Named for its proximity to the Baldwin Hills, which take their own name from Elias J. “Lucky” Baldwin (1828-1909), who had owned the land. Baldwin Avenue was originally called Jefferson Avenue; it was one of several Culver City streets named in honor of U.S. presidents, along with Jackson, Lincoln, Madison, and Van Buren. It was changed to Baldwin Ave. in 1940 to prevent further confusion with nearby Jefferson Blvd. As a side note, Lucky Baldwin’s daughter Anita had passed away in 1939. That may or may not have inspired city leaders to choose “Baldwin” as the avenue’s new name.
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