Levittown-like Lakewood Park sprang practically overnight from lima bean fields. The first residents moved in in July 1951. During peak construction periods, fifty houses would be built in a single day. The typical Lakewood Park tract house, depicted above, encompassed 954 square feet and sold for around $9,900...or $59 dollars per month.

 

The money behind the mall. Multimillionaire Ben Weingart (1888-1980) was a mid-century mover and shaker. He amassed a fortune running hotels, apartment complexes and discount department stores. He also developed housing plats, shopping centers and office buildings. In 1949, Weingart formed a joint venture with fellow Californians Mark Taper and Louis Boyar. Their Lakewood Park Company assembled the 3,500 acres that were eventually incorporated as the City of Lakewood.
Photo from https://placesjournal.org / Rothschild Photo