CULVER CITY
Culver City, Calif., might hold the title of the most uncredited film capital in America, at least by most film fans. Case in point: Few people outside the city of roughly 40,000 know that its official motto is “The Heart of Screenland.”
Now, the city that has fostered so much celluloid entertainment is experiencing a rebirth in investment, not only with emerging film titans as tenants (Amazon and Apple right in front), but with new housing, retail and public spaces.
Whether you have moved to Culver City as part of a new burst of development, or you have yet to discover its charms, if you need professional carpet cleaning in Culver City, California, Dave’s Carpet is the place to call.
In 2018, fresh off its purchase of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s catalog and name, Amazon’s newly merged Amazon MGM Studios inked a 14-year lease for The Culver Studios.
In August 2024, Apple broke ground on its Southern California headquarters, with a design reminiscent of the curves on the latest iPhone.
The population of roughly 40,000 has remained stable for decades, and while that might not change drastically, Culver City will likely see a boost in visitors – and their spending — as new attractions have opened, and others have been renovated.
Still, urban living – with the required affordable housing at 15 percent of new development, is part of the new investment, so any new residents should have plenty of destinations to frequent.
The city – incorporated by Henry Culver in 1917, has held several events to commemorate 100 years in — in various categories – even as recently as last September.
The Culver City Arclight Theatre, once owned by the city, was recently bought by Amazon Studios, which according to Yelp and reddit reviewers, offers the same experience that it did before closing during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic.
And the Culver Hotel, famous for hosting actors from The Wizard of Oz in its heyday, has also experienced a makeover. It’s a time capsule with restored Gilded Age motifs, complete with the large potted ferns that characterized that era.
LIVING HISTORY
“All roads lead to Culver City” was the frequently advertised slogan created by Henry Culver, founder of the Culver Investment Company who in 1914 envisioned a city in between the Pueblo de Los Angeles (downtown) and the Coney Island of the West: Venice Beach.
In 1915, with a population of 560 residents, 59 men voted to reject annexation by Los Angeles, and by 1917, Culver City was born.
Thomas Ince, whose name is synonymous with early silent film and who is remembered as the “Father of the Western,” built not just one iconic complex, but two within the fledgling town: Triangle Ince Studios (currently Sony Pictures) and The Culver Studios (now Amazon MGM Studios).
CULVER CITY TIMELINE
1910s. Filmmaking pioneer Thomas Ince launches Inceville Studios at the mouth of Santa Ynez Canyon at what is now the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Pacific Palisades.
1912. Developer and publicist Henry Culver passes by Ballona Creek at what is now Marina del Rey when he saw Hollywood pioneer Thomas Ince filming for a silent Western movie. Culver stopped and reportedly convinced Ince to move his studio from Inceville (Marquez Ranch area, now in Pacific Palisades) to unincorporated Los Angeles, Culver City area.
1912.. Triangle Ince Studios is built on a triangle lot at Washington Boulevard, Culver Boulevard and Overland Avenue.
1917. Culver City is incorporated.
1918. Thomas Ince creates a new studio facility down the street, at Washington and Culver boulevards.
1924. Thomas Ince dies under mysterious circumstances after a party on the yacht of William Randolph Heartst.
1925. Triangle Ince Studios is bought by Samuel Goldwyn and becomes MGM Studios.
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