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Canal scene at Venice of America.

 
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Title
Canal scene at Venice of America.
Description
View of Aldebaran Canal in Venice, California looking east. Tourists dressed in early 20th century style clothing ride in a gondola. The gondola is adorned with an American flag and a lantern. Small boats and canoes are on the same canal in the background. An arched footbridge crosses the canal. Two storey homes are located on either side of the canal.
Format Extent
1 postcard : Color ; 9 x 14 cm.
Subject
Canals--California--Los Angeles; Gondolas--California--Los Angeles; Footbridges--California--Los Angeles; Dwellings--California--Los Angeles; Boats and boating--California--Los Angeles;
Note
This view shows the Aldebaran Canal close to the area where it connected to the Coral Canal. Aldebaran Canal later became Market Street and Coral Canal later became Main Street. 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.
Collection
Werner von Boltenstern Postcard Collection
Type
Geographic Location
Venice (Los Angeles, Calif.); Aldebaran Canal (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Language
eng
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