Ever Changing Boulevard...

Discovered, this morning, on the Urbanize LA website is this rendering for a new structure to be built on the Wilshire Temple campus, just 6 blocks east from the Gaylord on Wilshire Boulevard. The 55,000 sq ft building will be used mainly to hold events. Work is to begin later this year and be completed in 2020. This modern design will be an exciting shot in the arm and raise the standards along the boulevard, just as the Gaylord has been doing since 1924!

For more info on this and other architectural developments throughout the Los Angeles area, you can go to the Urbanize LA website at urbanize.la.

The Gaylord Glimpses from May 1927...

One item I must comment on in this issue is the story on page 19 about Gaylord resident and former Chief of Detectives for the NYPD, George S. Dougherty. Coming from a family of law enforcement officials throughout New York and Connecticut, myself (now you know why I try to keep order within the Gaylord... it's in my blood!), I am amused by Commissioner Dougherty's insights to the criminal mind.

Also, in this issue, lovely Gaylord resident and French film actress, Arlette Marchall, featured on page 10.

It strikes me also just how much theater was happening in Los Angeles during this advent of the film industry in Hollywood. This still holds true today, with many small independent theater companies, spread throughout L.A., putting forth productions year round. You should check them out.

Prohibition?...

During the Prohibition Era of the 1920's, someone at the Gaylord was not abiding by the laws , as reported in the Los Angeles Times, on November 29, 1924. It seems a Mr. John A. Whelan, proprietor of the Gaylord Commissary was selling liquor on the side to inquiring tenants. Sadly, he was caught by the authorities and booked on violation charges.
The commissary was located in the basement and stocked with groceries for the Gaylord residents. Today, this space is occupied by our laundry room, available 24 hours/day.

Shopper's Delight...

Gaylord Residents & neighbors, coming soon (finally!), the K-town Target now has an opening date of Sunday, April 8th and is located on 6th Street, between Virgil and Commonwealth, just a few blocks east of Vermont Avenue. This will give you more grocery shopping options, within walking distance, in the neighborhood. We welcome the options from such established retailers.

Hello Mr. Mayor...

When U.S.Congressman Norris Poulson was elected mayor of Los Angeles in 1953, the L.A. Times reported on June 13, 1953, "The Poulson party flew in from Washington yesterday morning and took up temporary residence in the Gaylord Apartments on Wilshire Blvd. Mrs. Poulson said, however, that they plan to acquire a "modest home of our own in the near future."
Poulson was a congressman from 1943- 1945 and again from 1947 through 1953. While mayor, from 1953- 1961, Poulson was responsible for bringing our beloved Dodgers from Brooklyn to the City of Angels.
(photograph taken by Ralph Crane, in 1959 and courtesy of gettyimages, 'The Life Picture Collection")

One of the Originals...

Pictured on top, from our October 1927 issue of 'Gaylord Glimpses,' is one of our original Gaylord residents, Mrs. George (Alta) E. Feagans. Alta was married to a prestigious jewelry store owner and silver maker. The Feagans and Company jewelry store opened in 1906, at the Hotel Alexandria (interior of the store pictured above), in downtown Los Angeles. The hotel was L.A.'s first 5 star hotel and Feagans served a high-end clientele, such as the residents of the Gaylord. We are not familiar with the cause of death of George and Alta, but George passed away on Christmas day, 1934 and Alta followed 3 days later on the 28th. Let's just say it was true love and another Gaylord story.

Gaylord Women...

It seems quite appropriate, while doing research on our past residents yesterday, I came across this gem on International Women's Day. Pictured in the top left is our lovely Mrs. Rena Bell Hardman, Gaylord resident and enterprising woman. The photo comes from our September 1927 issue of 'Gaylord Glimpses.'
The illustration, above, is from Rena's patent application for a 'one-piece foldable overshoe.' In part, the application reads, "A further consideration in designing footwear of this class, especially for women, is that the overshoe is so constructed as to detract as little as possible from the appearance of the conventional shoes of the wearer. Another object of the invention is to provide a shoe of this class described which is adapted to be constructed of a transparent material whereby to reveal the color and design of underlying conventional footwear." Meaning, Rena wanted her high status shoes to be visible, while wearing her rubber galoshes, in rain & snow storms. Rena started this patent request in July 1948 and was finally awarded the patent for this invention in September 1953.
Mrs. Rena Bell Hardman, just one of the many strong, determined women in our long Gaylord history.

Shakespeare Anyone...

Our bursting forth with theatricality, Byron, will be taking on the role of Malcolm in an upcoming production of Shakespeare's "Macbeth," at the Ojai Art Center Theater. Byron is our talented tenant who produced a One Night Only production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream," a few Summers ago, back at the Gaylord pool. Now that evening was a special event!
Take yourself out of town to lovely Ojai for the day and go support Byron, starting Friday, March 16th. For tickets and more info go to their website at ojaiact.org.

Available Units...

Still AVAILABLE FOR NOW;

***RENTED***- One Bedroom unit, 10th floor, 820 sq ft, south/east corner unit, views out to Catalina Island, great closet space, $2050/month.***RENTED***

Coming AVAILABLE for mid-March;

***RENTED***- One Bedroom unit, 8th floor, 740 sq ft, north/west corner unit, spectacular views of the 'HOLLYWOOD' sign & Griffith Observatory, $1950/month.***RENTED***

Photo, above, courtesy of USC Digital Library, Dick Whittington Photography Collection, from 1938. Shown are the Gaylord neighbors on the north/east corner, the Richfield gas station and Sally's Homemade Candies. Past the Gaylord on the left are the KFAC radio tower and the steeple to Wilshire Christian Church.