More history will follow by the historians of the Overland Avenue Community, including what the original name was for Olympic Blvd, west of Beverly Glen, but the following, from the Los Angeles Times, April 4, 2004, will give you all a flavor for the beginnings of our little community:

Neighborly Advice

April 04, 2004|H. May Spitz | Special to The Times

Once an area dominated by beanfields, the neighborhood of Rancho Park was envisioned in the 1920s as a middle-class family development of starter homes. Tucked between the communities of Westwood and Cheviot Hills, this enclave draws young professionals and families and is home to residents working in a variety of occupations.

Beginnings

 Developed by the Janss Co. as part of Westwood Hills, the area has predominantly Spanish-style homes created in the 1920s and '30s for first-time buyers. Homes averaging less than 1,600 square feet on lots 50 feet by 135 feet were typical.

The original residential tract spanned an area between Santa Monica and Pico boulevards. At that time, Olympic Boulevard did not pass through Westwood Hills, instead ending at the westernmost border of Beverly Hills. The neighborhood changed dramatically in 1936 when Olympic Boulevard was carved through Westwood, splitting the neighborhood into two sections.

Identity crisis

 Feeling cut off from Westwood Hills, residents south of the newly extended Olympic Boulevard clamored for their own identity by the late '30s. "We thought it was time to have our own community and separate ourselves from Westwood," said Bob Hindall, longtime area resident. "Many names were suggested, but pioneer real estate broker Bill Heyler is credited with naming the area Rancho Park." Heyler is also credited with bringing in the Rancho Park Golf Course, which opened in 1947.

Situated roughly between Pico and Olympic boulevards and ending at Fox studios to the east, Rancho Park's western border is generally considered to be Sepulveda Boulevard. But some disagree about this western edge, according to area historian Greg Fisher. "There are no hard-and-fast boundaries for Rancho Park."

Drawing card

Level, tree-lined streets with tidy homes appeal to those looking for starter homes on the Westside. Near the 10 and 405 freeways, the area is convenient to Beverly Hills, Century City and UCLA.

Favorites

Playing a round at the Rancho Park Golf Course, with 18 holes plus putting green in front of the lushly landscaped clubhouse, is a popular pastime.