Gaylord Wilshire

Gaylord Wilshire: The Entrepreneur Who Built the Famous Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles

Gaylord Wilshire, the American entrepreneur, is renowned for creating the famous Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles. Not only was he a successful land developer, but he was also an ardent socialist and publisher of a widely read magazine.

Early Life and Education:
Born on August 7, 1861, in Ohio, Gaylord Wilshire was the son of a self-made millionaire who was the director of six businesses. He attended schools in Ohio and Pennsylvania and later graduated from the University of Michigan.

Career and Important Events:
After graduation, Gaylord Wilshire worked as a journalist, a real estate promoter, and a socialist politician. He arrived in Los Angeles in 1884 when the city's population was barely over 10,000. He purchased a tract of land bordering the city, which he developed into the famed boulevard that bears his name.

Personality and Motivation:
Wilshire's ardent socialism stemmed from his belief that capitalism was unjust. His socialist principles influenced his business and political decisions, including the founding of a socialist magazine, The Wilshire Magazine. Despite making millions in real estate, Wilshire upheld his socialist principles and fought for workers' rights and fair wages.

Before Becoming Famous:
Before becoming famous, Wilshire was a struggling journalist and had to work various odd jobs to make ends meet. During his early years in the real estate business, his projects often failed, and he suffered several financial setbacks.

Family Life:
Wilshire married twice, first to Lillian Stuart and later to his personal secretary, Gertrude Brawner. He had four children, two from each marriage.

Linked to Other People:
Wilshire was a close friend of Leo Carillo, the famous artist and naturalist who was also honored with a landmark in California named after him. Despite his socialist beliefs, Wilshire was an acquaintance of Henry Ford, the founder of Ford Motor Company.

Conclusion:
Gaylord Wilshire's legacy lives on in the famed boulevard that bears his name. He was an entrepreneur and a socialist, a man of contradictions who made an impact on Los Angeles's development and the working class.