Near Pacific Coast Highway (California Route 1) north of the California Incline, on the left when traveling north.
Beach volleyball was brought to Santa Monica
by Hawaiians such as Duke Kahanamoka who
first played the game at the Waikiki Outrigger Beach
& Canoe Club.
When Duke came to California, he was employed
by the Santa Monica Beach Club . . . — — Map (db m277003) HM
Near Pico Boulevard at 3rd Street, on the right when traveling west.
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, . . . — — Map (db m287788) HM
Near Civic Center Drive near Main Street, on the right when traveling north.
Since the nineteenth century, Black women's groups have helped bring about social, educational, and political change throughout the country.
In Santa Monica, Black women embraced civil rights activism during California's Jim Crow era . . . — — Map (db m287776) HM
On 4th Street at Pico Boulevard, on the right when traveling south on 4th Street.
California Dreaming?
African Americans have lived in Santa Monica longer than any other beach city in the region. They first arrived in the late nineteenth century, joining other ethnic groups that left their homes for better lives. . . . — — Map (db m287784) HM
On Main Street at Interstate 10, on the left when traveling south on Main Street.
City Hall was built in 1938 from a plan by architects Donald B. Parkinson and J.M. Estep in the Classical/Moderne style. Commissioned under the Federal Emergency Administration of the Public Works Program, the design is exemplary of the many New . . . — — Map (db m128854) HM
On Airport Avenue 0.2 miles west of Bundy Drive, on the left when traveling west.
Oldest airport now operating in Los Angeles County. Site of many famous events in aviation history. Pilots and planes using this field were active in pioneering the development of aviation. Site of the first round the world flight, March 17, . . . — — Map (db m208804) HM
On Colorado Avenue at Ocean Avenue on Colorado Avenue.
Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works.
Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States.
Harold L. Ickes, Administrator of Public Works.
Colorado Avenue Viaduct - 1939. — — Map (db m250275) HM
On Ocean Drive just south of California Avenue / California Incline, on the right when traveling south.
In commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the discovery of Santa Monica by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo on October 8, 1542, this tablet is erected and dedicated by the Historic Landmarks Committee, Native Sons of the Golden West, with the cooperation . . . — — Map (db m130424) HM
On Pico Boulevard west of 4th Street, on the right when traveling west.
There were no African American doctors or dentists in Santa Monica … until Marcus Othello Tucker and George E. Hurd arrived in the 1930s.
Dr. Tucker, a physician born in Missouri, moved to Santa Monica in 1932 with his wife, Essie, and his . . . — — Map (db m287785) HM
On Airport Avenue west of Bundy Drive, on the left when traveling west.
The first flight of a DC-3 took place on December 17, 1935, at the Santa Monica Airport. These aircraft were so successful and reliable that many DC-3 aircraft remain in service throughout the world today.
The aircraft on display was built here . . . — — Map (db m119106) HM
Near Pico Boulevard west of 4th Street, on the right when traveling west.
Some early African American businessmen traveled throughout the city with horse and wagon, offering their services in construction, house cleaning, gardening, and transporting goods. Others owned stores near the beach in Ocean Park. In the decades . . . — — Map (db m287789) HM
Near Civic Center Drive north of Main Street, on the right when traveling north.
Imagine Santa Monica in the late 1800s. African Americans settled on the land and enjoyed the beaches. But not all the land and not all the beaches.
Black families couldn't live in certain neighborhoods and weren't allowed on some . . . — — Map (db m287774) HM
On 4th Street south of Hollister Avenue, on the right when traveling south.
This Craftsman Bungalow was built in 1910 for John and Anna George. With its broad porch, picture windows, Orient-inspired eaves, matching garage, and panoramic views of the Santa Monica Bay and Mountains, the George House embodies the unique spirit . . . — — Map (db m287849) HM
Near Ocean Avenue near Alta Avenue, on the right when traveling south.
In commemoration of the two-hundredth birthday of George Washington, first President of the United States, whose wisdom, foresight, and patriotism are an inspiration to all true Americans. — — Map (db m119721) HM
On Ocean Avenue south of Santa Monica Boulevard, on the left when traveling south.
The Georgian Hotel was built in 1931 from
a plan by local architect M. Eugene Durfee in
a Romanesque Revival stylistic elements
also attributed to the Art Deco design of the
Sunset Tower Building on Fourth Street. The
Georgian Hotel was built . . . — — Map (db m287772) HM
Near Barnard Way south of Ocean Park Boulevard, on the right when traveling south.
The grunion is a small fish that has swarmed
sandy beaches from Point Conception to Baja
California for centuries, creating a spectacle
unique to the Southern California area. At night
grunions "run" up on shore during annual high
tides in . . . — — Map (db m277004) HM
The beach near this site between Bay and Bicknell Streets, known by some as "the Ink Well", was an important gathering place for African Americans long after racial restrictions on public beaches were abandoned in 1927.
African-American groups . . . — — Map (db m124367) HM
Near Bicknell Avenue west of Ocean Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
Between Bay and Bicknell streets there is a beach known by some as
the "Ink Well". This small stretch of shoreline
was an important gathering place for African Americans long after racial restrictions on
public beaches were abandoned in 1927. . . . — — Map (db m179987) HM
On Ocean Avenue just north of Wilshire Boulevard, on the right when traveling south.
In honor of John P. Jones, founder of Santa Monica and for thirty years a Senator of the United States, pioneer of the West, statesman, philosopher, friend.
On the spot he loved so well this memorial has been erected in recognition of his . . . — — Map (db m130442) HM
The famous La Monica Ballroom, built by internationally renowned ballroom designer T.H. Eslick on this site in 1924, was once the largest ballroom in the world. Vast and ornate, the ballroom consumed so much of the Pier that, when viewed from . . . — — Map (db m206075) HM
On Pico Boulevard at 3rd Street, on the right when traveling west on Pico Boulevard.
Owning property is considered a sign of success. And so it was for Manuel and Julia Murrell. In the 1920s they purchased land at Pico Boulevard and 4th Street, across from the Belmar Triangle and Santa Monica High School. There they erected a . . . — — Map (db m287786) HM
On 4th Street north of Pico Boulevard when traveling south.
Since 1867, California schools have been open to all. African American parents could generally find a good education for their children in Santa Monica, but there were teachers with White supremacist views who believed in the inferiority of Black . . . — — Map (db m287782) HM
Near Pacific Coast Highway (California Route 1) 0.6 miles north of Interstate 10, on the left when traveling north.
Ocean swimming was not a popular recreational
activity in the early 1900s and as a result the first
lifeguards worked in the plunges (indoor salt
water pools) preferred by vacationers.
As ocean swimming grew in popularity, avid . . . — — Map (db m266166) HM
On Santa Monica Boulevard (California Route 2) east of 2nd Street, on the left when traveling west.
Originally constructed in 1911 as the Majestic Theater. This building was substantially remodeled and reopened as the Mayfair theater in 1929. Early civic leaders and businessmen Charles A. Tegner and John Euclid Miles developed the theater in Santa . . . — — Map (db m234928) HM
The world-famous Muscle Beach was originally located on the beach just south of the Pier, operating from the mid-1930's until 1958. The amazing shows of acrobatics became so popular that more people actually attended these shows than visited the . . . — — Map (db m206072) HM
Near Barnard Way just south of Ocean Park Boulevard, on the right when traveling south.
The Tongva or Gabrieleno tribe settled in the Santa
Monica-Malibu area thousands of years ago. The
Tongva were admired by Spanish explorers for
their large seaworthy plank canoes called
Te'aat that could hold up to 12 people. . . . — — Map (db m277084) HM
On 4th Street south of Civic Center Drive, on the right when traveling south.
By the 1950s many residents of the Belmar Triangle were African Americans. At that time, city leaders decided to modernize South Santa Monica through urban renewal projects. They chose to replace neighborhoods whose residents were mostly lower . . . — — Map (db m287781) HM
Near 4th Street south of Civic Center Drive, on the right when traveling south.
During the 1940S, California's Black population grew as African Americans came to work in jobs newly created by World War II. The fight for civil rights also grew, aided by organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of . . . — — Map (db m287778) HM
Near Civic Center Drive north of Main Street, on the right when traveling north.
In Jim Crow California (1900s-1960s), White people prevented Black people from holding businesses or property by the ocean.
They believed this would keep more Black visitors away from the beach. George W. Caldwell's popular dance hall at 3rd . . . — — Map (db m287777) HM
On Main Street at Ocean Park Boulevard, on the right when traveling north on Main Street.
The Ocean Park Branch Library was built as a gift of the Carnegie Foundation in 1918 on land donated by the Tegner family. The design is a simplified variation of Greek Revival architecture. Although small Carnegie Libraries were once found in towns . . . — — Map (db m119662) HM
Near Ocean Avenue at Palisades Avenue, on the right when traveling south.
Commemorates the XXIII Olympiad and marathons run through Santa Monica, August 5, 1984 and August 12, 1984, including the first women’s marathon in Olympiad history. — — Map (db m119673) HM
Near Pacific Coast Highway (California Route 1) 0.4 miles north of Interstate 10, on the left when traveling north.
The Palisades are a natural red sandstone cliff
formation that defines the northern edge of
Santa Monica Beach and separates the shore from
residential neighborhoods above. Access to the
beach from the Palisades was made possible by . . . — — Map (db m266168) HM
In 1954 George and Eugene Gordon, under the direction of their father "Pops", opened up an arcade business in the Billiards Building. Since then, four generations of the Gordon family have operated amusements on the Santa Monica Pier, including . . . — — Map (db m206083) HM
During the first decades of the twentieth century,
numerous pleasure piers dotted the beach. The White
Star Pier was built in 1905 at the foot of Hollister
Avenue.
It was renamed the Bristol Pier in 1909 and re-designed in an . . . — — Map (db m277082) HM
On Ocean Front Walk 0.1 miles south of the Santa Monica Pier, on the left when traveling south.
Completed in 1913, The Purser Hotel and Apartments
was constructed as a 30-unit apartment hotel that was
designed to address the seasonal demand for living on
the beach. The Purser is adjacent to the historic
Muscle Beach. The building . . . — — Map (db m277109) HM
On Pico Boulevard at 3rd Street, on the right when traveling west on Pico Boulevard.
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 . . . — — Map (db m287787) HM
On 2nd Street north of Broadway, on the left when traveling north.
This building, the first brick structure in the city, was erected in October 1875 as a tavern by William Rapp. Known as Rapp's Saloon, it served as the Town Hall from May 1887 to January 1889. — — Map (db m82035) HM
Near 4th Street south of Civic Center Drive, on the right when traveling south.
This sculpture is an homage to the shotgun
house, a style of architecture that migrated west
with African American dreamers and seekers. It
celebrates the hopes and homes that were taken
by eminent domain in the 1950s.
Featured on the . . . — — Map (db m287780) HM
Near Main Street at Ocean Park Boulevard, on the left when traveling north.
Built in 1894 for the civic leader Roy Jones. Designed by Sumner P. Hunt, later recognized as an outstanding Southern California architect. This residence is one of Santa Monica’s earliest examples of American Colonial Revival style. It was moved to . . . — — Map (db m119671) HM
On 4th Street south of Wilshire Boulevard, on the right when traveling south.
The Santa Monica Bay Woman's Club, an
excellent example of the Classical Revival
style, was built in 1914 from a design by
local architect Henry Hollwedel. Club
members featured prominently in community
life, providing public services such as . . . — — Map (db m287773) HM
After a breakwater was built in 1933 & 1934, Santa Monica Harbor became home to a proud collection of yachts, fleets of fishing boats, a cruise liner to Catalina and water taxis which served mobster Tony Cornero's infamous gambling ship, the "SS . . . — — Map (db m185313) HM
Near Airport Avenue west of Bundy Drive, on the left when traveling west.
Some of the most important events in American military and
civil aviation have occurred at this historic site. This is
one of the nation's earliest airports, founded in 1919.
The Douglas Aircraft Company became famous here in 1924 . . . — — Map (db m303707) HM
Near Colorado Avenue, on the left when traveling west.
The Santa Monica Pier was built in phases between 1908 and 1916. It originally consisted of a Municipal Pier for strolling and fishing and a Pleasure Pier for amusements. The Hippodrome was constructed in 1916 to house the Pleasure Pier's . . . — — Map (db m119675) HM
On Colorado Avenue west of Ocean Avenue, on the left when traveling west.
The Hippodrome (also known as the "Carousel Building") was built in 1916 by famous carousel carver Charles I.D. Looff. Its unique combination of Byzantine, Moorish, and California design made it easily identifiable among the festive, eclectic . . . — — Map (db m119676) HM
On Second Street at Norman Place, on the right when traveling south on Second Street.
This extremely narrow cottage, built sometime between 1895 and 1902, remained unaltered for over one hundred years. One room wide and four rooms deep, with no connecting hallway, it displays the defining characteristics of a "shotgun house,” . . . — — Map (db m119666) HM
Built as a banquet hall in 1918 and originally located next to the bowling & billiards building, the structure most commonly known as Sinbad's helped define the Pier's profile for nearly 75 years. In 1925, the building relocated to the Pier's . . . — — Map (db m206079) HM
On 4th Street at Pico Boulevard, on the right when traveling south on 4th Street.
Phillips Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church was the first African American religious institution in Santa Monica. Originally, it was a one-room schoolhouse in Ocean Park dating to the 1890s. In 1908 the Santa Monica School Board sold . . . — — Map (db m287783) HM
On 3rd Street at Hill Street, on the right when traveling north on 3rd Street.
This neighborhood represents the earliest decades of
residential development in the city, from the late 19th
century through the 1930s. Its significant buildings
chronicle the evolution of architectural design during
this period with Victorian, . . . — — Map (db m287850) HM
On 2nd Street at Ocean Park Boulevard, on the right when traveling north on 2nd Street.
This neighborhood represents the earliest decades of
residential development in the City, from the late 19th
century through the 1930s. Its significant buildings
chronicle the evolution of architectural design during
this period with Victorian, . . . — — Map (db m287851) HM
On 3rd Street at Ocean Park Boulevard, on the right when traveling north on 3rd Street.
This neighborhood represents the earliest decades of
residential development in the City, from the late 19th
century through the 1930s. Its significant buildings
chronicle the evolution of architectural design during
this period with Victorian, . . . — — Map (db m287852) HM
On Ocean Drive south of California Avenue / California Incline, on the right when traveling south.
To honor George T. Hastings, author of “Trees of Santa Monica,” October 10, 1963—his 88th birthday—in appreciation of his dedication in sharing his knowledge and love of trees, flowers and birds.
To honor Grace L. . . . — — Map (db m130429) HM
On 4th Street south of Civic Center Drive, on the right when traveling south.
The site where you are standing was once a neighborhood called the Belmar Triangle. For more than fifty years, African Americans lived here and in other multiethnic areas of South Santa Monica. They built homes and businesses, attended school and . . . — — Map (db m287779) HM
On Ocean Avenue at Santa Monica Boulevard, on the right when traveling east on Ocean Avenue.
Dedicated 1952 to Will Rogers, Humorist - World Traveler - Good Neighbor.
This Main Street of America, Highway 66, was the first road he traveled in a career that led him straight to the hearts of his countrymen. — — Map (db m119616) HM
On Colorado Avenue at 5th Street, on the right when traveling west on Colorado Avenue.
From 1935-1938 at this location pioneer aviator and inventor Waldo Waterman created the most successful of his “roadable aircraft,” the Arrowbile, which had the capability to fly in the sky and drive on the street. — — Map (db m131020) HM
