Tag Archives: Venice Beach
Looking west past the lagoon toward the Windward Ave and the Venice pier, Venice, California, circa 1907
This genteel photo gives is a glimpse into what Abbot Kinney’s original vision was for what he called “Venice of America,” but which we now refer to as Venice. In the foreground, we can see the lagoon, on which Angelenos … Continue reading
The Hotel Antler and the Venice Lagoon where the Windward-Main-and-Grand roundabout now stands, Venice, California, circa 1920s
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 … Continue reading
A huge crowd gathers in front of Venice Pier, Venice Beach, California, circa 1920s
This photo is undated, but I’d say it’s from the 1920s—mostly because everybody is dressed up in hats and coats and suits while at the beach. Something big was happening that day on those bleachers rigged up in front of … Continue reading
A large crowd gathers in front of the Ship Café on the Venice pier, California, 1905
The idea of a café built in the shape of a Spanish galleon (a reproduction of the one helmed by explorer, Juan Cabrillo, when he discovered California) proved to be a very popular idea when Abbott Kinney’s “Venice of America” … Continue reading
Sailing a gondola on the Venice Lagoon, Venice Beach, California, circa early 1900s
When real estate developer Abbot Kinney conceived and built his “Venice of America” project in the opening years of the 20th century, he had a high-minded plan complete with canals. This photo is one of the better ones I’ve come … Continue reading
Angelenos strolling along the Venice Beach midway, California, circa 1900s
This photo of Angelenos strolling along the Venice Beach midway circa 1900s shows that things haven’t really changed much in 120 years. (Well, that is to say apart from the formal way people are dressed while at the beach.) Venice … Continue reading
St. Mark’s Hotel on the northeast corner of Windward and Ocean Avenues, Venice, California, 1905
Developer Abbot Kinney had a grand idea to build a seaside amusement complex. He called it Venice of America and, complete with canals, it opened in 1905. This photo of St Mark’s Hotel was taken that same year. That bunting … Continue reading
Holiday crowds at Venice Beach, California, July 4th, 1926
It looks like it was a roast-toasty July 4th holiday in 1926, when this photo was taken at Venice Beach. If you didn’t get there early, you had little chance of finding a free patch of sand to park your … Continue reading
Looking north along a very crowded Ocean Park section of Santa Monica Beach, California, 1925
Between the more famous Santa Monica and Venice Beaches is a stretch of Los Angeles called Ocean Park. In this photo we’re looking north along a very, very crowded stretch of Ocean Park beach in 1925 during what I can … Continue reading
Several people stroll by the dance hall on the amusement pier at Venice Beach, Los Angeles, circa 1905
How different our towns and cities must have looked when they were dotted with places for people to dance away their evenings. The twinkle of the lights, the sound of sprightly music wafting on the air. In circa 1905 photo, … Continue reading