Harry Culver

Harry Culver

Harry Hazel Culver (January 22, 1880 – August 17, 1946) was a real estate developer and promoter. He was born in Milford, Nebraska, the middle child of five of Jacob H. and Ada L. (Davison) Culver, who lived on a farm. At age 18, he enlisted in the Spanish-American War and served as a corporal and sergeant, respectively. After attending liberal arts college Doane College for a year, Culver studied business at the University of Nebraska for 3 years. From 1901 to about 1904, he worked in the Philippines in the mercantile business and as a reporter for the Manila Times and special customs agent. While in Manila he was married to Miss Eunice Richardson of Lincoln, Nebraska. He began working in real estate in Southern California in 1910 for I.N. Van Nuys.

In 1913, in a speech at the California Club in Los Angeles Culver announced his plans for what was to become Culver City. Local voters rejected the land's annexation to LA in 1914, whereupon Culver founded the Culver Investment Company. Supported by a 59-0 vote, Culver City became incorporated on September 20, 1917 with a population of 530. Also once the president of the California Association of Realtors, Culver served as president of the National Association of Realtors in 1923. The following year, he moved his offices to the second floor of Hotel Hunt, now named the Culver Hotel, the building of which he also supported. Culver served locally in elected office and took every opportunity to promote the city, holding events like picnics, leading tours with box lunches, and advertising "All Roads Lead to Culver City". Culver served locally in elected office before his death in Hollywood, California.