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This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

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AM news: dam history, derby, king harbor and treasure

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78 years ago today the St. Francis Dam burst, sending 12 billion gallons of water into a small town near Saugus. The flood was so powerful and so swift that the number killed has always been approximate — around 450 people died. The dam's collapse was blamed on the LADWP's head, the brilliant William Mulholland; he's the one in the black hat surveying the dam's wreckage in the photo above.

Franklin Avenue is keeping up with the campaign to Save the Derby. The restaurant in Los Feliz is threatened by condos, but could be declared an official city landmark at a meeting March 16.

South Beach locals are debating the best way to revive Redondo's King Harbor, which has had redevelopment plans surface and then be discarded. Marina vs. marketplace? Open space vs. new development?

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Today's LA Treasure Hunt won't be today after all — it's been postponed until April 2 (via Blogging.la).

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