the need for a
sound economic base, Culver enticed
Thomas Ince, a stage actor,
who transitioned to movie mogul,
to move to Culver City. Ince
built two studios and both remain
historic working studios (Sony
Pictures and The Culver Studios).
Hal Roach also established his
“Laugh Factory to the World” in
this “Heart of Screenland.” Roach,
with their location shots, recorded
Culver City’s early history on
film….
Culver City spread out from
Main Street, encouraging historic
buildings like Culver’s landmark
six-story hotel, the Citizen and
Washington buildings. The city
survived the Great Depression,
and children grew up in neighborhoods
with schools and parks,
with a keen ear for the whistle of
the Helms coaches. As nightclubs
became less prevalent, industry
that began with Western Stove
spawned the Hayden Tract in the
mid 1940s. The railroad tracks that
served industry, transitioned into
the path of our new EXPO line.
Redevelopment began in 1971
with the first major project: a
mall in Fox Hills. And despite the
state pulling the rug out from local
agencies last year, Culver City
has accomplished much, and will
continue to do so. Culver City has
grown from 1.2- to just short of
five-square miles, is well known
around the country and beyond.
With our own city government,
school district, police and fire
departments, Culver’s ads remain
true, “All Roads Lead to Culver
City.”
Julie Lugo Cerra is the city historian.
She recently completed
her fifth book.
Culver City’s 96th anniversary
of incorporation is September 20!
This land of peaceful hunters and
gatherers, transitioned to Spanish,
then Mexican control until
California achieved statehood in
1850.
In 1910, thirty-year old Nebraska-
born Harry H. Culver arrived in
this area, and from his astute observations,
he planned a balanced
“home city.” The railroad tracks
and some streets, like Washington
Boulevard were in place and
the temperate site chosen, halfway
between the growing pueblo
of Los Angeles and Abbot Kinney’s
resort of Venice, was ripe for
development.
Culver City began as 1.2 square
miles centered about a little Main
Street. Coincidentally, that area
was the common border of Ranchos
La Ballona and Rincón de los
Bueyes, from which the city was
carved. By 1914, locals voted to
not be a part of Los Angeles and
in 1917 they cast their votes to
become an incorporated Culver
City.
This city grew to nearly five
(not so) square miles, through
a series of 40+ annexations. We
have developed and redeveloped.
Our draw? The city is an
oasis within the urban metropolis.
Harry Culver’s early ads (on
display at the CC Historical Society
Archives) show the intent
of a balanced community, with
space for L.A. and Venice to grow
to us and us to them. Overall, we
enjoy the advantages of the big
city, home town with valued local
control. We have our own city
government, with accessible city
officials, our own Police and Fire
Departments and our own school
district.
Understanding the need for a
sound economic base, Culver enticed
Thomas Ince, a stage actor,
who transitioned to movie mogul,
to move to Culver City. Ince
built two studios and both remain
historic working studios (Sony
Pictures and The Culver Studios).
Hal Roach also established his
“Laugh Factory to the World” in
this “Heart of Screenland.” Roach,
with their location shots, recorded
Culver City’s early history on
film….
Culver City spread out from
Main Street, encouraging historic
buildings like Culver’s landmark
six-story hotel, the Citizen and
Washington buildings. The city
survived the Great Depression,
and children grew up in neighborhoods
with schools and parks,
with a keen ear for the whistle of
the Helms coaches. As nightclubs
became less prevalent, industry
that began with Western Stove
spawned the Hayden Tract in the
mid 1940s. The railroad tracks that
served industry, transitioned into
the path of our new EXPO line.
Redevelopment began in 1971
with the first major project: a
mall in Fox Hills. And despite the
state pulling the rug out from local
agencies last year, Culver City
has accomplished much, and will
continue to do so. Culver City has
grown from 1.2- to just short of
five-square miles, is well known
around the country and beyond.
With our own city government,
school district, police and fire
departments, Culver’s ads remain
true, “All Roads Lead to Culver
City.”
Julie Lugo Cerra is the city historian.
She recently completed
her fifth book.
Culver City’s 96th anniversary
of incorporation is September 20!
This land of peaceful hunters and
gatherers, transitioned to Spanish,
then Mexican control until
California achieved statehood in
1850.
In 1910, thirty-year old Nebraska-
born Harry H. Culver arrived in
this area, and from his astute observations,
he planned a balanced
“home city.” The railroad tracks
and some streets, like Washington
Boulevard were in place and
the temperate site chosen, halfway
between the growing pueblo
of Los Angeles and Abbot Kinney’s
resort of Venice, was ripe for
development.
Culver City began as 1.2 square
miles centered about a little Main
Street. Coincidentally, that area
was the common border of Ranchos
La Ballona and Rincón de los
Bueyes, from which the city was
carved. By 1914, locals voted to
not be a part of Los Angeles and
in 1917 they cast their votes to
become an incorporated Culver
City.
This city grew to nearly five
(not so) square miles, through
a series of 40+ annexations. We
have developed and redeveloped.
Our draw? The city is an
oasis within the urban metropolis.
Harry Culver’s early ads (on
display at the CC Historical Society
Archives) show the intent
of a balanced community, with
space for L.A. and Venice to grow
to us and us to them. Overall, we
enjoy the advantages of the big
city, home town with valued local
control. We have our own city
government, with accessible city
officials, our own Police and Fire
Departments and our own school
district.
Understanding the need for a
sound economic base, Culver enticed
Thomas Ince, a stage actor,
who transitioned to movie mogul,
to move to Culver City. Ince
built two studios and both remain
historic working studios (Sony
Pictures and The Culver Studios).
Hal Roach also established his
“Laugh Factory to the World” in
this “Heart of Screenland.” Roach,
with their location shots, recorded
Culver City’s early history on
film….
Culver City spread out from
Main Street, encouraging historic
buildings like Culver’s landmark
six-story hotel, the Citizen and
Washington buildings. The city
survived the Great Depression,
and children grew up in neighborhoods
with schools and parks,
with a keen ear for the whistle of
the Helms coaches. As nightclubs
became less prevalent, industry
that began with Western Stove
spawned the Hayden Tract in the
mid 1940s. The railroad tracks that
served industry, transitioned into
the path of our new EXPO line.
Redevelopment began in 1971
with the first major project: a
mall in Fox Hills. And despite the
state pulling the rug out from local
agencies last year, Culver City
has accomplished much, and will
continue to do so. Culver City has
grown from 1.2- to just short of
five-square miles, is well known
around the country and beyond.
With our own city government,
school district, police and fire
departments, Culver’s ads remain
true, “All Roads Lead to Culver
City.”
Julie Lugo Cerra is the city historian.
She recently completed
her fifth book.
Culver City’s 96th anniversary
of incorporation is September 20!
This land of peaceful hunters and
gatherers, transitioned to Spanish,
then Mexican control until
California achieved statehood in
1850.
In 1910, thirty-year old Nebraska-
born Harry H. Culver arrived in
this area, and from his astute observations,
he planned a balanced
“home city.” The railroad tracks
and some streets, like Washington
Boulevard were in place and
the temperate site chosen, halfway
between the growing pueblo
of Los Angeles and Abbot Kinney’s
resort of Venice, was ripe for
development.
Culver City began as 1.2 square
miles centered about a little Main
Street. Coincidentally, that area
was the common border of Ranchos
La Ballona and Rincón de los
Bueyes, from which the city was
carved. By 1914, locals voted to
not be a part of Los Angeles and
in 1917 they cast their votes to
become an incorporated Culver
City.
This city grew to nearly five
(not so) square miles, through
a series of 40+ annexations. We
have developed and redeveloped.
Our draw? The city is an
oasis within the urban metropolis.
Harry Culver’s early ads (on
display at the CC Historical Society
Archives) show the intent
of a balanced community, with
space for L.A. and Venice to grow
to us and us to them. Overall, we
enjoy the advantages of the big
city, home town with valued local
control. We have our own city
government, with accessible city
officials, our own Police and Fire
Departments and our own school
district.
Understanding the need for a
sound economic base, Culver enticed
Thomas Ince, a stage actor,
who transitioned to movie mogul,
to move to Culver City. Ince
built two studios and both remain
historic working studios (Sony
Pictures and The Culver Studios).
Hal Roach also established his
“Laugh Factory to the World” in
this “Heart of Screenland.” Roach,
with their location shots, recorded
Culver City’s early history on
film….
Culver City spread out from
Main Street, encouraging historic
buildings like Culver’s landmark
six-story hotel, the Citizen and
Washington buildings. The city
survived the Great Depression,
and children grew up in neighborhoods
with schools and parks,
with a keen ear for the whistle of
the Helms coaches. As nightclubs
became less prevalent, industry
that began with Western Stove
spawned the Hayden Tract in the
mid 1940s. The railroad tracks that
served industry, transitioned into
the path of our new EXPO line.
Redevelopment began in 1971
with the first major project: a
mall in Fox Hills. And despite the
state pulling the rug out from local
agencies last year, Culver City
has accomplished much, and will
continue to do so. Culver City has
grown from 1.2- to just short of
five-square miles, is well known
around the country and beyond.
With our own city government,
school district, police and fire
departments, Culver’s ads remain
true, “All Roads Lead to Culver
City.”
Julie Lugo Cerra is the city historian.
She recently completed
her fifth book.
Culver City’s 96th anniversary
of incorporation is September 20!
This land of peaceful hunters and
gatherers, transitioned to Spanish,
then Mexican control until
California achieved statehood in
1850.
In 1910, thirty-year old Nebraska-
born Harry H. Culver arrived in
this area, and from his astute observations,
he planned a balanced
“home city.” The railroad tracks
and some streets, like Washington
Boulevard were in place and
the temperate site chosen, halfway
between the growing pueblo
of Los Angeles and Abbot Kinney’s
resort of Venice, was ripe for
development.
Culver City began as 1.2 square
miles centered about a little Main
Street. Coincidentally, that area
was the common border of Ranchos
La Ballona and Rincón de los
Bueyes, from which the city was
carved. By 1914, locals voted to
not be a part of Los Angeles and
in 1917 they cast their votes to
become an incorporated Culver
City.
This city grew to nearly five
(not so) square miles, through
a series of 40+ annexations. We
have developed and redeveloped.
Our draw? The city is an
oasis within the urban metropolis.
Harry Culver’s early ads (on
display at the CC Historical Society
Archives) show the intent
of a balanced community, with
space for L.A. and Venice to grow
to us and us to them. Overall, we
enjoy the advantages of the big
city, home town with valued local
control. We have our own city
government, with accessible city
officials, our own Police and Fire
Departments and our own school
district.
Understanding the need for a
sound economic base, Culver enticed
Thomas Ince, a stage actor,
who transitioned to movie mogul,
to move to Culver City. Ince
built two studios and both remain
historic working studios (Sony
Pictures and The Culver Studios).
Hal Roach also established his
“Laugh Factory to the World” in
this “Heart of Screenland.” Roach,
with their location shots, recorded
Culver City’s early history on
film….
Culver City spread out from
Main Street, encouraging historic
buildings like Culver’s landmark
six-story hotel, the Citizen and
Washington buildings. The city
survived the Great Depression,
and children grew up in neighborhoods
with schools and parks,
with a keen ear for the whistle of
the Helms coaches. As nightclubs
became less prevalent, industry
that began with Western Stove
spawned the Hayden Tract in the
mid 1940s. The railroad tracks that
served industry, transitioned into
the path of our new EXPO line.
Redevelopment began in 1971
with the first major project: a
mall in Fox Hills. And despite the
state pulling the rug out from local
agencies last year, Culver City
has accomplished much, and will
continue to do so. Culver City has
grown from 1.2- to just short of
five-square miles, is well known
around the country and beyond.
With our own city government,
school district, police and fire
departments, Culver’s ads remain
true, “All Roads Lead to Culver
City.”
Julie Lugo Cerra is the city historian.
She recently completed
her fifth book.
