In Spanish, Don is an honorific similar to “Mister”, except it precedes a man’s first name instead of his last (e.g., Don Antonio, not Don Banderas). While some of the 28 “Don Streets” in the Baldwin Hills Estates share their names with real 19th century rancheros, the inclusion of “Don Quixote” and “Don Diablo” should raise doubts about any historical accuracy. The 300 acre Baldwin Hills Estates tract was announced in 1950 after investor/philanthropist Howard F. Ahmanson purchased the land. But so many contractors, consultants, and salespeople were involved that I can’t say who actually came up with the “Don” theme, or how these 28 particular names were chosen. At any rate, Ahmanson sold half the property to developer Milton Kauffman in 1952. From the Small World Department: Kauffman’s real estate career began in 1905 when he started buying San Gabriel Valley property from Elias “Lucky” Baldwin – namesake of these very hills.
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