Larchmont

As Los Angeles emerged as a national trendsetter, Larchmont was still a charming, quaint neighborhood with shops and restaurants where everyone knew everyone. Children were welcome to ride bikes and skateboard on the sidewalks, listen to records at the local record store after school, or stop by for ice cream. Many of the city’s important political and business leaders who lived in nearby Hancock Park, Windsor Village, and Fremont Place enjoyed the privacy and friendliness of their local shopping district.

In 1963, Jane Gilman and Dawne Goodwin started the Larchmont Chronicle to alert residents to the impending threat of the proposed Beverly Hills freeway that would imperil village life. Gilman recalled that there were 23 businesses on Larchmont at the time. The Larchmont Chronicle gave the community a voice as well as a canvas to tell its stories. Both were very active in civic affairs and contributed to the improvement and preservation of the community. Their images are reproduced in this book.

Larchmont continues to change. There are boutique stores, retail pop-ups testing the tastes of affluent customers, and many more restaurants. Most of the old buildings remain, though some of the historic facades are gone. The ethos of Larchmont, envisioned by La Bonte, runs deep. There is a core of old-timers, like Chevalier’s Books and the Landis Department Store. Picket Fences and Flicka have been around over 20 years. Personalized service is still a hallmark, attracting new owners who want to run the kind of business that belongs on Larchmont Boulevard.

INTERSECTION OF LARCHMONT AND BEVERLY BOULEVARDS, 1964. This photograph could have been taken from the newly built Larchmont Medical Building that towered over the neighborhood. (Courtesy of Marc Wanamaker at Bison Archives.)

DIPPELL REALTY AND POINSETTIA CLEANERS AT 107 AND 113 NORTH LARCHMONT. Albert Dippell and his sons Cutler and Howard were mainstays on the boulevard; so was Poinsettia Cleaners, established in 1923, whose longtime customers could have their laundry delivered right to their closets.

LINDY’S MEATS AT 235 NORTH LARCHMONT, C. 1956. This street view of the west side of Larchmont Boulevard includes Lindy’s Meats and Country Club Chinese Laundry.

LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCILMAN HAROLD HENRY WITH LARCHMONT CHRONICLE COPUBLISHERS JANE GILMAN (LEFT) AND DAWNE GOODWIN. Goodwin and Gilman accept a resolution from Councilman Henry, congratulating them on a successful first year of operation. The Larchmont Chronicle celebrated its first anniversary on September 19, 1964, and was cited for its contribution to the community.

LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCILMAN JOHN FERRARO WITH LARCHMONT CHRONICLE COPUBLISHERS JANE GILMAN AND DAWNE GOODWIN. Councilman John Ferraro commends Goodwin and Gilman for their service to the community with a proclamation. Ferraro was the longest-serving Los Angeles City Council member in the history of the city. He served 35 years, from 1966 until his death in 2001 and was the president of the council for 14 of them.

LARCHMONT CHRONICLE PUBLISHERS WITH SERVICE STATION OWNER. The Chevron gasoline and service station was located in the center of Larchmont and was used for community events like the Larchmont Family Art Show, featured in the following photographs. It was sponsored by the Larchmont Boulevard Association, whose events helped reinforce the strong sense of community and village feel of the street.

LARCHMONT FAMILY ART SHOW. An annual event, the Larchmont Family Art Show attracts families from all over the community.

LOCAL HISTORIAN AND ARTIST DR. HARRY MUIR KURTZWORTH. Dr. H.M. Kurtzworth, a resident, served as the Larchmont Chronicle’s historian, writing articles about important residents and their homes for the newspaper. Kurtzworth’s body of work was extensive and included this feature on founder Julius La Bonte and other important early civic pioneers. An accomplished artist, Kurtzworth designed the logo for the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics. He also served as the director of the Los Angeles Art Association.

LARCHMONT CHRONICLE PUBLISHERS IN THE NEWS. Copublishers Goodwin and Gilman were very active in the community as well as huge advocates for all the best aspects of the community. In this photograph, they are test-parking a three-wheeled vehicle in front of 139 North Larchmont Boulevard.

STREET VIEW FROM THE SECOND FLOOR OF 113 NORTH LARCHMONT, C. 1960. This view is looking northeast from the second floor, with poinsettia Christmas decorations on the light posts. Larchmont Hall can be seen on the east side of the street.

OPENING OF CITY PARKING LOT, 1972. Larchmont Chronicle copublisher Dawne Goodwin helps city officials remove the barriers for a new parking lot on Larchmont, formerly the site of a gas station. The City of Los Angeles developed the 36-space lot to provide more parking for shops and businesses on Larchmont.

CIVIC LEADERS GATHER AT NEW PARKING LOT. Councilman John Ferraro and others are pictured at the official opening of the 36-space parking lot. Landscaping helps beautify this new City of Los Angeles parking lot, which provided much-needed parking for Larchmont.

CELEBRATING THE INSTALLATION OF NEW HEADS ON LARCHMONT BOULEVARD PARKING METERS. Larchmont Chronicle copublisher Jane Gilman, Councilman John Ferraro, and others check out the new parking meters on Larchmont. This photograph was taken in front of Bank of America at 100 North Larchmont Boulevard. By changing the heads, the city increased revenue by 50 percent, charging a penny for 6 minutes (instead of 12), a nickel for 30 minutes, and a dime for an hour.

DECORATING THE LARCHMONT BOULEVARD TREES. Larchmont Boulevard Association president Dr. Tim Gogan (right) decorates a street tree for Christmas. Holiday decorations are a tradition on Larchmont.

WATERING THE TREES. The responsibility for keeping the street trees alive fell (and still falls) to the shopkeepers and business owners on Larchmont Boulevard. The trees continue to be part of the charm of the street and a constant challenge to maintain.

VIEW OF LARCHMONT LOOKING SOUTH TOWARD THIRD STREET, C. 1960. After the removal of the railway tracks, the street was very wide. In later years, residents would push for the installation of a landscaped median. (Courtesy of Marc Wanamaker at Bison Archives.)

VIEW OF LARCHMONT LOOKING SOUTH FROM UPPER LARCHMONT, C. 1950. Railway tracks can be seen in the street, but the rail poles and lines have been removed. Upper Larchmont had more residential buildings even though it was zoned for commercial use in the 1930s.

SANTA AND HER REINDEER AT LARCHMONT HOLIDAY PARADE. Family-friendly events, like the holiday parade, were part of Larchmont’s unique charm that knitted the community together and gave everyone a sense of belonging. In the background is Larchmont Hall, which served as gathering place for the local civic groups. The typewriter store was eventually torn down in 1973 when the Bank of America was built along with a 16-space parking lot.

DANIEL MURPHY HIGH SCHOOL GLEE CLUB, C. 1960. Students of Daniel Murphy High School, a Catholic all-boys school, ride past Landis Department Store in the Larchmont holiday parade.

AERIAL VIEW OF PARADE AT BEVERLY AND LARCHMONT BOULEVARDS. A marching band approaches the intersection of Larchmont and Beverly Boulevards heading south on Larchmont. Gas stations on both corners can be seen in the photograph.

THE FERRAROS IN THE LARCHMONT PARADE. Councilman John Ferraro and his wife, Julie Marie Luckey, ride past stores at 126–148 North Larchmont. In the background is Jack Lipson Plumbing, whose owner married La Bonte’s daughter Charlotte.

PHIL’S POULTRY AND FISH AT 124 NORTH LARCHMONT, C. 1987. Shopping on Larchmont was like visiting old friends. A great deal of the charm of the street is derived from the shop owners, who went to great lengths to get to know their customers and provide personalized service. Even though the types of stores have changed—the grocery stores on the street have been replaced by clothing stores or coffee shops—the same sense of community continues, and it is quite likely that people will see others they know on any given day shopping on Larchmont.

STREET VIEW LOOKING SOUTH FROM 230 NORTH LARCHMONT. Hanging plants and awnings added to the village feel of Larchmont. The Chevron gas station is on the other side of the street, next door to the Larchmont Beverly Pharmacy.

ENJOYING A BICYCLE BUILT FOR TWO. Bicycling is a great way to run errands on Larchmont Boulevard. This couple is shown in front of 107 North Larchmont, heading south.

DOG WALKING AT 141 NORTH LARCHMONT. Dogs have always felt at home shopping on Larchmont. Many shops have water dishes outside for pets on hot summer days.

SKATEBOARDERS AT 121 NORTH LARCHMONT, C. 1988. Empty sidewalks provided a tempting place for skateboarders.

JERRY THE BARBER AT 142 1/2 NORTH LARCHMONT. Jerry Cottone started working at his father’s barbershop on Larchmont in 1957 as a teenager and stayed for over 50 years. Jerry and his father ran the shop for 70-plus years. If ever there was an example of a family business passing from one generation to the next, it is the barbershop; generations of neighbors have been customers. Neighbors mourned the closure of the shop when Jerry retired in 2014 due to ill health. Fortunately, George Hilario (Jorge) and his nephew Cesar bought the business and have kept the shop much the same as it was when Jerry was there. Jerry passed away in April 2015 at 76 years old.

G.B. HARB AND SON, C. 1980. George Harb and family are pictured in front of Harb’s fine men’s clothing store at 158 North Larchmont. Harb opened the shop on Larchmont Boulevard in the 1970s and moved the store downtown in 1990.

TENNIS BOUTIQUE AT 142 NORTH LARCHMONT, C. 1987. Pictured is a tennis boutique for the Los Angeles Tennis Club crowd and other tennis-playing residents.

LARCHMONT HARDWARE AT 152 NORTH LARCHMONT. Established in 1926, Larchmont Hardware was one of the most popular stores on the boulevard. The store carried every kind of screw, bolt, tool, or home-repair accessory needed by residents. Owner Russ Wilson acquired the store in 1982 from the original owner’s family. When the hardware store closed in 2008, residents were in an uproar because the building was bought by a developer who tripled the store’s rent. Years later, locals still miss the store.

LARCHMONT TYPEWRITER SHOP AT 202 NORTH LARCHMONT, C. 1973. Pictured is a holiday sidewalk sale at the Larchmont Typewriter Shop. The shop moved from 110 North Larchmont, where it was located in 1960 according to the Los Angeles telephone directory.

STREET VIEW TAKEN WITH FISH-EYE LENS AT 232 NORTH LARCHMONT, C. 1973. This photograph was taken on the east side of the street looking north.

WILLIAM LEDENDECKER OF WILSHIRE STUDIOS UPHOLSTERY. Wilshire Studios upholstery company had been on Larchmont since 1929, though it moved from 108 North Larchmont to 103 North Larchmont. Owner William Ledendecker holds up an edition of the Larchmont Chronicle, marking 55 years of doing business on Larchmont Boulevard.

LARCHMONT RADIO SALON AT 139 NORTH LARCHMONT, C. 1970. Larchmont Radio Salon, owned by Ross “Stratt” Stratton, was a favorite shop for teenagers. Locals recall private listening booths, where kids would hang out until chased out by Stratton.

HAAS AND COMPANY HAIR DESIGN CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY AT 136 NORTH LARCHMONT. In 1987, David Haas and Carmen Wall celebrated 10 years of David Haas Hair Design and over 20 years of business on Larchmont. Wall is the former co-owner of Larchmont Beauty, which became Haas and Company in 1977.

KIPLING’S FLOWERS AT 121 1/2 NORTH LARCHMONT. Beautifully decorated storefronts, like that of Kipling’s Flowers, invited shoppers to stroll the boulevard. It also contributed to the small village feeling.

TOY STORE OWNERS. No shopping boulevard would be complete without a great toy store. Larchmont had many though the years; when one store would close, another would open. Typically, they were jam-packed with toys, balls, games, and stuffed animals to the delight of young shoppers who never wanted to leave.

SHOPKEEPERS ON LARCHMONT. The shopkeepers are the heart and soul of Larchmont. At the founding of the street, virtually all were small business owners who worked in the stores and got to know all their customers by name. George Harb raised his family in nearby Hancock Park and operated his fine men’s clothing store, G.H. Harb and Sons, on Larchmont for 20 years.

GROUND-BREAKING FOR PARKING GARAGE AND NEW RETAIL SHOPS AT 226 NORTH LARCHMONT. In 1985, with the assistance of city councilman John Ferraro, developer Ron Simms won the support of the neighborhood and the city to build a 145-space parking garage and 6,000 square feet of new retail shops. The 10,000-square-foot space, formerly the Safeway grocery store, was also remodeled.

NEW PARKING GARAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT 226 NORTH LARCHMONT, 1985. Motivated by a lack of parking on Larchmont, business leaders supported the project, and the city agreed to lease the garage for 24 years, with the option to purchase for $1 at the end of the 24-year lease and pay up to $2.75 million to build the parking structure. Parking revenues from Larchmont and citywide parking funds were used to pay for the project. In return, Simms was supported for his application for lower interest rate state bond financing. He also got first right of refusal to develop the 36-space parking lot across the street if the city decided to develop the property.

NEW PARKING GARAGE AT 226 NORTH LARCHMONT. The new parking lot added 256 public parking spaces on Larchmont. Parking had been a problem on the street for many years as the popularity of Larchmont grew.

RIBBON-CUTTING FOR NEW PARKING GARAGE AND RETAIL STORES AT 226 NORTH LARCHMONT. Larchmont leaders, including Larchmont Chronicle copublishers Jane Gilman and Dawne Goodwin, join Councilman John Ferraro (center) and developer Ron Simms (right) for the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new parking garage and retail stores. While enthusiastic about the much-needed parking, Larchmont shopkeepers regretted the loss of the Safeway grocery store, foot traffic, and convenience for the neighborhood.

COUNCILMAN JOHN FERRARO AND LARCHMONT CONSTITUENTS. It has been said that the city of Los Angeles operates as 13 small cities, giving all the power to each city councilman. No city councilman was more effective for his district than John Ferraro, who represented Larchmont for 35 years until his death in 2001. Residents and business owners understood the importance of spending time with the councilman (shown here in the center crossing the street on upper Larchmont).

STREET VIEW OF NEW RETAIL DEVELOPMENT, 1986. This is a view from across the street of the new retail shops. It was taken shortly after construction was completed but before all of the retail spaces were leased.

MAYOR TOM BRADLEY ON LARCHMONT. Larchmont is fortunate to be surrounded by some of the nicest homes in the city of Los Angeles as well as the official residence of the mayor. Getty House, named after J. Paul Getty (whose oil company donated it to the city in 1975), is just a few blocks away from Larchmont on Irving and Sixth Streets. Mayor Tom Bradley was the first mayoral resident at Getty House.

REPUBLICAN DINNER CLUB AT 215 NORTH LARCHMONT. The Southern California’s Republican Women club had an office above the Beverly Larchmont Pharmacy. It was the headquarters for the club’s 500-plus members.

VANITY FAIR AT 119 NORTH LARCHMONT, C. 1980. Before casual Fridays, everyone used to dress up to shop and go out to lunch, and Larchmont was no exception. Vanity Fair boasted distinctive personal service as well as fine clothing for women. This photograph shows a view of the west side of the street, looking north.

NAOMI PRICE GARY (LEFT) AT 205 NORTH LARCHMONT. First and foremost, shopping on Larchmont was fun. Shopkeepers made sure that everyone felt welcome. Naomi Price Gary carried elegant clothes for stylish women.

NATALIE’S NEEDLEPOINT AT 144 NORTH LARCHMONT. A well-stocked needlepoint shop is rare these days, but Larchmont had one of the best until Natalie Howard retired and closed the store in the mid-1990s.

HOLLYHOCK AT 214 NORTH LARCHMONT, C. 2000. A book signing with Hollyhock owner Suzanne Rheinstein showcases Viscount Linley, who was an English furniture maker, chairman of auction house Christie’s UK, and the son of Princess Margaret. Tastemaker Rheinstein’s light and airy store with tropical peach and green colored walls stocked elegant antiques as well as fanciful home accessories.

PAONE CATERING AND VAN DE KAMP BAKERY SHOP AT 225 1/2 NORTH LARCHMONT. Van de Kamp Bakery Shop opened in 1926 on Larchmont, yet the family-owned business started in 1915 at Spring and Second Streets. Ted Van de Kamp became involved with the Larchmont store, which closed briefly for a remodel in 1963 when the ceiling was lowered and an ice cream freezer was added. Paone Catering moved from 112 North Larchmont into the space around 1973, offering authentic Italian cuisine. Then, Sonia and Ermanno Tolot opened Girasole Cucina Italiana around 1993. Steve and Joanna Vernetti, part of another family-owned venture, reopened as Vernetti in 2015 after a complete renovation and expansion of the space.

THE WINE SHOP AT 223 NORTH LARCHMONT, C. 1973. Opened in the 1970s, the narrow space was crowded with wine and spirits along with gourmet foods, including trout smoked by the owner. In 1995, John Boccato and Geoffrey B. Senior—noted wine authority and former manager of the wine and spirits departments at Jurgensen’s in Pasadena—took over the business, now called the Larchmont Village Wine and Cheese Shop. Boccato’s son Sergio and Simon Cocks now run the shop, offering a personalized selection. The shop is also known around the city for its sandwiches.

JURGENSEN’S GROCERY STORE AT 133 NORTH LARCHMONT. Kids and bicycles, a common scene on Larchmont, are pictured from the west side of the street, looking north. Landis Department Store can be seen in the background.

CAFÉ CHAPEAU AT 236 NORTH LARCHMONT, C. 1987. Café Chapeau coffee shop and restaurant offered residents a casual diner experience. Its predecessors include a long list of tenants. Most recent are Windsor Village Coffee Shop, Homer’s in 1961, and Harlan House in 1956. In 1942, Chatham Lewis Confections had a candy store, and in 1939 Lois Brain had a secondhand clothing store. Hershel and Sara Gerson had a clothing-cleaners shop in 1926. The earliest listing in the Los Angeles telephone directory is for Snyder and Son Tailors in 1923.

WINCHELL’S DONUT HOUSE AT 251 NORTH LARCHMONT, C. 1963. The building at the corner of Larchmont and Beverly Boulevards housed various businesses over the years, with retail shops on the bottom and apartments and later offices on the second floor. In 1923, the Windsor Square Pharmacy occupied the retail corner. In 1932, Samuel P. Snow Drugs took over the space, followed by the Owl Drug Company in 1936. In 1951, Bill Schulhoff opened the Beverly Larchmont Drug Company and stayed there until he moved down the street in 1960.

NAOMI PRICE GARY CELEBRATES CONSTITUTION WEEK. Naomi Gary (right) dedicated the window space of her clothing store at 205 North Larchmont to the celebration of Constitution Week.

PICKET FENCES AT 111 NORTH LARCHMONT, 1994. Joane Hennenberger and her husband, Wiley Pickett, opened their clothing boutique in 1994, offering personal service and quality clothing for men and women. Hennenberger became very active on Larchmont Boulevard and served as president of the Larchmont Boulevard Association in the tradition of earlier Larchmont merchants.

LARCHMONT FAMILY FAIR. The Larchmont Fair, just before Halloween, is an annual tradition that draws thousands of near-locals and residents to the street. Sponsored by the Larchmont Boulevard Association, the fair—with its annual Halloween parade—is a must-attend for kids of all ages.

LARCHMONT PET SHOW, 1981. Pictured are Best Pet Award winners from the formerly held Larchmont Pet Show. The show was sponsored by the Larchmont Boulevard Association.

TASTE OF LARCHMONT. Started in 1992 as a fundraiser for Hope-Net (a social-service organization addressing homelessness and hunger) to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Larchmont Chronicle, the Taste of Larchmont is another annual family-friendly tradition that brings the community together. The event features live music and food from Larchmont restaurants. Local celebrities attend to support the cause and the Larchmont community. Pictured from left to right are television personality Huell Howser, Larchmont Chronicle copublisher Dawne Goodwin, Larry Hixon, chef Thomas Houndalas of Le Petit Greek Restaurant at 127 North Larchmont, and Larchmont Chronicle copublisher Jane Gilman.

VILLAGE CATERING AT 139 1/2 NORTH LARCHMONT. Village Catering was founded in 1976 and purchased by Daryl Trainor in 1982. Trainor (now Trainor-Twerdahl) was very active in civic affairs of Larchmont and served as an officer of the Larchmont Boulevard Association. She is shown here (standing) with friends and customers holding their children in a photograph that ran in the Larchmont Chronicle honoring moms on Mother’s Day.

PAUL THOMPSON, OWNER OF PAUL THOMPSON JEWELERS AT 122 1/2 NORTH LARCHMONT. A master gemologist, Paul Thompson was a pillar of the Larchmont community. In 1980, Thompson opened an elegant jewelry and gift store that sold fine stationery and antiques. He was also very committed to Larchmont and served as president of the Larchmont Boulevard Association.

KEYSTONE KOPS ON LARCHMONT. Eddie LeVeque, one of the original Keystone Kops, lived in the neighborhood and would often participate in local events on the boulevard, including the 50th anniversary of Larchmont in 1971.

LARCHMONT AS A MOVIE LOCATION. Picturesque Larchmont was often a stand-in for the main street of a typical American small town.

LARCHMONT TROLLEY. The railway car is long gone, but in 2006 councilman Tom LaBonge responded to community and business owner complaints about the lack of parking by funding a trolley bus to take shoppers up and down Larchmont during the holiday shopping season.

LARCHMONT MEDIAN, 2002. In 1998, residents initiated a project to create a landscaped median on Larchmont between First and Third Streets. Architect and Windsor Square resident Douglas Meyer and resident Linda McKnight, with assistance from residents Norman Murdoch and Carolyn Ramsay, developed the plan. With financial support from the Windsor Square Association and the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services, the plan to create an entryway for Larchmont was completed in 2002. The plan called for the creation of an entry monument and the planting of 28 jacaranda trees. The project was initiated by neighbors in 1998 and completed in 2002. Funding was provided by generous donations from neighbors, local organizations, and a grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

COMPLETING THE LARCHMONT MEDIAN, 2002. Linda McKnight (left), Carolyn Ramsay (center), and Doug Meyer—residents of Windsor Square and leaders of the median project—celebrate the completion.

LANDSCAPE DESIGNER SANDY KENNEDY. Without the railway tracks, Larchmont Boulevard—between Third and First Streets, south of the commercial district—was very wide and the prime place for a landscaped median. Sandy Kennedy, active in the Windsor Square tree canopy project, lent her expertise to the Larchmont median project.

COUNCILMAN TOM LABONGE. LaBonge, who previously worked as a field deputy for Councilman Ferraro, served as councilman for Council District 4 for 14 years. During his almost 40 years in public service, LaBonge was hands-on and very active in the neighborhood.

GROUND-BREAKING OF MINI MEDIANS. The success of the median inspired another median in the commercial district. Councilman LaBonge and civic leaders break ground on new medians in the village.