Carlson Park in Culver City in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Dr. Paul Carlson Memorial Park

First Park in Culver City

Photographed by Michael Kindig, November 26, 2011

1. Dr. Paul Carlson Memorial Park Marker

Inscription. This land was first traversed by Native Americans, called Tongva, (later known as the Gabrielinos). Under Spanish rule, it was settled as a portion of Rancho La Ballona. After Culver City was incorporated in 1917, the property became a horseracing track (1923-24), and in 1924, a reported 50,000 people attended the opening of "The Speedway," a board racetrack.

This section was designated as "Victory Park," the first park in Culver City in 1927. The name was changed in 1964 by the city council to honor United States medical missionary Dr. Paul Carlson, who was born in Culver City in 1928. Dr. Carlson was killed in 1964 while serving in the Republic of the Congo and he was survived by his wife and two children. In 1993, President William Jefferson Clinton addressed Culver City citizens in this park on health care.

Erected 2010 by Culver City Historical Society. (Marker Number 12.)

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 Former U.S. Presidents: #42 William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.

Location. 34° 0.831′ N, 118° 23.914′ W. Marker is in Culver City

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, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Carlson Park. It is at the intersection of Braddock Drive and Le Bourget Drive, on the right when traveling east on Braddock Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10437 Braddock Drive, Culver City CA 90232, 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: Veterans Memorial Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Water Tower (approx. 0.3 miles away); M-G-M Studio (approx. 0.4 miles away); St. Augustine's Church (approx. half a mile away); Culver City (approx. half a mile away); Culver Theater (approx. half a mile away); Civil War Union Camp Latham (approx. 0.6 miles away); Washington Building (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Culver City.

Dr. Paul Carlson Memorial Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, November 26, 2011

2. Dr. Paul Carlson Memorial Park

Credits. This page was last revised on December 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 1,224 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 29, 2011, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.