Arlington Heights encompasses an area of Historic West Adams that was, at the turn of the 20th century, outside of the Los Angeles city limits. The Arlington Heights Township was perched atop a perfectly level mesa that offered, according to real estate promoters of the time, pure water, perfection of climate, rich loamy soil, easy access from the heart of the city ("a twenty minute ride to the Plaza") and magnificent views "from Catalina Island to San Jacinto Peak and down again over the broad acres, orchards and vineyards, of fair Los Angeles Valley to the blue waves of the Pacific Ocean beyond the coast of Santa Monica."

Arlington Heights still has a remarkable concentration of intact American Foursquare, Craftsman and Spanish Colonial Revival homes.

As you walk through these streets, you'll discover a variety of architectural styles, from Craftsman to Spanish and Art Deco, to Atomic Age Googie. You'll see a church designed by famed architect John C. Austin, a school building designed by Roland E. Coate, and a residence that was home to Fred E. Pierce, co-owner of Pierce Bros. Mortuary. And you'll learn about a Catholic-run military academy whose most famous former student was the actor Gregory Peck.

Electric railways and then "flivers" (autos) played an important role in how Arlington Heights was settled. Washington Boulevard was laid out as Los Angeles's first major "Grand Avenue to the Sea." It was 100 feet wide, and accommodated trolleys along with, at first, carriages, and later, cars. On WAHA's Stroll through the neighborhood, you'll see a home owned by the president of the Pacific Electric Railway, and another owned by the proprietor of an automobile dealership for luxury "REOs," the high-end brand designed by Ransom Eli Olds, inventor of the Oldsmobile.

-West Adams Heritage Association