Carolanne Sudderth Tenants win fight to preserve historic courtyard complex, Ocean Park Gazette, 15 June 2004, 1980s, 1940s, 1930s, 1926, 1925, 1920s,
"June 15 - . . . residents of 125 Pacific Street celebrated victory last night when the Landmarks Commission voted to grant their building landmark designation that allows them to retain their homes. Owners of the building, an LLC had applied for a permit to demolish the structure's 24 units and replace it.
"Built between 1925 and 1926, Christie Court is one of two surviving (intact) courtyards west of Neilson, once Trolley, Way, (The other is the landmark Horatio West Courts at 140 Hollister Ave. two blocks away.) The project consists of 24 adjoined units built in a horsehoe around a broad swath of green lawn. The picnic table set therein has served as a gathering ground and meeting place.
" . . . Resident Mark Hooker led off by presenting a 271 signature petition in support of saving the building. One by one, tenants related different sections of a carefully traced history of the building based largely on the oral histories of people who had lived there.
"In the beginning, the building's placement was a tale of two piers when Santa Monica was a pleasure resort. In addition to enjoying the beach, people came to dance at the prestigious Santa Monica ballroom on the Santa Monica Pier or gamble at Nat Goodwin's cafe on the Crystal/Bristol Pier at the foot of Hollister Avenue.
"The building provided housing for local trades people. During the 20s, a pair of plumbers lived there and walked across Main to their offices in what is now Star Liquor.