James W. Lunsford The Ocean and the Sunset, The Hills and the Clouds: Looking at Santa Monica, illustrated by Alice N. Lunsford, 1983, 1973, 1948, 1920, 1907, 1893, [late] 1800s
Ocean Park
"One of the oldest sections of Santa Monica, Ocean Park had its beginning in 1893 when the Santa Fe Railroad constructed a passenger station and baggage room at what is now the intersection of Hill Street and Neilson Way and planted a few trees and grass on nearby plot of ground that was then called Ocean Park. The name clung and eventually was extended to the entire area. The original station was razed in 1920. There is some evidence that the trees had been planted before 1893 by either W.S. Vawter or E.J. Vawter, who wished to improve their real estate tract. Ocean Park, comprising the area south of Pico and west of Lincoln, is rich in notable sites.
54. The Baron's Castle, 2103 Third Street. A Moorish villa designed and erected in 1907 by Nicolas Baida, a Syrian-born art dealer. With its three stories topped off by a large dome and its elaborately landscaped grounds, it was known as "The Palace" in its early years. In 1920 and 1921 it served as a convalescent home for veterans of World War I. It was eventually acquired by Baron Michel Leone, a professional wrestler who built the new portions of the building and gave it the name "Baron's Castle."