Westside Village, Los Angeles facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Westside Village
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Westside Village neighborhood sign located at the southeast corner of National Boulevard and Sepulveda Boulevard
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 Westside Village
Location in Western Los Angeles
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | County of Los Angeles |
| City | City of Los Angeles |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 9,984 |
| ZIP Code |
90034
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| Area code(s) | 310 |
Westside Village is a cool neighborhood located on the west side of Los Angeles, California. It's known for its history as one of the first planned communities in the area.
Contents
Where is Westside Village?
Westside Village is surrounded by important streets. To the north is National Boulevard. Charnock Road is to the south. Overland Avenue is on the east, and Sepulveda Boulevard is on the west.
Even though it shares a ZIP Code (90034) with the Palms neighborhood, Westside Village is actually part of the Mar Vista Community Council. It's called "Zone 1" within that council.
The Story of Westside Village
How Westside Village Began
A long time ago, this area was part of a large ranch called Rancho La Ballona. Later, it became the Charnock Ranch, where farmers grew lima beans, grain hay, and walnuts.
In 1939, a developer named Fritz B. Burns decided to build homes here. He planned to build 1,200 single-family houses. This project became one of the first examples of "tract housing" in the Los Angeles area. Tract housing means building many similar homes at once in a planned neighborhood.
Fritz Burns also helped develop other neighborhoods on the west side, like Playa del Rey and Westchester. You can find his personal papers at Loyola Marymount University in Westchester.
Making Homes Affordable
Westside Village was designed to be affordable for families. The houses were about 900 square feet (84 m2) in size. They had single-car garages and were built on lots that were about 50 by 135 feet (15 by 41 m).
In 1939 and 1940, these new homes sold for around US$4,000. To keep prices low, Burns sold the houses without paint. The yards were also left unplanted. However, buyers could purchase plants for a small fee, like 25 or 50 cents each.
Another way to save money was by not building sidewalks on the streets. Many streets in Westside Village still don't have sidewalks today.
Why Westside Village Was Popular
Westside Village was built in a great location. It was between the MGM Studios in Culver City and the Douglas Aircraft Company in Santa Monica.
At that time, both the movie industry and the aerospace industry were growing fast. This made the homes in Westside Village very popular with workers from both companies.
What Trees Grow Here?
The streets in Westside Village are lined with many tall and beautiful trees. These trees include Jacaranda, Pine, Camphor, Chinese Elm, and Eucalyptus trees. They provide lots of shade and privacy for the people living there.
How Many People Live Here?
According to the 2010 U.S. Census, about 9,984 people lived in Westside Village.
