History of the Culver City Lions
A Prominent Service Organization
for 85 Years
Our history started on April 23, 1923, when the Culver City Lions Club was chartered. One of the founding fathers was Harry Culver, founder of Culver City. Harry Culver came to southern California in 1910 where he dabbled in real estate. Eventually, Harry pinpointed this area for a city between the pueblo of Los Angeles and Abbot Kinney’s Venice-of-America and announced his plans in 1913. Local voters rejected the annexation to Los Angeles in 1914 so Harry worked hard toward his goal of a balanced residential/commercial community. Culver City was incorporated September 11, 1917 and quickly became the “Heart of Screenland.” He was extrememly active in the community so being a charter member of the Culver City Lions in 1923 was part of his innovative style. Many city dignitaries were members in the early years.
Not much information has been found during the first four years regarding the Culver City Lions Club, so we will begin our accomplishments with 1927.
From 1927 through 1937, the club organized a Boy Scout troop and built and maintained a basketball court in the city’s new playground.
From 1938 through 1948, the club succeeded in preventing the city of Los Angeles from emptying sewage into a La Ballona Creek, erected a victory house in the center of town for sale of war bonds, sponsored a blood bank and continued to sponsor the Boy Scout troop.
From 1949 through 1959, the Culver City Lions provided transportation for a local blind house, sponsored a girls’ softball team along with a swim fest to promote interest and competition in swimming for Culver City youth.
In 1951, Lion Dr. Keith Criswell started The Culver City Lions Club Eyesight Conservation Clinic’, an enormous undertaking. Since its inception, we have screened over 150,000 school children. The Conservation Clinic was the first of its kind in the entire area. It received worldwide acclaim and served as the pattern for similar clinics set up by other Lions Clubs in their own communities. In 1958, the Culver City Lions Club purchased its own Mobile Screening Unit. Our Club raised funds by promoting a ‘thankful you can see’ seal campaign drive. This type of campaign yielded to the ‘White Cane’ program, a part of Lions International.
From 1959 through 1963, the Club continued their valuable work with the youth of Culver City as they promoted the Culver City Youth Bowling League, organized a kids’ baseball team call the ‘Lions League’ and purchased first aid kits which were sent to foreign countries under the name of ‘Operation Friendship.’
In 1962, the club decided to revive and enhance the feeling of national pride in our country by encouraging the displaying of our national emblem. During the Cuban crisis, city officials requested our club to place our American flags around the city every day during the emergency to demonstrate our unity and confidence on our leaders.
Many accolades have been received from civic groups and individuals. An editorial by Star-News Vanguard managing editor, Tom Watson praising our flag project, won him the Copley Journalism Award for best local editorial. Also that year, our Club won ‘The Freedom Foundation of Valley Forge Award’ for our flag displays.
From1964 through 1973, the Club tackled another major project donating time and money toward the purchase and initial building of the Culver-Palms Family Y.M.C.A., chairing yearly golf tournaments between the Lions Club of Kaizuka and the Culver City Lions Club, sponsoring the Southern California Lions Eye Institute.
In 1967, our community recognition dinner was started to honor outstanding adults, teenagers and organizations. To this day, we continue to support the Culver City Guidance Clinic for the Mentally Disturbed.
In 1977, our annual Eyemobile Screening of senior citizens was started. The Club Citizen of the Year was the district winner.
In 1979 through 1980, our program of eye screening for the Culver City school system continues to grow. We are finding more children needing corrective lenses which we supply ‘free of charge’ if they cannot pay. We are beginning to find at least one child each year needing some kind of eye surgery. We have made several referrals to our Southern California Eye Clinic fro treatment. We also support our Low Vision Aids Program (LOVE) by being one of the biggest collectors of eye glasses in the district. One of our students won the district’s Peace Poster Contest. We go into the middle school on Flag Day to promote patriotism in our youth. The Club is very active in the Lions International Youth Exchange Program. We have helped the environment by cleaning the beach and stenciling the sidewalks. We support the Canine Companion Program for the physically handicapped as well as our our ongoing ‘large type’ and Braille books at the Culver City Library. We have helped the West Los Angeles Lions Club start their own eye screening program in local schools, patterned after Culver City’s,
The eyescreening efforts of the WLA Lions Club and member Hank Baizer, prompted The Los Angeles Times to write three major on the eyesight of the LA school children.
After 85 years, the Culver City Lions Club still works hard to serve the local community and they are proud of their many accomplishments. Visit our Activities Page for a comprehensive list of the wonderful projects the Club sponsors.