Welcome to L.A. Street Names, the origin stories of street names across Los Angeles County, from the shortest cul-de-sacs to the longest boulevards. Mysteries solved, myths debunked, scandals exposed, history revealed. This is an ongoing project with more than 1,700 streets – and growing. See FAQ for more information.
Featured Major Street
Via de la Paz
In 1921-1922, as the 1,068 acre Pacific Palisades tract was underway, its founders laid out its main street and dubbed it the “Highway of Peace”, alternatively “Via de la Paz”. Aside from its Christian connotations – Pacific Palisades was founded as a Methodist community – “peace” referred to a planned “international peace temple” at the end of the road, atop what Palisades founders called Peace Hill. The temple was estimated to cost $1 million in 1922 dollars. Needless to say it was never erected and the “Highway of Peace” name was discarded by 1924. Still, Easter sunrise services were held on Peace Hill for a good fifteen years, attracting thousands of worshippers. The hill was subdivided into housing in 1947-1950: see Rimmer Avenue.