The 1976 Explosion That Changed Everything

On June 16, 1976, a gas line exploded at the corner of Venice Boulevard and Bagley Avenue. The fire shot up hundreds of feet and dozens of fire trucks were brought in from the city of Los Angeles to help the local Culver City Fire Department. As fire inspector Jim Forte recalls, the fire was so hot that it “melted the plastic on the fire engine.” The explosion resulted in nine deaths, 26 hospitalizations, and 14 critically injured, as well as millions of dollars in property damage…all due to an “18-inch utility location error.” This tragic event resulted in the creation of a national toll-free number 811, which people can now call before digging in any area. Please join us for this powerful program in which we will show the short documentary “811” produced by Mark Morris followed by a Q&A with fire inspector Jim Forte and photographer Brian Haimer who were there on this historic day. We will then have a visit from the Culver City Fire Department, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

Please note that this program will be on Tuesday, October 18, 7PM, in the Multipurpose Room of Veterans Memorial Building.

The public is invited to this free program. Regardless of vaccination status, L.A. County Public Health recommends that people continue to wear masks that fit and filter well in all indoor public places.

Please note that this program will be on Saturday, July 23, 5-7PM.

Attendance is limited and pre-registration is required via Eventbrite. Address and parking details will be shared upon registration.

Have you ever wondered about the storybook buildings tucked away behind the condo complex on Dunn Drive? Now is your chance! The Lawrence and Martha Joseph residence and apartments, sometimes affectionately nicknamed “the Hobbit Houses,” were built single-handedly over several decades by Lawrence Joseph, a former Disney artist and aircraft engineer who worked on Lockheed’s Skunk Works. His wife Martha was the personal secretary to Lew Wasserman, president of MCA.

Current residents including Bob and “Critter” will share stories and all residents have generously agreed to open up their homes for tours. Bob, whose parents were personal friends of the Josephs, has lived at the residence off and on since 1964. Critter was a protégé of Lawrence Joseph in learning carpentry and design skills. Past residents include Zasu Pitts, Paula Prentiss, Richard Benjamin, and Gwen Verdon.

Following the talk and tour, guests can linger to hear music performed by two residents who are Grammy-winning artists!