David Worsfold’s Letters

… in defense of Palms

In 1933, David Worsfold successfully campaigned to convince the Pacific Electric Railway Company to add “Palms” to the “Culver City” signs at the recently built Palms-adjacent 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.)*

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 took issue with a Los Angeles Times editorial on the relaxed dress code at a “West Los Angeles high school.” He insisted that Alexander Hamilton High School was in Palms, not West Los Angeles. In truth, the high school sits on land formerly subdivided as Edward P. Reed’s 1911 “Ivywild” tract (Tract 625) which was never part of The Palms subdivision; however, when Mr. Worsfold grew up in the area, it was no doubt considered part of “Palms.”

*Worsfold’s letter to the editor: “Hamilton High School has been legally, physically and historically part of Palms for more than 80 years.” (L. A. Times June 6, 1969.)*

*David Worsfold’s rendering of Palms School District in January 1888.*

In 1974, David Worsfold wrote to realtor Dan Cavanaugh asking him 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]