John Carroll, the developer who founded the Carroll Park neighborhood in the early 1900s, laid out the streets in a curving, almost circular pattern to stop farmers from driving their loaded farm wagons through this residential neighborhood on their way to the market in downtown Long Beach — or so the story goes.
In another explanation of the curving, winding street plan, the story is that Carroll, who had lived in Shanghai for years, drew on Chinese philosophy for the pattern, which seems less likely since Chinese cities are laid out in rectangular patterns
Whatever the truth, today’s Carroll Park residents enjoy winding, tree-lined streets with little traffic through this neighborhood.
A mix of homes large and small
While many of the homes initially built in Carroll Park were large and impressive, over the last century smaller homes and more modern homes have been added to the mix in the neighborhood. Only a few of the original late Victorian style homes remain. Carroll’s own home has been replaced with a church at Fourth and Junipero.
The corner park in Carroll Park
Yes, there is a park in Carroll Park, but, unexpectedly, it is not at the center of this quiet neighborhood. John Carroll designed the central circle for homes and placed the parks– and originally there were 4 of them — at the corners of this neighborhood. Today only one park remains.
Carroll Park is close to Rose Park andd Belmont Heights neighborhoods. It is within easy walking distance of the beach.
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