Growing up in the 1940's
Baldwin Hills Village Green, Los Angeles, CA
Among reasons the Baldwin Hills Village Green made such a lasting impression on me: my family were the first residents at 5130 VG, and I was raised there the first 17 years of my life. We didn’t have smart phones, internet, TV, social apps, etc., as distractions from life with real friends and the outdoors.
A neighbor lady reading to my friends and me. Terry Devitt is looking at the camera, I’m looking away to the right. c. 1946
A neighborhood party in the patio at 5130 VG, c. 1947.
For news, we had radio and subscribed to the morning L.A. Times. There were other quality newspapers and some printed evening editions for the latest developments. Attended newspaper stands were on many corners and some vendors sold in the streets.
Extras were published immediately when something big happened. We all spent time reading these abundant, timely, newspapers. At my young age, comics and sports were my favorite sections.
Radio news was up to date and there were a large variety of entertainment programs throughout the day and night, many aimed at young children and teenagers. Popular programs included The Shadow, Gunsmoke, The Whistler, Suspense, Ozzie and Harriet and hundreds more and perhaps the most famous radio broadcast, The War of the Worlds:
We had a beautiful Philco Console, multi band radio.
On some occasions, walking through the Village Green, I could overhear the programs neighbors were enjoying. It might be an exciting boxing match from Madison Square Garden or the unforgettable voice of Tallulah Bankhead. Dad said he could occasionally hear Hitler on the shortwave. These radios were powered by vacuum tubes and were costly to make and repair. Thrifty drug had a vacuum tube tester where you could test your tubes and buy a replacement if needed. I did that more than once there. TV and radio repair shops were a business. I still listen to Old Time Radio for memories and comfort. Anyone may download them on the internet today, if they wish. OTR or elsewhere.
There was a playground, 2 minutes from our back door, where we children could play or have parties. Not only did we have the entire Village Green, but much of the surrounding area was also still undeveloped where we could walk or ride bikes. There was no internet, but word got around through conversation and gossip. We were even warned “loose lips, sink ships”, a fear that the enemy might learn of a secret military plan.
My 4th Birthday Party in the playground 2 minutes from my back door at 5130 Village Green.
The Girls next to the playground slide. Sycamore Street near and La Brea distant.
The Boys undeveloped land all the way to La Brea, 1947.
As bad as things may seem today, imagine reading about Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, or learning about the blitz over London, or the siege at Stalingrad, or the merciless bombings over Germany and Japan during WW2. Lucky for me, I was too young to comprehend.
Los Angeles Time, December 8, 1941
Nagasaki and Hiroshima Atomic Bombs Dropped on Civilian Populations
My Dad, Kingsley Close, military reserve training before the war, estimated date 1929, age 18. Dad turned 30 on December 7, 1941. With two children, he was not drafted. He worked in the shipyards south of Los Angeles.
We bought a 21-inch Admiral B&W TV about 1950, when they became affordable to the average citizen. The antenna was hidden in the attic, and we received well channels 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13. These include the big 3 networks and local TV. I only recall watching TV in the evening after dinner. Weekends or World Series would be exceptions, but still not much time was for TV in our home.
Similar to our first TV. Most everyone placed a TV light and live plant combo on top.
I’ve always been active and energetic, so the VG was perfect for me, and there were fewer attractions indoors in those glorious days, 1943-1960. My innate vigor didn’t serve well as a captive in public school. Today, I’m somewhat proud of my unsatisfactory grades in obedience and cooperation. It has served me well to question authority.
My dad and I tossed baseballs on the green in the afternoon and played cards in the evening. My grandmother lived at the other end of the Village, and I often visited when I passed by on my way home from school.
Green outside 5130. Grandma Elena, “Bestamore”, with white hair. Mom, Lassie, Aunt Dagny, Aunt Elspeth, Ginny and Steve. 1943.
Cousin John Hale, King Close, Bestamore and Ginny c 1949 on the baseball field.
My mom and I would shout “I love you”, she from the upstairs bedroom, I shoving off on my bike to school.
Close Family, 5130 Village Green, c 1950, Steve, Bobby (Mom), Eleanore, Kingsley (Dad) and Virginia
I have a Facebook page dedicated to the Village Facebook and have posted many YouTube videos to enjoy before everything is inevitably memory holed along with equanimous me.
Ted Lumpkin, Village Green, c 2014
Steve Close, 80 years, 11/17/2023 at home in Carpinteria with some of his favorite Baldwin Hills Village Green photos over his shoulder.
Steve still has wonderful dreams about the Baldwin Hills Village Green to this day.
Great post Steve...You are incredible writer...You bring the reader right into the energy.