00individual’s original archival “Caste” jacket patch, 1967/’68/’69/’70.
The Gangs of Westchester, Los Angeles, CA circa ’60s and ’70s
| n the mid to late ’60s and a bit into the ’70s, in the Pacific Ocean-adjacent suburban town of Westchester, “the home of LAX” (Los Angeles International Airport), experienced a strong subculture of gangs, Not like the East Coast Sharks and Jets,these were West Coast groups of guys that evolved into organized “gangs” of like-minded souls. consisting of sports, surfers, and regular and irregular everyday guys. Rivalry between gangs was settled in games of physical sport. No intentional bloodshed or broken bones – they were; “The Gangs of Westchester”. This post is for referential archival history of a time amd place when being in a “gang” was for comradery and fun, no violence, no criminal activity. If anyone of the listed below are still alive and would like their name removed, or know of corrections, or of any other gangs that are not mentioned – please do do along with your verification/identification in the comments. “The “Boys” were the first “gang” 00 remembers as they were a couple years older than he, and basically consisted of Westchester High School football and Baseball players. They had a garage on the sand in Playa Del Rey near the area known as the Jungle. Members were M. Izzo, M. McGranihan, J. DeVan, B. Stansbury, T. Saia, D. Porcher, T. Kildore, R. Uline, and others. The local band that they adopted as their own were “The Roosters” – R. Mangigian, L.Earhart, F. Fletcher, T.Ward. “the Caste”; were T.Sheldon, R. Baldwin, D. Izzo, j. McGranihan,W. Madden, C. Murdock, J. Shinn, R. “Elmer” Christiansen, F. Squires, R. Sheman, and 00individual. They had the above header patch over the heart area on a dark green jacket . Like the other gangs, the Caste had meetings at a member’s house to discuss upcoming parties, get togethers, baseball games against other gangs, or just to hang out and shoot the shit. This was when several of the Caste were getting high on the sly – most members didn’t suspect nor did drugs or marijuana, until at one meeting in a lull of the conversation a member said, “I think the Caste is going to pot.” Ha-ha. Busted, it was true, and the “guilty” confessed and offered to share a joint with those interested. And that is how the Good Word of Weed spread within gangs, clubs, friends, students, and even sometimes enemies that became friends due to pot’s magic breakdown of ego. “The Cross” members were C. Peterson, O. Hackett, P. Renkow, C. Brandson, J. Powers, T. Green, R. Kagy, J. Sprague, J. Milam, N. Gunny, J. Hughes, M. Schroeder, B. Osborn, B. Sizoo, R. Spearman, and maybe others. They had white jackets with a big red cross on the back. “(The” DHD” (The Dirty Half Dozen) sere a splinter gang from the Cross and from the Caste and were N.Gunny, J.Hughes, S.Dresser, C. Schenz, O Hackett, and 00individual. “Brand” no verifiable members come to mind. “The D.R.A” (del Rey Area) were; R. Ingram, M. Valdez, B. Silvera, and others. “The Association|” were R. Kagy, J. Caruso and several others and were formed after high school. “The Clan” were M. Hays, H. Winston, J. Adair, and others. There were several surf gangs that predated 00, the prominent one was “the WestReys”. interesting how this little community had so many “gangs”, but back when it was a town of families with at least 2-4 kids that populated the area. Once again, evidence of classic times for chosen kids; Where they lived, how they lived, and the times that they lived. They were so fortunate. 00 is thankful and gives thanks every day to have lived during that time in history. Gang warfare Although there was a rivalry of sorts between gangs, no blood was shed, however there was some creative sparring moves done by some gangs. One time, members of The Caste took it upon themselves to \mark their territory. The famous “Manchester Blvd.” that runs through several L.A area cities ends at a steep hill just before the Pacific Ocean in Playa Del Rey, just past Pershing Dr., 00’s beach pad street.  On that hill. under the cover of night, the words THE CASTE were painted in six foot tall letters in white paint for all to see.  A rival gang too chicken to take responsibility, added RATED after The CaSTE to make it read THE CASTERATED.They thought that they were so clever, and they Were.  However, The Caste was much more cleverer. They added a #1.  Now it read THE CASTE RATED #1. Game over – the Caste won! For all to see. . Inspired by The Caste, the D.H.D wrote D.H.D RULES! on a wall in an alley behind stores on epulveda Blvd. just before entry to LAX. One of the mothers of one of the DHD found out and made them remove it. It seems as though from the East Coast to the West Coast that it is the Moms that are in charge of the gangs. As a matter of fact, 00 purchased his house in Malibu from Morgana King, popular song stylist of the ’50’s and ’60s – she played opposite Marlon Brando as his wife in “The Godfather” – another gang Mom! |