Louis Mesmer (1829-1900) was an Alsatian baker who came to Los Angeles with his family in 1859 and soon took over the United States Hotel, which remained under Mesmer ownership until it was razed in 1939. (He sublet management to the team of Hammel and Denker, his nephews-in-law, in the 1870s.) Mesmer was involved in a wide variety of civic affairs, most notably the construction of St. Vibiana Cathedral (although it’s said he reneged on his promise to help finance the church). He also acquired significant holdings here in the Playa del Rey area – 771 acres, by one count – much of which would later be sold for development by his son Joseph (1855-1947). Joe Mesmer was as prominent as his dad: his 1879 marriage to Rose Bouchard (1854-1946) was reportedly the first at St. Vibiana’s and he operated the Queen Shoe Store at the U.S. Hotel for 28 years. He was also a major player in the development of Civic Center and Union Station. Note that there was once a different Mesmer Ave. (in 1887!) where Culver Blvd. now terminates. This one was named in 1924 on the Mesmer City tract, sold by George Alfred Bray and Howard Grosvenor Teale. (Joe Mesmer remained involved as mortgagee: other streets like Juniette were named after his daughters.) Family footnote: Mary Agnes Christina “Tina” Mesmer (1864-1948), Joe’s sister, was the hapless wife of Griffith J. Griffith: see Griffith Park Blvd.
Find it on the map:
