Category Archives: History

Route 66: ‘The Mother Road’ from Illinois to California 

Historical Society to Host Route 66 Program Wednesday Night Scott Piotrowski, president of the California Historic Route 66 Association, will present a PowerPoint talk about the legendary highway on Wednesday, September 18, at 7 p.m. in Pierson Playhouse on Haverford. … Continue reading

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Celebrate Route 66 History at the Pierson Playhouse

By PATRICK HEALY It’s the highway that generations of Americans drove across the country, from Chicago to its western terminus right next door to Pacific Palisades at the Santa Monica pier.  Route 66–so iconic it got its own song and … Continue reading

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Placing American Flags on the Green

Pepperdine annually places an American flag for the almost 3,000 people who were killed on the 911. It is a breathtaking display. In 2021, the American Legion Auxiliary went to then Village Green Board President Marge Gold and asked for … Continue reading

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Debunking a Palisades Urban Legend: Nazi Utopia

By STEWART SLAVIN What’s the real story behind Murphy Ranch? The long-abandoned survivalist sanctuary tucked into the hills of Pacific Palisades has spawned one of L.A.s wackiest urban legends — that of Nazis building a utopia there during the 1930s … Continue reading

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Nova Exhibit Is Grim Reminder of Unprovoked Violence

Story and Photos by CHAZ PLAGER The world saw the photos of the aftermath an October 7 attack by a Palestinian terror group Hamas at outdoor Music Festival, near kibbutz Re’im in Israel. It was an unprovoked surprise attack. About … Continue reading

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Moomat Ahiko Aptly Named

By HENRY KAMER How many times have you driven down Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica and turned down that little curvy street Moomat Ahiko Way, which takes you to Pacific Coast Highway and views of the Pacific Ocean? Have you ever wondered … Continue reading

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Streetlights Parallel the History of L.A. in “Electric Moons”

India Mandelkern, who grew up in the Palisades, has written a new book Electric Moons: A Social History of the Street Lighting in Los Angeles. “Believe it or not there are or different street lights designs in Los Angeles than … Continue reading

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Historical Society Hosts Salon at Mann House

Before World War II broke out, numerous prominent writers, artists and musical composers escaped from fascism and Nazi Germany. A number of them moved to Los Angeles and settled in Brentwood, Pacific Palisades and Santa Monica. Keeping in the tradition … Continue reading

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Celebrating a 94th Birthday in Style

This editor’s mom, Noma Sazama, turned 94 on September 21.  Generally, it involves a bit of planning because where she now lives, Martin, South Dakota, is wedged between the Rosebud and Pine Ridge Reservations. Plane travel to the town is … Continue reading

Posted in History, Holidays, Parks, Seniors | 8 Comments

9/11 Remembered

Members of the American Legion Auxiliary placed flags on the Village Green to remember the Americans killed in 9/11. We remember American Flight 11, which was set to fly from Boston to Los Angeles, but was crashed into the north … Continue reading

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