Return to list

Across the Lagoon, Venice, Calif.

 
image 0
Zoom inZoom inZoom inZoom in
Zoom outZoom outZoom outZoom out
Go homeGo homeGo homeGo home
Toggle full pageToggle full pageToggle full pageToggle full page
Rotate leftRotate leftRotate leftRotate left
Rotate rightRotate rightRotate rightRotate right
Title
Across the Lagoon, Venice, Calif.
Description
A view of Venice, California showing the lagoon and Coral Canal looking towards the northwest. Tourists dressed in early 20th century style clothing ride in canoes and small boats on the lagoon. The Venice Union Church appears on the left side of the image. The vacant lot next to the church was previously the site of Venice Polytechnic High School which had been destroyed in a fire on September 10, 1914. A roller coaster appears far in the background on the left. Footbridges cross the canal. The Antler Hotel appears on the right. Residential and commercial buildings cover the landscape. Running parallel to Coral Canal on the left side of the image is Innes Place, named after one of Abbot Kinney's sons.
Format Extent
1 postcard : Color ; 9 x 14 cm.
Subject
Canals--California--Los Angeles; Dwellings--California--Los Angeles; Boats and boating--California--Los Angeles; Footbridges--California--Los Angeles; Hotels--California--Los Angeles
Note
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. 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. After it was filled in and paved over, Coral Canal became Main Street, and the grand lagoon became the Venice traffic circle.
Collection
Werner von Boltenstern Postcard Collection
Type
Geographic Location
Venice (Los Angeles, Calif.); Innes Place (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Language
eng
Return to list