Venice-of-America Gondola

Venice-of-America Gondola. A Venice Landmark on the Grand Lagoon. , The historic Gondolas of the Venice Canals were designed by Arthur L. Reese, who was nicknamed 'The Wizard of Venice' for his many innovative creations and extraordinary business successes in Venice, Ocean Park, and Santa Monica. Abbot Kinney hired Reese to design and build a version of the gondolas patterned after the ones that Kinney imported from Venice, Italy, in 1905, part of his plan for a Gondola Theme Park at this location, known as the Grand Lagoon. Italian gondoliers were even imported to sing to the visitors! Reese eventually operated and owned the boat and gondola concession, and some of his family members served as gondoliers. , Venice soon became a popular destination, not only for people from the Venice area but for people from around the world. By 1928, Venice was annexed to the City of Los Angeles, which eventually filled in the famous canals to make way for the automobile. , The Gondola displayed here has been recently restored and has come full circle to proudly be part of Venice-of-America again. , Made possible by the Venice Historical Society and Venice Stakeholders Association.