About

History:

This was the home of Peter Pontrelli in the 1940s.

Trained as a barber, Peter “Pete” Pontrelli formed his first dance band in Los Angeles in 1919. It started as a quintet but quickly expanded to a fully-fledged 15-piece orchestra led by Pontrelli’s saxophone.

The band played almost exclusively on the west coast, with frequent remote radio broadcasts furthering their popularity. In 1928 they began a four-year engagement at the Palace Ballroom in Ocean Park, before transferring to the Rainbow Garden. Their five-year stay at the Paris Inn in Los Angeles was also the subject of frequent remote broadcasts, this time over CBS. This radio exposure eventually produced an award from the Fox Theater chain as the region’s best on-air dance band.

The group also had its own record label, Senate Records, established by Pontrelli himself. The Figueroa Ballroom contracted the band leader to lead their house band in 1944, where he remained for 14 years. They continued to appear regularly on the airwaves and also TV. In the 60s

Pontrelli transferred to Myron’s Ballroom and was still active into his eighties, playing the golden sounds of the dance band era. The City Directories list the following residents: Allan Phillips (1933), Charles B. and Leona Gauthier, mining engineer/salesman (1938-1939), Peter and Madeline Pontrelli, musician (1940-1942).

1930 Census:
3818 W. Street (Value $12,000): 1) Alla Phillips, owner and head of household; white divorced female 38 years of age; married at age 17; born in Utah; parents born in Utah; Chiropractor, own practice. 2) Daryl A. Phillips, son; white single male 18 years of age; born in Utah; parents born in Utah; in school. 3) Lucille M. Allred, grandmother; white married female 55 years of age; married at age 14; born in Utah; parents born in New York; not working. 4) Alma H. Allred, grandfather; white married male 69 years of age; mar- ried at age 28; born in Utah; parents born in Illinois; Salesman, mercantile company.

1940 Census:
3818 W. Tracy Street (Value $5,500): 1) Pete Pontrelli, owner and head of household; white married male 41 years of age; born in Italy; Orchestra leader; earns $1,200. 2) Madelina Pontrelli, wife; white married female 33 years of age; born in Italy; not working. 3) Michael A. Pontrelli, son; white male 14 years of age; born in California; in school. 4) Estella Pontrelli, daughter; white female 13 years of age; born in California; in school.

3818 ½ W. Tracy Street (Rents for $30/month): 1) James H. Baldwin, renter and head of household; white married male 32 years of age; born in New York; artist, motion pictures; earns $1,500. 2) Barbara Baldwin, wife; white married female 26 years of age; born in California; artist, motion pictures; earns $2,560.

Full address: 3818 — 3818 1/2 W. Tracy Street 90027