1926-1931 Bank of West Hollywood

• Bank of West Hollywood
  
• Trains on Santa Monica Boulevard

Bank of West Hollywood (1926 - 1931)  

8151 Santa Monica Boulevard

Like the Whisky A Go Go, the  Starwood night club started life a long time ago as a bank building.  (That explains the building's strange configuration when later it became a restaurant or night club). 

8151 Santa Monica Blvd

The Bank of West Hollywood was located at the northwest corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Crescent Heights. The bank opened in May of 1926.   

Santa Monica Blvd. looking east to Crescent Heights

LAPL photo data base: date unknown

Photo by Thompson & Watson

View today

2008 photo: tlc

Next to the bank was Sam Seelig's Company Crescent Heights Public Market.

The bank was a brick building with adjacent paved parking. The building was arranged like a typical bank building for the time.  On the ground floor was the lobby, teller/cashier station and desks for the vice presidents.   Of course, at the rear there was a vault room where all the valuables.

Stairs led up to the upper area where there was a balcony overlooking the central main lobby,    two conference rooms and a private office and bathroom.

 

The Bank of West Hollywood sold shares of bank stock to the public.

However, the stock market crash was just around the corner (Oct. 1929).

In 1929, there was a run on the banks. Like many banks at the time, the Bank of West Hollywood did not keep enough money on reserve for the panic. 

The Bank of West Hollywood was forced to close it's doors in June of 1931. State regulated stated that  its cash reserves had fallen below legal requirements. 

The building sat vacant for many years. 

When Trains rolled down Santa Monica Boulevard

In the early part of the 20th century, West Hollywood was a real working-class railroad town. 

In this unincorporated part of Los Angeles, there was not much was out here except a few movie studios and an aircraft company (Douglas) at Cloverfield in Santa Monica. 

People living in the surrounding areas of Los Angeles (where land was cheap) needed a convenient way to commute to work and shops.

In 1896, Moses H. Sherman and his business associate Eli Clark bought 5.6 acres on Santa Monica Boulevard southeast of San Vicente (now the Pacific Design Center) in an area of unincorporated Los Angeles County. 

Colonel Moses H. Sherman

Arizona Memorial Project 

This land was to be the headquarters for their new railway system called they called Los Angeles Pacific Railroad Company. 

Moses H. Sherman's set out to provide a mass transit system using streetcars, light rail and buses that would connect downtown Los Angeles with points to the surrounding neighborhoods such as Hollywood,  Burbank, San Fernando Valley and Santa Monica. 

The complex of steam power houses and shop buildings was called Sherman. 

source: Los Angeles Transit History

In 1906 the Southern Pacific bought a controlling interest in Sherman's company.  With more cash to spend - a large steam powerhouse was built along with a power substation, a massive brick car barn, an iron foundry, a brass foundry, a carpentry shop, repair and storage buildings, a large blacksmith shop, an oil house and power house. 

Sherman's Railroad car barn and shop- West Hollywood

Santa Monica Blvd between Palm Ave and San Vicente Blvd

West Hollywood by Ryan Gierach

Same view today -Metro Division 7 Headquarters

Looking southeast from Santa Monica and Palm Ave.

2008 photo: 2008

2008 photo: tlc

Also at this time, Henry Huntington began buying land in growing areas not yet reached by public transportation. In 1901 is established the Pacific Electric Railway. The Pacific Electric Railway was also know as the Red Car system.  

Red Car

wiki: red car

In 1922 Sherman's railway system was acquired by the Pacific Electric Railway System and it became part of PE's  Western District.  The route was called Sherman West Hollywood Line.

PE considered the Western District a suburban service. When PE took over - the West Hollywood Sherman railroad station continued to be used as a maintenance center for the lines based there.

Western District Substation - Santa Monica Boulevard

Metro photo archives

Looking southwest at Santa Monica Blvd. at Holloway Drive and Croft Ave.

 - across the street is Barney's Beanery

1927 photo: USC photo archive collection

Barney's Beanery was founded in 1920

North side of Holloway just east of La Cienega Blvd.

2008 photo: tlc

In 1927 the Western District had ten inter-urban lines. 

Looking northeast along Santa Monica boulevard in 1931

The railroad yard is in center of photo

(where the Pacific Design Center is today)

Photo: USC photo archives

 Santa Monica Boulevard ends on the east at Sunset Boulevard 

Los Angeles Transit History

The Pacific Electric's famous Red Cars operated from West Hollywood were controlled from the Subway Terminal building.  There were over 250 miles of narrow gauge track spreading from downtown into the valley and out to the beach at Santa Monica. 

It was just a 20 minute ride on the Pacific Electric to the Hill Street terminal in downtown LA. 

Santa Monica Boulevard followed the tracks of the Pacific Electric Railway.

Pacific Electric Western Division Substation - Sherman (West Hollywood)

West Hollywood by Ryan Gierach

Near the railroad - worker's homes and commercial businesses  sprang up.   The homes and shops encompassing the station became know as the town of Sherman. 

PE on Santa Monica Boulevard

 LAPL photo data base

date: n.d.

For years freight trains and trolleys regularly ran down the center of Santa Monica Blvd.

The West Hollywood train stop was at Palm 

- across the street is the PE electrical substation

Los Angeles Transit Authority

Same view today looking east down Santa Monica Blvd. at Palm

2008 photo: tlc

In the 1920's West Hollywood had no large industries other than a few motion picture studios and an aircraft plant.  Lumber yards, hardware stores, auto mechanics, welders, and factories emerged along Santa Monica Boulevard to support these industries along with bars and restaurants.

Typical types of commercial businesses along Santa Monica Blvd.

West Hollywood by Ryan Gierach

For years there was a lack of building regulation and enforcement in West Hollywood, especially along Santa Monica Boulevard. 

LAPL Photo Data Base

After WW2 all remaining Western District rail lines were downgraded and  classified by PE as local. Tremendous population strangled the rail lines.

Looking east on Santa Monica Blvd. towards La Cienega Blvd. 

Metro photo archive

Same view today - Santa Monica Blvd looking east toward La Cienega Blvd. 

2008 photo: tlc

2008 photo: tlc

The rail system eventually failed. Automobiles began crowding the rail cars. There were numerous crossing accidents. Major highways and freeways were built.  Rail lines could not compete with the more flexible bus lines.  There was lack of public support and public over site. Eventually the privately run inter-urban rail and street car system changed over to a bus system.

Metro photo archive

In 1954 the red car passenger service was discontinued at the West Hollywood division.

The big brick car house was torn down. The last trolley wires came down in 1958. 

Demolition of the old car barn

Metro photo archive

Freight service still operated on Santa Monica Boulevard until 1974. 

Southern Pacific train going east on Santa Monica Blvd.

1971 photo

  Rail support buildings were demolished to make room for the Pacific Design Center and Sheriff Station. 

The old railroad yard - West Hollywood

2008 photo: tlc

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1945-1955 Kings Restaurant

• Kings Restaurant
  
• George Distel

The Kings Restaurant (1945-1955)

8153 Santa Monica Boulevard

In 1945, previous Hollywood night club manager George Distel started Kings Restaurant at the old bank building site on the northwest corner of Santa Monica and Crescent Heights. He used the address at 8153 Santa Monica Boulevard. He operated with host Paul Franks and Master Chef Mel Moore.

Ron Kessler's web site

8151 Santa Monica Blvd.

LAPL Regional History Archives

8153 Santa Monica Blvd

Ron Kessler's web site

Kings Restaurant aimed to be a top notch seafood restaurant. It served fresh seafood flown in from all over America via American Airlines. There was live lobster from Maine and oysters from the Atlantic Ocean and clams from Massachusetts.

Distel worked hard to attract the celebrity crowd to his night spot. Over the years he worked in Hollywood he had quite a few friends in the Hollywood industries.

On the first floor of his restaurant was the main dining room - which seated 125 people. There was, of course, a cocktail lounge which sat 45.

On the 2nd floor there were two banquet rooms which were available for private parties. there was also a dining balcony and an owner's apartment.

1st floor - restaurant building

Main dining room seats 125

Cocktail lounge seats 45

2nd floor

Two banquet rooms.

Dining balcony

Owner's apartment

Also on the main floor there were two grand pianos and broadcast equipment. Late at night he had a disc jockey spin records and broadcast over the show over the radio from his restaurant.

Ron Kessler's web site

LAPL Regional History Menue Archives

LAPL Regional History Menue Archives

Kings restaurant was open 7 days a week. In 1948 it advertised itself as:

The Show People's Show:

Your Disc Jockey George Jay Broadcasting nightly from our dining room

on KWIK, 1490 on your dial, midnite to 3 a.m. Sensational! Unbelievable!

General Electric Television Screen Life Size Pictures

installed by Roy J Goldenberg

Eastern Seafood Flown in Daily by American Air Lines

Now Playing nightly, Except Mondays Earl Scarebrenik and his Violin

with Rafael Rubinstein at the piano

Where the Atlantic Meets the Pacific.

Featuring Maine Live Lobsters, Ipswich Clams, Maryland Soft Shell Crabs

South Dakota Pheasant

You are likely to observe a number of movie stars on the premises

Your Host George Distel (who had managed several other nightclubs in Hollywood including the 7566 Club on Melrose) and Paul Franks

From the get-go King's was an after-hours night spot. It was open 'til 4 a.m.

1945 advertisement

source: LA Times

This was the time in history when television was new and exciting. George installed a large GE television screen inside the restaurant for all to watch.

George Distel tried to make Kings Restaurant into a celebrity late night haunt similar to the exclusive super clubs on the Sunset Strip.

In 1948 he brought in lounge style piano and violin music.

1948 advertisement

Source: LA Times

At this time his buisness partner was Dave Higer and Audre Higer.

In 1951 Marel Lamaze was brought in as chef.

In the early 1940's Lamaze was quite a famous maitre d'hotel. For a time he even had his own restaurant called Cafe Lamaze at 9039 Sunset Boulevard. This would become a pretty popular address for many other restaurants and clubs...notably in the mid 1960's it would become Gazzarri's.

Lamaze had become a regular Hollywood night club impresario. He had previously worked at Earl Carroll's and was the co-leaser and chef at the famed Ciro's. Now he worked at Kings.

source: LA Times

In 1953 Kings Restaurant host and owner, George Distel was involved in a law suite. Apparently his dog had bit a woman outside of King's Restaurant in the parking lot. The woman, Dorothy Campbell, sued Distel for $60,000 claiming negligence.

Then, in 1954 Distel was injured in a serious car accident and his leg was fractured. His dog who was with him was okay.

In late 1954, George Distel filed for bankruptcy and set out to actioned off the property that was once King's restaurant at 8151 Santa Monica Boulevard.

GEORGE DISTEL

George Distel had long, sordid history working inside the underbelly of the late night Hollywood club scene. His had been a world of illegal gambling joints and speakeasys that catered to the Hollywood celebrity crowd and gangsters.

Before he opened King's Restaurant in 1945, Distel had many run-ins with the law, was arrested many times, convicted and sent to jail. But that never kept him down to long.

The first time we learn of George Distel was in 1928. George Distel was arrested for the manufacturing and distribution of slot-machines in Los Angeles County (West Hollywood). He was charged with violating the gambling ordinance.

In 1932 he was in the news again. This time he was arrested for selling liquor without a license. He was the manager of the 41 Club at 3634 Beverly Boulevard in downtown Los Angeles. The 41 Club was a roof club located on the top floor of the American Storage Company's building at 3636 Beverly Boulevard.

The club was raided and large amounts of liquor was seized by Federal dry agents. George and several others were arraigned on charges of conspiracy to violate the National Prohibition Act. Federal agents also seized the club's furnishings.

George sought the return of several thousand dollars worth of personal property that the agents had seized, such as glassware, linens and tableware were personal property.

This request was denied.

George Distel and associates were found guilty of conspiracy, sale of liquor and maintaining a nuisance. George Distel was sentenced to jail for ten months and fined $500.00.

The federal government auctioned off the furniture, table, linen and silverware and other furnishings of the defunct 41 night club.

In July of 1933 George was arrested again. This time police raided the exclusive pleasure casino called the 833 Club located at 833 South Spring Street. Police battered through the steel-barred doors and arrested 17 (including George) and confiscated gambling paraphernalia and equipment. More than 100 guest were present. George Distel, the owner, was arrested and booked on charges of conducting a gambling place and violation of the prohibition laws.

The 833 Club had been in operation for more than nine months and was one of the most exclusive gambling clubs in the city. There was the gaming room, a dining room, dance floor and jazz music.

In February 1935 George became the general manager of the new 41 Club in downtown Los Angeles. This was a swanky club that offered dancing and dining. To attract the Hollywood crowd, George began a Sunday night guest artist night and floor show which attracted many Hollywood celebrities. The club became quite successful.

source: LA Times

In 1936, George opened at new dine and dance club called Club LaSalle at 542 South Broadway. This club only lasted a year.

In 1937 George was pretty much out of work for awhile.

Then, in 1938 George was hired to managed the Sunset Club at 732 North Highland Avenue. Unfortunately - four days after he started his new job, the club was destroyed by a fire. George bearly escaped by leaping from the bedroom on the second floor. He was 48 at the time. George was injured, however the club was completely destroyed.

In July 1939 he was back to work again at the 41 Club - this time the club was located at 7819 Beverly Boulevard. However, the club was soon raided by Federal agents and George and others were arrested for selling liquor without a license.

1940 was not a good year for George Distel. He was arrested arrested four times for liquor law violations when he was manager of the 41 Club and the 7566 Club at 7566 Melrose Avenue.

Police raid 7566 Club at 7566 Melrose Avenue

1941 photo: Herald Examiner Collection at the

LAPL photo database

In the raid at the 41 Club in 1940, the names of 1000 club members were also seized. Many of the members turned out to be high ups in city government, financial, business and entertainment worlds. The names were found in six bulky filing cabinets and ledgers. It appears that after joining the club, each club member would post a sum of money for the purchase of liquor which was to be put away in the member's private locker.

Subsequently, the member could order his drinks from his private locker and then pay 35 cents for service charge and 15 cents a drink for the liquor.

Again George was charged only with selling liquor without a license.

In 1943 George Distel became the manager of the King's Club. Again he was arrested for selling liquor after hours.

George Distel is presented with an arrest warrant by the vice squad

1943: photo: Herald Examiner Collection at the

LAPL photo database

source: LA Times

In 1945 George Distel opened King's Restaurant at 8153 Santa Monica Boulevard.

MARCEL LaMAZE - chef extrodinare

After the Kings Restaurant closed in 1954, Marcel Lamaze went to being the matre d'hotel at the Moulin Rouge at 6230 Sunset Boulevard (old Earl Carroll's place).

Marcel Lamaze died in 1960.

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1961-1968 - P.J.'s for Cool Jazz

• P.J.'s

Eddie Cano
Trini Lopez
Barney Kessel
Joe Castro
Watusi
Bossa Nova
June Christy
Standells
Bobby Fuller Four

P.J.'s Night Club (after hours club)

8151 Santa Monica Boulevard

West Hollywood

P.J.'s opened in February of 1961. The new owners were Paul Raffles, Chuck Murano, Bill Daugherty and Elmer Valentine.

The owners aimed to create a late night hot spot that nightclub performers and other Hollywood celebrity types would want to go to after the other clubs closed down.

It advertised itself as having  fine food,  fair price and fantastic jazz. No argument here.

P.J.s' offered a great, cozy jazz atmosphere.  There was no cover charge, no minimum and no pretense. 

source: LA Times

The owners could not recall why they named it P.J.'s. Maybe there was place in New Orleans or Miami named P.J.'s. 

Initially,  P.J.'soffered a few hip gimmicks, such as - earphones for each guest to listen to his or her favorite stereo record - or a wood burning set to carve your name into the white oak tabletops - (don't know how long that great idea lasted).

From the get-go  P.J.'s wanted to be the show people's club.

Indeed, from 1961 thru 1967 - P.J'.s was probably the hippest and swingin'est club in town. It had a capacity of 485 people within its two showrooms. 

P.J.'s had two rooms - the Main Room (back) and, - the Junior Room (front).  Progressive jazz was often played in the more intimate front Junior room, which was smaller.

For years the club featured the Eddie Cano Quartet in the front room. 

Eddie Cano had developed a strong rhythmic style.  His music often switched styles from Latin to straight jazz. 

Eddie Cano was an Afro-Cuban jazz and Latin jazz pianist.  He had a hit LP  A Taste of Honey recorded live at P.J.'s. 

Cano's music  drew on the new dance craze music taking place at this time, such as the Cha cha cha, and the Watusi.

 

The modern  jazz movement was very popular in the early 1960's. Most of the old supper clubs in Hollywood and the Sunset Strip had become stodgy and old fashioned. Many of the better acts had left town for Las Vegas. 

P.J.s was a showcase for new music that was hip and happenin' and popular with a younger crowd. 

 

The Back Room was a never ending jam session provided by the great legendary jazz guitarist Barney Kessel and swinging singer  Trini Lopez.

cduniverse

1962- early 1964 at P.J.'s
Trini Lopez played P.J.'s for two years. Lopez helped to make P.J.'s swingingest club in town. During this time period,  P.J.'s was always packed!  Elmer Valentine was the manager here. He noticed that there was a pent up demand for an exciting dance club that would cater to a hip younger crowd. However, at this time, no dancing was allowed. Those in the audience had to star in  there seats.

 

Jan 1962 - There was an alteration to the bar and lounge.

March 1962 - The marionette theater was converted into a 187 seat showroom. 

P.J.'s had the swingin'est crowd in town -  and it jumped from 5 pm to 5 am. 

L.A. Times

 A band called the Joe Casto's Trio played in the Main Room nightly from 9 - 2 am. Joe Casto was an accomplished  bebop jazz pianist and drummer.  He called his style aggressively swingin'. 

Joe Castro was friends with tobacco heiress and jazz enthusiast Doris Dukes. They together with Duke Ellington formed Clover Records. Castro recorded  Bossa Nova All the Way recorded a Duke's Falcon Lair. 

concordmusicgroup

 In early 1960's  jazz clubs started popping up all over town. Other late night jazz hot spots which  catering to a younger hipper crowd included: Manne Hole on Cahuenga, the Cinegrill at the Roosevelt Hotel, the Cresendo, the the Golden Violin and the Le Crazy Horse on Sunset.

P.J.'s  was frequently by many celebrities. After hours celebrity regulars included Joey Bishop, Steve Allen, Don Rickles, Lenny Bruce, Ann Margret and Henry Fonda. 

In 1963 - 1964, the latest dance craze was sweeping the nation. 

Doing the Watusi

UCLA photo archive

March 1964 -  dancing was introduced at P.J.'s - 

YEAH!  The owners removed the piano bar in the back room, installed a dance floor, and the Twist, Mashed Potatoes, Watusi the Swim, the Bird etc were demonstrated for the first time at the club at 8151 Santa Monica Boulevard.

1964 photo: UCLA photo archives

JUNE 1964 - 

When dancing finally came to P.J.'s  - the response was overwhelming. The nitery undertook  a $125,000 expansion program - enlarging the club's main room by 2,000 sq ft - built out to the rear portion.  It also greatly enlarged the present dance floor - which was now on two different levels.  The upper dance floor had 154 seats. 

sixtiescity

1964

P.J.'s was L.A.'s first complete entertainment center and destination  and - there was a no- charge policy.  

Edie Cano's Trio remained in the front room, food was still served till 4 a.m. 

The new back room offered dancing to new rock bands. This is where The Standell's and Bobby Fuller Four  played. 

photo from: flickr

October 1965 

PJ's hosted a Halloween Mask Ball. Three bands played including the Eddie Cano Goup on the dance floor. The  honored guest included Johnny Mercer, the Four Freshmen and June Christy. 

The judges were Gary Crosby, Tommy Sands, and Stella Stevens.

Nov 1965 - 

PJ's had three band rooms. 

In the front corner of the bar was Eddie Cano and his group.  

On one dance floor The Standells played.

 One the other dance floor the Jerry Wright Trio. 

There was the vast difference in patrons. Some of them were bearded beatniks into cool jazz, some were youngsters into the new rock beat,  others were well dressed ladies and gentlement. Who could tell who danced to what music.  Even the owners,  Paul Raffles and Bill Daugherty didn't understand what was happening here.  - the LA Times reported.

November  1965 

Bobby Fuller Four played an engagement at P.J.'s  dance floor and recorded a live album there. 

1965 - Music was going through a revolution.  In 1964 the Beatles had started the first wave of the British invasion. 

The times they were a changing. Teen agers were restless. The Sunset Strip became a teen age hangout.  They were dropping in and dropping out, challenging the establishment.

Bobby Fuller Four's I Fought the Law would be a  teenage anthem for years to come.

Just after I fought the Law became a big hit, Bobby Fuller was found  dead in a parked car. 

Cause of his mysterious death ruled a suicide by the police, but by many believed it was a murder.

1967-1968

P.J.'s hung in there as a jazz hang out for a couple more years. There was more competition from other clubs such as Shelly's Manne Hole, the Ice House in Pasaden and the Lighthouse.  

Edie Can remained popular there. 

April 1967 

Frances Faye played PJ's.

(Side note: In late 1965 Paul Raffles and business partner Doherty took over the lease at the old Ciro's club on Sunset Boulevard  and turned it into a teenage spot called It's Boss. 

Raffles planed to use younger live performers at the club.

 Elmer Valentine opened the Whisky A Go Go. He would also open The Trip - formerly the Crescendo.) 

Edie Cano's band continued to play at P.J.'s until it closed 1968.

February 1968 

Paul Raffles decided to close PJ's . Raffles was busy working in television and motion picture business. 

 

March 1968 - The day the music stopped.

P.J.'s -  long a bulwark of the Hollywood nightclub scene for the last seven years -  was sold to the owners of Sneaky Pete's, a well known restaurant of the sunset Strip. They continued to call the club P.J.'s.

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