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# Step back in time with historic walking tour
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/step-back-in-time-with-historic-walking-tour/
- Published: 2005-01-03T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T05:56:09.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Education, Ocean Park, #archive-import

*By Daily Press staff*

A crucial piece of Santa Monica history is at your fingertips later this month, courtesy of the Santa Monica Conservancy.

In just a few short blocks, the Third Street Historic District in the Ocean Park section of Santa Monica provides visitors a visual history lesson. The Conservancy is providing a tour of the area on Jan. 30, giving a glimpse of what Santa Monica’s architecture was like at the turn of the century.

The neighborhood represents all the architectural styles that were popular in Santa Monica from 1875 through 1935\. Many of the city’s most prominent early residents built their homes there, according to the Conservancy. Eighty-four percent of the 42 structures now in the district are original. Six of them, including an 1875 church converted into a family residence, will be on public view Jan. 30 between noon and 4 p.m. as part of a Santa Monica Conservancy’s walking tour.

The tour is funded partly by the city of Santa Monica. Each participant will receive a self-guided brochure identifying the open houses and other significant houses in the district. The tour features visits to the interiors of historic Victorian and Craftsman homes, and exemplifies the creative ways that vintage homes can be modified, expanded and adapted for contemporary living while preserving the distinctive features that give them their architectural and historical value.

Docents will be on hand in the homes to provide detailed information to participants. Light refreshments and free preservation materials will be offered at the Church in Ocean Park.

Third Street history The Third Street Historic District was officially designated in 1990 and is Santa Monica’s first historic district. Architecturally, the buildings chronicle the evolution of design from the Victorian era through the revival styles of the 1920s and 1930s.

Ocean Park, formerly called South Santa Monica, was originally settled by the Vawter family in 1884\. The Vawters subdivided their property and established South Santa Monica’s first bank, the first water company, a carnation farm, the first Presbyterian church and a horse-car line connecting it to the rest of the city. Not long after, The Crystal Springs Bathhouse and Plunge was built — the first South Santa Monica beach attraction. Visionary developer Abbot Kinney helped turn South Santa Monica into a beach resort later called Ocean Park. Soon year-round residents began to populate the area.

Homes open for touring The house at 2619 Third St. is a classic Craftsman bungalow built in 1910\. It has been extensively restored by its current owners, who have done much of the work themselves. The interior architectural features are in pristine condition, according to the Conservancy.

The Capenter Gothic redwood structure with high-pitched gables at 2621 Second St., built in 1875, was once a Methodist Episcopal church. One of Santa Monica’s oldest buildings, it was built by volunteer labor for $683\. It was moved three times

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 3, 2005.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/010305.pdf?ref=smdp.com)