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Culver City Historic Sites

by Culver City Historical Society

by Julie Lugo Cerra, City Historian

When the Culver City Historical Society was incorporated in 1980, the Society, under founding president Catherine Zermeno, began a program of marking historic sites. To qualify, a site must be at least 50 years old and be determined to have historic significance.

The first site marked by the Society took place in 1981, (ten years prior to the adoption of the city’s first Historic Preservation Ordinance). The first Historic Sites Chair was Charles R. Lugo. The markers are traditionally bronze plaques, some mounted in concrete, some on the existing structure. To date, the following sites have been marked by the Society:

Culver City Historic Sites

Map of Culver City Historic Sites

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In the 1980s, the City of Culver City commissioned a survey of historic structures.  A Historic Preservation Advisory Committee was formed and the final document, completed by the city’s consultant, (30th Street Architects), was adopted by the Culver City Council in 1991.   Three designations were made:  Landmark, Significant, and Recognition, with the first two intended to offer protection to the structures.  The Municipal Code, list and support materials are accessible on the city website, www.CulverCity.org.

The Cultural Affairs Commission was established and appointments made by the Culver City Council in 2000.  This action folded Historic Preservation together with Art in Public Places.  In 2004, the required plaques were ordered by the city and installed on those historic buildings.  Oval city plaques were placed on structures designated as “ Landmark” or “Significant.”

Society Madrina (godmother), Clarita Marquez Young, who took the lead in the marking of historic sites, gets help to unveil a marker.

In some cases, Historic Preservation and Public Art can be accomplished together. A case in point is “A Moment in Time” a bronze sculpture of city founder, Harry H. Culver, by De L’ Esprie.  Mr. Culver, his wife, Lillian and only child, Patricia, are portrayed the year the city was incorporated, 1917.  This photo op shows Mr. Culver, sitting on a bench, reading a newspaper that carries his 1913 speech, while his wife, Lillian stands behind, holding their baby, Patricia.

Moment In Time
“A Moment in Time” was dedicated in 2006. Culver descendants
are pictured with the new public art work.

Other marked Sites:

Studio at 10202 W. Washington Boulevard

Studio at 10202 W. Washington BoulevardThe first major motion picture studio in Culver City, the Heart of Screenland, was marked by the Native Daughters of the Golden West prior to the 1980 formation of the Culver City Historical Society. Originally Ince/Triangle Studios, it has been known as Goldwyn Studios, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, MGM/UA, Lorimar Telepictures and since January 1, 1990, it has been a part of Sony Pictures Entertainment, first as Columbia Pictures and then as Sony Pictures Studios. Although more than 180 acres on six lots at one time, it remains the largest studio in Culver City on its lot of 45 acres today. The marker is located on the colonnade on Washington Boulevard.

Buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Culver City Ivy Substation OpeningIvy Substation (1907)

Although it is actually in the City of Los Angeles, The Ivy Substation is on long-term lease from Los Angeles. It was renovated by the Culver City Redevelopment Agency for community use and is now the home of a resident theatre company, The Actor’s Gang.
Ivy Substation article

The Culver Hotel - CulverCityHistoricalSociety.orgThe Culver Hotel

Harry Culver’s 1924 landmark hotel, first known as The Hotel Hunt, now a four star hotel (See Main Street marking).

Washington BuildingWashington Building, 1925

(9720-30 Washington Blvd.)

BYCO, the owner of this two-story structure, applied for National Register status successfully. The 1920s triangular building in the downtown area, across from The Culver Hotel, was built by Charles Lindblade, a business associate of Harry Culver. It is owned today by the developer of the Meralta Plaza block. It has been recognized with Landmark status by the City of Culver City as well.