Flying A Gas Station on the northeast corner of Sunset and Figueroa, 1935

While still on the mythical quest for pics of the Texaco station at Figueroa and Sunset, Tom Donovan's station, I found a pic of a Flying A station at the same corner, the northeast corner of that intersection from 1935.  Better than nothing.  Not nothing.  Thank you to LA City History Past Perfect Online. 

1935, Flying A gas station was located on the northeast corner of Sunset and Figueroa, the same corner where Ton Donovan's Texaco station was. 

The caption reads,

Flying A Gas Station on the northeast corner of Sunset and Figueroa. This is one of several hundred photographs taken by city engineers in preparation for street improvements for better access to the Arroyo Seco Parkway (now Pasadena Freeway) that would be built in 1939-40 by a combination of city engineers and state highway division engineers. 

1935, This Standard Oil Station was located directly across the street from Donovan's at the northwest corner of Figueroa and Sunset, where Evans Adult School is located today.  Thank you to the Los Angeles City Historical Society.  Its caption reads, 

Standard Oil Gas Station, northwest corner of Sunset and Figueroa. This is one of several hundred photographs taken by city engineers in preparation for street improvements for better access to the Arroyo Seco Parkway (now Pasadena Freeway) that would be built in 1939-40 by a combination of city engineers and state highway division engineers.  

Nanci Griffith, 1953-2021

Nanci Griffith, 1953-2021.

The 1964 song, "Boots of Spanish Leather" was written by Bob Dylan.  Griffith recorded and released her version of the song in 1993.

This detail about her is heartbreaking, 

Griffith's high school boyfriend, John, died in a motorcycle accident after taking her to the senior prom. He inspired many of her later songs. She was married to singer-songwriter Eric Taylor from 1976 to 1982. In the early 1990s, she was engaged to singer-songwriter Tom Kimmel. 

which puts these lyrics into a different kind of light.  Though the song was written by Dylan and not Griffith, she repurposed the lyrics beautifully to form a message to the young man who lost his life following their prom. 

Just carry yourself back to me unspoiled
From across that lonesome ocean

Griffith had an interesting beginning at age 12, 

Griffith, the youngest of three siblings, was born in Seguin, Texas and grew up in Austin, where her family moved shortly after her birth. Her mother Ruelene was a real estate agent and amateur actress; her father, Marlin Griffith, was a graphic artist and barbershop quartet singer. Griffith began her music career at age 12, singing in a local coffeehouse. When she was a teenager her father took her to see Townes Van Zandt. At 14, she performed her first professional gig at the Red Lion Cabaret in downtown Austin. Her debut album, There’s a Light Beyond These Woods, was released in 1978; the cover was designed by her father.

Lyrics from "Boots of Spanish Leather."

Oh, I'm sailing away, my own true love
I'm sailin' away in the mornin'
Is there something I can send you from across the sea
From the place where I'll be landin'?

There's nothing you can send me, my own true love
There is nothin' I'm a-wishin' to be ownin'
Just carry yourself back to me unspoiled
From across that lonesome ocean

Oh, but I just thought you might want something fine
Maybe silver or golden
Either from the mountains of Madrid
Or from the coast of Barcelona

If I had the stars of the darkest night
And the diamonds from the deepest ocean
I'd forsake them all for your sweet kiss
That's all I wish to be ownin'

Oh, I might be gone a long ole time
And it's only that I'm askin'
Is there something I can send you to remember me by?
To make your time more easy passin'?

How can, how can you ask me again?
Well, it only brings me sorrow
For the same thing I would want today
I would want again tomorrow

Oh, I got a letter on a lonesome day
It was from his ship a-sailin'
Sayin' I don't know when I'll be coming back again
It depends on how I'm feelin'

If you, my love, must think that away
I'm sure your mind is a-roamin'
I'm sure your thoughts are not with me
But with the country where you're goin'

So take heed, take heed of the western wind
Take heed of stormy weather
And yes, there is something you can send back to me
Spanish boots of Spanish leather

Hollywood and Highland, Los Angeles, 1945

 

1945, Hollywood and Highland, Los Angeles (1945).  Thank you to Historical Los Angeles USA.

Hollywood and Highland was a bustling intersection in 1945, known as the heart of the Hollywood entertainment district. Surrounded by theaters, restaurants, and hotels, this area attracted tourists and locals looking for a taste of glamour. In the 1940s, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre were already legendary landmarks here, capturing the essence of the movie industry. This corner was also a hub for nightlife and live performances, reflecting Hollywood’s reputation as the “Entertainment Capital of the World.” Hollywood and Highland has remained a defining location for film history and tourism.

Bradbury Building, 1944

 

1944, Exterior View of the Bradbury Building, Located at 304 S. Broadway, Los Angeles (1944).  Thank you to Historical Los Angeles USA.

By 1944, the Bradbury Building had already earned its reputation as one of Los Angeles' most iconic architectural landmarks. Built in 1893, the building's unique Romanesque exterior stood out among the modern structures rising around it. Its ornate ironwork, stunning atrium, and skylit interior made it a favorite filming location for movies and TV shows. Located at 304 S. Broadway, it was a centerpiece of downtown Los Angeles’ architectural heritage. The Bradbury Building's enduring design and timeless beauty made it a celebrated landmark in LA's rapidly modernizing cityscape.

5th & Flower, Los Angeles, CA, 1965

1965, 5th Street Looking Southwest Toward Flower, Los Angeles (1965).  Thanks to Historical Los Angeles USA.

In 1965, 5th Street looking southwest toward Flower showcased downtown Los Angeles during its post-war transformation. The area featured a mix of sleek office towers and older buildings, representing the city’s growth as a business center. The street was alive with activity, with cars lining the road and pedestrians navigating the sidewalks. This view highlighted the balance between modern development and the city’s historic urban fabric.

Olive Street Near 4th Street on Bunker Hill, Los Angeles, 1965

1965,  Olive Street Near 4th Street on Bunker Hill, Los Angeles (1965)

In 1965, Olive Street near 4th Street offered a glimpse of Bunker Hill amidst its redevelopment. The area, once known for its Victorian mansions, was being transformed into a modern commercial and residential district. Some remnants of the old neighborhood remained, juxtaposed with new construction projects. This corner symbolized the changing face of Los Angeles as it moved toward modernization while grappling with the loss of its historic character.  Thank you to Historical Los Angeles USA.

A. L. Bath Building on the Southeast Corner of 5th & Hill Streets, Los Angeles, 1951

1951, The A. L. Bath Building on the Southeast Corner of 5th and Hill Streets, Los Angeles (1951)

In 1951, the A. L. Bath Building on the southeast corner of 5th and Hill Streets stood as a prime example of mid-20th-century commercial architecture in downtown Los Angeles. This multi-story structure housed offices and retail shops that catered to the bustling downtown business district. Streetcars and classic 1950s cars moved along the streets, while pedestrians filled the sidewalks heading to nearby theaters, shops, and restaurants. This corner reflected the vibrant urban energy of a downtown that was both historic and modernizing.  Thank you to Historical Los Angeles USA.

Vista del Arroyo Hotel with a view of the Colorado Street Bridge, 1941

1930, Scenic view of the Colorado Street Bridge showing the length of the bridge as it curves across the ravine.  Part of the Vista del Arroyo Hotel can be seen through the arches.  Thank you to the Water & Power Museum. 

1931, View of the Colorado Street Bridge, looking southeast.  The new Vista del Arroyo Hotel addition is seen on the right.  Water & Power Museum. 

c1939, Aerial shot of the Vista del Arroyo bungalows.  Thank you to Picryl.  

1941, A couple in their room at the Vista del Arroyo Hotel with a view of the Colorado Street Bridge, 1941.  Thank you to Losangeles Guy.

1937, Vista del Arroyo Hotel pool and bungalows in front of the Colorado Street Bridge.  Thank you to Calisphere.

1937, Vista del Arroyo Hotel cabanas.  Thank you to Calisphere.

1940, Vista del Arroyo Hotel and the Arroyo Seco Bridge, aka, Colorado Street Bridge.  Thank you to Yesterdaysprint.

1938, Partial view of Vista del Arroyo Hotel from underneath the Arroyo Seco Bridge.   Thank you to Calisphere.

Vista del Arroyo Hotel bungalow.  Thank you to HistoricPictoric.

1938, Vista del Arroyo Hotel float for 1938 Pasadena Rose Parade.  Thank you to Calisphere.

6th & Olive, Downtown, LA, 1909-1963

1909, The Exterior View of the Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Building, on the Corner of Olive Street and Sixth Street, Los Angeles (1909)

The Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Building, located at Olive and Sixth Street, was an architectural statement of financial strength and stability in early Los Angeles. Built in stages beginning in the late 19th century, its ornate facade and grand design reflected the prosperity of the city’s financial sector. In 1909, the building housed various businesses, reinforcing downtown LA as the commercial epicenter of Southern California. Over the years, the structure underwent several expansions, mirroring the city’s continual growth.  Thank you to Historic Los Angeles USA.  Posted Sunday, February 2, 2025.

1939, Looking Across the Congested Intersection of 6th and Olive Streets, Showing Pershing Square, Los Angeles (1939)

In 1939, the intersection of 6th and Olive Streets near Pershing Square was one of the busiest parts of downtown Los Angeles. Trolleys, buses, and classic 1930s sedans competed for space in the crowded streets, while pedestrians hurried across crosswalks. Pershing Square, a key public space in the heart of downtown, provided a place for relaxation, protests, and public gatherings. Lined by hotels, banks, and department stores, this intersection was a hub of commerce and daily life in LA. The congestion at 6th and Olive illustrated the growing pressures of urbanization and the city's rapid economic development.  Thank you to Historical Los Angeles USA.

1963, 6th Street & Olive St., looking east toward Spring St. in Downtown Los Angeles (1963).

In 1963, looking east along 6th Street from Olive Street showcased downtown Los Angeles as a bustling business district. Mid-century office buildings and older brick structures lined the street, reflecting the city’s layered architectural history. Buses and sedans filled the road, and pedestrians moved between retail shops and corporate offices. This view captured a dynamic downtown where commerce and daily life intersected in the heart of Los Angeles.  Thank you to Historical Los Angeles USA.
 

Don Drysdale's Dugout, Van Nuys, 1965

1965, Don Drysdale's Dugout, Oxnard Street, Van Nuys, 1965.  Thank you to Jason Horton.

1962, Sandy Koufax, owner of the Tropicana Motel in Hollywood, CA.  Thanks to Mathew Baker.  Posted on Thursday, December 26, 2024.

5th & Main Streets, Los Angeles, 1938

1938, Looking West Toward Spring Street from the Corner of 5th and Main Streets, Los Angeles (1938).

In 1938, the view west toward Spring Street from 5th and Main Streets revealed the vibrant heart of downtown Los Angeles. The streets were lined with department stores, banks, and theaters, catering to the needs of a bustling urban population. Classic 1930s cars and trolleys filled the streets, while pedestrians crowded the sidewalks. Spring Street, known as the Wall Street of the West, housed many of LA’s financial institutions, reflecting the city’s growing importance as a business hub. This view captured the energy and optimism of pre-war downtown LA.  Thank you to Historical Los Angeles USA.

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, 1966-

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, formed in Long Beach, 1966--

1970, Mr. Bojangles 

I used to hear this song before I was in high school.  I remember one summer afternoon walking on the elbow of Fish Canyon across the street from Colleen Black.

Jerry Jeff Walker wrote the song in 1968.  Wikipedia notes that, 

Walker said he was inspired to write the song after an encounter with a street performer in a New Orleans jail. While in jail for public intoxication in 1965, he met a homeless man who called himself "Mr. Bojangles" to conceal his true identity from the police. Mr. Bojangles had been arrested as part of a police sweep of indigent people that was carried out following a high-profile murder. The two men and others in the cell chatted about all manner of things, but when Mr. Bojangles told a story about his performing dog who was killed by a car, the mood in the room turned heavy. Someone else in the cell asked for something to lighten the mood, and Mr. Bojangles obliged with a tap dance.^[2][3] The homeless "Mr. Bojangles", who was white, had taken his pseudonym from Bill "Bojangles" Robinson (1878–1949), a black entertainer.^[4]

Walker's voice doesn't match that of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's Jeff Hanna.

1980, "Make a Little Magic," with Nicolette Larson, 1952-1997, whose voice was better than the songs that she was known for.  Neil Young's 1978 "Lotta Love" is a sweet song, but doesn't really showcase her beautiful voice.  "I Only Want to Be With You" does a better job of showcasing her voice.  "Lotta Love" got so much airplay.  1978 I was still working at Colamco in San Dimas.  It was the year that Sean died from drowning out at the SG Riverbed.  

Colorado Lagoon, Belmont Shores, Long Beach

Colorado Lagoon was located in Belmont Shores in Long Beach.  

On February 28, 2022, Dan wrote, 

Yes, our Dad did take us to the Colorado Lagoon.  We stopped going after someone from our family spotted what appeared to be feces floating.  And, yes, there was a platform from which people would jump or dive.  It was a popular destination as it was always crowded, as I recall.  

 

Warner Brothers Studios, 1937

1937, Warner Brothers Studios, located at 5800 Sunset Blvd in Hollywood from 1919 to 1935.  Wikipedia explains, 

By 1937 Warner had closed the Sunset Boulevard studio and the property had been converted into a bowling alley and "sports center". The Los Angeles Times reported on the conversion of the historic studio . . .

Thank you to Mathew Baker.

Main Street between 6th and 7th, 1941

 
1912, Looking West on 6th Street from Main Street, Los Angeles (1912).  Thank you to Historical Los Angeles USA.  Posted on Tuesday, December 24, 2024.

In 1912, the view west on 6th Street from Main Street captured a city in the midst of change. Brick buildings with decorative facades housed businesses and offices, while electric streetcars ran along tracks in the center of the road. Pedestrians strolled along the wide sidewalks, passing by bustling storefronts. This snapshot reflected the growing economic activity of downtown Los Angeles, as it solidified its place as a regional commercial hub.

1941, Main Street between 6th Street and 7th.  M & S Cafe, Star Loan Office, Big Nickel Coffee and Donut.

1941, Wow, Martin Turnbull covers a lot of ground.  Incredible that he's got a couple of shots of this scene.  Turnbull writes, 

This circa early 1940s (judging by the sedan delivery (probably a Chevrolet) is from at least 1941) shot looks to me like a scene from a Damon Runyon story. On the wast side of Main St between 6th and 7th in downtown L.A. the Star Loan Office pawn shop (at 641 Main St) was bookended by the 5 and 10 M&S Café and Big Nickel Coffee and Donut. Five cents for a cup of joe and a donut sounds like a pretty good deal to me, however you can’t help but wonder what a dime got you over at the M&S Café.

1954, View of the 400 Block of South Main Street, east side; shows stores and shops at sidewalk level of three-story brick building, from right to left: Los Angeles Loan (446 S. Main), Lone Star liquor and wine, Roxy Loan Office (438 S. Main), Shoe Store, Earl's Clothes shop; curbside automobile at right, street railroad tracks in the foreground. Los Angeles; ca. 1954.  Thank you to Library California.Gov.  

Olive at 7th, Los Angeles, 1937

1937, Looking North on Olive at 7th, Los Angeles (1937)

In 1937, looking north on Olive Street at 7th Street revealed a dynamic downtown intersection filled with life and activity. Office workers, shoppers, and streetcar commuters filled the sidewalks as they navigated the bustling shopping district. Department stores, theaters, and high-rise office buildings lined the streets, reflecting the city’s economic growth during the 1930s. Streetcars shared the road with classic sedans, highlighting the coexistence of public transit and car culture. This view captured the rhythm of daily life in downtown Los Angeles, a place where business, leisure, and transit intersected in a thriving urban environment.  Thank you to Historical Los Angeles USA.

1937, 7th and Olive Streets, Los Angeles (1937).  Thanks to Historical Los Angeles, USA.  Posted Tuesday, March 18, 2025.

By 1937, the intersection of 7th and Olive Streets was a key point in downtown Los Angeles, surrounded by towering office buildings, department stores, and bustling transit lines. Streetcars still played a major role in urban mobility, sharing the road with an increasing number of automobiles. The area was known for its dense pedestrian traffic, as shoppers and workers moved between businesses and entertainment venues. This image captures the transition of Los Angeles from a streetcar-oriented city to one where automobiles and modern infrastructure would soon dominate the streetscape.