Castle Steakhouse, Los Angeles, CA, 1945

1945, Charles Bollar, owner of the Castle Steak Houses, looks down the line at a few of the several hundred turkeys which were scheduled to be served, starting at 4 p.m. on November 22, 1945, to all servicemen answering the invitation of Bollar and The Herald-Express. Thank you to Calisphere.

1945, The Castle Steak House, 828 So. Robertson Blvd., where hundreds of servicemen will be guests of The Herald and Express and restaurateur Charles Bollar at a turkey dinner on Thanksgiving 1945. A similar dinner will be given at the other Castle Steak House at 425 So. Vermont Ave. Photo date: November 17, 1945. Thank you to Calisphere.

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Pasadena Freeway crossing over the LA River, 1947

1947, The Pasadena Freeway crossing over the LA River. Thank you to Historical Los Angeles, USA.

1974, Pasadena Freeway.  Thank you to Jason Horton. 

1st & Hope Streets, Los Angeles, 1966

1966, Looking east over the intersection of 1st & Hope Streets.  Thank you to Augie Castagnola.  

Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in the foreground.  Behind it is the Stanley Mosk Courthouse where Dad worked.  

12th & Main Street, Los Angeles, 1939

1939, 12th & Main, Los Angeles (1939)

In 1939, the intersection of 12th and Main Streets was a lively part of Los Angeles, featuring shops, businesses, and steady traffic. Located in a busy downtown district, this intersection reflected the energy and growth of pre-war Los Angeles. People walked along the sidewalks, browsing storefronts and enjoying the urban atmosphere. The architecture ranged from Art Deco to classic revival, showcasing the diversity of design in the city’s development. This corner, like many others, contributed to the city’s bustling landscape, as Los Angeles moved toward becoming a major metropolitan center.  Thank you to Historical Los Angeles USA.

Christmas on Broadway, 1940s

1940s, Los Angeles - Christmas on Broadway (1940's)

Broadway Street in downtown L.A. comes alive with festive decorations and crowds celebrating the Christmas season in the 1940s. Storefronts are adorned with holiday lights, drawing shoppers and families into the bustling heart of the city. This lively scene captures the energy and tradition of mid-century Los Angeles, where Broadway was a hub for holiday shopping and celebration. People from all parts of the city gathered here, enjoying the holiday displays that brightened the winter streets.  Thank you to Historical Los Angeles USA.

1958, Looking West down Hollywood Blvd from Cherokee during the Christmas season.  Thank you to Historical Los Angeles, USA.

Hydril at Olympic & Figueroa, Los Angeles, CA, 1938

1938, Olympic & Figueroa, Los Angeles, CA.  The Petroleum Securities Building, HYDRIL.

In 1938, the intersection of Olympic and Figueroa was a bustling junction in downtown Los Angeles, marking a blend of commercial and residential life. This area, near today’s Los Angeles Convention Center, was lined with shops, theaters, and cafés, serving the city’s diverse population. Streetcars and automobiles shared the roads, illustrating the transition from public transit to a car-centered society. Olympic & Figueroa has since transformed dramatically, yet it remains a historic crossroads in Los Angeles’ urban evolution.

Shammas Group explains that, 

The Petroleum Building at its apex was the company headquarters for the American oil explorer and capitalist Edward L. Doheny, the first to discover oil in Los Angeles in 1892 and founder of the Mexican Oil Company. Doheny commissioned the master architecture firm Meyer & Holler to design the Petroleum Securities Building which, in the 1920s became recognized as one of Los Angeles’ most opulent commercial and historically significant office buildings.  

Hydril was formed in 1933.

Doheny Stone Drill Company, named for its founder Fred Stone, was located in Torrance, California, and struggling for survival. The number of its employees ranged from 50 to 75, depending upon sporadic demand for its heavy oil drilling machinery, threads for oil piping, and blowout preventers. Seaver decided to drop the drilling equipment in order to focus on the specialty items, but soon had to contend with the onset of the Depression. With his life savings at risk, he had no choice but to succeed in the venture. His employees, thankful to have jobs during uncertain times, were committed to helping him. Within two years they turned the company into a profitable concern. In 1933, Seaver was able to become the proprietor of the business, which he now named Hydril Company, derived from "hydraulic drilling equipment."

 

Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, CA, 1956 to 1984

1956, Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, CA.  Thank you to Historical Los Angeles, USA.  

Sunset Boulevard in 1956 was filled with cars, neon signs, and entertainment venues, capturing the spirit of Hollywood nightlife. The street was lined with iconic clubs, restaurants, and theaters, making it a major cultural and social artery. As people strolled and cars filled the road, Sunset embodied the glamour and excitement of Los Angeles. This scene captures mid-century L.A., where residents and tourists flocked to experience the lively atmosphere of one of the city’s most famous boulevards.

 

5th and Broadway, 1920s

1920s, Los Angeles - Broadway at the corner of Fifth Street (1920s).  Thank you to Historical Los Angeles, USA.

In the 1920s, the intersection of Broadway and Fifth Street was a prominent part of downtown Los Angeles, with its elegant department stores, theaters, and busy sidewalks. This area was a commercial center, attracting shoppers, tourists, and residents alike. Broadway’s streetcars and bustling activity made it a focal point of city life, known for its grand buildings and lively storefronts. The historic architecture included elaborate facades and ornate details, embodying the prosperity of the time. Today, Broadway still holds its place in Los Angeles’ history, with many buildings preserved as part of the city’s architectural legacy.  

2023 Art from Olga Tuleninova

from Olga Tuleninova.

 

7th Street & Hill Street, Looking north from Bullock's Department Store, 1937

1926, 7th Street, East from Hill Street, Los Angeles (1926).  So much of early Los Angeles was Victorian. 

In 1926, 7th Street looking east from Hill Street was a snapshot of downtown Los Angeles at its commercial peak. Lined with grand department stores, theaters, and upscale shops, it was one of the most fashionable shopping districts in the city. Shoppers crowded the sidewalks, browsing display windows that showcased the latest in fashion and home goods. Streetcars rumbled down 7th Street, and classic 1920s automobiles navigated the traffic. This view reflected the economic prosperity of the Roaring Twenties, as downtown Los Angeles established itself as a retail and entertainment destination for Angelenos and visitors alike.  Thank you to Historical Los Angeles, USA.  Posted on Thursday, December 19, 2024.

1937, Outside Bullock's Department store at 7th St. looking north towards Hill St, Downtown Los Angeles (1937).  Thank you to Historical Los Angeles, USA.

Bullock’s Department Store was a premier shopping destination in downtown Los Angeles, attracting customers with its luxurious displays and high-end products. This 1937 image captures the bustling activity outside, with shoppers and passersby filling the sidewalks along 7th Street. Known for its elegant architecture and stylish interiors, Bullock’s set the standard for retail sophistication in the city. The store was part of a larger commercial district on 7th Street, which was known for its department stores and fine shops. Bullock’s remains an iconic name in Los Angeles retail history, symbolizing a golden era of downtown shopping.