Sylmar in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Dexter Park

Photographed by Craig Baker, November 1, 2022

1. Dexter Park Marker

Inscription.
Improved by Works Progress Administration, 1937.

Erected 1937 by Works Progress Administration.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.

Location. 34° 17.688′ N, 118° 22.521′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Sylmar. It is on Dexter Park Road 0.2 miles south of Kagel Canyon Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sylmar CA 91342, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s The Valley — the San Fernando Valley

and in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At

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least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Glen Haven Veterans Memorial (approx. one mile away); Consider: Seven Generations (approx. 1.8 miles away); The Griffith Ranch (approx. 2.1 miles away); S.H.G.A. (approx. 2.4 miles away); PFC David M. Gonzales (approx. 2.8 miles away); Loop Fire (approx. 2.8 miles away); Irene Tovar Square (approx. 3 miles away); Creek Fire (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.

Regarding Dexter Park. Between 1936 and 1939, the WPA helped install a water system in the canyon including two wells that served until after World War II. By 1937, the WPA had constructed stone and masonry retaining walls and stairways. The construction was done by the Works Progress Administration, a federal effort to train and employ young men during the Great Depression.
The 40-acre park features a community building and gymnasium, an outdoor basketball court, and picnic tables. Some of the original structures were demolished after suffering earthquake damage. The park was donated to L.A.County Parks by Nathanial Weaton Dexter.

Also see . . . The Living New Deal.

Photographed by Craig Baker, November 1, 2022

2. Dexter Park Marker

The website provides descriptions of WPA projects. (Submitted on March 23, 2023.)

Stone Retaining Walls and Stairs image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, November 1, 2022

3. Stone Retaining Walls and Stairs

Photographed by Craig Baker, November 1, 2022

4. Dexter Park

Photographed by Craig Baker, November 1, 2022

5. Dexter Park

Photographed by Craig Baker, November 1, 2022

6. Street Sign

WPA Work Crew at Dexter Park - 1937 image. Click for full size.

LA County Library Digital Collections

7. WPA Work Crew at Dexter Park - 1937

Credits. This page was last revised on July 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 935 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 2, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 7. submitted on July 19, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.