Category Archives: Uncategorized

In this 1988 file photo, the deserted housing development west of LAX can be seen to the right of the shoreline, between Vista del Mar and Pershing Drive. Imperial Highway runs across the bottom of the photo.   It was originally a picturesque housing development, this plot of land west of Los Angeles International Airport between Imperial HighwayContinue reading “LAX’s ghost town”

On September 2, 1957, the city of Torrance opened Sea-Aire Golf Course, above, a small, lushly beautiful pitch-and-putt course at 22730 Lupine Avenue in the Seaside Ranchos area in the southern section of the city. It would turn out to be the only public golf course in the city to date, though not for a lackContinue reading “Torrance’s quest for a golf course”

It’s a 3-square-mile city with no public streets, only private roads. None of its lots are zoned for business, commercial or industrial use, only residential. All of its houses are single-story, and must be painted only one color: white. It has no public infrastructure: no storm drains, sidewalks, curbs or sewers. Its police and fireContinue reading “The gated city of Rolling Hills”

Daily Breeze, March 28, 1969, Page 1. When Steve Yancy, 51, of Torrance, died six weeks after an explosion and fire at the Fletcher Oil and Refining Co. plant in Carson in 1969, the last hope of finding the cause of the $1 million disaster died with him. He was the second person to dieContinue reading “The Fletcher Oil fire”

This Daily Breeze file photo from March 1980 shows the Madrona Marsh area looking northwest, with Madrona Avenue at left center.   The battle for Madrona Marsh began in the early 1970s. Some three decades later, the concept for the 43-acre preserve finally came to fruition with the opening of the Madrona Marsh Nature CenterContinue reading “Madrona Marsh”

The land that ultimately would become the Palos Verdes landfill had been used as an open-pit mine for diatomaceous earth since the early 1900s. This undated aerial photo shows the diatomaceous earth mining operation being conducted by the Great Lakes Carbon Corp. on the future landfill site.   The county purchased the 150-acre site onContinue reading “Palos Verdes Landfill”

The Graf Zeppelin on the ground, left, at Mines Field in Los Angeles, Aug. 26, 1929. Hundreds of cars can be seen lining the road at bottom, and the original airport buildings are visible at center right. (Click to enlarge photo.)   Thousands of local residents jammed Mines Field on Monday, Aug. 26, 1929, 20 yearsContinue reading “The Graf Zeppelin”

It’s the first thing you see on your left from the water as you enter the main channel of the Port of Los Angeles, right after passing the Angles Gate Lighthouse. That massive building with the water tower on top is Warehouse No. 1, and it was crucial to the establishment of the Port asContinue reading “Warehouse No. 1”

Aerial view of the White Point Hot Spring Hotel and resort from August 1922 shows the hotel, saltwater swimming pool and outdoor dance floor. Photo courtesy Palos Verdes Library District. Only a few remnants remain today of the White Point Hot Spring Hotel resort and spa located at what is now Royal Palms County BeachContinue reading “White Point Hot Spring Hotel”

Pierre Lamure was born in Nice, France, on June 15, 1909. He gained fame during the 1930s as a correspondent for a French newspaper, a position which brought him to the United States in 1937. In addition to his newspaper writing, he also wrote books, receiving the Strassburger Prize in 1939 for his biographies ofContinue reading “Who was Pierre La Mure?”