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The Story of Palms - the First Palm Trees
by David I.  Worsfold

David I. Worsfold, noted Palms historian, booster, and honorary mayor, wrote this article in the late 1940's.

     What reason the subdividers had in 1886 for selecting the name "PALMS" is unknown at the present time.  It was probably that the palm tree is so typical of Southern California.  There were no palm trees in Palms when it was subdivided, but the promoters planted the date palms that are still growing opposite the old Southern Pacific depot at National Boulevard and Vinton Avenue.

     The Palms School District was established in January 1888.  It spread from the National Military Home to the Baldwin Hills.  The first Palms School was built from the proceeds of a $10,000 bond issue.  Today, the Los Angeles Board of Education is preparing plans for a $600,000 Junior High School to serve the Palms area.  The new Junior High School is a project sponsored by the Palms Chamber of Commerce, oldest civic organization in the community.