Harold Osmer & Phil Harms Real Road Racing: The Santa Monica Road Races, Harold L. Osmer Publishing: Chatsworth, CA 1999, 1910s
Preface:
"Automobiles, auto racing, race drivers, and a host of other obvious things changed dramatically in the ten years between 1909 and 1919."
Prelude to Santa Monica:
"A map of the Venice California 3.23 mile-long Race Course indicates the canvas-fence enclosed course operated from 1910 to 1916, with grandstands at the corners of Electric Av. and Rose Av. and Electric and Rialto Aves, near the Tokio Station. There were scoreboards across from the Grandstands. There were gates at Elena Av., Broadway Av., Rialto Av., Oakwood Av. and Victoria Av., with an auto bridge at Lincoln and Victoria to admit patrons onto the parking areas of the infield.
". . .
"Santa Monica . . . image was established in 1893 when Southern California's ultimate resort opened as the Arcadia Hotel. Located at the corner of today's Ocean Av. and Pico Blvd., residential and commercial activity were then redirected into the city's southern section . . ."
"Santa Monica grew as a summer resort for heat-weary Los Angeles residents. Bath houses and resort hotels joined the casinos and pier-mounted amusements in serving a dynamic clientele. Santa Monica's 2000 residents hosted daily crowds numbering many thousands more. Pacific Electric rail cars provided transportation to and from Los Angeles in about 25 minutes."
". . .
". . . Santa Monica maintained a reputation for relaxing fun, top quality resorts, and a superior climate. In the early 1900s, residents began to recognize and exploit their image. City efforts were then focused on resort hotels and the burgeoning tourist trade. Major roads were dragged and oiled on a regular basis, sidewalks were constructed, and public walkways were built along the beach
"Speedway Drive, which still exists today, was among the first paved roads west of Los Angeles. Real estate developers created this long, smooth, straight stretch of pavement in order to entice automobile owners westward from Los Angeles. After a bumpy ride over dirt roads to the beach, drivers could open their throttles and drive at speed with relative impunity, hence the name. Developers naturally hoped that families of well-to-do automobile owners would move west, or perhaps build a summer cottage along the shore."
"Santa Monica's racecourse followed existing roads on the north side of the city limits through an 8.4 mile D-shaped circuit. The start-finish line was located near Montana Av., on Ocean Av., which ran parallel to a cliff above the beach . . ."
"Racers traveled south along Ocean Av. roughly three-quarters of a mile, slightly downgrade to Nevada Av., (later Wilshire). A tight 90 degree left hander brought them to a wide open three-mile straightaway. . . . a sweeping left hand turn at the Old Soldiers Home. This led to San Vincente Blvd."
"An abundance of vacant lots allowed for ample parking and spectating. A bridge at Fourth St. allowed cars and fans to safely cross the course . . ." pp. 8, 9
"By 1910, Santa Monica boasted 7,847 permanent residents."
Noted in the Los Angeles Times, 1909, the threat of a "spite fence" whereas one party threatened to block the view of another in retaliation for the threat of having his view blocked.
The 1909 Santa Monica race was held July 10, 1909 to coincide with a week-long Elks Club convention."
The 1910 Santa Monica race was held on Thanksgiving.
"The parade of motor cars started from Los Angeles, 14 miles from the scene of the race, early Wednesday evening. There was no let-up and throughout the night the chugging of motors continued. By midnight all the desirable parking space was occupied and 10,000 people were within a mile of the grandstand . . .
"After dancing on an immense platform for several hours the fog and the chill morning air proved too much for the awaiting spectators and they proceeded to demolish said dance hall and burn it up in several gigantic bonfires. The special police who dared to interfere were threatened with a ducking in the ocean and retired. The beach resorts for miles along the coast were crowded throughout the night and those who could not find better accommodations slept in the sand and under the many palm trees." -Motor Age
"The hegira to the city which followed the finish of the race was tremendous. Automobiles lined up for miles and plodded their way slowly to Los Angeles. There was no use of endeavoring top speed. There were too many machines. From the summit of one hill between Santa Monica and the city the long line of automobiles, leading away from the scene of the great race, resembled a mammoth serpent crawling over the roads . . ." Los Angeles Times
"The 1911 Santa Monica race was held on October 14."
""Bert [Dingley] has been readied for the race today by Roger Cornell, who is probably the greatest physical conditioner in America, and who has prepared most of the big fighters for their supreme contests."
""Every day Dingley has been rubbed down with an electric vibrator to steady his nerves, and his hands and arms have had special treatment. Between races, Cornell will take care of him much after the manner that boxers are restored in their corners between rounds."" Los Angeles Times
"The 1912 Santa Monica race was scheduled for May 4 in conjunction with the Los Angeles Shriners Convention. Barney Oldfield would make his initial appearance in the Santa Monica Race having been suspended by the AAA for his outlaw match race with boxer Jack Johnson."
Advertisement: 1913
W.L. Heinickle Lincoln Ford Fordson Cars, Trucks, Tractors, "We sell everywhere" Phone 61007 Main and Navy Sts. Venice, California
"The 1913 Santa Monica race on August 9."
"1914 had two major races in Santa Monica scheduled, Vanderbilt Cup, February 21 and February 23, the Grand Prize.
". . . By noon Tuesday, rain was falling in sheets. The showers continued . . . for three days . . . persistent rain . . . turned the dirt roads between Los Angeles and Santa Monica into ribbons of mud . . ."
"Pacific Electric tracks also sustained heavy damage . . . The races were delayed until February 26 and 28."
"Santa Monica was a clear favorite for both races in 1915 but Santa Monica's Mayor Dudley tried to outmaneuver the Western Auto Association [which may be why Venice was given the 1915 Grand Prix Event] and the events were held in San Francisco with the Panama-Pacific Exposition."
"In 1916 Santa Monica scheduled two races for Thanksgiving." "In 1919 the last Santa Monica race was run."