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

Black Lives in Ocean Park

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 27, 2025

1. Black Lives in Ocean Park Marker

Inscription.

Black Lives in Ocean Park. . Many African American families in Santa Monica got their start in the Ocean Park neighborhood, south of Pico Boulevard and near Phillips Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. , Stout Extended Family , The Reverend James A. Stout, Phillips Chapel's first pastor, led many of his relatives in migrating to Santa Monica. Among them in this 1934 photograph (from left) are Mary Lee (next to her husband, John Lee), who worked in the Los Angeles public schools; Clara Carson, long-time Phillips Chapel secretary; Mary Stout, the Reverend Stout's wife; and Hilliard Lawson, the second African American elected to the Santa Monica City Council in 1973. , The Peters Sisters , From the 1930s to the 1960s, the popular Peters Sisters trio – Virginia, Anne, and Mattye – sang at Phillips Chapel and at various venues in Los Angeles and all over Europe. They performed with Duke Ellington, made several recordings, and were featured in quite a few films. For many years, the Peters Sisters lived south of Pico Boulevard at 2235 4th Street, just down the street from Phillips Chapel. They autographed this publicity photo in the 1940s. , The Hensley Family (above, far right) , The Hensley family lived at 321 Pico Boulevard in the Belmar Triangle and later 621 Bay Street in Ocean Park. Nathan was a car mechanic and a business partner in a used car lot, and Adela worked as a hotel maid. Their son Norman was born in Santa Monica. He became a U.S. Air Force colonel and a director of the Veteran's Administration Medical Center. These photographs show him around age seven and peeking out of the front window of the family Cadillac in 1945-1946. , Photo captions/credits , . Top: (Left to right) Mr. and Mrs. John and Mary Lee (Mary Stout's niece), Clara Carson (a Stout cousin), Mary Stout, and Hilliard Lawson (the Stouts' son-in-law). Some are memorialized in the church's stained-glass windows. Cristyne Lawson Collection; Norman E. Hensley Collection , . Bottom: (Clockwise from top left). The Peters Sisters, Virginia, Anne, and Mattye. Cristyne Lawson Collection

Many African American families in Santa Monica got their start in the Ocean Park neighborhood, south of Pico Boulevard and near Phillips Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.

Stout Extended Family
The Reverend James A. Stout, Phillips Chapel's first pastor, led many of his relatives in migrating to Santa Monica. Among them in this 1934 photograph (from left) are Mary Lee (next to her husband, John Lee), who worked in the Los Angeles public schools; Clara Carson, long-time Phillips Chapel secretary; Mary Stout, the Reverend Stout's wife; and Hilliard Lawson, the second African American elected to the Santa Monica City Council in 1973.

The Peters Sisters
From the 1930s to the 1960s, the popular Peters Sisters trio – Virginia, Anne, and Mattye – sang at Phillips Chapel and at various venues in Los Angeles and all over Europe. They performed with Duke Ellington, made several recordings, and were featured in quite a few films. For many years, the Peters Sisters lived south of Pico Boulevard at 2235 4th Street, just down the street from Phillips Chapel. They autographed this publicity photo in the 1940s.

The Hensley Family (above, far right)
The Hensley family lived at 321 Pico Boulevard in the Belmar Triangle and later 621 Bay Street in Ocean Park. Nathan was a car

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mechanic and a business partner in a used car lot, and Adela worked as a hotel maid. Their son Norman was born in Santa Monica. He became a U.S. Air Force colonel and a director of the Veteran's Administration Medical Center. These photographs show him around age seven and peeking out of the front window of the family Cadillac in 1945-1946.

Photo captions/credits
• Top: (Left to right) Mr. and Mrs. John and Mary Lee (Mary Stout's niece), Clara Carson (a Stout cousin), Mary Stout, and Hilliard Lawson (the Stouts' son-in-law). Some are memorialized in the church's stained-glass windows. Cristyne Lawson Collection; Norman E. Hensley Collection
• Bottom: (Clockwise from top left). The Peters Sisters, Virginia, Anne, and Mattye. Cristyne Lawson Collection

Erected by City of Santa Monica. (Marker Number 12.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.

Location. 34° 0.568′ N, 118° 29.319′ W. Marker is in Santa Monica, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Ocean Park. It can be reached from the intersection of Pico Boulevard and 3rd Street, on the right when traveling west. 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

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 27, 2025

2. Black Lives in Ocean Park Marker

8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Land of Our Own (within shouting distance of this marker); Putting Down Roots (within shouting distance of this marker); Early Black Businesses (within shouting distance of this marker); The Doctor is In (within shouting distance of this marker); Black Women Empowered (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Environmental Justice (about 300 feet away); Not on My Beach (about 300 feet away); Learning in Black and White (about 300 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 63 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 4, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.