On Saving La Venta Inn, by Narcissa Cox Vanderlip

I understand that neighbors are objecting to the existence of La Venta Inn within the present guidelines for its use.

I am a granddaughter of Frank A. Vanderlip, who first envisioned what Palos Verdes could become for the benefit of us all. As such, I would like to state emphatically that I think it would be a cruel blow to the community, to the collection of historic peninsula landmarks that still remain, to the owners of the inn, and to the new manager who has put her heart and soul into reviving and embellishing La Venta to give it new life after the COVID-19 lockdown we have all had to suffer.

The inn is a historic landmark. Its tower can be seen from afar, and means a lot to so many people. As a sales office, it brought the first daring buyers to experience the once vacant peninsula and envision moving there. As a reception venue, it is filled with the history and happy memories of guests at countless gatherings, events, celebrations, fundraisers and meetings of all kinds for some one hundred years on the Peninsula. It is a special place that brought the first buyers and residents to the area, and has brought the community together in so many ways ever since.

The City of Palos Verdes Estates already has strict guidelines in effect for operation of the facility. Do you really want to make life and economic survival even more challenging —  or worse, impossible — for them? Do you want to see the inn turned into a private residence, closed forever to the public? Do you want to see it torn down to make way for another mega- mansion? Do you not want to give other families the possibility of holding a wedding or anniversary reception on this magical site? Or are any of you coming back to enjoy it yourselves?

It seems to me that the people who bought the original lots next to the inn and built on them knew what they were doing. They were content to cohabitate. And the newest owners of these homes knew as well when they chose to buy next to La Venta. They could have chosen a house farther away if they objected to being near the venue. Why should the venue have to suffer because now that they are used to COVID quiet, they want no more activity at the inn?

Mercifully, we seem to be coming back to life after our forced confinement, and it would be tragic if a few are able to prevent the many from the joys that La Venta can provide.

The La Venta Inn was frequented by my grandparents, Peninsula founder Frank Arthur and Narcissa Cox Vanderlip. I am sure he met there with the developers and the Olmsteds on designing the most beautiful planned community possible, and that she met there when she was helping the local League of Women Voters found their chapter as she had for the State of New York and the LWV chapter of Westchester County. I have read through Palos Verdes Review archives describing my grandmother’s many organizational activities in the area, but I don’t have the time to verify exactly what occurred, when at La Venta. Suffice it to say that there is a rich history there. My parents, Kelvin Cox and Elin Vanderlip, also attended or organized gatherings there. And my siblings and I all have our own memories at La Venta.

You are in a difficult position being asked to satisfy these new requests of the neighbors of La Venta. I hope you can evaluate the impact that your decision will have on the quality of all our lives, and the history of the Peninsula for ourselves and our children. And I thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Narcissa Cox Vanderlip

March 24, 2022