With the potential success of finding the true history of the Kings-Daughters school in Palms because the International Organization has put a call out to its members via their homepage, it is time to try to find another piece of Palms's history.I was informed by some community members and through some basic research that there was once a "Palms" sign that was illuminated with hundreds of light bulbs and spanned the length of the street (some say Palms Boulevard, others say Motor). It was apparently there in the early part of the 20th century and was rumored to be stored in a City Service Yard upon its removal. This is similar to a sign that existed in Venice, as well. A few months ago, an effort was undertaken by a few to find the whereabouts of this sign, but no one seems to know what's happened to it. The City currently has no record of it being at any service yard (Street Services, DWP - nothing), and it was said that the Museum of Neon didn't know about the sign either.
So, long-time Palmsians and others:
Do you have any further information (or photos) of the sign that once was?
Actually, a better question might be: did the sign really ever exist. (The only record of it I could find was a reference in an article from the LA Times in the 1980s.)
On a related signage note:
It is said that Encino has funded (through their BID) a street-spanning gateway sign (approved with a green light n February, scheduled completion this month). More info on that is here. Also, the CRA in NoHo has been working on a street-spanning gateway sign to be designed by artist Peter Shire for the past few years - it is supposed to be completed in winter 2007 (does that mean December '07 or January/February '07?) - we share see.
The photo above is of a modern sign like many found throughout San Diego that would be reminiscent of the signs that once were in Palms & Venice.
4 comments:
Here's a link to a rendering of Peter Shire's proposal.
I worry what an Encino sign might look like. Will it be fashioned of fiberglass corinthian columns, covered in marble and hung with a chandelier in the center?
In the late 80's didn't Santa Monica spend a quarter of a gazillion dollars to have a gateway put over Wilshire Blvd, right at the city line?
And once the various committes were done with it, didn't it end up being the most forgettable design you've ever seen? That is, if you've ever noticed it.
True, there is a weird metal bar that spans Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica. It lights up at times, I think, but it overall underwhelming.
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