he initial Fiesta La Ballona was a weeklong community celebration in August, 1951. It was initiated by our Culver City Chamber of Commerce (under president Firley Cleveland), working in concert with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.
Events took place all over town. There was a parade down city streets, with floats, bands and other marching groups, equestrian entries, and more. Evening activities included a teen dance, square dance, barbecue, aquacade in the new plunge, next to the new Veterans Memorial Building, which held it opening events that year.
The newly opened Culver Center closed off the street to accommodate a “Thieves Market”- with proceeds going to local charities. There was an art show and contests for a Fiesta Queen and a Little Fiesta Queen and courts.
Guys enjoyed the Mustache contest, checking in for clean-shaven “before” photos, with judging later at the Fiesta. There were buttons, ribbons, and awards for a multitude of activities!
What was the city like then? Culver City was 3.833 square miles, with Culver Crest coming up to be annexed the next year.
Plentiful car dealerships were major sources of sales tax revenue. Culver City had just become a charter city in 1947, and in 1949, a unified school district, with secondary education as well. El Marino and El Rincon schools were not yet built.
Culver High’s first graduation took place in January. The city population in the 1950 census was 19,720. There were three movie theatres in the Heart of Screenland- the Meralta, and the Culver Theatre, and the Studio Drive-In. The Lugo Ranch was about to be sold to make way for the Studio Village Shopping Center. (Remember the Ponderosa?).
Let’s look at the city council. James Ray Klots was mayor, and the other councilmembers were Curtis J. Davis, Leroy J. Koos, Edward J. Castle, and Thomas J. Carroll. Mayor Klots lived at 4033 LaFayette Place, (wife, Hazel), according to a 1949 directory. He served from 1940-1944, then took the place of a recalled member, Robert La Comb after a 1945 special election,(two were recalled). Carroll was re-elected in 1948, and he served until 1952. Curtis J. Davis, served l from 1944-1956 and resided at 11227 Braddock Drive, with his wife, Virginia. Leroy Koos, a local “lawyer” according to the directory, lived at 4072 Madison Avenue, then 4057 Lincoln Avenue, with his wife, Lorene, a public school teacher. Edward T. Castle served from 1950-54, was never mayor, and his entry in a 1959 directory noted him living at 4261 Baldwin, and “retired.” Thomas J. Carroll served out Walter J. Hahn’s term when he was recalled in 1944, then Carroll served from 1948-1952. The only listing for Carroll was in a 1937 directory which listed him as a salesman, (wife Lucille), at 4183 Jackson Avenue. From an inquiry from his grandson, we have validated that information.
Just another excuse to remember “the olden days!”
