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Canal and Venetian Villas, Venice, Cal.

 
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Title
Canal and Venetian Villas, Venice, Cal.
Description
View of the Grand Canal in Venice, California looking towards the east. A man in early 20th century clothing rows a small boat. The view also shows the tourist camp known as Venetian Villas. Newly planted palm trees line the banks of the canal. The Baldwin Hills appear far off in the distance.
Physical description
1 postcard : Color ; 9 x 14 cm.
Subject
Tourist camps & hostels--California--Los Angeles; Canals--California--Los Angeles; Boats and boating--California--Los Angeles; Vacation rentals--California--Los Angeles;
Note
This view shows the Grand Canal, which later became Grand Boulevard, near the intersection with Riviera Avenue. Originally part of the Ocean Park district of Santa Monica, Abbot Kinney's vision of Venice in America was developed starting in 1904, complete with a canal system and singing gondoliers. Canal construction began in 1904, and in 1905 construction of an amusement pier began. Kinney's plan for Venice included 592 residential lots, some of which sold for as much as $2700 (a high price at the time). Kinney also created affordable vacation housing for visitors. At first, there were simple tent structures that could be rented for lower prices, located in an area known as "Tent City," but around 1907 the tents were replaced with small bungalows. This area of Venice was alternately called "Venetian Villas" or "Villa City." However, as the residential housing grew, many Venice visitors decided to become permanent residents. Venice formally disincorporated from Ocean Park in 1911, and in 1925, Venice was annexed to the city of Los Angeles. By 1929, many of the canals had been filled in and paved as roads due to health and engineering problems.
Collection Location
Werner von Boltenstern Postcard Collection
Type
Geographic Location
Venice (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Language
eng
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