Oil Wells at Farmers Market Shutting Down

It was with sadness that I read “Decades-Old Oil Field Dies as Fairfax Area Mall Takes Shape” (Aug. 6). I grew up in the area, and Gilmore Oil was part of the neighborhood. Actually, the Gilmore lion (a live one) was housed near the original Gilmore hacienda, and Gilmore cubs were there, too. The lion--in a mobile cage--often was on display when A.F. Gilmore Co. opened new gas stations.

Gilmore Stadium at Beverly Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue seated 18,000 and was used not only for midget auto racing but for Pacific Coast League professional football and college football home games for Loyola Marymount. Gilmore Field, just east of the stadium and seating about 12,000, was the home of the Hollywood Stars of the Pacific Coast League, arguably the best of the then-three AAA leagues.

Cliff Dektar

North Hollywood

I have lived in Marina del Rey for 28 years, and despite the fact that my home and hundreds like it sit in the area of abandoned oil wells, I have never experienced any health problems. I read with great interest your story about the oil wells in the Fairfax area, and I want to thank you for not sensationalizing the issue. While many people protest development in areas that have methane, we have been developing schools, homes, office buildings and malls above methane for years with no health-related problems.

Methane and oil wells are a reality in Los Angeles, and there are acceptable ways to mitigate methane, so it can be safe to live in this community.

C.L. Elliott

Marina del Rey