Santa Monica’s Avenue’s Original Names

The “state” namesake avenues in Santa Monica start at Montana and end at Colorado, which, confusingly enough, was originally named “Railroad.” Most of the street names, Idaho, Arizona, et cetera, have not changed. The exceptions seem to be Santa Monica Blvd (originally named Orgeon Avenue), Broadway (originally named Utah Avenue), and Wislhire Blvd. (originally named Nevada Avenue).

I have a hunch that Senator Jones named the street Nevada because the thoroughfare ran in front of his “Miramar” home on Ocean Avenue (Jones had made his fortune in and was a US senator representing Nevada).

Crystal Pier

Ha!

There used to be a pier at Hollister Ave! There is, of course, nothing there now to indicate that. The Crystal Pier seems to have been an amusement pier. I found this great photo print at the Library of Congress of a “Bathing Beauty Contest,” and I think you can see the pier in the background.

This is a great high res panorama photo from 1925. Click on the fragment below to go to the high res version.

Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008

It appears all eyes are on the House right now, waiting to see if HR 3997 (“Financial Markets Bill”) passes. It’s surprisingly close right now, 153 – 146.

I’m just thinking about lunch.

Now the Nays have taken the lead with 163 for and 167 against. Unbelievable.

Whatever the true substance of this legislation, with 60 seconds left in the vote, I can’t believe this thing isn’t going to pass.

It’s definitely going to be close.