High atop this vista point sits Valkyrie View. It offers more than just a stunning panorama. It provides a window into a rich history.
View Park-Windsor Hills is one of the wealthiest primarily African-American neighborhoods in the United States. This area’s development began in 1923 and continued through 1970. The Los Angeles Investment Company, also responsible for Hancock Park, developed View Park.
Notably, View Park boasts a collection of houses and mansions showcasing Spanish Colonial Revival Style architecture. You’ll also see Spanish Colonial, Mid Century, and Mediterranean Revival styles. Architects like Paul Williams contributed to the unique aesthetic of View Park. It is rumored that he built several homes here.
Windsor Hills, developed later in the 1930s by Marlow-Burns Development Company, also features these architectural styles. It was the first subdivision in Southern California to receive mortgage insurance from the Federal Housing Administration.
For many years African-Americans could not live in either area. This changed after the Supreme Court ruled racial restrictive covenants unconstitutional in 1948.
View Park-Windsor Hills has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate. The area covers about 1.8 square miles.
In 2020, the average family income here ranked among the top 10 richest Black communities in the U.S. It came in at $159,168.
View Park earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places on July 12, 2016. The View Park Conservancy spearheaded this initiative. Nearly 700 residents donated over $100,000 to make it happen. It is the largest National Register historic district in the country based on African American history.
The View Park Library is named after Bebe Moore Campbell. She was a writer and community resident. Landmarks include the Ray Charles Residence. It is located at 4863 Southridge Avenue. The home was built in 1965.
Rueben Ingold Park is the main park. It opened on August 17, 1971. It sits adjacent to Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area.
Many notable people have called View Park-Windsor Hills home. These include musicians like Ray Charles, Ike & Tina Turner, and actors such as Regina King. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex also lived here.
From Valkyrie View, you are not only appreciating a beautiful vista. You are also taking in the landscape of a community rich in history. It is a community of resilience, culture, and architectural beauty.