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The Original South Park, an Oasis in South Los Angeles

By Nathan Masters
May 5, 2014
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Regional boosters held up South Park, seen here circa 1911, as an example of Southern California's semitropical abundance. Courtesy of the South Bay History Collection, CSUDH Archives.
Regional boosters held up South Park, seen here circa 1911, as an example of Southern California's semitropical abundance. Courtesy of the South Bay History Collection, CSUDH Archives.

There are two South Parks in Los Angeles. One is the booming residential district on downtown's southern flank, a neighborhood of sleek apartment towers and surface parking lots. It takes its name from a redevelopment vision of the 1970s, a nine-block park that never left the drawing board.

And the other is the original South Park, 19 acres of green space some 40 blocks away in South Los Angeles. Bounded by Avalon Boulevard and San Pedro, 49th, and 51st streets, South Park's age might surprise some: it's been a city park since 1899. At the time, there were only eleven other municipal parks in Los Angeles. And its name made sense. It was by far the most southern of the city's parks, which included outdoor retreats like Westlake and Eastlake parks.

When the city purchased it from a private developer for $10,000, South Park was little more than an open tract of orange and walnut trees amid new housing subdivisions. But the city's parks department quickly transformed it into a well-cultivated garden. Water from a 172-foot artesian well sustained its lush landscaping: colorful flower beds, fourteen varieties of oaks, and a walk lined with pepper trees. But the chief attraction was a dramatic allée of palm trees. Two sets of palms -- Canary Island date palms on the outside, Mexican fan palms on the inside -- lined a wide pedestrian promenade.

The community embraced it, picnicking under the shade trees and taking flower-scented strolls. South Park became an especially popular place for casual games; the L.A. Times called it "the monte carlo of Los Angeles, minus the wicked jingle of the coin." Horseshoe pitchers took to the lawns while checkers and pinochle players clung to the park's tables. There was even a local specialty named tiddle-dee-winks, a variant of horseshoes that used brass disks, that was said to have been invented at South Park.

South Park remained an important community gathering place as African Americans made the surrounding neighborhood their own. In the 1940s, legends of South Central's jazz scene performed under its band shell, and in later decades the park hosted anti-war protests and other political demonstrations. Today, though it may have lost exclusive use of its name, South Park remains an oasis of green in park-poor South Los Angeles.

South Park's palm-lined avenue, still intact today, was long its chief attraction. Circa 1910s postcard courtesy of the South Bay History Collection, CSUDH Archives.
South Park's palm-lined avenue, still intact today, was long its chief attraction. Circa 1910s postcard courtesy of the South Bay History Collection, CSUDH Archives.
The park's promenade was lined with both fan palms and Canary Island date palms. Courtesy of the USC Libraries - California Historical Society Collection.
The park's promenade was lined with both fan palms and Canary Island date palms. Courtesy of the USC Libraries - California Historical Society Collection.
In addition to its palm walk, South Park was renowned for its colorful flower displays. This undated photograph is captioned 'Mid Winter - Los Angeles.' Courtesy of the USC Libraries - California Historical Society Collection.
In addition to its palm walk, South Park was renowned for its colorful flower displays. This undated photograph is captioned 'Mid Winter - Los Angeles.' Courtesy of the USC Libraries - California Historical Society Collection.
South Park's palm walk, circa 1920. Courtesy of the South Bay History Collection, CSUDH Archives.
South Park's palm walk, circa 1920. Courtesy of the South Bay History Collection, CSUDH Archives.
South Park's palm-lined avenue in 1926. Courtesy of the USC Libraries - California Historical Society Collection.
South Park's palm-lined avenue in 1926. Courtesy of the USC Libraries - California Historical Society Collection.
South Park's fountain and palm avenue as seen through an arch in 1930. Courtesy of the USC Libraries - California Historical Society Collection.
South Park's fountain and palm avenue as seen through an arch in 1930. Courtesy of the USC Libraries - California Historical Society Collection.
Carolyn and Dorothy McNeal at South Park in 1923. Courtesy of the Shades of L.A. Collection - Los Angeles Public Library.
Carolyn and Dorothy McNeal at South Park in 1923. Courtesy of the Shades of L.A. Collection - Los Angeles Public Library.
Pinochle was the game of choice for many parkgoers in the 1930s. Courtesy of the Photo Collection - Los Angeles Public Library.
Pinochle was the game of choice for many parkgoers in the 1930s. Courtesy of the Photo Collection - Los Angeles Public Library.
Boys learn to throw baseballs at South Park in 1931. Courtesy of the USC Libraries - Dick Whittington Photography Collection.
Boys learn to throw baseballs at South Park in 1931. Courtesy of the USC Libraries - Dick Whittington Photography Collection.
South Park hosted this circus performance in 1931. Courtesy of the USC Libraries - Dick Whittington Photography Collection.
South Park hosted this circus performance in 1931. Courtesy of the USC Libraries - Dick Whittington Photography Collection.
South Park's fountain and palm walk, circa 1962. Courtesy of the Photo Collection - Los Angeles Public Library.
South Park's fountain and palm walk, circa 1962. Courtesy of the Photo Collection - Los Angeles Public Library.
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