1 FINDINGS AND DETERMINATION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA IN THE MATTER OF
THE DESIGNATION OF A LANDMARK
DESIGNATION OF A COMPASS ROSE 19ENT-0213
LOCATED AT 3223 DONALD DOUGLAS LOOP
AS A CITY LANDMARK
SECTION I. On May 30, 2019, Chattel Inc. and The 99s of the Los Angeles Area, Inc. filed an application to designate the Compass Rose painting located at the 3223 Donald Douglas Loop (Santa Monica Municipal Airport) as a City Landmark. The City Council, having held a duly-noticed public hearing on November 11, 2011 hereby designates the subject Compass Rose located at 3223 Donald Douglas Loop as a City Landmark including a three-foot perimeter around the Compass Rose defined as a Landmark Parcel based on the following findings:
(1) It exemplifies, symbolizes, or manifests elements of the cultural, social, economic, political or architectural history of the City.
The first National Women’s Air Derby of 1929, which started at the Santa Monica Airport (Clover Field), became the turning point for women in aviation. This first major transcontinental sanctioned air race for women proved that women pilots were as competent and determined as male pilots, and attracted women pilots locally, nationally, and abroad. By 1929, there were approximately 60 women pilots in the United States, potentially up to 117 worldwide, and 20 women pilots participated in the event. The event led to the formation of the Ninety-Nines in November 1929, a social and professional organization with goals to encourage and support women in aviation and to enhance opportunities for women seeking careers in such a male-dominated field. By the early 1930s, the Ninety-Nines were divided into regional sections with each section sponsoring some activities furthering women flying and aviation in general. The organization officially incorporated in 1950 and was later renamed The Ninety-Nines International Organization of Women Pilots in efforts to include members from around the world.
The Ninety-Nine’s distinctive Compass Rose logo was designed in 1939 by Wilma Fritschey, a member of the Ninety-Nines Los Angeles Chapter. In November 1974, the Los Angeles chapter’s air marking committee obtained approval to re-mark the compass at the Santa Monica Airport and the Compass Rose by the Ninety-Nines was first painted in 1985 at its current location. The painting/installation of the Compass Rose was one of several airport improvement projects completed between 1985 and 1989, and was last repainted by the LA 99s in 2010. Today, the Compass Rose is a symbolic feature and is not in a historic location at the airport.
The subject Santa Monica Airport Compass Rose symbolizes the important aviation 2 history of women in Santa Monica. It is also emblematic of the early air marking program with which the Ninety-Nines were and are still closely associated. The Compass Rose symbolizes the important contributions of women in aviation, important to the City’s cultural history. Therefore, the Santa Monica Compass Rose satisfies this criterion.
SECTION II. The Compass Rose is described as a circular-shaped, twelve-point Compass Rose with a diameter of approximately 50 feet and a circumference of approximately 160 feet. Additionally, a three-foot perimeter around the Compass Rose is hereby defined as a Landmark Parcel in order to preserve, maintain, protect and safeguard the Compass Rose, as shown in the attached diagram.
SECTION III. The following features shall constitute the historic character-defining features associated with the subject Compass Rose:
▪ Location near or adjacent to the airfield, runway, taxiway, or other associated feature;
▪ Large size and distinct shape as a 12-point Compass Rose; ▪ Material (FAA approved reflective paint) and color pattern and hue (blue and white);
▪ Block font type of the “99” logo and its arrangement as two interlocking number “9”s of varying size and shape.
SECTION lV. I hereby certify that the above Findings and Determination accurately reflect the final determination of the City Council of the City of Santa Monica on November 11, 2024 as determined by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Each and all of the findings and determinations are based on the competent and 3 substantial evidence, both oral and written, contained in the entire record of the proceedings relating to this designation. All summaries of information contained herein or in the findings are based on the substantial evidence in the record. The absence of any particular fact from any such summary is not an indication that a particular finding is not based in part on that fact.
Respectfully Submitted
November 11, 2024
Phil Brock, Mayor
Attest:
Nikima Newsome
City Clerk