Westwood Gardens in Rancho Park was established by a partnership of prominent wartime “merchant builders”: Paul Trousdale, Jr., Hyatt Robert Von Dehn, and William Godshall, who operated under the Housing Construction Company (HCC) and the Overland Housing Co. As one of three “Gardens” subdivisions spearheaded by Trousdale—alongside “Sepulveda Gardens” and “Lakewood Gardens” Westwood Gardens contributed to the post-war housing boom that defined much of Los Angeles’ mid-century development.
Nestled between earlier residential neighborhoods of Ambassador Park (1923) to the west, and Country Club Highlands (1923) to the east across Overland Avenue, Westwood Gardens maintains a distinct identity within Rancho Park. The subdivision is bordered by Overland Avenue to the east and extends west to homes on the west side of Midvale Avenue, encompassing residences along the south side of Ayres Avenue to the north and the northside of National Boulevard to the south. Its sidewalks, stamped “J. E. Haddock Ltd.” and “1945,” serve as a reminder of its mid-century origins.
Westwood Gardens features a charming collection of single-story and modest two-story homes, reflecting the post-war architectural trends of the 1940s and 1950s. Predominantly designed in the Minimal Traditional and Ranch styles, the homes in this subdivision emphasize practicality, efficiency, and a seamless integration with Southern California’s climate and lifestyle.
Westwood Neighborhood Greenway: From Paper Streets to Urban Oasis. In 2009, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Expo (later “E”) Line planners proposed parking lots on the development’s “paper streets” unused parcels of land originally dedicated by Westwood Gardens’ developers for future roads that were never built.
After a decade of advocacy by neighbors and the Westwood Gardens Civic Association (WGCA), these paper streets were transformed in 2020 into the Westwood Neighborhood Greenway. This two-acre ecological restoration project revitalized Brown Canyon Creek, a previously neglected waterway that had long carried urban runoff and pollution through storm drains to the ocean. Now, the creek’s waters are diverted into a reestablished stream, winding through a carefully curated landscape of native plants that filter pollutants and support local biodiversity. The Greenway not only enhances the neighborhood’s natural beauty but also provides a serene walking path for residents and a vital habitat for wildlife.
With its blend of classic mid-century architecture, tree-lined streets, and strong sense of community, Westwood Gardens remains a desirable residential enclave in Rancho Park. The neighborhood’s proximity to parks, schools, and transit coupled with its successful efforts in urban greening and environmental sustainability makes it a model of thoughtful development in Los Angeles.
