This circa 1906 street takes its name from Kenter Canyon, whose own namesake was almost certainly Azel C. Kenter (1823-1904). According to old newspapers, Kenter came here from Minneapolis in 1876 and found work in the Santa Monica Mountains for a dollar a day. In 1877, he was in “Sepulveda Canyon” and had invented a device to heat honey knives – beekeeping being a popular vocation in these hills. By 1882, he owned 160 acres in “Varroza Canyon”, possibly today’s Kenter Canyon. The 1884-1885 Los Angeles City Directory showed beekeeper A.C. Kenter living in Santa Monica (no street address) and Azel C. Kenter was registered to vote in Santa Monica in 1888. In short, I think this is the guy we’re looking for. Kenter was a Canadian who immigrated to the Midwest in 1844, served as a wagoner in the Civil War, got married a couple of times, and spent his final years at the Milwaukee Soldiers’ Home. One can only wonder why he chose to retire in chilly Wisconsin instead of at our own brand new Soldiers’ Home (see Veteran Avenue).
Find it on the map:
