In 1909, a celestial visitor graced the skies above Los Angeles. Halley’s Comet blazed a trail across the night, illuminating a hidden canyon soon to be known as Beverly Glen. Beverly Glen slumbered peacefully until B.C. Mayo arrived with his surveyors. They were tasked with transforming this rugged landscape into a residential haven. Mayo, a shrewd promoter, saw the potential in this untouched paradise. He envisioned a community nestled amidst the Santa Monica Mountains, a place where city dwellers could escape the urban clamor.
Beverly Glen Boulevard, the main artery of this burgeoning neighborhood, traces its origins back to a humble wagon track carved by Cornelius Brown in 1867. Originally called Brown Canyon, the area took on the name Beverly Glen thanks to Mayo, connecting it to the burgeoning Beverly Hills just a few years prior. The Southern Pacific Railroad, owners of the canyon’s right-of-way, had grand plans for a railway connecting the Valley to Santa Monica. Those plans never materialized, but they inadvertently paved the way for Beverly Glen’s residential destiny. Mayo, who also managed the railroad’s Sunset magazine, saw an opportunity. He divided the hills into plots, ready for homes to sprout amongst the chaparral.
The transformation of Beverly Glen was no small feat. A team of Hindu laborers, likely Sikhs according to historians, cleared the dense underbrush and carved out the roads and lanes that would define the neighborhood. Mayo employed a unique sales tactic. He offered less desirable lots at remarkably low prices, with one condition: the buyer had to subscribe to Sunset magazine. This clever marketing ploy helped populate Beverly Glen with new residents eager to embrace the canyon’s tranquility.
Today, Beverly Glen is a vibrant community tucked away in the Santa Monica Mountains. The neighborhood boasts a mix of architectural styles, reflecting its evolution over the decades. Stone Canyon Reservoir shimmers within its boundaries, a vital source of water for the surrounding area. Residents navigate the winding Beverly Glen Boulevard, a scenic route connecting the Century City/Westwood area to the San Fernando Valley. The boulevard also marks the boundary of the Westwood Prosperity Unit development, a testament to the Janss Investment Company’s vision for the Westwood neighborhood. While the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles lies just beyond the hills, Beverly Glen retains its unique charm, a secluded sanctuary where the echoes of Halley’s Comet still linger.