Pacific Branch Sawtelle Veterans Home

1 pacific branch

1.1 land donation
1.2 development
1.3 administration
1.4 other notable people
1.5 sawtelle
1.6 wadsworth hospital
1.7 veterans administration

1.7.1 va west los angeles medical center

pacific branch

due increased demand result of widening of admission standards, in 1887 congress approved establishment of pacific branch of home. pacific branch established under act of congress approved march 2, 1887, entitled act provide location , erection of branch home disabled volunteer soldiers west of rocky mountains.

land donation

the proposed establishment prompted intense competition, local promoters recognized value of prominent, prestigious institution. selected site pacific branch on land near santa monica influenced donations of land (300 acres (1.2 km)) , cash ($100,000) , water (120,000 gallons per day) senator john p. jones , robert s. baker, , wife arcadia bandini de stearns baker. jones , baker involved in development of santa monica , believed pacific branch contribute growth of community , area. wolfskill ranch owners east of sepulveda boulevard, donated tract of 330 acres (1.3 km).

development

the pacific branch opened in 1888 on 713 acres (2.89 km) of land. prominent architect stanford white credited designing original shingle style frame barracks. j. lee burton designed streetcar depot , shingle style chapel in 1900. barry hospital built in sections 1891 1909. plantings of pines, palm trees, , eucalyptus groves transformed site treeless state.

administration

although board of managers established regulations operation of nhdvs system , oversaw operations, many decisions made @ local level local managers (who members of board of managers)

or branch governors (chief administrative officers).

the branch twice became object of local controversy, fueled newspaper coverage. in 1889, board of managers conducted investigation of pacific branch after number of charges, including poor treatment of members, bad food, , corrupt management, leveled. board found little cause concern, action remind governor of branch of responsibilities.

in 1912, senate, prompted newspaper reports, investigated operations of pacific branch found little basis charges.

other notable people

other notable people associated pacific branch include:

sawtelle

the pacific branch served attraction both tourists , local real estate speculators. in 1904, los angeles pacific railroad s branch became stop on balloon route – popular tour of local attractions conducted entrepreneur escorted tourists via rented streetcar. in 1905, residential lots , larger tracts in new westgate subdivision, joined “the beautiful soldier’s home”, , owned , promoted jones , baker’s santa monica land , water company, sale. new community of sawtelle developed around pacific branch when veterans’ families, veterans drawing relief, settled there.

wadsworth hospital

following world war i, new governmental agency, veterans bureau, created provide hospitalization , rehabilitation of younger group of veterans. development of medical facilities veterans during 1920s fueled burst of construction during decade, including colonial revival staff residences. james w. wadsworth hospital opened in 1927, replacing barry hospital.

veterans administration

the national home , veterans bureau, combined united states veterans administration president hoover in 1930. planning began major building campaign, including mission/spanish colonial style hospital buildings , group of romanesque-inspired research buildings. present wadsworth hospital constructed in late 1930s. new theater replaced former ward theater in 1940. of 1890s era buildings demolished in 1960s. veterans affairs (va) hospital building (va wadsworth medical center) opened in 1977.

va west los angeles medical center

the va west los angeles medical center of va greater los angeles health care system hospital , tertiary health care facility south of wilshire boulevard , west of san diego freeway on sawtelle campus. provides broad range of health care services veterans. largest of va s health care campuses, part of va desert pacific network.