Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-21
DREAM CITY, Of
ABBOT KINNEY
"vENICE OF AMERICA" A CREA-
Tl0N OF GENIUS
CANALS JOIN THE OCEAN
Beauties and Wonders Of the Italian
City TranspIanted to the Pacific
coast-Resort of Prinoely
Magnificenee
CANALS JOIN THE OCEAN

Mention the name of Abbot Kinney
and at once there arises in the minds
of many mental picture of one of the
most remarkable projects ever at
tempted on this or any other sea coast,
namely the creation of "Venice of
America" There comes to mind a line
to be found at the heading of a chap
ter in a recent volume, Captains of
the World, by Miss Gwendolin Overton,
that reads as follows: "And It may be
said of him, that which can be said of
few, that out of the cloth of his dreams
he cut his destiny" And the reallza-
tion of the day dreams of this member
Of famous family rapidly becoming
accomplished facts, may indeed shape
a destiny the like of which few can
hope to attain.
Task of Great Magnitude
To reproduce and recreate a City of
Venice Is task of such magnitude
that only powerful brain, backed by
indomitable pluck and perseverance,
is all but exhaustless capital could at
tempt, and the fact that this astonish-
ing enterprise is not only we'll under
way, but announced to be opened to
the public on the nations birthday, is
the highest tribute to the founders
fame that could possibly be paid.
For the expedition of the work Mr.
Kinney has associated with him in the
development of this modern water city
two able and efficient assistants, Mr..
Walter r. Wheat, acting as secretary
of the company, and Mr.. j. G.. French,
performing the duties of general man.
ager. Both are much esteemed resi-
dents of Ocean Park, in which COM
munity they are regarded as general
favorites in business and social circles.
The Dream City
And now to present few of the
salient features of "Venice of Amer
ing Scity will cover a tract of 120 acres,
lying within a thousand feet of the
shore of the ocean and five feet below
the general level of the sandy beach,
extending between it and the sea. The
location is all that could be desired
being within fourteen miles of Los An
geles, in the southern precincts of the
city of Ocean Park, and affording a
superb view of the ocean and curving
shore line on the one side and a pano-
rama of meadows and mountains
stretching away to the sky line in the
far distance.
Main Features of the Plan
The main feature of the city will be
the extension of picturesque water
ways, or canals, in the place of the
more ordinary thoroughfares which
one is accustomed to see. These canals
extend and intersect one another in all
directions, and along the banks will be
erected dwellings, of an architectural
beauty consistent with the unique sur
roundings.
Located in the beautiful park upon
the Grand canal will be built a unique
summer city to accommodate several
thousand people. The houses wIl be
most artistic, partly of wood and partly
of decorative canvas, and will have
all the advantages and none of the dis
advantages of tents. The walls will
come up above the height of the head
SO as to insure privacy and cleanliness,
and there will be doors and windows
fitted with screens. The villas will be
carpeted and fully furnished and pro-
vided with modern improvements. They
will be rented at very moderate rates.
making it possible for whole families
to live at the shore less expensively
than in their own homes. Excellent
provision will be made in the way of
restaurant and dining halls, but those
who wish can arrange to have cook
ing apparatus and prepare their meals
at home
Landscape Gardens
The services of expert landscape
artists have been secured to produce the