If you’re wondering which Roosevelt is honored by this street, it’s Theodore (1858-1919). Roosevelt Avenue was named in February 1903, seventeen months into Roosevelt’s presidency. (He was appointed on September 14th, 1901, following the assassination of William McKinley.) The street was born on the “Golf Park tract”, presumably named for its proximity to what was then the location of the Los Angeles Country Club (at Pico and Western), although it was significantly closer to Rosedale Cemetery. (Well, would you promote your housing tract as being next to a graveyard?) The tract’s owners were George A. Leighton and Theodore Weisendanger; other than the “Theodore” connection, I found no special reason behind their choice of Roosevelt Avenue. They were probably just feeling patriotic.
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