This gently bucolic scene is what Abbot Kinney had in mind when he developed his “Venice of America” project in the early 1900s. It was quite a breathtaking vision with canals and gondolas and lagoons. This circa 1920s photo shows languid Angelenos enjoying an excursion on the Venice Lagoon in front of the Hotel Antler. These days, this area is a now a huge roundabout, where Main St meets Grand Blvd meets Windward Ave, so it’s been a very long time since this location was languid.
The Venice round about in February 2021:
Hotel was better then the new roundabout today.
The Antlers became the target of an illegal alcohol scandal during those heady days of Prohibition. All was not so calm on the waters by then.
Just what the world needed is another round a bout!!!! YUK!!!
The add on signage reads “WHITE KING SOAP For Every Household Use”. This was made as a major brand by the pioneer Los Angeles Soap Company located in downtown (see Calisphere for an image) with production ending in 1987-8 (L.A. Times article 12/87): https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-12-14-fi-19280-story.html
Presumably, this advertisement is aimed toward the amusement facilities that grew on the opposite side of the great lagoon area. Likewise, White King was the sponsor of at least one television showing in the 1950’s era (IIRC, Sheriff of Cochise or some such thing).
Thanks for the White King info. I was wondering what that sign meant.
It’s all gondola now!