Lee Mardesich
Port of Los Angeles Centennial Oral History Project
The Port of Los Angeles celebrated its Centennial on December 9, 2007. As part of the Port of Los Angeles Centennial Oral History Project, these interviews feature various members of the Los Angeles Harbor Area community who were interviewed in 2007 to document different eras in Port history.
National Capital Contracting
Lee Mardesich was interviewed for the Port of Los Angeles Centennial Oral History Project. Born in 1925 in Los Angeles, California, Lee Mardesich shares her family's deep roots in San Pedro, particularly focusing on her father's journey from Lithuania to becoming a prominent barber in the area. Mardesich describes her experiences growing up in the Larambla District, attending local schools, and the multicultural composition of the neighborhood. The interview explores significant local landmarks, such as Beacon Street, known for its vibrant and sometimes infamous establishments, and the strong community ties among the diverse immigrant populations, including Swedes, Italians, and Latinos. Mardesich provides anecdotes about her family's involvement in local businesses, notably her father's barbershops near the waterfront and her uncles' Army and Navy stores. She also recounts her interactions with prominent figures of the time and her family's contributions to the local economy. Mardesich talks about meeting her husband, Joe, who was involved in the tuna canning industry. She discusses Joe's family's role in establishing and running the Franco-Italian Packing Company, a significant player in the local tuna canning business. Mardesich reflects on the changes in San Pedro over the years, contrasting her childhood memories of a close-knit, peaceful community with the area's later development and population growth.
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