Lakewood Village, Long Beach, California
| Lakewood Village, California | |
|---|---|
| Neighborhood of Long Beach | |
| Nickname(s): The Village | |
| Country |
 United States |
| State |
 California |
| County |
 Los Angeles |
| City |
 Long Beach |
Lakewood Village or simply known as the Village is a neighborhood in the northeast portion of the city of Long Beach, California. It is bordered on the west, north and east sides by the city of Lakewood. It is located south of Del Amo Boulevard, north of Carson Street, east of Lakewood Boulevard and west of Bellflower Boulevard.
History
Between 1869 and 1897, the Rancho Los Cerritos skyrocketed in value from $5,000 for the entire ranch in 1869 to $50 an acre in 1897 when the Bixby Investment Company sold 6,979 acres (28 km2) for $348,950 to William Clark of Montana. These 6,979 acres (28 km2) are now the sites of the City of Lakewood, and the area of Long Beach called "Lakewood Village".
By the early 1930s, several houses had been built in the rural area known as Lakewood Village. The houses were favored with a pleasant setting and the proximity of the Lakewood Country Club. It has been suggested that Bouton Lake, located on the golf course and formed in 1895 when drilling operations opened an artesian well, is the source for the name “Lakewood.”
The Second World War began an era of profound change for the future Lakewood area. The Douglas Aircraft Company completed a massive defense plant and home for the Douglas workers were begun in what is now Lakewood Village. Yet even as the defense workers moved into their new homes, the fields between South Street and Lakewood Village remained empty.
By 1949, most of the land comprising west Lakewood—some 3,500 acres (14 km2)—had been purchased for nearly $9 million by Louis Boyar, Ben Weingart, and Mark Taper. From their experience as homebuilders in Long Beach and Norwalk, they knew that the Lakewood area was ready for planned development. Together, they formed the Lakewood Park Corporation and, with the financial assistance of the Prudential Insurance Company, began building the first of 17,000 new homes.
Setting
A number of architectural styles are found in this neighborhood, with styles including: English Tudor, Cape Cod, Country, French Country, Medieval, Ranch, Spanish Colonial, Mediterranean, Contemporary, Asian, Tropical/Tiki, Streamline Moderne/Art Deco, Craftsman, and many more.
Lakewood Village is located in the center of the Lakewood/Long Beach area, and is close to the 91, 710, 605 and 405 Freeways. Lakewood Village is part of the 90808 ZIP Code that also includes communities such as the El Dorado Park Estates, Los Altos, & Rancho Park Estates.
The Village Shoppes
Along Viking Way (the Southeast corner of Lakewood Village) Since the 1950s, "Parkview Village" (originally known as "The Triangle"), has included a collection of shops, restaurants, and service providers along Viking Way and Village Road in the heart of the residential community of Lakewood Village. The Village is located at the intersection of Bellflower Boulevard and Carson Street adjacent to Heartwell Park and the Long Beach City College Liberal Arts Campus, and near Long Beach Municipal Airport and Skylinks Golf Course. Parkview Village has the characteristics of an outdoor shopping "main street" with over 100,000 square feet (10,000 m2) and more than seventy businesses.
Along Norse way
(the Southwest corner of Lakewood Village)This shopping center, built in 1941, was originally used by the MacDonald Douglas workers. The Sunnyspot Diner, Bank of America, Grocery Store and Ration Stamp office have since left. It was the beginning of Lonnies Sporting Goods, Rex L. Hodges Real Estate and the First Lakewood Village Walk In Theater. Rexall Drugs and a malt shop are fond memories of early LBCC Students.
A wide variety of stores and businesses are offered along this street. One can find several restaurants ranging from Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, Greek, Mexican, and even Classic American food from Dale's Diner. These shops are located near the intersection of Lakewood Boulevard and Carson Street. Many of these businesses offer discounts to Boeing employees since Boeing is located just across the street. The shops are also not too far from the Long Beach City College Liberal Arts Campus.
Schools
Part of the Long Beach Unified School District, this area's schools include Mark Twain Elementary School and Bancroft Middle School, both California Distinguished Elementary Schools. There are several Christian elementary schools at local churches in the Village. The area high school is Lakewood High School. Long Beach City College's Liberal Arts Campus is also located in the Village.
Notable residents
- Ralph Luther Criswell, Los Angeles City Council member, 1925–27, and later a lobbyist for the Boulder Dam project
- Barbara Boylan, lovely dancer from the Lawrence Welk Show is from Lakewood Village.