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Welcome to 100+ years of Venice History Look what's happening at this FREE POP-UP Event on Friday! Celebrate Local History with the Venice Historical Society. Join us on Friday, January 30 at 10:00 a.m. at the Mar Vista Senior Center for a fascinating look at the history of Venice and parts of Los Angeles. Mar Vista Senior Center 11430 Woodbine StreetLos Angeles, CA 90066. Near the corner of Palms Blvd and McLaughlin Ave, We will be showing a well-known video of "Things That Aren't Here Anymore". Dana Millikin, an Emmy Award-winning documentary producer whose career includes acclaimed programs for the History Channel, Discovery Channel, and more will be moderating. The video will bring a sense of nostalgia and reflection. Don't miss this free exciting program. Come enjoy an engaging morning of memories, images, and local history. All are welcome! ~~~ For Unique and One-of-a-Kind Gift Ideas Visit our storeTo order email us at info@veniceofamerica.org or call us at 310-967-5170 Give the gift of Venice history this holiday season! VHS has a unique selection of gifts to give the historical buff, the person who is hard to buy for or for just anyone who loves Venice, CA. ~~~ Visit the Calendar Page. A Work in Progress.
~~~ Consider contributing to the Venice Historical Society. ~~~ Peruse Our Store for Colorful One-of-a-Kind
~~~ DONATE TO OUR SPECIAL FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN! ~~~ Visit the Venice Historical Society on Facebook! ~~~
After his marriage in 1884, Kinney began purchasing land to the south with Francis Ryan. The partners developed Ocean Park with a walk pier and a country club. A streetcar line was extended to the site. After Ryan's untimely death in 1898, and a succession of partners with whom Kinney couldn't agree, it was decided that the land speculator would toss a coin and the winner would choose which half of the district would be his. When Kinney won the toss, he startled the other four partners by choosing the barren, marshy property. Kinney soon announced that his sand dunes and marshland would soon be a cultural city patterned after Venice, Italy. The public laughed and dubbed the plan "Kinney's Folly". They stopped laughing when trenches for canals were dug and Venetian-patterned buildings began to spring up. By July 4, 1905, Venice-of-America officially opened with a wonderful pier and exciting attractions: Italian gondoliers poling their boats down fairy-lit canals, a concert orchestra supplying music that could be heard nearly all over town, camel rides, exotic hotels catering to the best tastes and a miniature railroad circling the entire scene. The cultural diversion never flourished in Venice. The public came to ride the camels and the little train and to see the sideshow. The Doge of Venice-of America had built a cultural Renaissance by the sea. This atmosphere still prevails today. ~~~ Sign up to receive email updates from VHS. |
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