Listen Live
Donate
 on air
    Schedule

    KCRW

    Read & Explore

    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Food
    • Culture
    • Events

    Listen

    • Live Radio
    • Music
    • Podcasts
    • Full Schedule

    Information

    • About
    • Careers
    • Help / FAQ
    • Newsletters
    • Contact

    Support

    • Become a Member
    • Become a VIP
    • Ways to Give
    • Shop
    • Member Perks

    Become a Member

    Donate to KCRW to support this cultural hub for music discovery, in-depth journalism, community storytelling, and free events. You'll become a KCRW Member and get a year of exclusive benefits.

    DonateGive Monthly

    Copyright 2026 KCRW. All rights reserved.

    Report a Bug|Privacy Policy|Terms of Service|
    Cookie Policy
    |FCC Public Files|

    Back to Greater LA

    Greater LA

    The history of Wilshire Blvd and its ‘millionaire socialist’

    Gaylord Wilshire was a land speculator, billboard tycoon, failed politician and inventor. He built Wilshire Boulevard, a street that became LA’s primary escape route from the horse-drawn era.

    • rss
    • apple-podcasts
    • spotify
    Download MP3
    • Share
    Person smiling broadly wearing glasses and plaid shirt against ivy-covered wall background.By Steve Chiotakis • Apr 28, 2021 • 25m Listen

    Gaylord Wilshire was a land speculator, billboard tycoon, failed politician and inventor. He built Wilshire Boulevard, a street that became LA’s primary escape route from the horse-drawn era. But as the city got bigger, Gaylord Wilshire got smaller.

    In this episode

    3 stories
    1. 0:00

      What’s in a street name? How ‘millionaire socialist’ built Wilshire Blvd

      Gaylord Wilshire was a land speculator, billboard tycoon, failed politician and inventor. He built Wilshire Boulevard, a street that became LA’s primary escape route from the horse-drawn era.

      Read the story
      12 min
    2. 12:11

      Artist-run group shows pop up in LA as pandemic eases

      Some artists are putting on their own group shows that celebrate the ability to gather safely after a year apart.

      Read the story
      6 min
    3. 18:29

      Vaccinated LA mom returns to hosting Sunday suppers with her family of 4

      “I have two adult kids. One lives in Redondo and one lives in Van Nuys. We get together every Sunday for dinner, which of course stopped when everything shut down,” said Lisa Gray.

      Read the story
      7 min
    • Person smiling broadly wearing glasses and plaid shirt against ivy-covered wall background.

      Steve Chiotakis

      Afternoon News Anchor

    • KCRW placeholder

      Christian Bordal

      Managing Producer, Greater LA

    • KCRW placeholder

      Jenna Kagel

      Radio producer

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Kathryn Barnes

      Producer, Reporter

      CultureLos AngelesCaliforniaArtsHousing & Development

    In this episode

    3 stories
    1. 0:0012 min

      What’s in a street name? How ‘millionaire socialist’ built Wilshire Blvd

    2. 12:116 min

      Artist-run group shows pop up in LA as pandemic eases

    3. 18:297 min

      Vaccinated LA mom returns to hosting Sunday suppers with her family of 4

    Back to Greater LA