Back to 1951
Manchester Square grows into a vibrant and safe post-War community

Speaking: Al Scates

Former UCLA Men’s Volleyball Coach of 50 years, a coaching legend


On how Manchester Square was a safe, blue-collar community full of life. He had many neighborhood friends growing up, most of whom would go on and attend Westchester High.

Al grew up in Manchester Square and attended Westchester High School. His first job before attending UCLA was as a tractor driver at Douglas Aircraft Company.

Speaking: Vicky and Jim Tarleton

Current and longtime residents of Manchester Square. The Tarletons bought their first family home in Manchester Square and eventually bought a bigger one down the street to accommodate their growing family.


On the liveliness and health Manchester Square enjoyed in their childrens’ youth. Halloweens were high-spirited and there was a true sense of community and unity among neighbors.

Vicky and Jim still live in their Manchester Square home, bookended by one empty lot and one home recently obtained by the airport. Their home once belonged to Jim’s parents.
1967
Surfridge disintegrates
Manchester Square thrives, unscathed by this expansion
Speaking: DJ “Duke” Dukesherer

Author of Beach of the King: Playa Del Rey/Westchester/Playa Vista, A Personal History


On recalling his classmates’ Surfridge homes being demolished in the 1960s. Surfridge was home to Hollywood legends like Cecil B. Demille and could be comparable to Pacific Palisaes today in its physicality and allure. “The homes were unbelievable...You just knew something was wrong.” He believes, then, Surfridge and Westchester should have fought back harder against LAX and, today, Manchester Square may not be in degradation. “They were like lemurs being fed over a cliff.”

Lifelong resident of Westchester and former resident of Manchester Square
1978
LAX expands runways and terminals
Noise increases, more communities disappear

Speaking: Al Scates

Former UCLA Men’s Volleyball Coach of 50 years, a coaching legend


On delivering Westchester News Advertisement. Before school he delivered papers and tried to collect for his services. “Some people paid me not to deliver them.”

Al grew up in Manchester Square and attended Westchester High School. His first job before attending UCLA was as a tractor driver at Douglas Aircraft Company.

Speaking: DJ “Duke” Dukesherer

Author of Beach of the King: Playa Del Rey/Westchester/Playa Vista, A Personal History


On his parents who moved their family all around Westchester. One year in the late 1960s, when airport expansion threatened Westchester yet again, his parents hosted a meeting at their family home in Manchester Square to gather the community together and rally against the North Runway expansion. “It was a very hostile environment.”

Life-long resident of Westchester and former resident of Manchester Square

Speaking: Marti Packman

Current and Longtime Resident of Manchester Square. Marti and her family have lived in several homes in Manchester Square.


On “Joseph’s Hammer”: After years of discord between her musical family and a quiet neighbor, Joseph wanted to make amends by welding a hammer for the family. It serves as a visceral, comic memory of a time when neighbors were close enough to hear band practice.

Marti is a teacher at Westchester Lutheran School. She is best friends with Vicky Tarleton. Her son Simon lives next door.

Speaking: Jim Tarleton

Current and longtime resident of Manchester Square. His parents owned the home he and his family live in now.


On recalling how he and his father often gardened in the yard at this home. They were both aerospace engineers, but nevertheless “frustrated farmers.” He remembers these days fondly.

Jim was an aerospace engineer, like many other former Manchester Square residents.

Speaking: Simon Packman

Current and lifetime resident of Manchester Square. He grew up in the neighborhood and now rents a home next door to his mom, Marti.


On remembering playing games in the front yard with his family and friends. The neighborhood was safe and full of life. The homes had large front yards and wide streets for soccer, skateboarding and wiffle ball, little traffic flow and frequent stop signs deterred through-traffic.

Simon is an engineering student now. He wants to stick around for as long as he can.
In 1999
LAX announced a Voluntary Buyout Program for Manchester Square residents. Fewer than a dozen homes of three-hundred homes remain.

Speaking: DJ “Duke” Dukesherer

Author of Beach of the King: Playa Del Rey/Westchester/Playa Vista, A Personal History


On how, upon moving back to Manchester Square in the 70s, he recalls, even then, seeing engineers from North American and Hughes walk from Manchester Square, down Aviation Boulevard, down to work. They were “the salt and pepper of the Earth.”

Life-long resident of Westchester and former resident of Manchester Square
PART 3
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"Little Detroit"