Culver's Washington Boulevard Sliver
Thanks to the Culver Events Center (which is available for weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, and other occasions... Click here for more information)
The following is excerpted from the Events Center's website.
[Alex Russell, Event Coordinator] found out that in the
late 20's and early 30's [what is now the Culver Events Center] was a Speakeasy
(a alcohol prohibition hideaway) at the west end of Culver City. It's Los Angeles
90066 zip code belies it's Culver City roots.
Many long-time residents don't know the rich history of this narrow sliver of
Culver City just two miles from the Pacific Ocean. Truth be known, Mr. Culver,
Culver City's namesake, wanted "dog races" at Lincoln and Washington
Boulevards. With that goal in mind, he bought a thin sliver of Los Angeles on
either side of Washington Boulevard all the way to Lincoln Boulevard. This intersection
is the Western Gateway to Culver City, the former site of Douglas Aircraft and
the present site of Costco.
Another little known fact is that Mr. Barnum of the Barnum Circus incorporated
a small area north of Washington Blvd. and east of Venice Boulevard between
Inglewood and McLaughlin Boulevards. Old-time residents remember attending the
wintering Barnum Circus. The broad, curving, oval streets with deep lots are
remnants of the circus assemblage. Barnum City lasted around five years and
then became absorbed into Los Angeles.