My 50 Years in Palms

My 50 Years in Palms
by David I. Worsfold

David I. Worsfold, the writer of this series published in the "Star News" during November 1964, was a recognized historian and dedicated civic worker who celebrated his 50th year as a Palms resident on October 8, 1964. According to the "Star News," he worked for the betterment of Los Angeles, and particularly for the West Side, for 37 years and for 24 years served as secretary of the Palms Chamber of Commerce. A World War II Navy veteran, Worsfold resided at 3637 Motor Avenue, Palms. Worsfold mentions many of his own personal experiences, while growing up in Palms, but he carries the thread of history in the relating of these experiences.

I have lived in Palms for a half century. My parents, Ira Worsfold and Elizabeth Rickle Worsfold, were first influenced by the Perrines to come Palms. Sirrel Perrine was married to my cousin, Anna Worsfold Barnum. In Dec. 1906, Sirrel started the first newspaper in this area, The Palms News, and in 1907, before I was born, he became the first secretary for the Palms Chamber of Commerce. It was not until the 1930's, after I had been secretary for some years, that I found out Perrine was one of my predecessors.

My father was born in Waukegan, Illinois, and lived there for forty-four years. He was one of the first architects in United States, and had a successful practice in Waukegan for twelve years, but after a more than severe winter he and my mother decided to go West. They did not plan on going to Los Angeles, for with no industry and very little employment there was not much hope in settling here permanently. Father knew that a small town with prospects of growing would be the place, and his choice was Corvallis, Oregon - a college town. He built a new home next to the campus and rented an office in town with the hopes of building up a practice, but Corvallis was a slow growing town, and there was no need for an architect - my father's limit was two years.

At this time in Palms there was a new development underway; several buildings were already started and there were many more to come. The promoters behind this were also backing Perrine's new newspaper, The Call. Sirrell and Anna urged my folks to come to Palms. They knew that father was certain to at least get carpenter's work, for Perrine did have an "in" and could help. Dad came on ahead of the rest of the family, and strayed with the Perrines in their new home on Delmas Terrace. (This is the only street in Palms that never had its name changed.)

After father was working he sent for the rest of the family. My mother, my sister Iva, my brother Richard and I arrive in Los Angeles an October 8, 1914, via the Pacific Electric to Palms, but I thought I saw Culver City. It was not until much later that I found out the community was Palms: it was the Palms School District, the Palms Post Office and the Palms Voting Precinct.

The county had just paved National Boulevard, and on our first Sunday here the family walked seven miles to Santa Monica, then to Ocean Park and Venice, another three miles, and finally home on the red cars. Home was a house on Fifth St. that we rented for ten dollars a month. This is now the home of Henry Kidson. The wealthy Kidsons could well afford Bel Air or Trousdale Estates, but stay in Palms because it's home town. I guess I stay for the same reason. We didn't stay long in that first house, but moved up the block to 7165 Fifth St. I remember that the landlord was in Utah and that the rent was ten dollars a month. In back of the house was a tall eucalyptus tree, and we nailed steps up to the sky, or about sixty feet.

Part 2