This restaurant was located on the grounds of the old Brokaw ranch property. It featured a large outdoor patio for dining, shaded by the Brokaw’s mature landscaping and colorful umbrella tables.

The first commercialized use of this garden space was in June 1930, when it became Ralph B. Smith’s “Shady Greens” miniature golf course.

Miniature golf became a national craze in the summer of 1930. Another large rural property a few blocks east was also developed as a mini golf links that summer. Shady Greens was operated by Ralph B. Smith, a former real estate broker in the valley. Landscaper Daniel R. Hull, formerly of the National Parks Service, preserved the Brokaw’s ornamental shrubs, palms and mature trees that put the shade in Shady Greens. The 1-acre course featured rustic bridges over a winding waterway, a public address system and lights for night play. Smith also built a brick office structure and 2 concrete decks for shuffleboard.

“Golf in a Garden.” Shady Greens ad, 6/27/1930. Hollywood Daily Citizen

The opening, on the night of June 28, 1930, attracted a crowd of over 1000 duffers, including film stars.

Dorothy Granger, film star, teeing off at Shady Greens. LA Times 7/6/1930

“Since They’re All Playing Miniature Golf,” written by Eddie Cantor, Ballard MacDonald and Dave Dreyer in 1930. Dreyer was reportedly an investor in Shady Greens and made an arrangement with music stores to give free passes to anyone who purchased a copy of the song.

Shady Greens did open for the season the following year- on May 15, 1931- but it would be its last. While Hollywood would still play miniature golf, just as it had before 1930, the craze was over. Most of the links that opened in 1930 were short-lived.

The Van Nuys News 5/14/1931

One year later, on May 24, 1932, the space formerly occupied by the green, became an outdoor bridge club, called Hollywood Gardens founded by Elaine McIntire and Irene Miller. McIntire added toilets and an orchestra stage. But even with these improvements, the club was only here for one season.

LA Times 5/22/1932

The Van Nuys News 5/26/1932.

In May 1933, the gardens hosted the LA Kennel Club’s national dog show. Although given the address 5945, the event – which was held in the evenings as well- clearly made use of the Shady Greens PA system, lighting and concrete decks, and the orchestra stage added by McIntire.

LA Times 5/4/1933

When the Kennel Club hosted the event again in May 1936, it had the address 5937 Hollywood Boulevard.

Widowed in 1926, Ida H. Brokaw had continued to occupy her ranch home at 5947 Hollywood Boulevard. She moved sometime between 1932 and 1934 and the property was acquired by the Times-Mirror Company, owner of the Los Angeles Times.

According to permit records in 1933, the property still had the one small approximately 12×12 brick building on it, constructed for Shady Greens. Addressed as 5931, in July 1933, it was being used as a cafe by a Ralph Leamon, who added an awning over the concrete decks. As 5937, it was a cafe run by Sophia Alters from late 1935 through February 1937.

In December 1936, the Times-Mirror Co. obtained a permit for a cafe building to be built at 5931 Hollywood Boulevard, just east of the concrete decks built for the +Shady Greens shuffleboard court. The unfinished building was leased to William H. Klute for a cafe.

The reinforced brick, 1-story cafe building, streamline moderne in style, was designed by architect Gordon B. Kaufmann.  A curved wall was added around the concrete decks and became the cafe’s outdoor dining area.

Originally known as the Palms Garden and Grill, the cafe opened in July 1937. It was known for its clam chowder and delightful outdoor dining under the colorful umbrellas.

LA Times 7/15/1937

The Palms Grill c. 1937. Herman Schultheis image, LAPL.

The Palms Grill, c. 1937. Herman Schultheis image, LAPL.

Herman Schultheis took this photo of his wife and in-laws on the patio at the Palms Grill c. 1937. The Mountain View Inn can be seen across the street. LAPL.

5/6/1950 ad for the Palms Grill in the LA Mirror (owner of the property is was built on).

The LA Mirror 11/26/1952.

In 1946, the Palms Grill had an 800 square foot addition, in the same style as the original building, designed by architect Harold S. Johnson. It provided a banquet facility as well as storage and additional kitchen space.

Hollywood Citizen-News 8/18/1955

Bill Klute, who was the Palms Grill chef as well as its owner, retired in October 1959. He passed away in January 1960 at age 58.

The Hawaii Theater next door closed in July 1963 and the building was acquired by the Salvation Army, which also took over the Palms Grill around the same time. It eventually became their children’s youth center. The building, with later additions at the north elevation, is still extant. The outdoor patio area was demolished; that space became a driveway to access the rear of the complex.

Notes

In 1952, the Palms Grill would celebrate its “20 year” anniversary. The building definitely wasn’t built until early 1937. It may have been counting the year 1932 as that was when, informally, patio dining began at this location.

The Salvation Army is listed as owner as of January 1964 for sure. The vacant property was likely taken over around the same time as the Hawaii Theater.