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
Published by Arcadia Press. Click here for the Arcadia Web site.
Before 1953: On to the City. In September 1933, Palms and the rapidly developing area of Cheviot Hills were finally linked when Motor Avenue was opened underneath a new bridge north of Irene Street. A festive street party organized by the Palms Chamber of Commerce between National and Woodbine had to be moved inside Crompton’s Garage (southeast corner of Motor and National) because of rain.
Mid-1950s photo of the bridge over Motor Avenue (Bison Archives) shows the tranquil nature of the Westside before freeways and traffic jams. A Los Angeles-bound Pacific Electric car has just flown past the sidings at Home Junction (Sawtelle), Talamantes (Sepulveda), and Winship (Overland) and is slowing for a stop at Palms Depot.
1976: Final Days for Depot. Railroad buff Ward Kimball had some fun in February 1976 while photographers recorded the last hours of the Palms Depot before it was carefully moved 15 miles through post-midnight Los Angeles to Highland Park.
Kimball, the distinguished Walt Disney animator, helped finance renewal of the station. Other funds were raised through a series of silent-movie benefits. Behind Kimball are the palms planted in 1887.
2004: Last Boxcar in Palms. The old Tootsie Roll factory on National Blvd. north of Vinton was demolished in 2004, along with an industrial-size incinerator and the boxcar that had stood for decades on a siding. (Attempts to find a home for it were fruitless.) The 1887 palm trees were ripped out as well.
Price Self-Storage took the place of the old structure in 2005. The 1957 building at the left, rear, houses the Boy Scout Service Center for L.A.’s Westside.
