AUDIO TOUR
MPEG file of text

Southern California Library for Social Studies and Research
6120 S. Vermont Avenue
The Southern California Library (SCL) is an alternative library that documents the region’s labor, racial and political struggles. Founded in 1963 by Emil Freed, the SCL incorporated in 1967 as a nonprofit educational organization. In addition to books and videos, the SCL is most renown for its collection of political activists and struggles, a few of which include Harry Bridge’s deportation campaign, Tom Hayden’s papers, the effort to desegregate Los Angeles schools in the 1970s, the Associacion de Vendedores Ambulantes (Street Vendors’ Association), the Sleepy Lagoon Murder trial and extensive holdings of labor unions. Besides its collections, which are free and open to the public, the Library has also taken a leading role in documenting and preserving the history of the region, as seen, for example, in its South Los Angeles project, and regular community events. (323) 759-6063 (www.socallib.org)
.

From the Southern California Library, take Vermont north to 61 ST ST, take it west to Vernon, take it west to CRENSHAW BLVD. 3730 CRENSHAW BLVD

Holiday Bowl Bowling Alley and Restaurant/Bar
3730 Crenshaw Blvd.
The Holiday Bowl was a bowling alley founded by five Japanese Americans in 1958. Building the Bowl was part of the process of rebuilding the Nikkei community after Internment and owners sold shares throughout the community in order to finance its construction. Given the Bowl’s location on Crenshaw, it was an important site in the desegregation of Los Angeles, as it served a white, black, and Japanese American clientele. The coffee shop, for example, famously featured grits, udon, chow mein, and hamburgers. Due to poor management, the Bowl was closed in May 2000 and was targeted for demolition. Supporters of the Bowl, however, mobilized and persuaded the City of Los Angeles’ Cultural Heritage Commission to designate the structure as an historical-cultural monument. The building was valued both for its 1950s style, “Googie” architecture, but also for its importance in creating an integrated Los Angeles. Despite efforts, the Holiday Bowl was torn down in October 2003. An archiving and memorial project have been organized to remember it at The Holiday Bowl History Project, (http://holidaybowlcrenshaw.com) an outgrowth of A People’s Guide to Los Angeles.