The Street Seen: Ebony Beach Club
1811 Ocean Avenue @ Pico
Plans in 1958 to open an African American beach club (the Ebony Beach Club) in the former Santa Monica Elks Lodge at Ocean and Pico are thwarted when the City condemns the property by eminent domain for Civic Center parking.
In 1933, the Santa Monica Elks Lodge No. 906 files for bankruptcy. In 1936, 1811 Ocean Ave (Lot 6 Tract 1347) is bought at the sheriff’s foreclosure sale for $60,000 by Security Pacific National Bank (who is the trustee for the Elks Main & Pier building bond). In 1942, Santa Monica Elks Lodge No. 906 vacates its leased clubhouse at 1811 Ocean Ave, ending its involvement with the property.
In 1944, the 1811 Ocean Ave building is used as a World War II Air Force entertainment center. The property is owned since 1944 by Bennett Dorsey (1892 – 1984), a white Los Angeles real estate broker. From 1944 to 1957 the building is vacant.
In May 1957, Silas White (1905 - 1962),1 a black entrepreneur, enters into a lease-purchase agreement with Dorsey for the vacant 1811 Ocean Ave property. White is the head of an investment group planning to remodel the former Elks Clubhouse building and open an African American beach club - the Ebony Beach Club.2
In 1957, White applies to the City for permits and begins renovating the former Elks clubhouse to create his Ebony Beach Club - set to open October 1958.
In 1958, ostensibly on the grounds that the property is needed for Civic Center3 parking, the City of Santa Monica files a condemnation suit.4
Charges of racial discrimination are made.5 The court rules that the only point in question is the fair value of the property - and not whether racial discrimination prompted the city to condemn the land. After a six-day hearing, the jury determines that the City of Santa Monica should pay $74,000 in compensation6 for the 1811 Ocean Ave (Lot 6) property.
The 1811 Ocean building is demolished by the City in 1960. In 1966, the Park Royal Hotel obtains a long-term ground lease from the City for the consolidated 1.75 acre property (APN 4290-014-904) on the corner of Ocean and Pico.
The City currently still owns the property which is occupied by the Viceroy hotel, on a long-term land lease from the City.
Silas Chester White (1905 - 1962). Born in TN, White comes to Los Angeles in 1927, and marries TN born Elizabeth R. White in 1928. White works as a mail carrier for the US Postal Service (and continues at the job into the 1950s). While at the USPS, White starts several small businesses in the West Adams / Leimert Park area, and in the 1940s, opens real estate businesses in Los Angeles and Santa Monica. In 1948, White and a group of investors open the PalmCrest Resort Club at 4th & Pacific (the club closes in 1949). From 1935, White lives in Santa Monica - where he dies in 1962.
The Ebony Beach Club is incorporated in late 1957 by five persons:-
Cudahy Benedict Labrie (1915 – 1999);
Jack Hickman (19?? – 19??);
as a non profit corporation the purpose of which is to engage in the operation of a beach club for social pleasure. This form of organization exempts the entity from payment of the state franchise tax.
The Santa Monica Civic Center includes: -
the Los Angeles County Courthouse (1951); and
the new Civic Auditorium (1958).
In 1958, the City condemns 5 lots by eminent domain. The court case is Santa Monica vs Bennett Dorsey, et. al. Superior Court, Los Angeles County, Case No. SM-6525 (1959). The named defendants are:
Bennett Dorsey (Lot 10 and Lot 6 - 1811 Ocean Ave - the only lot with a substantial building);
Jacob Samarjian (Lot 4);
John Georgia-Poulous;
Marcus H. Siegal (Lot 5);
Dale Buteyn;
Walter Dickson; and some Does.
Dickson sold the lots to Dorsey. His involvement appears to relate to what trust deeds he issued in the sale to Dorsey which require Dorsey to make payments.
In protest, White erects a sign on the front of the building accusing the city of racial discrimination. The sign reads
To our members. S.M. City Officials used eminent domain condemnation for racial discrimination! We bow our heads to the greatest public good. But NEVER to official confiscation! Ebony Beach Club, Inc. 1811 Ocean Ave. Silas C. White, Pres. Executive Offices 5331 West Adams Blvd. Los Angeles, Calif.
After the jury trial, the Judgment entered in the case includes the finding that "Ebony Beach Club Inc has no right, title, interest, or estate in or to said described property." Dorsey is awarded $74,000.