Worsfold's Letters ...
... in defense of Palms
In 1933, David Worsfold got Pacific Electric to put "Palms" on signs at recently built Culver City-adjacent rail stations. (Letter courtesy of
Culver City Historical Society
.)
"Culver Junction" station in foreground was built in about 1933. The 1907 Ivy Substation, in the background, remains. (
Courtesy Pacific Electric Railway Historical Society.
)
The Culver City - Palms sign is more apparent in this picture of the Culver Junction freight and passenger station. (
Courtesy Pacific Electric Railway Historical Society.
)
Looking west on Venice Boulevard. "Pacific Electric interubans (led by no. 989) roll westward into late-afternoon shadows past the passenger shelter for Culver City (Main Street) and Palms (Bagley Avenue), part of Venice Short Line service." (
Courtesy Pacific Electric Railway Historical Society.
)
"Palms" was clearly spelled out.
In 1969, David Worsfold wrote the Los Angeles Times editor, saying
Alexander Hamilton High School
was in Palms, not West Los Angeles.
In 1974, David Worsfold asked realtor Dan Cavanaugh to use "Palms" in his listings.
Dan Cavanaugh
November 22, 1974
9352 Venice Blvd.
Dear Sir:
Palms is the pioneer town – first on the Westside – Palms Post Office is on its one century mark December 1874-1974. No other western community can claim that. Los Angeles had about 8000 population a century ago. The 81 year old year old
U.S. government map
shows that Palms was the only town between downtown Los Angeles and Santa Monica.
Culver City started as a resubdivision of Part of Palms in 1913. It was
tract No. 2444
. All the east part of Culver City was in the
Palms School District
and the about 90% of the present Culver City was in the Palms Voting Precinct (1914) before Los Angeles City annexed part of the area in 1915. Left over portion incorporated as Culver City in 1917.
The name of Santa Monica is oldest because it was a rancho name, but Palms was the first post office and the name of Palms is the 2nd town name. It is ridiculous that the oldest community is the only one forgotten in the Century 21 Real Estate Ads. Palms is positively not part of
West Los Angeles
and Palms existed 41 years before West Los Angeles which was first called Sawtelle. Beverlywood is Palms legally and historically.
I know and you know that your business is in Palms but your mail from Culver City Post Office. Certainly you sell and rent property in Palms and there is no reason for you to discriminate against Palms. Century 21 Ads show Brentwood and Westwood and neither of them are legal or Post Office names. Century 21 should find Palms is a century. I expect you to defend Palms and take steps to see that those ads include Palms in the future.
3637 Motor Ave Sincerely
Palms, Cal. 90034 [David I. Worsfold]
(Note: due to availability, 1896 map is linked rather than earlier one Worsfold referenced.)
Click
HERE
to download the handwritten letter to Cavanaugh.