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

Veterans Memorial Building

(VMB)

— Historic Site No. 13 —

Veterans Memorial Building Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, January 21, 2012

1. Veterans Memorial Building Marker

Inscription.
Culver City purchased a major portion of this land, known as Exposition Park, in 1938. It was officially designated as Veterans Memorial Park on August 8, 1949. Bond financing of $550,000 guaranteed the construction of the Veterans Memorial Building on the corner. The original plans promised a "recreational building with a stage, restaurant, film museum, playroom, and large gymnasium." The "tourist tower" was designed to view "back lot" movie sets at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios across the street. The cornerstone was laid on April 15, 1950. The VMB was dedicated on March 9, 1951, with Goodwin Knight, Lt. Governor at the time, in attendance. The Gold Star Mothers were the guests of honor. This structure designed to serve the entire community, once included a "Tower Restaurant." The entry proudly exhibits a growing number of markers, placed to honor and remember the veterans who served our country, and who fought for our freedom in many wars.

Native Americans traversed this land before it was claimed as a portion of Rancho La Ballona in 1819. The Spanish Period yielded to Mexican control, followed by California statehood

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in 1850. This site was part of the original land acquired to incorporate as Culver City in 1917.

Erected 2011 by Culver City Historical Society. (Marker Number 13.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Notable Buildings • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1951.

Location. 34° 0.806′ N, 118° 24.14′ W. Marker is in Culver City, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Park West. It is on Overland Avenue south of Culver Boulevard, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4117 Overland Avenue, Culver City CA 90230, 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

Photographed by Michael Kindig, January 21, 2012

2. Veterans Memorial Building Marker

markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dr. Paul Carlson Memorial Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Water Tower (approx. 0.3 miles away); La Ballona School (approx. 0.4 miles away); M-G-M Studio (approx. half a mile away); St. Augustine's Church (approx. half a mile away); Culver Theater (approx. 0.6 miles away); Culver City (approx. 0.6 miles away); Joseph Residence (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Culver City.

Regarding Veterans Memorial Building. The MGM backlot across the street is now a residential neighborhood. The observation tower is closed.

Veterans Memorial Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Kindig, January 21, 2012

3. Veterans Memorial Building

Credits. This page was last revised on December 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 22, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. This page has been viewed 1,268 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 22, 2012, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.