Harry Culver | |
|---|---|
 Culver, ca. 1913 | |
| Born | Harry Hazel Culver (1880-01-22)January 22, 1880[1] Milford, Nebraska, U.S.[1] |
| Died | August 17, 1946(1946-08-17) (aged 66) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Inglewood Park Cemetery |
| Education | Doane College |
| Alma mater | University of Nebraska |
| Occupations | Real estate developer, philanthropist |
| Spouse(s) | Eunice Richardson |
| Children | 1 |
Harry Hazel Culver (January 22, 1880 – August 17, 1946) was a real estate developer and promoter, best known as the founder ofCulver City, California.
After attending liberal arts collegeDoane College for a year,[1] Culver studied business at theUniversity of Nebraska for 3 years. From 1901 to about 1904, he worked in thePhilippines in the mercantile business and as a reporter for theManila Times and special customs agent.[1]
InManila he wed Eunice Richardson ofLincoln, Nebraska.[1] He began working in real estate inSouthern California in 1910 forIsaac Newton Van Nuys.
In 1913, in a speech at theCalifornia Club inLos Angeles, Culver announced his plans for what was to becomeCulver City. Local voters rejected the land's annexation to LA in 1914, whereupon Culver founded the Culver Investment Company. Supported by a 59–0 vote,Culver City became incorporated on September 20, 1917, with a population of 530.
Once the president of the California Association of Realtors, Culver served as president of theNational Association of Realtors in 1923. The following year, he moved his offices to the second floor ofHotel Hunt, the building of which he had also supported. Culver served locally in elected office and promoted the city with picnics, leading tours with box lunches, and advertising "All Roads Lead to Culver City". Culver served locally in elected office before his death inHollywood, California.[citation needed] He advertised Culver City as: "See this model little white city, scarcely a year and a half old." (LA Herald, March 12, 1915). In 1927 he oversaw the issuing of the following opinion which makes it explicitly clear what he meant: "The Los Angeles Realty Board recommends that Realtors should not sell property to other than Caucasian in territories occupied by them. Deed and Covenant Restrictions probably are the only way that the matter can be controlled; and Realty Boards should be interested. This is the general opinion of all boards in the state."[2]
Culver was born inMilford, Nebraska, the middle child of five of Jacob H. and Ada L. (Davison) Culver, who lived on afarm. At age 18, he enlisted in theSpanish–American War and served as acorporal andsergeant.
Culver enjoyedhorseback riding,swimming, and playingice hockey. In June 1916, he married actress Lillian Roberts, (Lillian Culver) who died in 1999 at the age of 103. Their daughter and only child, Patricia, was born on August 11, 1917.
Harry gave about 600 speeches a year, thus the Culver family traveled broadly and often. In honor of his father, Culver founded the Pacific Military Academy. Patricia Culver Battle remained connected to Culver City until her death in 2001. Culver has two living grandsons, Dr. John Battle living inTacoma, Washington, and Chris Wilde inSeattle, Washington.
Culver is also known for attempting to resuscitateF. Scott Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald's live-in partner,Sheilah Graham, witnessed Fitzgerald experience aheart attack and ran to the manager of the building at the time for help, Culver. Upon entering the apartment to assist Fitzgerald, Culver stated, "I'm afraid he's dead."[3]
On March 26, 2006, Culver City's Cultural Affairs Division with the Culver City Historical Society dedicated asculpture of Harry Culver, commissioned to artist De L'Esprie with the National Heritage Collectors Society, founded by David L. Spellerberg. The artwork, titled "A Moment in Time", is part of the city's Art in Public Places program. Culver's grandson, Dr. John Battle, and his family participated in the dedication ceremony.[4]