The WIP contains an incongruent mix of privately owned industrial and some office structures, scattered residential dwelling units, oil extraction equipment, automobile salvage yards, and unimproved streets and alleys. Numerous potential code violations are apparent in the form of scrap metals piled well above the tops of fences and the occupation of businesses on City rights-of-way. Approximately half of the Wilmington Industrial Park is underutilized, including automobile and marine salvage yards, oil extraction sites, and small manufacturing operations located in sheds, tin-sided buildings, and similar portable structures. In contrast, better-utilized sites within the WIP include small manufacturing, food processing, warehousing, storage, repair facilities, metal fabrication, paper products, truck terminals and other transportation-related service providers.

Source: Wilmington Industrial Park Economic Adjustment Strategy, Final Report, February 12, 2003, pg. 22

Wilmington Monuments, Landmarks, and Historic Places

Historic Wilmington Cemetery - Est. 1857, 605 East "O" Street

Simple in appearance, the 10 acre Historic Wilmington Cemetery is the oldest in the harbor area and the second oldest in the city of Los Angeles.

The earliest headstone in the cemetery is that of Fanny Banning, who died in 1857 at the age of 25 months. Nearby are the graves of three other Banning children. In March of 1885, General Phineas Banning died and was buried next to Rebecca, his first wife who had died in childbirth in 1868, and five of their eight children. His second wife, Mary, had his body and the body of their daughter, Ellen, moved to Angeles-Rosedale Cemetery in Los Angeles, where she had planned to be buried.

Drum Barracks - Built 1862, 1052 Banning Boulevard, Tour Info - 310 548-7509

The U. S. Government decided to build an Army Quartermaster's Department of the Southwest near Los Angeles. Phineas Banning and B. D. Wilson deeded them 60 acres for this purpose for the sum of $1.00. This was a logical location since Banning had in place the best system of travel and trade available at the time. Also, the Los Angeles population was sympathetic to the southern cause and the federal government thought it in their best interest to have their army in this area.

General Phineas Banning Residence - Built 1864, 401 East "M" Street, Tour Info - 310 548-7777

Phineas Banning designed and built this three story, 23 room, Greek Revival home in 1864. General Banning was well-known for his hospitality and the house was often used for many parties and social gatherings for his family and friends. It was where he conducted many of his vast business and political affairs. In March of 1927, the voters of Wilmington agreed to a district bond issue authorizing the purchase of the residence, barns and approximately 20 acres of surrounding area to be used for park purposes.

Powder Magazine, Camp Drum - Built 1862, 1001 Eubank Avenue, 561 Wast Opp Street

The Drum Barracks powder magazine is a small, one-story masonry structure with a barrel vaulted roof. Made of brick and Palos Verdes stones, it was then plastered over with a thin layer of cement mixture for reinforcing and water proofong and then painted white. It is believed the original metal door and other hardware were made in the blacksmith shop in the army depot which was located on the north side of what is now Avalon Boulevard between "A" and Water Streets.

Camphor Trees - Planted 1927, 1200 Block of Lakme Avenue

These fifty-two beautiful trees were planted in 1927. They are the hallmark of the upscale "Banning Park Neighborhood" and are part of this unique and charming three-block area that is eligible for designation as a Los Angeles Historic Preservation Overlay Zone. These trees are approximately 40 feet tall with an even wider spread that creates a pleasant, shady canopy over Lakme Avenue. A delight in every season of the year, beautiful in the rain when the heavy trunks and branches look black and the winter leaves are a shiny light green. In the spring, new foliage may be pink, red or bronze depending on the tree. The name of the tree is appropriate since the leaves smell of camphor when crushed.

Memory Chapel, Calvary Presbyterian Church - Built 1870, 1146 Marine Avenue

This small 1 1/2 story frame building has a central tower of 2 1/2 stories. There is a "ladies' and gentlemen's" entrance on either side of the tower. This was customary in churches of the period. It is believed to be the oldest Protestant church in the harbor area. It was moved to its present location in 1939. The building is still used for Sunday school classes.

Old Wilmington Library - Built 1927, 309 West Opp Street, Archives - 310 835 8529

The Wilmington Branch Library was formally opened March 18, 1927. The 3700 square foot building cost $28,000 dollars. Representing a Spanish colonial period style of architecture, the structure was designed by the award winning architects Sylvanus Marston, Garret Van Pelt and Edgar Maybury. The library opened to the public for a population of fifteen thousand. It served the community until September of 1988. It is now the permanent home of the Wilmington Historical Society.

Masonic Temple - Built 1882, 227 North Avalon Boulevard

The Wilmington Lodge #198 F. & A. M, (Free and Accepted Masons) was finished between September and December of 1882. The two-story brick building is a good example of Renaissance Revival architecture and was designed and built by Mr. F. N. McDonald at a cost of $3,950. Selling shares to friends and members at $50.00 each raised this money. This brick building was raised, moved back and over one lot when the street was widened and improved during the Landfill of 1911 - 1913. The old building has been privately owned by the J. M. Costello family since 1939 and is being used as part of their ship chandlery business.

Saint John's Episcopal Church - Built 1882, 1537 Neptune Avenue

The first services were held in the brand new Saint John's Episcopal Church during Christmas, 1882. This church was built under the initiative of Mrs. Phineas Banning who had donated the lumber. Mrs. Anton Laubersheimer donated the property and, B. L. Van Tress and Carlos L. Lindsay, who was also the Reverend, did most of the carpentry work. Built on Canal Street, it was moved to its present location in 1945. The building is still used for regular worship services.