Felix Achilles Peano’s rich, fascinating life in the arts began in Parma, Italy, on June 9, 1863. As a young man, he studied sculpture under the tutelage of the then well-known Italian artist Odoardo Tabacchi in Turin. Peano (pronounced pee-ah-no) emigrated to New York in the 1890s after earning renown for his art works inContinue reading “Sculptor Felix Peano created his masterwork for the entrance to an Inglewood church”
Author Archives: Sam Gnerre
Army general Amos Fries played a huge role in developing the Port of Los Angeles
Amos Alfred Fries (pronounced “freeze”) was career Army all the way. He was born in Viroqua, Wisconsin, on March 17, 1873. The family moved around a bit when he was young, first to Missouri and then to Oregon. Fries was living in Oregon when he applied and was accepted to the U.S. Military Academy inContinue reading “Army general Amos Fries played a huge role in developing the Port of Los Angeles”
Louis C. Dart’s resourcefulness led to his renown as the “Hermit of Flotsam Castle”
When I was working on the story on the origins of the name “RAT Beach” a few weeks ago, I noticed that some of the vintage photos of the area showed a striking-looking homemade structure built into the side of the cliffs on its northern end, near Torrance Beach. A quick inquiry into its originContinue reading “Louis C. Dart’s resourcefulness led to his renown as the “Hermit of Flotsam Castle””
Tumultuous dockworker strikes helped to form, strengthen the ILWU
Waterfront labor leader Harry Bridges, whom we’ve written about several times, led the movement to unionize West Coast dockworkers when he formed the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) in 1933. After meeting stiff resistance in contract negotiations with the Waterfront Employers Association (WEA), which represented shipping company owners, the union voted to strike in May 1934.Continue reading “Tumultuous dockworker strikes helped to form, strengthen the ILWU”
How chinchillas from the Andes Mountains made their way to Lennox
The Chincha native tribe lived high in the Andes Mountains in South America. When Spanish explorers came upon them in the 1500s, they were intrigued by the robes they wore, which had been crafted from the skins of small furry animals found only high up in the mountains of Chile, Bolivia, Peru and Argentina. TheContinue reading “How chinchillas from the Andes Mountains made their way to Lennox”
Moonstone Beach drew tourists, rock hounds, and profiteers to Redondo
Everybody seemed to love Moonstone Beach, one of the South Bay coastline’s most popular, if relatively short-lived, tourist stops on the Red Car railroad lines of the early 20th century. I’ve mentioned the stretch of shoreline strewn with ocean-polished smooth stones that ran roughly from the southern Hermosa Beach border to just above the RedondoContinue reading “Moonstone Beach drew tourists, rock hounds, and profiteers to Redondo”
Eye-catching brick buildings near Torrance High School have had multiple uses
Every day, thousands of cars pass by the southwest corner of Carson St. and Plaza Del Amo near where three distinctive brick buildings have stood for many decades. If, like me, you were curious about their origins, read on. The city of Torrance and Los Angeles County owned the land on which they were erected.Continue reading “Eye-catching brick buildings near Torrance High School have had multiple uses”
Behind the numerous theories about the origin of Rat Beach’s name
Explanations abound regarding the source of the name for the stretch of beach south of Torrance Beach commonly known as Rat Beach. Among the theories: “Rat” stands for “Redondo and Torrance.” Or it means “Right after Torrance.” The beach was named for the pet rat a surfer brought to the beach while he surfed, orContinue reading “Behind the numerous theories about the origin of Rat Beach’s name “
On vacation: The next new South Bay History blog post will be Dec. 1, 2023
The South Bay History blog is taking Thanksgiving week off. It will return with its next new post on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023. Happy Thanksgiving!
After years of standing vacant, San Pedro’s courthouse transformation has begun
The Harbor Area and the Palos Verdes Peninsula must’ve felt hard done by the 1961 announcement that a new Los Angeles County Courthouse branch building would be built in Torrance. The entire South Bay/Harbor Area had been bereft of a large-scale courthouse for years. For major cases, attorneys and other involved persons would have toContinue reading “After years of standing vacant, San Pedro’s courthouse transformation has begun”
