Contrary to its own bylaws, the Westside Neighborhood Council has attempted to backtrack on its decision to adjust the northeast Palms border. For the story, go here.
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Los Angeles's THE PALMS NEIGHBORHOOD
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1920s: Ready for Action. Groundwater was plentiful at first for fire protection. An 1887 account noted: “The large reservoir which holds 150,000 gallons, is completed. . . . a well 6 by 10 feet will be dug. . . . A large steam pump will . . . lift the water up to the reservoir, which is placed on an elevation, from which there will be good pressure over the entire townsite.”
In 1919, the fire engine for the organized fire department (“a chief and 12 men”) was housed at the southeast corner of National and Motor (or Palm Avenue and Fourth Street, as they were known) — in Crompton’s Garage. A hand hose cart with 500 feet of 2.5-inch cotton hose was also maintained by volunteers “near Main Street and Venice Blvd.”
Later, Fire Station 43 moved across Motor Avenue to the 1924 building at 10416 National Blvd. (above), where Rivas Retoucherie tailors is today. (Los Angeles Fire Department photo.)
1920s: Before Television — or Radio. Children and librarians stand in front of a rented storefront that quartered the Palms branch library in 1921 and 1922 on the east side of Motor Avenue. Most civic activities in those days were centered on Motor between Stilson and National. The lad on the right is holding an American Boy magazine, a book, and a tennis racket. (Security-Pacific Collection, Los Angeles Public Library.)
1951: Commercial Crossroads. This is the historic corner of National Boulevard and Motor Avenue — complete with an overhead sign across National spelling PALMS in electric lights (mounted in 1925).
Looking east toward the distant turn of National you can see the Palms Lumber Company, selling Dutch Boy Paints (where a storage center is today).
The brick-faced building on the southwest corner of Motor, partially hidden by the sporty, two-door ragtop, housed Ray Henkin’s liquor store (“Patent Medicines & Cosmetics”).
An older building, erected in 1915 on the southeast corner, at first housed Crompton’s Garage, then in 1949 the Palisades of California clothiers — Oscar G. Donoian, owner — then Rexall Drugs and most recently Norm’s Foam and Fabric. (Bison Archives.)
