In the 1850’s Banning began the first of many ventures that earned him the nickname, “Father of Los Angeles Harbor.” He started out as an entrepreneur and stagecoach driver, but by 1852 was already a partner in a waterfront shipping enterprise. Banning decided to build on reclaimed waterfront at the northern end of the bay, founding the town of New San Pedro in 1857 (later renamed Wilmington after Banning’s hometown in Delaware), and Banning’s Landing was born.

After becoming a California State Senator in the early 1860s, Banning supported railroad development to build up the local economy and introduced the first railroad bill in the state legislatuit Thanks to his influence, the first rail line built in Southern California was a 21-mile track betweenBanning’s Landing and downtown Los Angeles. Phineas Banning died in San Francisco in 1885, at the relatively young age of 54. His accomplishments had tremendous impact on today’s Southern California~ the Southwest and the nation. It could be said that the remarkable growth of this region started literally at Banning’s Landing in Wilmington some 143 years ago.

In the mld-1980’s, Wilmington residents asked the Port of Los Angeles to provide a “window on the water” for the community. The concept seemed like a natural fit for historic Banning~s Landing, at the foot of Avalon Boulevard, which at the time was (and remains) a public landing. for vessels. In 1988, the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners formed the Wilmington Community. Advisory Committee (WCAC), with the objective to develop the concept further. The WCAC’s mix of community representatives includes residents, business, and civic leaders, and union representatives, and ensured from the start that all members of thecommunity had a voice iii this important project.

In 1995, the Los Angeles Harbor Commission approved construction of a $2.5 million,, 10,000 square-foot community center at Banning’s Landing. Marina Del Rey-based architect Ted Tanaka was awarded the contract to design the facility, and his unique design reflects Wilmington’s maritime traditions. The exterior of the building resembles a sleek cargo vessel, and a wall of windows provides that long sought community ‘window on the water’ with a view of the bustling activity in the Port. Tanaka’s design received the Design Excellence Award from the City’s Cultural Affairs Department in 1997. In October 1996, the non-profit group Friends of Banning’s Landing was formed to raise operating and programming funds for the Banning’s Landing Community Center, The Friends consists of committed community and business leaders and local residents. In 1997, the Friends of Banning’s Landing asked Councilman Rudy Svorinich, Jr. for assistance in managing and operating Banning’s Landing Community Center. The Friends of Banning’s Landing formed a partnership with the Cultural Affairs Department to run the Bannings Landing Community Center. With construction of the Bannings Landing Community Center completed by Pinner Construction Company, a series of events will celebrate its Grand Opening.