WESTLAKE
LINKS
Compiled by Rob Keil
These links should be useful to Westlake
residents and others interested in the neighborhood. Note that the inclusion
of businesses and professionals on this list does not imply an endorsement
unless specifically stated, and the
author assumes no responsibilty or liability the information contained
herein.
If you have links that should be added to this list, please e-mail me
at robertjkeil@yahoo.com. I hope you find this information useful.
Community,
Public & Government Organizations
City
of Daly City official website
City
of Daly City: Building Division
deals specifically
with home-improvement and permit issues
The Doelger Center hosts many community events and classes, as well
as programs for seniors.
This
building was originally the award-winning Fernando Rivera School designed
by Mario Ciampi in 1960.
Daly City Public Library: Westlake Branch
Daly
City Public Library: Serramonte Branch
is great for research. It maintains a collection of historical Westlake
photographs, as well as a microfilm
copy of the Westlake Times newspaper (now defunct) dating back to the
1950s. Their collection also includes rare and useful government-produced
documents and books and the research interview tapes recorded in the creation
of the "Little Boxes" Westlake book. The History Guild of Daly
City also maintains a mini-museum and research library on site on the
lower level, which is open Tuesdays 1-2:30pm only.
The Peninsula Library System maintains a useful list of books that contain
information on Westlake and Daly City here.
Earthquake
of 1957
People often ask about this Westlake-centered
temblor.
It caused a fair amount property damage, but no houses collapsed and nobody
was killed. Henry Doelger's company spent a year fixing collapsed chimneys
and cracked stucco (free of charge).
http://www.sfmuseum.org/hist1/1957eq.html
http://www.winwaed.com/sci/daly/dalycity.shtml
http://seismo.berkeley.edu/seismo/faq/1957_0.html
History
Websites & Organizations
Official
History Website of Daly City: Westlake Section This
is the most comprehensive online history of the neighborhood.
History Guild of Daly City / Colma meets in Westlake several times
per year. Their mini-museum is worth visiting.
San Mateo County History Museum has a nice exhibit that includes material
on Westlake and Henry Doelger.
Periodicals
Here are a few publications that may be
of interest to Westlake fans:
Atomic Ranch Magazine
is a well-written and thoroughly-illustrated quarterly on the architecture
of midcentury tract houses. They ran Westlake-related articles in issues
7 and 13.
CA
Modern
is a full-color quarterly that focuses on midcentury California
homes- particulary Eichler, Streng, and Alexander. They ran a Westlake-related
article and review of Little Boxes in their Fall 2006 issue.
Modernism
Magazine is another high quality quarterly, covering midcentury architecture
and design more generally.
Photographs
Flickr
"Little Boxes" Photo Pool originated
by my friend Thom Watson, contains dozens of contemporary digital images
of Westlake. A great visual reference. You can also add your own images.
Real Estate: Buying & Selling
Quite a few companies list houses for sale in Westlake. Search online
for Daly City real estate and you find them.
Danco Real Estate is of note because
they've been in business in the area since 1963 and specialize in
Westlake homes.
The following local real estate agents also specialize in Westlake
homes:
Douglas
Dunlop
Robert
Garrison
Marcia Minnichofer
Heather
Stoltz
Real
Estate: Renting
A
good place to find houses for rent in Westlake is on Craigslist.
I suggest using "Westlake" as search keyword.
The only true apartment complex in Westlake is the huge 3,000-unit Westlake
Village Apartments complex.
Restaurants
Although
there are quite a few restaurants in Westlake, these may be of particular
interest to fans of things retro:
Joe's Of Westlake
The original Westlake hangout, mostly unchanged since 1956. Henry Doelger
had his own table here.
Boulevard Cafe Situated on the site of the old
Doelger lumber
mill, this place has both retro style and good food.
Westlake Coffee Shop has traditional diner food and atmosphere.
Schools
Not
all schools in Westlake have websites at this time, but here are those
that do:
Franklin Delano
Roosevelt School
Thomas Edison School
Marjorie Tobias
School originally known as the "Vista Mar School" and featured
in Life Magazine on May 25, 1959.
Fernando Rivera
School (This is not the original Fernando Rivera designed by Mario
Ciampi), see "Doelger Center" above.
Westmoor High School
Westlake's
only high school.
Westmoor
was Featured in Life Magazine on May 25, 1959
and the on cover of Fortune Magazine in October 1958.
Westlake School of
the Performing Arts offers a wide range of dance programs for kids.
This building was designed
by architect Mario Ciampi
and was originally known as the Olympia School.
Shopping
Centers & Stores
Westlake
has two shopping centers:
Westlake
Shopping Center was originally called the Westlake Town & Country
Shopping Center.
It was one of America's earliest shopping "malls."
Skyline
Plaza Shopping Center opened in 1961.
The
local home repair and improvement stores
may be of
particular interest to homeowners. See the homeowner
tips.
Transportation
Bay
Area Rapid Transit. The Daly City station is within walking distance
of some of the early Westlake subdivisions.
SamTrans is the local bus service.