Ocean Park in Santa Monica in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Putting Down Roots

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 27, 2025

1. Putting Down Roots Marker

Inscription.

Putting Down Roots. . The early Black neighborhoods of South Santa Monica helped make the city a distinctive urban environment. Pioneering African American families lived here for decades, and some of their descendants maintain ties to the area. , Only a few blocks from the beach and near a trolley line, the Belmar Triangle was where African Americans could rent and buy property and find services when they came to enjoy the beach. In the Ocean Park neighborhood, African Americans built Santa Monica's first Black spiritual institution, Phillips Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church. Black families also lived in homes north of Santa Monica High School, close to the railway lines that brought people to and from Los Angeles and other regions. , In the 1950s, Santa Monica officials targeted these multiethnic neighborhoods in their plans to modernize the city. New civic buildings and a freeway displaced the people, homes, and businesses that had made South Santa Monica a desirable place for African Americans to live. , The Stout Family , In 1909 James A. Stout moved from Texas to Santa Monica to become the first pastor of Phillips Chapel CME at 2001 4th Street in Ocean Park. The Stout family, pictured here in 1919, settled nearby. , African American Neighborhoods of South Santa Monica , This 1924 photograph of South Santa Monica shows the Belmar Triangle, Ocean Park, and the area north of Santa Monica High School. Under construction at the coast are beach clubs for White members only – an example of the era's racial discrimination. , For Sale – Fresh Cow , Belmar was once a rural area with farm plots and wooden structures. This 1909 newspaper advertisement for a “fresh cow” at “1823 Belmar street” may be the neighborhood's earliest mention. , Image captions/credits (top to bottom) , . (Clockwise from right) James, daughter Bernice, mother-in-law Mrs. Ary McReynolds, and wife Mary. Cristyne Lawson Collection. , . Ernest Marquez Collection, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California , . Adapted from The Daily Outlook, 1909. Santa Monica Public Library Digital Collection

The early Black neighborhoods of South Santa Monica helped make the city a distinctive urban environment. Pioneering African American families lived here for decades, and some of their descendants maintain ties to the area.

Only a few blocks from the beach and near a trolley line, the Belmar Triangle was where African Americans could rent and buy property and find services when they came to enjoy the beach. In the Ocean Park neighborhood, African Americans built Santa Monica's first Black spiritual institution, Phillips Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church. Black families also lived in homes north of Santa Monica High School, close to the railway lines that brought people to and from Los Angeles and other regions.

In the 1950s, Santa Monica officials targeted these multiethnic neighborhoods in their plans to modernize the city. New civic buildings and a freeway displaced the people, homes, and businesses that had made South Santa Monica a desirable place for African Americans to live.

The Stout Family
In 1909 James A. Stout moved from Texas to Santa Monica to become the first pastor of Phillips Chapel CME at 2001 4th Street in Ocean Park. The Stout family, pictured here in 1919, settled nearby.

African American Neighborhoods of South Santa Monica
This 1924

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photograph of South Santa Monica shows the Belmar Triangle, Ocean Park, and the area north of Santa Monica High School. Under construction at the coast are beach clubs for White members only – an example of the era's racial discrimination.

For Sale – Fresh Cow
Belmar was once a rural area with farm plots and wooden structures. This 1909 newspaper advertisement for a “fresh cow” at “1823 Belmar street” may be the neighborhood's earliest mention.

Image captions/credits (top to bottom)
• (Clockwise from right) James, daughter Bernice, mother-in-law Mrs. Ary McReynolds, and wife Mary. Cristyne Lawson Collection.
• Ernest Marquez Collection, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California
• Adapted from The Daily Outlook, 1909. Santa Monica Public Library Digital Collection

Erected by City of Santa Monica. (Marker Number 10.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1909.

Location. 34° 0.55′ N, 118° 29.294′ W. Marker is in Santa Monica, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Ocean Park. It is at the intersection of Pico Boulevard and 3rd Street, on the right when traveling west on Pico Boulevard. Located at the

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 27, 2025

2. Putting Down Roots Marker

southeast corner of Belmar Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Santa Monica CA 90405, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

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 least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Land of Our Own (here, next to this marker); The Doctor is In (within shouting distance of this marker); Black Lives in Ocean Park (within shouting distance of this marker); A Spiritual Home (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); California Dreaming? / Belmar History+Art Historical Locations (about 300 feet away); Learning in Black and White (about 300 feet away); Early Black Businesses (about 300 feet away); A Neighborhood Erased (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Monica.

More about this marker. It is part of Belmar History + Art, a commemoration and celebration of the African American neighborhoods of South Santa Monica and their contributions to the city's history and cultural heritage. Belmar History + Art includes sculptural artwork, an educational program, website, and interpretive signage (including this one) installed around the perimeter of Belmont Park. Note: The project web address has been changed to www.santamonica.gov/belmar-history-art

Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 50 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 4, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.