Venice, California, was unlike any other American city. A miniature railway, an amusement pier, gondolas, elephants, fire divers, Mardi Gras, beauty contests, stunt pilots, and 6 miles of canals overlooking the Pacific Ocean all made Abbot Kinney's Venice-of-America the most popular California resort town of its early century era.This pictorial retrospective illustrates Venice's history from its beginnings in 1880 through the Great Fire and Consolidation, to the advent of the rollerskaters and carnival-like ambience that characterize the Venice that we know today. A favorite site for Hollywood filming, the city has seen many famous (and infamous) visitors and residents over the years, and is a well-known resort town. It has played host to vacationers from all over the world.
Carolyn Elayne Alexander, president of the Venice Historical Society and the city's foremost historian, is also a professional photographer and historical tour guide for the area. She presents this volume covering Venice's history from its beginnings in 1880 through the Great Fire and Consolidation, to the advent of the rollerskaters and carnival-like ambience that characterize the Venice that we know today.