A Little Marquez Knolls History

I was talking with Sid Galanty at the most recent Marquez Knolls Property Owner's Association (MKPOA) board meeting.  Sid is a long time resident - he's been up in Marquez Knolls for more than 30 years and he was telling me about Earl Lachman, the developer who built Marquez Knolls.

For those of you who may be unfamiliar with Marquez Knolls, it is a large neighborhood in Pacific Palisades that is literally built up the side of a mountain, offering its residents stunning, sweeping views of the Santa Monica Bay from Palos Verdes to Malibu.  The whole area was once part of the expansive property owned by the Conway family.  Earl Lachman, who didn't have any money at the time went to Mrs. Conway and asked if he could divide up part of her property and sell lots.  He would take part of the proceeds from each sale and give that back to her as his payment for the land.  She agreed and Marquez Knolls was born.

Dedication of Marquez Knolls Historical Marker - September, 1953

So that got Earl Lachman in the game.  As he continued to develop the Marquez Knolls area, his construction crews moved farther and farther up the side of the mountain.  He finally came to  a point where he wanted to go higher, but was told he couldn't because it was impossible to pump water any higher and you have to have water in adequate supply to build a new neighborhood.  Lachman has clearly demonstrated by now that "You can't do that" is not the answer he is interested in hearing.  He said "I'll just go find water at the top of the mountain."  He took an exploration team up to the top of the mountain and sure enough, there he found his precious water.  He built himself a water tower that I believe still stands today and began to pump water DOWN HILL to his construction crews.

Thanks to his ingenuity, we have the beautiful Marquez Knolls subdivision in Pacific Palisades today to enjoy some of the most beautiful views of the Santa Monica Bay, Catalina Island and the Queen's Necklace.

That is it for this post and as always, if I can be of any assistance to you or any of your friends, family or colleagues with any of your real estate needs (residential, commercial or otherwise) or if I can help find a real estate professional for you to work with in your local community, please let me know.  It would be my pleasure to help.