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.