But is it research?

I don't remember what got it started, but a recent search sent me hopping from place to place across the web and, ultimately, diverted me onto the subject of old Venice amusement parks. This ad for Hoppyland, which was backed by William Boyd, the actor who played Hopalong Cassidy in movie and TV westerns, ran in the L.A. Times in 1951. A Venice history website has the story of Hoppyland with photos. Somebody else has memories online here. Another site sells a 15-minute video of the opening ceremonies on May 17, 1951. I'd never heard of the place, but isn't the web a grand invention?

Los Angeles history posts