Notes from Your City Historian
by Julie Lugo Cerra
A GREAT 2009 AHEAD!
This new year of 2009 is going to be filled with celebrations!
First, it marks the 70th Anniversary of several 1939 classic films. Do you remember the beautiful stamps to commemorate some of those films? In 1990, The Culver Studios hosted an event in Culver City for which the CC Post Office even arranged a local cancellation!
Also, it marks the 90th Anniversary of the opening of Thomas Ince’s second studio, currently The Culver Studios (at 9336 Washington Blvd.), and The Hal Roach Studios – known as the “laugh factory to the world” – which was further east on Washington Blvd. and now remembered with an historical marker at the corner of National Blvd. placed by the Sons of the Desert (The International Laurel & Hardy Society).
The Academy of Motion Pictures Art and Sciences will be hosting another great film series in 2009. Randy Haberkamp, Program Director of the Academy Foundation, tells us it will start in the spring. The ten-film series will feature 1939 film releases, including The Wizard of Oz and Gone With the Wind, which will bookend the event.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION OBJECTIVES
Historic Preservation is front and center…..and concern is warranted. We will let you know when the proposed new Historic Preservation Ordinance will go to Council and the RFP (Request for Proposal) for a new historic survey.
We marked the Legion Building as Historic Site #5 in 1985, and it is a part of the property that Brotman Medical Center wishes to sell. It holds “significant” historic status in Culver City.
Another structure in potential jeopardy is the 1940 Gateway Station Post Office (see story on pg. 1).
Steve Rose (’64) and I enjoyed opening up the ARC for the Culver High School Class of ’63 Reunion (and other classes thereabouts!) last October 18th. Dan Bloom (’63) has built a screen for us to separate the display area from our workspace. Stop by and see what we are doing with it . . . a timeline in progress! Thanks, Danny!
Note: The Los Angeles Conservancy has again given the City of Culver City a “B-“ rating on their Historic Preservation Report Card …!