 The Romance of the Ranchos Culver City, 1839 Padres, protest grant of land to Ron Cheros Bayotelre, 1887 Seaside Resort to become Great Harbor Venice, 1904 Great Seaside Resort copies after European city The title insurance and trust company of Los Angeles presents the romance of the ranchos A weekly dramatization of the romantic and colorful past that created our southern California of today Each week our wandering vocaro frank Graham returns with a fascinating true story of the days of the dawn Day before yesterday several million more american citizens completed their registration for service with our armed forces Many of them will be called to active duty Many may actually lay down their lives in the service of our country Most of us will not have to make that supreme sacrifice But all of us are in this war and all of us are in the service And one service that we can all render is to help finance the country's war effort To help provide the weapons so desperately needed by those fellow citizens of ours who will do the actual fighting Our dimes and dollars invested in defense bonds and stamps are the weapons most of us must use Use them often and regularly by defense bonds and stamps Now here is our wandering vocaro frank Graham to tell us the story Tonight our wanderings take us to the rancho la balliona the great valley stretching from the Baldwin hills to playa del rey on the south And to pico boulevard on the north And containing the thriving communities of playa del rey calva city palms barn city ocean park Venice and part of santa monica It's a story that covers over a hundred years and it's full of the romance of the ranchos The story of the rancho la balliona starts back in 1819 While the prebloate los angles was still a sleepy little village At that time only a few old soldiers had received grants of lands from the government and had started the first ranchos But their example gave other men ideas Among them the young machado brothers One of them augustine approached his friend tomas talamantes and tomas mi amigo you too had some cattle See my brother and i and as it is now our cattle must graze on the community lands which belong to the pueblo See along with everybody else's but it is good land See good land but there is not enough of it our cattle are starving because there is not enough land for all the herds Serving augustine you exaggerate it might be better if there was more land, but what can we do about it? That's just it we can do something Tomas have you not heard of don josé verdugo? Yes, of course And manuel nieto Yes Don josé domingues and don antonio marialugo Of course, of course, but what of them? What of them? You mean to tell me you do not know that they long ago have obtained land for themselves and which to keep our cattle? Oh, see ranchos See ranchos and what they can do you can do also I I can have a rancho see all you have to do is ask for it But what do I want with a rancho a place to keep your cattle? Of course, but I already have a place on the pueblo land Ah, you are worse than hopeless Look, would you not like to have a place where you could raise more cattle make more money become a big man? Perhaps perhaps Starr your brother felipe has more sense He has already said he would go in with us go in with you proposition My brother in asio and I have some cuts and your brother felipe and you have some cuts See none of us has enough cattle to stock a rancho by himself But the four of us together have more than enough You wish us to ask for a rancho that is the general idea And why did you not say so I could have saved you much trouble I could have told you I would not like to live on a rancho I am quite satisfied to rest my bones in the shade of the pueblo You do not have to live on the rancho tomas you can stay here My brother and I will leave there and keep the cut Then why me amigo are you so anxious for us to join you? You two have enough cattle to stock a rancho. Why not just go ahead and ask for the rancho yourself? Because Well, just because see Well, because we could not get could not and why not because Neither my brother nor I or see well We are not old enough It is very silly, but they will not grant the ranchos to young men. So we thought you being older perhaps So that is the reason well my boy Maybe we can help you after all tomas. I am no boy and you know it never mind son We shall help you get your toy. But tell me where is this rancho of ours going to be? Oh, it is a very fine piece of land most fertile good for grazing but where from the pass of the caretas to the sea Do you mean way out there in the wilderness? No science. It is only some four or five leagues from the pueblo only a whole day's journey I will help you get it me amigo, but you will never get me out there to live that I can promise you I Know this much others is in your installement. They should have petitioned the land called See captain, you are going to give his permission to move our cattle there. No, well as military commander I have that authority Something has come up The padres of the missions on gabriela protested against my giving you permission to use this land But why it is not their land. Well, they say it is They say all of this land except the pueblo lands are theirs for their cattle and their Indians In all sense, you have given permission for other and heroes to take land Ah, see I suppose that is why the padres are protested Then if you have done it for others, you are obliged to give us permission. It is no more than right See that is so but uh, I do not know what may come of this I should have to send word to city of mexico to find out whether i am right or the padres are right But in the meantime captain you give us permission See with reservations provisionally you understand see but you must build a house and stock the rancher with cattle That is more than the padres are done And I think that that will satisfy the government in mexico Fortunately captain noriega's provisional permit was not questioned many years later in 1839 Governor alvararo fully legalized the four men's possession of the rancher la ballona by issuing a grant to them The talimantes still didn't live on the land and inacio machado had moved to the rancher guache de la sentinela Leaving augustine machado in full charge of la ballona In the peaceful happy years that followed la ballona became famous as the home of excellent white wine augustine machado's vineyards produced a vintage much in demand in the north And agents constantly called at the rancher You have only 12 barrels minute there senor see the others to call the rest I can spare you have more of your own use Oh, see a few barrels how many um 10 12 something like that I'll give you 10 pesos a piece for each barrel here if you'll add those other 10 10 dollars for an 18 gallon barrel of vino Oh senor I would feel I have robbed you and you needn't senor because between you and me Do you know what your vino sells for up north? No, how much 25 pesos a barrel and that's a nice profit Madre sacra 25 pesos for that much I should carry these barrels north myself All of the luxuries of life and indeed some of its necessities in that early period of southern california Were obtained from the trading vessels which anchored off san pedro It was the custom for all the rancheros like augustine machado to go aboard the ships and purchase whatever merchandise pleased them pledging so many cattle hides in return It was on one such occasion that augustine machado was highly insulted And uh, let me all senor see I think so I have brought almost 300 hides were See that's right. Now will you be kind enough to sign this note? Huh, what no that's right. No guarantee you understand. I must have some security for the hides you'll lose Guarantee security Oh senor, what do you mean or just that I've got to have you are new as super cargo. Are you not? Well, yes, I'm only the assistant. That is what I thought and your superior is lax and his advice to you Surely he knows that the word of the californiano is as good as any bond word Do you mean a gentleman's agreement? Of course. Now, senor, we don't usually do business that way in california That is the way we do business senor. You had better find that out now before you have no business But if you must have your security then Here it is senor What are you doing blocking your bond senor here deliver this to your owner Tell him it is a hair from the bill of augustine machado that the security enough for any man The word of the californian was his bond and it was as good as gold This was the spirit in which they lived and it was a good life The peaceful flow of events on rancho la ballona was uninterrupted by the american occupation or the subsequent change of government The united states land commission upheld the brothers talimantes and machados claimed to the land But in 1854 came an event which was to destroy the simple harmony that had existed Don tomas talimantes approached don venito wilson the american ranchero don venito Is one ranchero to another? I I need your help. I'll be glad to do anything for you that I can don't amass. What is it? Well, I uh, I need money. Oh Oh, I've heard that story too many times at late. It seems we all need to narrow doesn't it don't amass see That is an evil perhaps, but they're necessary one I must have it how much then you'll 1500 dollars That's a lot. Oh, see but you have plenty you will be able to spare me that much See, I suppose I will The way things aren't out and you're I needed to With money so badly needed and all i'm afraid. I'll have to ask for some security on this loan Security senior Oh, but surely you know that don't amass. I hate to say this I know that your honor is above question But it's not a question of honor anymore It's a question of the ability to pay. I know you'll want to but it's a bad risk thing But you'll be able to pay or not as hard to say and I haven't so much I can afford to throw it away So I'll have to ask you to put up some security much senior. I I have nothing Except the land of la ballona My own divided check. Well, that will have to do then I will give you the money for a mortgage on your share of la ballona As wilson had expected don't amass was unable to pay off the loan Wilson had to foreclose Now for the first time in america known part of the land The ownership of the land became more and more complicated with the years Felipe tolle mantis died leaving about 25 airs A few years later augustin machado died leaving airs Finally the last of the original owners in nazio machado decided to deed his interest to his relatives Well done in nazio all I can say is that i'm glad i've already sold my share to the other american senoris Why do you say that don't be neat though? Because when you deed your interest to all your relatives the ranch your la ballona is going to be owned by about 30 people All of them with undivided interest That's too many for such a small piece of land. What will they do? They can't all leave there keep their cattle I don't suppose la ballona will be much of a cattle ranch anymore But you're right They can't all live there together very peacefully in a way until they know just which land is whose How will they know what that's in your there's only one thing I can see to do Apply to have the rancher partitioned then each one will get his share of it and they'll all be happy See that is what they'll have to do before they all start scratching each other's eyes out And so the rancher la ballona was petitioned a few years later when the boom of the 80s in gulf california Part of the rancher was broken up again into city streets and lots of a community called the ponds And at the mouth of la ballona creek there was great activity too It was there on the beach that moi l wicks talked to an engineer So you see mr. Krabel, that's the layout the tides back up in the creek mouth and form a lagoon In flood season they make this all a marshland But we can reclaim the land and make this a great harbor with one operation you mean by dredging the lagoon That's it. That's the idea We're going to make port ballona the big shipping terminal for southern california We've already granted a right away to the california central railroad. They're starting to build out here So it's high time we started at this end and that's my job. Right. It's your job to make this a harbor Now I see a 200 foot channel right through here and a two mile inner harbor up this lagoon three to 600 feet wide And six to 20 feet deep. Well, you have vision mr. Wicks It's not going to be as easy as you think these tides in the sand will make dredging difficult Oh, I am not worried. You're a good man and you'll get the job done. I'm sure In the meantime, I'll be busy building the first piers and the town of port ballona up on the bluffs there All right, mr. Wicks. I'll try but let's not be too optimistic Determinately ml wicks went ahead with his plans On the bluff above what is now plier del Rey. He laid out the town of port ballona Brought prospective buyers are excursion trips to see it lots were sold buildings started The california central railway now the santa fe completed their road to the proposed port and celebrations took place But the harbor itself was slow in taking shape Suddenly the real estate boom of the 80s crashed of its own weight With great concern wicks came to engineer Hugh krable. Mr. krable Something has to be done. Our funds are fast running out. We're not selling any lots not building anything It's not my end of it, mr. Wicks. No, of course not, but it's because of you people say Where's the port? We can't see any harbor and what can I tell them? I can't see it either When are you going to have some results? You want my honest opinion wicks? Of course never What do you mean never? I mean it's an impossible task. We'll never be able to make a harbor here The tides the shifting sand they undo our work as fast as we can do it It would cost more to make and keep this harbor open and it would ever be worth you You're joking not at all. I thought on the beginning it might be like this after these months of work I'm sure of it. I'm sorry mr. Wicks, but I'm afraid your port ballona was only a dream Did you know that the title insurance and trust company of los angles maintains the largest collection of early california photographs and existence This collection consists of 10 000 negatives and plates and more than 15 000 prints Some dating back over 80 years They were gathered by mr. Cc pierce who came here as a young photographer from chicago 56 years ago Through the years he photographed just about everything he saw of interest Early day buildings bicycle and tallyhole clubs Railroad and harbor construction the first airplane meet landmarks indians balloon races fiestas visiting notables People and things and scenes of every description And all the while mr. Pierce also collected earlier pictures taken by others before his arrival in the west So important became the historical value of this collection that the huntington library purchased many of these prints a few years ago To preserve for this community and for california not only the prints but the negatives title insurance and trust company of los angles Some months ago purchased the entire collection Only occasionally can the company use the pictures and its own work But authorities agree that to the community and the state the collection may well be invaluable in years to come The optimistic plans for the magnificent port of labellona fell through and the company dissolved Never again was it to be thought of as a center for commerce and industry Instead it took a new lease on life when in 192 The beach land company renamed it playa del re and started subdivision of resort and beach community A great hotel was built lots were laid out beach frontage so The lagoon became canals alive with boats swimmers and fishermen a great holiday crowd poured into the resort on the newly completed Pacific electric then called the los angles hermosa beach and redondo railway One of the things to attract every eye was located on the palisades above the beach I don't get it. Do you know never heard of a name like that not for a car anyway Alphonse what kind of a car is it all lopsided like that one of them cable cars This here's an inclined railway Oh, there it goes Go darn it. Look it's climbing right up the side of the hill. Come on. Let's get out of the way It's going to tip over and come down on it. Wait a minute you fool. That's just what it's supposed to do Look up there the other car on the second tracks coming down Me and every time this one goes up the other one comes down. Sure. That's the way the incline works I'll be horned swaggering Say look at that this car coming down. It's got a name too. Yeah See that one's uh gas Gaston That's as goofy as the first one. What's it mean? Don't you get it alphonse and gaston two little men are so polite each one wants the other to go ahead Well, that's the way with them cars. They never can get together On the high ground farther inland a new city was born First called washington park lots and streets were laid out close to what was already known as the palms A year later in 1913 a banquet was held at which the founder harry h culver made an announcement Well, we're all ready to go Preliminaries have finished the streets laid out the town flooded We've only got one building so far. That's my real estate office But it won't be the only one for long This town's gonna grow and grow fast Before long at all we'll have a real city half business half residential Yes, sir culver city Within a year culver city had stores homes a factory a newspaper a railroad station a lighting system And 600 real estate salesmen But culver said he was not the only scene of activity on rancho la ballona Or a 19 for along the beach above flyer del re had sprung up a new town founded by the enterprising easterner Abbott kinney What the visitor to this community was in for a surprise Well betsey Well, george, so we get out. How do you mean get out? I thought you were taking me to a town. I am. I am. Come on. Let's ride on in I don't feel much like walking. No, you're not going to walk the rest of the way You're not going to ride either. I suppose i'm going to fly, huh? Hey, look here, jim. I ain't much in the mood for fooling Drag me clear out here to the beach to see a new town and now you want a joke about it I told you this wasn't like no time you ever saw now. Come on. See if yourself Well, where is this town right down the street here? What are you talking about? I don't see no street It's right here in front of you and our carriage is waiting right there Man, you're plum lonely. All I see is a ditch full of water ditch man. That's a canal That they're gone dollars or carriage We're going the rest of the way by boat. What in turn nation told you this town was different There ain't no streets here just canals. You want to go down the street to take a boat? We're lovely dog gone. This is venice Mr. Kinney figures to make it just like venice idly and he's sure doing it I believe me. This is going to be the place for folks to come for long Abbot Kinney's vision founded the town of venice at first a curiosity spot Later a great resort along with its neighbor ocean park Its canals have given way to modern streets and today venice is a great community of homes and one of the southland's famous pleasure spots As the years passed community sprang up all over rancho la ballona Then in 1915 an event took place which was to give great impetus to the growth of little culver city On the beach above sata monica a pioneer motion picture director was working We need is a river and don't anybody suggest the los angeles river I mean a river with some water in it. Oh, mr. Reds. Huh, what is it? Mr. Reds, I think maybe I can help you. Yeah, who are you? My name is harry h culver. I'm a real estate man What are you doing around here? Well, I just happened to see you working here and I thought I'd stop and watch Very interested in motion pictures. I believe they have a great future. Of course they do But what was this you said about being able to help me? Yes, I I think I can you said you needed a river with water And I do now script calls for a scene with three canoes full of indians paddling down the stream All I have to work with is the ocean. It doesn't look right Well, uh, I know where there is a stream and has water in it. So do I but it's 500 miles away Oh, mine isn't it's right here less than 15 miles away near my town of culver city You mean it really looks like a river sure. Well, man, you're a lifesaver. What are we waiting for? Come on. Lead us to it We'll shoot the rest this afternoon Hello, mr. Ince. How's it going? Fine. Fine. Thanks to your bologna crick here. We'll be finished in no time This isn't a bad location for picture studios at mr. Ince hill's over there river here ocean not far always plenty of sunlight Uh, wouldn't be bad as we've already got one small studio the kale emotion picture company in culver city I'd like to have another one for we don't amount very much yet Maybe not yet But your flickering pictures are going to make a big industry someday soon going to employ thousands of people you're right there, of course Yes, and maybe you're right about this being a good place for us Sure sure mr. Culver. Maybe you can show me some of your land. I might be plenty interested When thomas ince moved his picture studio to a lot on washington boulevard He started a great industry for culver city on that same lot today stands the great metro golden mayor planned Home lot of many of the brightest stars of hollywood and many of its greatest pictures Other studios came to culver city in succeeding years through the efforts of mr. Culver Including keystone biograph griffith senate golden rko how roach path a and sells nick Culver city for many years has been one of the great centers for motion picture production in southern california But there are other incentives for the growth of culver city It was fast becoming a great city of residential homes and harry h culver was a born community developer He introduced attention getting advertising to stimulate sales of real estate in culver city People are attracted by anything moving if an object stands still people will not pay much attention to it So we're going to be on the move all the time Give them action something to watch and then just watch us grow. Let's have carnivals Look at that a searchlight on top of city halls. They're having a marathon race from los angles to cover Whoever heard of a baby contest of the building lot for a priory b A free trip around the world just for the best name for our city park Who can't play polo in automobiles? Who says you can't play polo in automobiles? Look at that. They're doing it Well, anyway, they were doing it Under the guidance of the expert developer harry h culver Culver city grew the day. It's a beautiful and prosperous community of homes and gardens Together with palms venice ocean park and playa del re it spreads out over the great branch of la ballona the domain of the early californians And where once port ballona was started the creek has been dredged and improved into a channel now perfect for boat racing The marshlands have been reclaimed and development of this land into residential and industrial property is a possibility within the near future Such is the story of progress and such is the romance of the round shows In just a moment frank graham will be back to give you a preview of next week's story The historical photograph collection. I told you about a few minutes ago Which incidentally contains pictures of the venice canals and many other scenes and places in tonight's story Is but one of the many ways in which title insurance and trust company of los angles seeks to serve its community But the company's primary service the real justification of its existence Lies in the fulfillment of its obligations to its customers present and future This obligation is the company's officers and personnel see it is to provide the most complete The most accurate and most prompt land title insurance service of which they are capable And to give this service, which is your protection against loss when you deal in real property At rates which are substantially lower than the average cost of such service elsewhere And now frank, what's the story for next week? Next week we're going to tell an exciting incident from the history of the american conquest of california It's the story of a wild and difficult ride by a lone horseman racing to get help for his comrades And the central character is fawn flocko who was known as lean john Be sure to hear this exciting chapter from the romance of the round shows So until next week, this is your wandering vocaro frank graham saying The romance of the round shows a presentation of the title insurance and trust company of los angles Featuring frank graham is the wandering vocaro is dramatized by john dunkel and produced by ted bliss With special music arranged by urbano Bob laman speaking This is the columbia broadcasting system