Westchester, Los Angeles

Westchester
Neighborhood of Los Angeles

"Westchester, Home of LAX" sign at Westchester Park

Westchester as outlined by the Los Angeles Times
Westchester

Location within Western Los Angeles

Coordinates: 33°57′35″N 118°23′59″W / 33.95972°N 118.39972°W / 33.95972; -118.39972Coordinates: 33°57′35″N 118°23′59″W / 33.95972°N 118.39972°W / 33.95972; -118.39972

Westchester is a neighborhood that straddles Los Angeles and the Westside Region of Los Angeles County, California. The neighborhood is part of the city of Los Angeles and is known for its secluded character.

It is the home of Loyola Marymount University, the Otis College of Art and Design, and Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnet Schools, formerly Westchester High School. Two notable examples of Googie-style architecture are located within the community. The Los Angeles International Airport takes up the southwestern portion of Westchester territory.

Geography

The main part of Westchester is flanked by Playa Vista and Culver City on the north, Inglewood and Lennox on the east, Del Aire and El Segundo on the south and Playa del Rey on the west. It includes all of the Los Angeles International Airport. There is also a two-block-wide shoestring district that runs from the intersection of Centinela Avenue and La Cienega Boulevard north to 63rd Street and then east to Overhill Avenue, where it links with the Hyde Park neighborhood.[1][2][3]

The main neighborhood's boundary lines are, generally, on the east: north-south on La Cienega Boulevard or the Inglewood city line; on the south: east-west on the city boundary with El Segundo or Imperial Highway; on the west: north-south on Pershing Drive and Westchester Parkway, then roughly north-south on a series of residential streets west of Westchester High School to the Playa Vista neighborhood.[4][5]

Nearby areas

Nearby areas, not necessarily adjacent:[6]

 Playa del Rey, Marina del Rey, Del Rey & Playa Vista Del Rey, Playa Vista & Culver City Culver City
Playa del Rey & Pacific Ocean Inglewood & Lennox
   Westchester  
Playa del Rey & Pacific Ocean El Segundo & Hawthorne Hawthorne

History

Westchester began the 20th century as an agricultural area, growing a wide variety of crops in the dry, farming-friendly climate. The rapid development of the aerospace industry near Mines Field (as LAX was then known), the move of then Loyola University to the area in 1928, and population growth in Los Angeles as a whole, created a demand for housing in the area. Westchester hosted the cross country part of the eventing equestrian event for the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.[7]

In the late 1930s, real estate magnate Fritz Burns and his partner Fred W. Marlow [8] developed a tract of inexpensive prefabricated single-family homes on the site of a former hog farm at the intersection of Manchester and Sepulveda Boulevards. This community, dubbed "Westchester", grew by leaps and bounds as the aerospace industry boomed in World War II and afterward.[8] A Los Angeles Times article in 1989 described the development as "a raw suburb", "created willy-nilly in the 1940s".[9]

The area was predominantly residential. When the area had 30,000 residents, it was still lacking a police station, fire station, or hospital. It lacked a barber shop even by 1949.[9]

The 1960s saw the introduction of airliners that could make trans-Pacific flights without refueling, causing a massive increase in air traffic at LAX. When the North Airfield Complex was constructed the increase in noise from jet takeoffs greatly decreased the desirability of the residential areas adjoining LAX. In response, the city of Los Angeles began a program of purchasing and condemning houses from noise-weary homeowners; as a result, a number of streets just north of the airport have been decommissioned, and the homes along those streets demolished. In all, Westchester lost 4,500 homes and 14,000 residents.[10] The 18-hole Westchester golf course became a 15-hole course. In 2007 Los Angeles World Airport (LAWA) proposed another move of the North runway into Westchester,[11] local opposition to LAX expansion (first proposed in the late 1990s) rose to fever pitch.

In February 2010, a NASA panel found that the North runway was safe and should stay as it is.[12][13] That same month, LAWA broke ground on a $1.5 billion expansion of the Bradley International Terminal.[14]

Home prices rose 25 percent in 2013-14 while most southern California communities were recovering much slower. A major factor has been the influx of technology companies in Playa Vista as the Silicon Beach phenomena in west Los Angeles has spread. The community also experienced a boom in home additions or complete rehabilitation of traditional postwar Ranch-style house into larger two-story homes.[15] The Howard Hughes Center was a significant addition to the neighborhood in 2001 next to the San Diego Freeway. Development continued till by 2015 the complex had 1.3 million square feet of office space (120,000 square metres) in high-rise buildings, 3,200 apartments, and an updated, renovated shopping mall.[16]

Population

A total of 39,480 people lived in Westchester's 10.81 square miles, according to the 2010 U.S. census, and that figure included the uninhabited acreage of the Los Angeles International Airport—resulting in a density of 3,652 people per square mile, among the lowest population densities in the city of Los Angeles but about average for the county. The median age was 35.6, about average for Los Angeles city. The percentage of people from age 19 through 34 was among the county's highest.[5]

In 2010 whites made up 61.1% of the population, blacks were at 14.2%, Asians at 12.0%, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0.3%, and others (including two or more races) at 11.9%. Those who identified themselves as Hispanic or Latino (of any race) were 18.2%.[17]

In 2010, the mean family income (dollars) for the area was $135,026 and the median family income (dollars) was $106,302, both numbers high for the city.[18] The percentages of families that earned more than $100,000 a year was 53.5%.[18] Renters occupied 48.2% of the housing units, and homeowners occupied the rest. The average household size was 2.3 people, considered low for the city and county. The percentages of divorced men (8.6%) and divorced women (11.9%) were among the county's highest.[5]

The 2,000 census counted 3,055 military veterans, 9.2% of the population, considered a high percentage for the city of Los Angeles but about average for the county.[5]

Government and infrastructure

Local government

Los Angeles Fire Department Station 5 is in Westchester.

Los Angeles Police Department operates the Pacific Community Police Station at 12312 Culver Boulevard, 90066, serving the neighborhood.[19]

Los Angeles Public Library operates the Westchester-Loyola Village Library, at 7114 W. Manchester Avenue, 90045, and is a community library offering free online access, programming & information for all ages.[20]

Los Angeles World Airports has its headquarters on the property of Los Angeles International Airport.[21]

County, federal, and state representation

The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services SPA 5 West Area Health Office serves Westchester.[22]

The United States Postal Service Westchester Post Office is located at 7381 La Tijera Boulevard.[23] The United States Postal Service Airport Station is located at 9029 Airport Boulevard, Los Angeles 90009-9998.

Education

About 51.7% of Westchester's residents had completed a bachelor's degree or higher by 2010, a high figure when compared with the city and the county at large. The percentage of the residents who held a master's degree or a doctorate was high for the county.[24]

Schools

Sunken Gardens at Loyola Marymount University, before 2009
Otis College of Art and Design, before 2009

Postsecondary

Secondary and elementary

The schools within Westchester's boundaries are:[26]

As of 2014 the Wiseburn School District allows parents in Westchester to send their children to Wiseburn schools on inter-district transfers.[28]

Parks and recreation

The Westchester Recreation Center is in Westchester. The center includes an auditorium, barbecue pits, a lighted baseball diamond, lighted outdoor basketball courts, two indoor basketball courts, a children's play area, a community room, a lighted football field, an indoor gymnasium without weights, picnic tables, a lighted soccer field, and lighted tennis courts.[29] The Westchester Pool, on the recreation center site, is an outdoor heated seasonal pool renovated in 2010.[29][30] The Westchester Tennis Courts in the recreation center consist of ten lighted courts.[29][31]

The Westchester Senior Citizen Center has a 200-person auditorium, barbecue pits, a 20-person community room, a garden, a kitchen, picnic tables, and a stage.[32] The 8-acre (3.2 ha) Carl E. Nielsen Youth Park is located in Westchester. In 1991, Los Angeles World Airports planned to pave over the park and use the lot as parking spaces and leased space to rental car companies. During that year, LAWA decided to keep the park open.[33]

Architecture

Pann's neon sign at night

Pann's restaurant, at 6710 La Tijera Boulevard, is "probably the best-preserved example" of the Googie-style architecture developed by Eldon Davis.[34] Pann's includes an angular edifice and large plate-glass windows and has been described as having "the classic coffee shop architecture".[35] Pann's was featured in a story in the Los Angeles Times, "Going on a hunt for Googie architecture," which noted the restaurant's tilted roof and sign, tropical plants and exposed stone walls indoors and out, and glass windows wrapping around the restaurant. Pann's celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2008.[36]

The Theme Building opened in 1961

The Theme Building is a structure at the Los Angeles International Airport which opened in 1961 and is another example of Googie architecture. It was said that the distinctive white building resembles a flying saucer that had landed on its four legs.[37] The Los Angeles City Council designated the building a cultural and historical monument (no.570) in 1993.[38][39]

Notable residents

See also

References

Westchester, California; An Early History of Westchester, Playa Del Rey, Playa Vista and Environs, by David J. Dukesherer, 2010 http://www.amazon.com/Westchester-California-David-J-Dukesherer/dp/145372754X

  1. ↑ "Mapping L.A. - Los Angeles Times". Projects.latimes.com. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  2. ↑ "South Bay - Mapping L.A. - Los Angeles Times". Projects.latimes.com. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  3. ↑ "South L.A. - Mapping L.A. - Los Angeles Times". Projects.latimes.com. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  4. ↑ The Thomas Guide, 2006, pages 672, 673, 702 and 703
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Westchester Profile - Mapping L.A. - Los Angeles Times". Projects.latimes.com. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  6. ↑ Colored map, Mapping L.A., Los Angeles Times
  7. ↑ Archived July 7, 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  8. 1 2 "Westchester, CA in 1964". Westchester Parents.
  9. 1 2 Applegate, Joe (2 July 1989). "Westchester: Suburb Where LAX Is King Despite dominance of airport, community's institutions thrive and the air is cool.". Los Angeles Times. p. 2.
  10. ↑ "A History of LAX Expansion". Westchester Parents.
  11. ↑ "Los Angeles World Airports : LAX North Airfield Proposed Runway Configuration" (PDF). Ourlax.org. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  12. ↑ "L.A. Now". Los Angeles Times. 2010-02-19.
  13. ↑ Gottlieb, Jeff (February 20, 2010). "LAX north runways are deemed safe". Los Angeles Times.
  14. ↑ "LAX Modernization Begins With Bradley West Groundbreaking" (PDF). Lawa.aero. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  15. ↑ Logan, Tim (January 2, 2015) "Buoyed by Silicon Beach, Westchester enjoys a housing surge" Los Angeles Times
  16. ↑ Vincent, Roger (June 18, 2015). "New owners plan $30-million face lift for Promenade at Howard Hughes Center". Los Angeles Times.
  17. ↑ "US Census Bureau is shutdown". Factfinder2.census.gov. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  18. 1 2 "US Census Bureau is shutdown". Factfinder2.census.gov. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  19. ↑ "Pacific Community Police Station - official website of THE LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT". Lapdonline.org. 2013-05-10. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  20. ↑ "Westchester - Loyola Village | Los Angeles Public Library". Lapl.org. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  21. ↑ "About LAWA." Los Angeles World Airports. Retrieved on September 28, 2011. "Los Angeles International Airport 1 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045"
  22. ↑ "About Us." Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. Retrieved on March 18, 2010.
  23. ↑ "Post Office Location - WESTCHESTER." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.
  24. ↑ "US Census Bureau is shutdown". Factfinder2.census.gov. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  25. ↑ "Contact Us by Mail". Lmu.edu. 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  26. ↑ "Harbor City Schools - Mapping L.A. - Los Angeles Times". Projects.latimes.com. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  27. ↑ "Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnets: Home Page". Westchesterhs-lausd-ca.schoolloop.com. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  28. ↑ "Home" (Archive). Wiseburn School District. Retrieved on April 4, 2014. "Also serving the children of employees from the surrounding aerospace, technology, travel, and entertainment industries, as well as families living in the Westchester, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Mar Vista, and Ladera Heights area on an interdistrict permit transfer."
  29. 1 2 3 "Westchester Recreation Center." City of Los Angeles. Retrieved on March 23, 2010.
  30. ↑ "Westchester Pool." City of Los Angeles. Retrieved on March 23, 2010.
  31. ↑ "Westchester Tennis Courts." City of Los Angeles. Retrieved on March 23, 2010.
  32. ↑ "Westchester Senior Citizen Center." City of Los Angeles. Retrieved on March 23, 2010.
  33. ↑ "Endangered Nielsen Park Gets a 5-Year Lease on Life." Los Angeles Times. August 1, 1991. Retrieved on March 23, 2010.
  34. ↑ Nelson, Valerie J. (2011-04-26). "Obituary: Eldon Davis dies at 94; L.A. architect popularized 'Googie' style - Los Angeles Times". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  35. ↑ Hess, Alan (2004). Googie Redux: Ultramodern Roadside Architecture. Chronicle. p. 93. ISBN 978-0-8118-4272-3.
  36. ↑ Friedlander, Whitney (2008-05-16). "Going on a hunt for Googie architecture in Southern California". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2009-02-11.
  37. ↑ "The "Theme Building," Los Angeles International Airport". University of Southern California. Retrieved 2008-11-18.
  38. ↑ Moffat, Susan (1992-12-19). "Landing a Landmark: LAX Monument to '60s Optimism Granted Historical Status". Los Angeles Times (Tribune Company). Retrieved 2010-04-18.
  39. ↑ "Historic - Cultural Monuments (HCM) Listing: City Declared Monuments" (PDF). The City Project Website (The City Project). 2007-09-07. Retrieved 2010-04-18.
  40. ↑ Jess Bravin (3 December 2013). Squeaky: The Life and Times of Lynette Alice Fromme. St. Martin's Press. p. 29. ISBN 978-1-4668-5946-3.
  41. ↑ "Local History Collection : Biography : Pat Russell" (PDF). Dbase1.lap1.org. Retrieved 2013-11-26.
  42. ↑ Paul Trynka (7 December 2011). Iggy Pop: Open Up and Bleed. Crown Publishing Group. p. 148. ISBN 978-0-7679-2722-2.

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