Doheny Memorial Library, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0189 Public Domain. Release under the CC BY Attribution license--http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/--Credit both “University of Southern California. Libraries” and “California Historical Society” as the source. Digitally reproduced by the USC Digital Library; From the California Historical Society Collection at the University of Southern California Send requests to address or e-mail given USC Libraries Special Collections specol@usc.edu
Description
Photograph of an architectural rendering of proposed improvements to Playa del Rey lagoon, ca.1905. Surrounding the lagoon is a park-like environment decorated with trees, fountains, walkways and courtyards. Inclined bleachers encircle the lagoon's waterline allowing people a spectacle view of the many water activities that go on within the lagoon (i.e. boating, sailing or kayaking). Three Chinese-style pavilions (two of them with pagoda-style towers) are built over the mouth of the lagoon. Pier-like bridges support several pavilions while allowing water to enter or exit the lagoon. Toriis decorate the pier's walkway can be seen in the lagoon at the end of supporting platforms. "The Playa del Rey area, located about two miles south of Kinney's Venice of America resort, was once, centuries ago, the mouth of the Los Angles River. But after the river shifted course to begin emptying in Los Alamitos Bay in Long Beach, it left behind a sleepy lagoon more than two miles wide and one fifth of a mile wide with a trickle of fresh water flowing to sea along La Ballona Creek. Nearly 100 lots were sold for prices ranging from $500 to $1500 at a July 16th auction and more were sold in August and September. With the completion of the Sherman and Clark owned Los Angeles Pacific electric trolley line, the 'Short Line,' to Los Angeles on October 19, 1902, hundreds began visiting the new resort. A pavilion and small hotel were eventually built in Oriental craftsman rather than Venetian style, around the lagoon in 1904, but few investors actually built on their lots. While Playa del Rey was considered a modest success in attracting day tourists, it proved to be Abbot Kinney's inspiration and served as an example of a resort that wasn't large enough in scope to attract investors or excite the public. The company built an impressive three-story, $100,000 pavilion with restaurant and dining rooms, bowling alleys and dance floor. Sherman and Clark's Los Angeles Pacific Railway Company built the $200,000 Hotel Del Rey with fifty guests rooms. A boat-racing course was laid out and a grandstand and boathouse erected on shore. A bridge spanned the lagoon's ocean entrance and a 1200-foot long fishing pier was built nearby." -- unknown author. Additional information: despite the facts stated in the quoted text, the Los Angeles River shifted its course thousands of years ago (between the Pleistocene and Holocene era), not hundreds.
Type
image
Format
2 photographs : photonegative, photoprint, b&w 12 x 26 cm., 8 x 26 cm. negatives (photographic) photographs art
If you're wondering about permissions and what you can do with this item, a good starting point is the "rights information" on this page. See our terms of use for more tips.
Share your story
Has Calisphere helped you advance your research, complete a project, or find something meaningful? We'd love to hear about it; please send us a message.
