Meredith P. Snyder

Meredith Pinxton Snyder
Born	Template:Birth date Near Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.
Died	April 7, 1937(1937-04-07) (aged 77)
Occupation(s)	Real estate investor, entrepreneur, politician
Years active	1880–1935
Known for	Three-time mayor of Los Angeles; president of California Savings Bank; member of California Industrial Accident Commission

Meredith Pinxton Snyder (October 22, 1859 – April 7, 1937) was a prominent California real estate investor and entrepreneur who held the office of Los Angeles mayor on three separate occasions between 1896 and 1921. He also served as a member of the California Industrial Accident Commission.

Personal

Born near Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Snyder was the son of Kehlin D. Snyder and Elizabeth Hire. His education included attendance at public schools, Bethany and Schylo Academy, as well as Yadkin College in North Carolina.

At age 22, he relocated to California in 1880. In 1888, he married May Ross from Washington, D.C. in San Diego. The couple had one son, Ross Snyder, who tragically lost his life during World War I at the Battle of Chateau-Thierry in France. Ross’s remains were brought back to Los Angeles in 1923, where they lay in state at Pershing Square before being interred at Hollywood Cemetery.

Snyder was involved with numerous organizations including the Masons, Elks, Jonathan Club, Los Angeles Country Club, Lomita Gun Club, Knights of Pythias, and Knights Templar. A Protestant Democrat by faith and affiliation, he was affectionately known as Pinky due to his vivid red sideburns.

He passed away at the Jonathan Club on April 7, 1937, at the age of 78. Following his death, his body was displayed at City Hall prior to burial at Hollywood Cemetery.

In 1990, Hermosa Beach highlighted Snyder’s extensively renovated residence located at 2020 The Strand on a guide map showcasing notable homes.

Vocation

In 1892, Snyder established the M.P. Snyder Shoe Company. He later founded the California Savings Bank in 1904 and led it as president for fourteen years. His business ventures also included heading the Home Telephone Company based in San Diego and owning the Meredith office building. Furthermore, he served as president of the California Guaranty Corporation and held executive positions with Gardena Bank and Trust Company, American Druggist Syndicate, and Lomita Land and Water Company. Snyder possessed land holdings in the San Joaquin Valley, which he initially farmed before subdividing near Hickman and Waterford. In 1905, he became an investor in a waste disposal enterprise.

Public service

Snyder first assumed the mayoralty of Los Angeles on a "reform" agenda in 1896 and served until 1898. He was then re-elected in 1900 for two consecutive terms. Returning to office from 1919 until June 1921, he was eventually defeated by George E. Cryer in his bid for reelection. His public service record also includes terms as police commissioner (1901–1904), member of the City Council (1904–1907), and city public service commissioner (1913–1917/18). Governor James Rolph appointed him to the State Industrial Accident Commission where he served from 1931 to 1935.

He was instrumental in facilitating the opening of the Port of Los Angeles and securing a vital land connection between Los Angeles and both San Pedro and Wilmington. During his administration, the completion of the Third Street Tunnel through Bunker Hill, Los Angeles occurred in 1901. Additionally, municipal ownership of the city’s water system was established under his leadership. Snyder appointed the inaugural Water Commission tasked with planning water supply from the Owens Valley. Historians Leonard Pitt and Dale Pitt observed that despite being a Democrat amid Republican dominance, Snyder garnered support by promoting municipal control over water resources and opposing corrupt contracts tied to the Republican Los Angeles Times.

In May 1907, Snyder was apprehended after his chauffeur-operated automobile was stopped on Broadway for exceeding speed limits. Officers on bicycles recorded the vehicle traveling at 16 miles per hour through Third Street, surpassing the city ordinance which restricted speeds to 4 miles per hour at intersections.

External links

• [1] "Meredith P. Snyder Secures Second Term as Mayor," Los Angeles in the 1900s