Nixon Freeway? Michael Jackson Auditorium? Some L.A. place names are no longer
When Richard Nixon died in 1994, The Times observed that he had "resuscitated his reputation and emerged as an elder statesman," but "he never got his freeway back."
The reference was to California 90, between the 405 Freeway and Marina del Rey, which state lawmakers had named in his honor in 1971.
In 1976, with Nixon's image tarnished by Watergate, lawmakers quietly responded to the request of local Chamber of Commerce officials and took his name off the 2.5-mile roadway. The Nixon Freeway became the Marina Freeway.
The episode illustrates how naming a geographical place in honor of a living person can be risky.
In 1989, Gardner Street Elementary School in Hollywood unveiled Michael Jackson Auditorium.
But the school covered up the sign in 2003 after Jackson's arrest on suspicion of child molestation.
Following his death last year, however, his fans called for his name to be restored, and the Los Angeles Unified School District agreed to do so in recognition of "his musical legacy and contribution to modern culture."
Read more: "Naming a site for a living person can be risky."
-- Steve Harvey
Photo: In 1989, pop star Michael Jackson receives a plaque from Laura Gerson, his sixth-grade teacher at Gardner Street Elementary School, which named its auditorium for him. Credit: Los Angeles Times
EDITOR'S PICKS:
His name should remain being showed, there should be no doubt in anyones mind he was innocent, and would NEVER hurt a child. Michael Jackson's innocence is foever lasting <3
Ledgends Never Die.
Posted by: Angela Estrasa | November 14, 2010 at 03:35 PM
Why add Michael Jackson to this article when his name is shining over that auditorium once again?
Posted by: carmen | November 14, 2010 at 03:43 PM
Just a correction: Although the freeway portion in Marina Del Rey is no longer the Nixon Freeway, the other end still has the Nixon name. The portion of the former freeway in Yorba Linda was been renamed the Richard Nixon Parkway by the Yorba Linda City Council. When they finished an upgrade project, funded by the City of Yorba Linda, which turned the Super 2 into a Super 4 (except for a 4/10 of a mile stretch still controlled by the state), the city council renamed it.
Posted by: California Highway Guy | November 14, 2010 at 04:16 PM
There is a difference here. Nixon was guilty in the Watergate debacle. Jackson was innocent of molestation. Michael Jackson's name should never have been covered to begin with.
Yes, it's risky. But it should only be given when the person's moral and ethical standards are beyond a shadow of a doubt honorable. And Michael's should never have been in question. A person is innocent until proven guilty.
God bless Michael Jackson and God bless America.
Posted by: Sara | November 14, 2010 at 05:56 PM
Please stop the bullying of Michael Jackson. He was proven innocent in a court of law. Every false allegation against him imploded in the courtroom, the case was embarrassing it was so lacking in factual information. They were also unable to produce any evidence regarding the '93 case that the insurance company settled (not Jackson) - and yes they were allowed to explore this in the '05 court proceeding. The transcripts are available to anyone who cares to do some fact checking. The FBI files also show Jackson to be nothing other than squeaky clean, they are available online for fact checking.
There was a unanimous decision to rededicate the Michael Jackson Auditorium as his name was wrongfully removed in the first place. This decision was made by the parents, teachers, students, principals and superintendents of the Gardner school. Good for them for doing their fact checking and their homework! I am happy they believe in justice and refuse to let an innocent man be wrongfully persecuted. Please be more respectful and responsible in reporting about Michael Jackson. He does not belong in the same article or the same universe with Richard Nixon or anyone else that implies guilt. However, he could be discussed with any of the great artistic genuises and humanitarians of all time. There is overwhelming evidence of this.
Posted by: ultravioletrae | November 14, 2010 at 07:34 PM
it'll always be the nixon freeway, and santa barbara boulevard!
Posted by: kuruc | November 14, 2010 at 10:11 PM
The Nixon Freeway, huh? Never knew that.
Posted by: James P | November 15, 2010 at 12:41 AM
Amazing. Ask the kids that Michael Jackson molested if it is all right now. They will be messed up for the rest of their lives. At least their molester is dead.
Posted by: uncle_vito | November 15, 2010 at 03:22 AM
Why is this article titled "Some L.A. Places..." and then it names exactly 1. Since the Michael Jackson Auditorium has returned to it's original name that leaves only the Nixon Freeway. Badly titled fluff piece.
Posted by: WhoKnows | November 15, 2010 at 06:43 AM
The Gardner Street Elementary School did the right thing by uncovering Michael jacksons name Legally and Morally they shown some Back bone i hope the Media does the same and grows some back bone to write facts and not fiction about Michael Jackson. Respect for the fans who fought and won and respect for Gardner Street Elementary School for doing the right thing at last !!
Posted by: Kathy | November 15, 2010 at 07:52 AM
Stop the global bullying of Michael Jackson. Anyone who has fact checked and researched Michael Jackson is more than completely comfortable saying he is 100% innocent and should be celebrated as the artistic genius and humanitarian that he undisputably was. The two most prominent features of Jacksons life? His artistic genius and his humanitarian efforts - to the tune of 1/3 of a billion dollars. It would be so nice to see it reported that way since those are the facts.
Posted by: ultravioletrae | November 15, 2010 at 09:17 AM
The Auditorium was name after Michael Jackson because he donated a lot of money to that school. Which helped rebuild the auditorium and payed many of the teachers salaries. He also donated money to the school to fund programs that were lacking financial aid.
Michael name should never have been covered because the reasons his name was placed over that Auditorium have never changed. The school kept the money and many graduates of that school owe Michael their gratitude.
Being a part of the Uncover Michael Jackson's Name facebook group that got Michael name uncovered. I'm glad to see the school finally came to it's senses and did what was right. Michael deserves respect and having his name covered was very disrespectful.
I hope the kids at that school learn from this. I hope it shows them, that even adults make mistakes and when that happens, it's okay to admit your wrongs and make them right.
Posted by: mjluver4lyfe | November 16, 2010 at 09:02 AM
Lame, very lame. America tries so hard to stigmatize forever Jackson, although the man was aquitted. In the history of the media this is probably one of the worst but effective propaganda ever made.
Posted by: Eric-696 | November 16, 2010 at 10:52 AM
Acquittal does not equal innocence.
Posted by: legalchick | November 16, 2010 at 11:46 AM
This makes no sense. You are so out of line here.
Did I miss something ? Was Nixon a great humaitarian ? pheu...
Nixon was definitely proven guilty and Michael Jackson was proven, beyond any reasonable doubt, to be innocent.
It's only due to corrupt media that people doubt MJ.
What are you scratchin' for material ?
Posted by: cawobeth | November 19, 2010 at 07:26 PM
He has his name back! You cannot take that away, LA Times, no matter how hard you keep trying!
Posted by: Raven | November 19, 2010 at 08:09 PM
@Legalchick...
Who said, "Acquiited does not equal innocence."
May I remind you that it doesn't equal guilt, either.
God forbid that we should live in a world where accusations automatically equal guilt. Did we not learn a thingor two from the tragedy of the Salem witch trials?
Posted by: Raven | November 19, 2010 at 08:15 PM
Michael was an innocent man railroaded by a corrupt district attorney and judicial system. His name should never have been covered, and the cover should have been removed right after his ACQUITTAL. LA Times, when the hell are you ever going to get off this meme you keep repeating, and for God's sake, let's remember that the jury pool for Murray's trial (if ever there is one) will be drawn from the same area in which you, Times, keep pushing out your malicious and salacious garbage OVER A YEAR after Michael's passing. I'm glad I moved from LA and never wish to return.
Posted by: june | November 20, 2010 at 02:23 PM
@legalchick
Remove that "legal" from your user name because you obviously don't have a clue what legal means.And by the way if you had made a little research you would have seen that Jackson was innocent. But as a whise person ones said " There is no blinder person than one who does not want to see" And ufortunately there are a lot blinds in America.
Posted by: Eric-696 | November 20, 2010 at 04:05 PM
When will the media learn that it is past the time of writing falsehoods about MJ? The witchhunt is over,you guys. MJ is dead thanks to you. We have lost years and years of entertainment and three innocent children have lost their father.
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Please refer the online data for factual information on MJ.
Posted by: malcy | November 20, 2010 at 08:42 PM
Yes "Uncle Vito" - we can ask the kids and their parents..We can ask them how the sleep at night? Remember one of thoose kids dad, both hit his son and took his own life. I`m so glad Uncle Vito, you`re not working in court!
Posted by: Maria | November 21, 2010 at 07:45 AM