Venice Canal Historic District

Infobox_nrhp | name =Venice Canal Historic District
nrhp_type = hd

---

caption = Venice Canal Historic District
location= Los Angeles, California
lat_degrees = 33
lat_minutes = 59
lat_seconds = 1
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 118
long_minutes = 27
long_seconds = 55
long_direction = W
locmapin = California
area =
built =1905
architect= Sherman,Moses; Clark,Eli
architecture= No Style Listed
added = August 30, 1982
governing_body = Local
refnum=82002193cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2008-04-15|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]

Venice Canal Historic District is a district in the Venice section of Los Angeles, California. The district is noteworthy for its man-made canals built in 1905 by developer Abbott Kinney as part of his “Venice in America” plan. Kinney sought to recreate the appearance and feel of Venice, Italy in Southern California. The beautifully lit canals with gondoliers and arched bridges drew widespread publicity and helped sell lots in the development. However, as the automobile gained in popularity, the canals were viewed by many as outdated, and the bulk of the canals were filled in 1929 to create roads. By 1940, the remaining canals had fallen into disrepair, and the sidewalks were condemned by the city. The canal district remained in poor condition for more than 40 years, as numerous proposals to renovate the canals failed due to lack of funding, environmental concerns and disputes as to who should bear the financial responsibility. The canals were finally renovated in 1992, with the canals being drained and new sidewalks and walls. The canals re-opened in 1993 and have become a desirable and expensive residential section of the city. The residential district surrounding the remaining canals was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. However, in recent years, there has been extensive renovation work on many of the old houses, and many large, modern houses have been built.

=Gallery of

ee also

* History of Venice, California
* List of Registered Historic Places in Los Angeles

References

External links

* [http://dbase1.lapl.org/webpics/calindex/documents/12/521436.pdf David Asper Johnson, "Venice canals open after $6 million restoration", ARGONAUT, Oct. 21, 1993]
* Harriet Modler, "Venice on the Pacific", HISTORIC TRAVELLER, July 1998, pp. 56+
* [http://dbase1.lapl.org/webpics/calindex/documents/12/521425.pdf Alan Eyerly, David Hirning, "Groundbreaking held for long-delayed Venice Canals restoration project", ARGONAUT, Mar. 5, 1992]
* [http://dbase1.lapl.org/webpics/calindex/documents/12/521451.pdf J.H. Davidson, I.F. White, "Venice district", CITY EMPLOYEE, Apr. 1930]
* [http://dbase1.lapl.org/webpics/calindex/documents/01/38759.pdf Diane Hadley, Tom Litari, "Transition in the Venice Canals", Scan]
* Gerald Faris, "Venice Canals--A Slum Minus Misery; Venice Canals--A Slum Minus Misery VENICE CANALS--NO SLUM", Los Angeles Times, June 1, 1975
* "Immense Sale: Record ad Venice Canal", Los Angeles Times, July 2, 1905
* "Venice Canals May Be Filled: Civic Conference Proposes Boulevard System Kinney Company's President Favors Project Backers Predict Solution of Traffic Problem", Los Angeles Times, Nov 15, 1924
* "March of Progress to Engulf Venice Canals: Old Landmarks Downed; Waterways of Picturesque Venice Soon Will be But Memory--a Sacrifice to Progress", Los Angeles Times, Nov 8, 1925
* "Venice Canals to Be Filled: Long Controversy Ends With Signing of Contract Waterways to be Converted Into Streets Supreme Court Ruling Favors Change", Los Angeles Times, June 12, 1929
* "Old Venice Canals Get Death Blow: New Storm Drain to Take Water Away Completed in Safe Manner", Los Angeles Times, Oct. 20, 1929
* "Agency Official Favors Saving Venice Canals", Los Angeles Times, March 16, 1958