Picture Westlake Park a tranquil oasis in 1886. Imagine a bustling lake surrounded by elegant mansions. This was the early Westlake a desirable residential area. The land was donated by Henricus Wallace Westlake a Canadian physician. His house was the first on Burlington Avenue. Westlake quickly became a haven for wealthy businessmen. They commuted to downtown Wilshire Center and Hollywood. Their homes were stunning examples of Spanish Revival and Art Deco architecture.
However Westlake’s idyllic image was soon challenged. Oil was discovered in 1899. Ugly derricks marred the landscape. Pollution became a major issue. Residents were outraged. The city tried to protect Westlake Park by forbidding drilling nearby. Yet oilmen challenged the law. By 1900 the oil wells were depleted. The problem resolved itself.
Westlake faced another threat in 1919. Entrepreneur Arthur Evans wanted to build a women’s apparel factory. This alarmed residents. They didn’t want industry ruining their neighborhood. The plan was eventually dropped.
Westlake’s fortunes changed dramatically over the years. The wealthy moved to the suburbs. Westlake became a low income immigrant neighborhood. Gangs like MS-13 became prevalent. Drug dealing and homelessness increased. The neighborhood was a grim place. Crime and fear were commonplace.
But Westlake’s story doesn’t end there. Improvements began in the 2000s. MacArthur Park was revitalized. Crime decreased. Artists and other creative types began moving in. New businesses opened. Westlake started gentrifying. The neighborhood was improving.
Yet Westlake still faces immense challenges. MacArthur Park and surrounding areas are now an epicenter of the opioid crisis. Public drug use is rampant. Overdoses are frequent. The neighborhood still has a long way to go. Westlake is a neighborhood of contrasts. It’s a place of beauty and hardship. It’s a place of history and ongoing change. Westlake is a story still being written.