A Look at Palos Verdes Through the 1930 Federal Census: Part 3

Significant Events of 1930

The enumeration of the 1930 census in April occurred during some significant events that would ensure the unique ambiance of Palos Verdes Estates.  The first of these was the unveiling of the Neptune Fountain in Malaga Cove Plaza, on February 16, 1930. It was a 2/3 scale replica of a bronze fountain in Bologna, Italy, dating from 1563. Attendance was estimated at 1000 people, with 700 counted for the ceremonies, and dinner at La Venta Inn. California Lieutenant Governor H.L. Carnahan was among the distinguished speakers. During the following two weeks, visitors from every section of California were represented in the guestbook, as well as from Canada, Paris, Venice, Vienna, Madrid, Buenos Aires, Manila and Yokohama, Japan.

Miraleste Elementary School opened May 2, 1930 and on June 5, Malaga Cove School held graduation ceremonies for its 8th grade class of 14 students, the largest to date.  Included in the graduation were Jason Cedarholm, Boyd Comstock Jr., Sally Jane Drumm, Mary Gilmore, Joe Hatashita, Margaret Jones, Keegan Low, Spencer Moeller, Marguerite Myers, Lucy Joy Sale, Elizabeth Schellenberg, Jack Wallace, Emil Woosley and Richard Yarnell. 

The much anticipated Palos Verdes Public Library and Art Gallery opened June 3, 1930. The facility had been built with a $90,000 bond issued and approved by the public in 1928.  It was designed by the noted architectural firm of Myron Hunt and H.C. Chambers. Furniture was specially made in Portuguese Bend by Meredith Watts, Marguerite Gard and the Palos Verdes Furniture Guild. The designs were replicas of Renaissance tables and chairs from Italy brought by the Vanderlip family who arranged for the work to be done at cost.

The Library relied on the Los Angeles County Free Library Service while building its own collection. Library trustees issued community-wide appeals for donations to a fund to purchase books. The first community newspaper, the PV Bulletin, noted this appeal by the trustees: "if every lot owner in Palos Verdes would send to the library ten good books—not obsolete dead stuff---but books for which there will be a demand, we would soon have a real collection of our own.”

Miss Agnes MacMillan was appointed as the first librarian, a full-time appointment by Los Angeles County.  She had over 10 years’ experience, serving in Seattle, Sacramento, Honolulu and Santa Monica. 

The Library played an important role in the community as one of the few if not the only public indoor gathering site.  It was open daily (except Monday) from 2 PM to 6 PM, and Wednesday evenings from 7 PM to 9 PM and the Exhibit Hall/Art Gallery was open every day from 2 to 5:30 PM.  Designed to seat 110 persons, it served as a community meeting space and lecture hall. 

The initial exhibition featured California artists, and an entry fee of 25 cents per person was charged to defray costs of presenting this exhibition.  At this time the Community Arts Association, the precursor to the current Palos Verdes Art Center was  up and running.  

The Palos Verdes Swimming Club and Bathhouse, built by the Palos Verdes Project and presented to the Homes Association, opened June 1 for the use of residents, members and guests.  It was situated twenty feet above sea level, and reached by a path from the Malaga Cove School playground or steps from the park on the bluff. The main pool was 45 x105 feet, 9 1/2 feet deep, with high and low diving boards. It was filled with sterilized filtered sea water pumped from the ocean, which could be heated if necessary.

It Club also had a semicircular wading pool for small children adjacent to the main pool.  Amenities in the bath house included men’s and women’s dressing rooms with lockers and showers, and an upstairs lounge area with a fireplace and large windows overlooking the pool. The facility was open from June 1 to October 1, at a cost of $40 per season for residents and their families. A fee was charged for guests; and towels and bathing suits were also available for a small additional charge. 

Mr. Grant Leenhouts was chosen as Pool Manager.  He had served in this capacity for two years at the Surf and Sand Club in Hermosa Beach, and was a life guard captain at Redondo Beach for four years. He planned to develop swim teams for boys and girls, and established free swim lessons to school children in the community) By November 1930, swimming became part of the physical education program for Malaga Cove and Miraleste elementary schools two mornings a week for grades four through eight.