On October 9, 1936, power from Hoover Dam reached Los Angeles for the first time—and the city celebrated with searchlights, illuminated floats + streets packed with an estimated ONE MILLION people.

90 years ago tonight, Los Angeles threw a party for electricity… And the photos are incredible.

On October 9, 1936, power from Hoover Dam reached Los Angeles for the first time—and the city celebrated with searchlights, illuminated floats + streets packed with an estimated ONE MILLION people.

At 7:36 p.m., Elizabeth Scattergood—daughter of LA power chief Ezra Scattergood, who helped bring Hoover Dam electricity to the city—pressed the ceremonial key marking its arrival from the Colorado River, 266 miles away.

Los Angeles City Hall blazed with light. Searchlights swept the sky. And Broadway became a glowing parade route for the celebration known as “Light on Parade.”

These photos capture a turning point in Downtown Los Angeles history, with familiar DTLA landmarks surrounded by a city celebrating its future.

Swipe through the crowds, the ceremony + the enormous engineering effort behind this moment—from Hoover Dam and its transmission towers to massive electrical transformers. There’s even a close-up of the preserved ceremonial key.

The Bureau of Power and Light, now part of LADWP, designed and built the high-voltage transmission lines that brought hydroelectric power across deserts + mountains to a rapidly growing Los Angeles.

LA already had electricity. This new source of power helped support the city’s growth.

Love old Los Angeles, historic architecture + the stories behind its landmarks? Join an LA Explained walking tour to explore LA history on foot. Dates and tickets at the link in bio!

Gallery includes photographs of the October 9, 1936 celebration, related infrastructure + the preserved ceremonial key. Group photo includes: U.S. Senator Hiram Johnson, Elizabeth Scattergood, maid of honor Louise Hepburn, and LADWP Board President Dr. John R. Haynes.

Photos courtesy of Los Angeles Public Library TESSA, offering instant access to rare and historical collections from Los Angeles. Additional images: Los Angeles Times, including photographers Jack Herod + Paul Calvert; California State Library; UCLA Library; Water and Power Associates.

“Buster Keaton Rides Again,” 1965, is released, also known as the making of “The Railrodder,” a behind the scenes documentary by young director, and Buster Keaton super-fan, Gerald Potterton. Enjoy one of the most loved parts of this film. Thanks to the Buster Keaton page.

Rusty Pelican with Dad and Marilyn for a Sunday Brunch on Belmont Shores, 1985.

Was just thinking of the restaurants I dined at with Dad and Marilyn.  They both liked the old Rusty Pelican with one restaurant just off Holly in Glendale and then other one in Seal Beach, maybe closer to Belmont Shores, since the restaurant sat on the rim of a marina. 

The Rusty Pelican, a popular upscale seafood chain that opened a major location in Glendale, CA on Brand Boulevard in 1985 and featured a prominent swordfish as part of its vintage logo and branding.

The Glendale Connection: The Glendale location opened during the peak of the chain's expansion in 1985, bringing an upscale beach-town dining atmosphere inland to the valleys of Los Angeles.

The Logo: While the name refers to a pelican, the restaurant's signage, merchandise, and menus heavily showcased a stylized, dynamic swordfish/marlin leaping through the air to emphasize its premium fresh-fish offerings. 

Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA, 1933

 

1933, Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA.  Thank you to Anibal Martinez.

Copeland Building, 8th & Spring Streets, 1930

1930, Looking west on 8th Street toward Main Street. But look closely in the distance. That castle-like building was the Copeland Building, also known as the Armory Building, at 8th and Spring Streets.

Built in 1898 as a National Guard armory, its corner turret was even designed to accommodate a Gatling gun.  More on the Copeland Building @ Water & Power.  Thanks to Jack Feldman.

1920s, View of the northwest corner of 8th and Spring Streets showing the Copeland Building, also known as the Armory Building. The Sun Drug Co. occupies the ground floor. Other signs advertise West Coast Stationery & Printing Co. and Rose Room Dancing. A streetcar, automobiles, pedestrians and a traffic policeman share the intersection.

corner at the intersection Fountain Avenue and Virgil Avenue in East Hollywood, 1975

 Love this pic because it's a good capture of lifestyles of the 1970s.

1975, View looking south of a chair, lamp, and antiques outside of a second hand shop on the corner at the intersection Fountain Avenue and Virgil Avenue in East Hollywood. The addresses of the bungalows across the street are 4434 and 4438 Fountain Avenue. (Inna Ray Collection).  Thank you to LAPL.

Pictures from Hawaii during the V-J Day Celebrations after the news was announced of the surrender of Japan, August 14, 1945