"Surviving the depression, the Club became a victim of World War II. Those on the first tee at 9 a.m. December 7, 1941, will never forget the hysterical voice of an announcer over the radio in the golf shop, “The Japanese have bombed Pearl Harbor.” With the drastic loss of members to the Armed Services, the course could not be maintained, water bills could not be met. The land was purchased by a syndicate of film stars as an investment. Eventually, bulldozers brutally leveled the course for the housing development sitting on its bones today. ​"
When the Big One ended, soldiers were coming home and needed housing. Sanford Adler, who has quite the story of his own, developed the area working with architects Dan Saxon Palmer and William Krisal, offering 20 different ranch-style models ready for postwar families.
We don't usually talk in-depth about the history of our neighborhoods, but there are some really great resources that have been put together by the city, nonprofits, and citizens. The Los Angeles Conservancy is a great resource and is pretty awesome, but if you want a seriously in-depth look into Cheviot Hills, you have to go to cheviothillshistory.org. The California Country Club Estates page is at https://www.cheviothillshistory.org/california-country-club-estates
The history is a fun read, but as with all neighborhoods, it is changing again. The 1950's Mid Century Modern homes were torn down and replaced by more contemporary two-story versions of farm houses. Adler's vision is being airlifted into the new century. We're just wondering how many golf balls are still being found upon excavation.
