Sunset Pier Bathhouse Improvements (demolished) – Venice CA

Description

The Sunset Pier was built on Venice Beach in 1921 as a typical entertainment pier with dancing hall that was very common on the beach at the time. After various bankruptcies and owners, “[t]he city took possession of the Sunset Pier during spring 1929 after the lease was canceled with the Electric Pier Company for non-payment of rent… However, in June the Parks and Recreation Commission decided to build a 64 x 160 foot municipal bathing pavilion on the pier. The pool, costing $20,000, could accommodate 3000 people and would have large sun rooms. Construction began by the end of the year and it opened April 12, 1930…” (www.westland.net)

A 1940 Los Angeles Parks and Recreation report states that the Works Progress Administration is mentioned as doing work on the bathhouse. 27 people were employed totaling 16,460 man hours of work. The cost was $10,223, and $583 for other expenses.

“The beach was widened in 1947 and the Sunset Pier became land-locked. The Brooks Street lifeguard headquarters was closed and moved to the base of the Sunset Pier. It remained there until November 1965 when the lifeguards moved into their new nearby headquarters. The Sunset Pier was then demolished.” (www.westland.net)