D. J. “Duke” Dukesherer is a local writer and official historian of the Ballona Blog. He is the author of Beach of the King, The Early History of Playa Del Rey, Westchester, Playa Vista, CA, and ‘Round the Clump of Willows. Howard “Sonny” Hughes purchased 1000 acres at the foot of the Playa Del Rey/ [...]

The Ballona Valley in the Days Before Concrete Creeks This hunter and his hound are standing at about where Gordon’s Market stands today in Playa del Rey, near the site of the former Del Rey Stables. Ballona Creek is in the background, where it enters the Del Rey Lagoon, the remains of Moses Wickes’ dream [...]

A Snowy Egret inspects the ancient trolley trestle remains. Photo (c) 2010 Richard Beban D. J. “Duke” Dukesherer is a local writer and official historian of the Ballona Blog. He is the author of Beach of the King, The Early History of Playa Del Rey, Westchester, Playa Vista, CA, and ‘Round the Clump of Willows. [...]

Even Prettier Than Fireworks Sometimes holidays are a chance to lay back, get out of the grind, and see the world in a whole new way. To that end, here’s a link to some more marvelous pictures of trees taken with infrared film. Don’t Miss Our Local July Fourth Parade This Sunday The LAX Chamber [...]

D. J. “Duke” Dukesherer is a local writer and official historian of the Ballona Blog. He is the author of Beach of the King, The Early History of Playa Del Rey, Westchester, Playa Vista, CA, and ‘Round the Clump of Willows. As recounted in earlier posts, Port Ballona had failed in the late 1800’s, and [...]