First Half of the 20th Century
From Bedroom Communities to
a Creative City 1905: The population of Santa Monica was only at 7,208, but by then the City of Santa Monica was already attracting many beach goers and weekend vacationers facilitated by local transit systems. 1909: Santa Monica’s famed Pier opens – the oldest pleasure Pier on the West Coast – drawing an international crowd of enthusiasts. 1916: The City was looking to renovate the Santa Monica Pier as more tourists were interested in amusement piers. Construction began in 1916 and the now famous Carousel was put in, unfortunately Charles died soon after in 1916. |
1920: The Pacific Coast Highway opened as part of the Roosevelt Highway, a 1,400-mile road that traced the western margin of the United States. Aviation pioneer Donald W. Douglas, Sr., founds Douglas Aircraft Co., which later provided much needed jobs during World War II. Population soars to 37,000.
1930-1950: Population soars from 37,146 to 71,595 as Santa Monica goes from a bedroom community to a industrial economy. The dust bowl also brings migrant workers from the Midwest. 1941: Due to the already existing manufacturing and Santa Monica's ideal location, the local airport was contracted out by the Federal Government, which also served to expand the industry demand of aircrafts for World War II. 1945-1949: Santa Monica's housing stock increases to 5,196. |