Press Release, 4/14/2008, Santa Monica Public Library

Date: April 14, 2008

Contact: Susan Annett, Principal Librarian, Public & Branch Services (310) 458-8640;

L.A.: From Pioneer Town to Paradise Metropolis at the Santa Monica Public Library

Santa Monica, California — Santa Monica Public Library explores the exciting history of Los Angeles in a presentation by two authors on Tuesday, April 15 at 7 p.m. in the Main Library’s Martin Luther King Jr. Auditorium, 601 Santa Monica Boulevard.

Don Benito Wilson: From Mountain Man to Mayor–Los Angeles 1841-1878 by Nat Read documents the life of one of the most significant pioneers of Los Angeles. Except for the prominent local peak, Mount Wilson, which is named for him, Benjamin Davis “Don Benito” Wilson’s story in the development of the city’s political and economic life has not been chronicled until now. Published by Angel City Press, this biography reveals how in less than forty years, Los Angeles was transformed from a dusty Mexican pueblo to an urban center with telegraph lines, street lamps, brick buildings and streetcar rails. Nat Read, who holds a degree in history from Austin College and has a distinguished career as a writer for newspapers and magazines, will present the profile of this fascinating early Los Angeles leader.

Also published by Angel City Press, Paradise Promoted: The Booster Campaign that Created Los Angeles 1870 to 1930 by Tom Zimmerman carries the story of Los Angeles’ development foreword to its status as a full-fledged metropolis. Featuring more than 500 photographs and rare ephemera collected by the author, this book showcases the era when boosters advertised Los Angeles’ weather, agriculture, natural diversity, and unique Southern California style of living to the rest of the nation and to the world. Zimmerman demonstrates that even in the nineteenth century these same aspects that still draw millions of visitors and new residents to Southern California were the focus of all the promotional hoopla. Tom Zimmerman holds a masters degree in history and teaches at Marymount High School in Los Angeles.

A “must read” for history and advertising buffs, these books will be available for sale at the program, and the authors will sign copies of their book. For more information about this free public program, call the Santa Monica Public Library at (310) 458-8600; or visit the Library’s website www.smpl.org.


L.A.: From Pioneer Town to Paradise Metropolis at the Santa Monica Public Library
Date: April 14, 2008 Contact: Susan Annett, Principal Librarian, Public & Branch Services (310) 458-8640; L.A.: From Pioneer Town to Paradise Metropolis at the Santa Monica Public Library Santa Monica, California — Santa Monica Public Library explores the exciting history of Los Angeles in a presentation by two authors on Tuesday, April 15 at 7 p.m. in the Main Library’s Martin Luther King Jr. Auditorium, 601 Santa Monica Boulevard. Don Benito Wilson: From Mountain Man to Mayor–Los Angeles 1841-1878 by Nat Read documents the life of one of the most significant pioneers of Los Angeles. Except for the prominent local peak, Mount Wilson, which is named for him, Benjamin Davis “Don Benito” Wilson’s story in the development of the city’s political and economic life has not been chronicled until now. Published by Angel City Press, this biography reveals how in less than forty years, Los Angeles was transformed from a dusty Mexican pueblo to an urban center with telegraph lines, street lamps, brick buildings and streetcar rails. Nat Read, who holds a degree in history from Austin College and has a distinguished career as a writer for newspapers and magazines, will present the profile of this fascinating early Los Angeles leader. Also published by Angel City Press, Paradise Promoted: The Booster Campaign that Created Los Angeles 1870 to 1930 by Tom Zimmerman carries the story of Los Angeles’ development foreword to its status as a full-fledged metropolis. Featuring more than 500 photographs and rare ephemera collected by the author, this book showcases the era when boosters advertised Los Angeles’ weather, agriculture, natural diversity, and unique Southern California style of living to the rest of the nation and to the world. Zimmerman demonstrates that even in the nineteenth century these same aspects that still draw millions of visitors and new residents to Southern California were the focus of all the promotional hoopla. Tom Zimmerman holds a masters degree in history and teaches at Marymount High School in Los Angeles. A “must read” for history and advertising buffs, these books will be available for sale at the program, and the authors will sign copies of their book. For more information about this free public program, call the Santa Monica Public Library at (310) 458-8600; or visit the Library’s website www.smpl.org. # # #

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