Picture a stagecoach rattling along a dusty road. That road led to Walteria a small settlement in what is now Torrance California. Walteria wasn’t always the quiet neighborhood it is today.
Walteria’s story begins long before its namesake Captain A Richard Walters. The land was once part of Rancho Palos Verdes a vast Spanish land grant. Imagine the Josu00e9 Dolores Sepu00falveda Adobe nearby. Built around 1818 it marked an early presence in this area.
Then came Ben S Weston. In 1874 he bought thousands of acres including the future site of Torrance Airport. He built a house in 1847 a house still standing in Walteria today. Think of the cattle roundups near Pacific Coast Highway and Crenshaw Boulevard. Children went to school to the sounds of lowing cattle.
Captain Walters arrived in the 1880s. He established a stagecoach stop connecting Redondo Beach and San Pedro. Real estate developers saw opportunity. They advertised Walteria as a subdivision with pure air and delightful scenery. The Spanish-sounding name was a clever marketing tactic.
But the boom faded. By 1890 Walteria was described as one of many paper towns. Barley grew where streets were planned. Yet the area persevered.
Oil was discovered in 1924. Forty-eight wells were eventually drilled. Walteria officially joined Torrance in 1928. The Walteria post office became a branch of Torrance’s. The postmaster’s embezzlement didn’t help the office’s reputation.
A library opened in 1937 first in an old army barracks. During World War II the community supported the 111 Walteria residents serving in the armed forces. The library moved several times finally settling in a dedicated building in 1962.
Walteria Elementary School Richardson Middle School and South High School served the community. A 1941 earthquake heavily damaged the first school building. Five sets of twins attended Walteria Elementary in 1949. A significant Japanese-American community thrived before World War II. They farmed the land. Sadly many were displaced during the war.
The mid-20th century saw the Palos Verdes Begonia Farm and the Palos Verdes Bird Farm. These were local attractions. The Bird Farm even had a cockatoo named Tommy who appeared in films. There was also the Smith Brothers Indian Village restaurant with its unique decor and wampum-denominated menu. It was a peculiar place. Today Begonia Park a pocket park stands as a reminder of the Begonia Farm.
The Pacific Coast Highway altered the landscape. Some farms and businesses were lost to its construction. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz even filmed a scene of The Long Long Trailer in Walteria in 1953. Walteria’s history is full of contrasts from its humble beginnings to its present-day identity. It’s a story of resilience transformation and unexpected charm. This unassuming neighborhood is a testament to a rich and layered past a past reflected in its unique character.