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.