Catalog Department at Los Angeles Central Library, 1927

1927, Interior view of the Catalog Department at Los Angeles Central Library.  Thank you to LAPL.

Bunker Hill, 1955

 

1955, This shot gives us a soon-to-be-demolished glimpse of what Bunker Hill at the northernmost end of downtown Los Angeles looked like in 1955. The two streets we can see here are Olive St and 2nd Street, where downtown was still residential. But this stage, most of the homes had been divided up into boarding houses and the like. As we can see, the area was becoming rather rundown and neglected, and not long after this photo was taken, the razing and leveling of Bunker Hill got underway. But as we can see in the background, Los Angeles City Hall dominated the skyline, no matter which direction you were looking in.  Thank you to Martin Turnbull.  

1939, The appeal of this photo, for me at least, is that it juxtaposes LA’s past alongside LA’s future. We’re looking south along Main St in downtown Los Angeles. In the earlier part of the 20th century, Victorian-era stores and offices lined many of LA’s streets. As we can see from the Spanish language signs, many of these particular businesses were catering to the local Mexican population. Right next door rises the then-new United States Courthouse (this photo is from 1939), and behind that is Los Angeles City Hall, which was, by law, the highest building in Los Angeles.  Thank you to Martin Turnbull.

Skid Row, LA, 5th & Central, 1955

1955, Skid Row, LA.  Looking west on Fifth from Central on April 7, 1955, at 1:45 a.m., just before the bars close.

Posting this while up late, digging through old L.A. photos and reflecting on the city, exactly 69 years, 293 days, and 5 minutes later.  Thank you to Forgotten Los Angeles.

Pershing Square, 1937

1937, Pershing Square and neighboring buildings. The tall building visible behind the small palm trees is the Title Guarantee and Trust Company Building, located at 401 W. 5th Street.  Architects John and Donald B. Parkinson designed it in Art Deco style with a Gothic Revival style tower in 1930.  Across the street, an ad for "Roy C. Seeley Co." as well as an "Auto Park" sign is posted on the side of the Hotel Portsmouth building. The taller building behind it is the Pershing Square Building, designed by architects Curlett & Beelman; the building is a 13-story Beaux Arts Renaissance Revival style structure that was built in 1925. And farther back, the Hotel Clark can be seen peeking from behind. Built in 1912 by architect Harrison Albright. (Herman J Schultheis Collection) https://buff.ly/4aBHEhS.  Thank you to LAPL.All reacti

6th & Los Angeles, looking west on 6th Street, 1967

 

1967, View is looking west on 6th Street from Los Angeles Street. The center of the photo features a sign advertising Coles Restaurant. Lindy's West sign on the corner advertises Vienna Corned Beef Sandwiches. (William Reagh Collection).  Thank you to LAPL.  Certainly, the one guy I'd like to have answer questions about this scene is my dad who worked downtown from the end of the war to 1976.

Corner of Sunset Blvd and Logan Street, LA, 1927

1927, Corner of Sunset Blvd and Logan Street, Los Angeles, CA, Logan Street School in the background.  Thank you to Dr. Ducks Guitar Prescription Radio Show.  

Easter Parade Traffic in Los Angeles, California, 1941, before the War

1941, Easter Parade Traffic in Los Angeles, California.  Thank you to Julia Marie Manticahon at Southern California Memories. 

Interiors of the Beverly Hill Hotel, 1947

Thank you to Lost Angeles. 

In 1947, Hungarian-American architect, Paul Laszlo, designed the Streamline Moderne interiors of the Beverly Hill Hotel.  A curvilinear sofa with lavish planters and built-in lamps is a highlight of the hotel's lobby.  In the bedrooms, Laszlo's "gently-modern" style is sleek but warm.  Photos: Julius Shulman, 1947.  J. Paul Getty Trust.  Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles; photo restoration by Modernist Collection.  

L. A. DORK: LA developers erected signs in hillside enclaves like Beverly Terrace, Bryn Mawr, Tryon Ridge, Beverly Crest.

When the Hollywood(land) sign went up in 1923, it boosted sales of Hollywoodland homes. Subsequently, LA developers erected signs in hillside enclaves like Beverly Terrace, Bryn Mawr, Tryon Ridge, Beverly Crest. Remains of an Outpost sign were (are?) still visible off Runyan Cyn. pic.twitter.com/dJ385WV4h9

— L.A. Dork (@la_dorkout) January 21, 2025

The Bryson Block Building, 1900

1900, The Bryson Block Building, Northwest corner of 2nd and Spring Streets.  Thank you to Rick Watts. 

1905, from Victorian Downtown, 1905. 

5th and Hill, DTLA, 1920

 1920s, Intersection of Fifth and Hill, DTLA.  Thank you to Bruce Dunseth.  

7th & Spring, Los Angeles, 1930

1930, Traffic at Seventh and Spring, Los Angeles, 1930.  Thank you to Bruce Dunseth.  

Schwab’s Pharmacy on Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, Los Angeles, 1951

1951, A Woman Walking to Schwab’s Pharmacy on Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, Los Angeles (1951)

Schwab’s Pharmacy was more than just a drugstore; it was a social hotspot in 1951 where actors, writers, and producers often gathered for coffee and conversation. As a woman made her way toward its entrance, she became part of a scene steeped in Hollywood lore. Known as a place where careers could be launched, the pharmacy attracted both hopeful newcomers and established stars. The glass storefront showcased bustling counters where customers chatted over milkshakes and magazines. Schwab’s represented the blending of the mundane and the extraordinary—where picking up a prescription could lead to an unexpected industry connection.  Thank you to Historical Los Angeles USA.

1940s, Schwab's Pharmacy. 

1948, Schwab's Pharmacy on Sunset Blvd on a Friday night. It was a hangout for Hollywood Stars and up-and-comers.

60 (Pomona Freeway) Montebello, Monterey Park, & East LA, 1973

1973, One could check out a Speed Graphic 4x5" film camera from the East LA College Photography division stockroom, then put the camera to use over a weekend for a class assignment, or as a self-assignment of imagined importance equal to the effort incorporating the use of that large camera and film.  Thank you to Jim Staub for this fantastic photo.

The camera and tripod went up the side of the dump embankment off the 60 (Pomona Freeway) in either Montebello or Monterey Park jurisdiction, but what is know is the westerly direction I aimed the camera. The city of Montebello is at left of the freeway, Monterey Park and East LA on right of the freeway. The objective was to capture Los Angeles from my hometown, and this was that unusually clear day for the smog-era to carry out the photo. 1973; the LA skyline is still sparse enough to distinguish individual buildings, including LA City Hall the first of that high rise of the horizon. The tallest in the photo is Crocker Bank Tower. It has to be a weekend, and I would narrow it down to a Sunday, with that light traffic on the freeway, just 7 to 8 years old. My twin brother, John Staub had been taking photos of and from the dump once we owned cameras and he was likely with me. This picture would be that clear statement about suburban Monterey Park connected to Los Angeles by this umbilical freeway. I made one exposure and slide down the loose, angled covered city refuse and headed back home, never fully confident about that latent image in the film holder waiting to be developed.

I imagined a 50 year update with this anchor photo. The dump is different though. High security fences and their own cameras... and no longer a refuse facility. A Mayan -like human landform of compacted dirt, outgassing the disposed elements that never died and lives on. It becomes a new form, like a city never settled. Jim Staub Dec, 24, 2024. 

Four-Level Interchange, 1981

1981, Four-Level Interchange of Harbor, Pasadena, Hollywood, and San Bernardino Freeways from Up High, Looking Northwest, Los Angeles (1981).  Thank you to Historical Los Angeles.

In 1981, the four-level freeway interchange connecting the Harbor, Pasadena, Hollywood, and San Bernardino freeways was a monumental feat of engineering. Viewed from above, the multi-layered interchange resembled a sprawling concrete web, with cars and trucks weaving through its many ramps and overpasses. This interchange, one of the most complex in the world, exemplified Los Angeles' commitment to freeway connectivity and its reliance on automobile travel. As cars zipped along the ramps, this view captured the scale and scope of LA’s car-centric urban planning, a system designed to keep millions of residents on the move.

1950s, View of the Stack, the 4-Level downtown Los Angeles, CA.  Thank you to Paul Ayers. 

7th & Flower Street, 1937

1937, This view of 7th looking east from Flower Street includes pedestrians, cars, and a long vista of buildings.  The J. W. Robinson store is visible down the block at 600 West 7th Street.  Thank you to LAPL.

1947, Thank you to Martin Turnbull for this great shot of a store that I never saw.  Though I do not see the name J. W. Robinson's on the facade anywhere.

1963, 7th & Flower.  7th & Flower, DTLA. The 1963 and 1968 photos are by William Reagh, from his 1998 calendar, "The Changing Face of L.A." The last photo is from Google Maps. Thank you to Steven Taylor. Posted Friday, January 31, 2025.

Graham Mills writes, 

Flower. But yeah, that's a mad difference. The 1968 shot looked familiar, and I realised it's seen in the background multiple times during the chase sequences in The Driver (1978).

When are you coming home?

On Saturday, January 4, 2025, Sally asked, "When are you coming home?" to which I replied,

IDK. Home for me is in that Duarte house with Mom on her love seat enjoying a Milky Way then a 3 Musketeers, her coffee within reach on that end table pinched between her . . . imperial chair and love seat, combing thru the LA Times for some interesting story, comforted by the voices of her adult babies and perhaps Dad's radio playing big band tunes of the 1940s with his [bacon], egg [and cheddar] soufflé baking in the oven all before Sally would arrive to make her homemade coffeecake in a Pyrex. And if it were cold enough, the terrific smell, sight, and sound of a small fire in the living room fireplace.  Are you talking about THAT home, where I'd be seated across Mom on the sofa populating a crossword puzzle, putting it out "What's a 5-letter word for 'hurried'? to which Mom with her Catholic school education would reply 'hasty.'  Is that the home that you speak of?

Hollywood Christmas Parade, 1940s

1940s, In the 1940s, Hollywood Boulevard transformed into a glittering wonderland during Christmas, epitomizing the glamour of Los Angeles. By this time, Hollywood had firmly established itself as the epicenter of the American film industry, and the Boulevard was a hub for both locals and tourists. Christmas decorations added a festive allure to its iconic landmarks, such as Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. String lights crisscrossed the streets, while store windows showcased elaborate holiday displays, blending the spirit of the season with Hollywood's flair for spectacle. These decorations were not merely aesthetic but also a reflection of resilience, as World War II cast its shadow over global celebrations.  Thank you to Club Tepatlaxco Futbol.

Pasadena Rose Parade, 1938-1950s

1955, Spectators brave the cold weather to watch the Rose Parade at the northeast corner of Colorado Boulevard and Fair Oaks Avenue.  Thank you to Jack Feldman.  

1951, Waiting for the Parade, December 31, 1951.

1938, Crowds on Colorado Boulevard just after the last Tournament of Roses Parade float passed in 1938.  Thank you to Danny Fernandez Jimenez.  

More pics from Lost Angeles. 

1926, Crowds milling on Colorado and Fair Oaks after The Rose Parade 1926. Terrazzo from Owl Drug Store remains Merch Motel photos

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Exposition Park, Los Angeles, 1899

1899, Exposition Park, Los Angeles (1899)

In 1899, Exposition Park was beginning to take shape as a cultural and recreational centerpiece in Los Angeles. The park’s early development included open fields and gardens, providing a green escape for a rapidly urbanizing city. Local residents enjoyed leisurely strolls, community events, and picnics among the park’s budding landscape. Its location near the University of Southern California fostered a spirit of learning and innovation. Over the years, museums, sports facilities, and flower beds were added, transforming the park into a vibrant civic space. This early snapshot captured a key moment in the park’s evolution, offering a glimpse into LA’s dedication to green spaces.  Thank you to Historical Los Angeles USA. 

Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, 1950s

1950s, Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles (1950s).

During the 1950s, the Griffith Observatory was already an iconic institution perched above the city. Families and tourists flocked to its exhibits, marveling at the Foucault pendulum and planetarium shows. The observatory’s commanding position on Mount Hollywood provided panoramic views of sprawling Los Angeles below. Its Art Deco design and dedication to public science education made it a cultural beacon. On clear nights, visitors lined up to gaze through powerful telescopes aimed at distant stars. The site played a role in defining LA’s connection to curiosity and innovation. Even in the 1950s, it stood as a gateway to exploration and wonder.  Thank you to Historical Los Angeles USA.

Sunset Boulevard and Vine Street in Hollywood, Los Angeles, 1950s

1950s, Busy Street Scene on Sunset Boulevard and Vine Street in Hollywood, Los Angeles (1950s)

Sunset and Vine was the heartbeat of Hollywood in the 1950s, bustling with neon signs and glamorous marquees. Tourists and locals mingled on the sidewalks, hoping to catch a glimpse of movie stars frequenting nearby studios. Cars from the post-war boom lined the street, reflecting America’s love affair with the automobile. Live radio broadcasts and record stores gave the intersection a constant hum of creativity. The area’s restaurants and nightclubs buzzed late into the night, fueling Hollywood’s reputation for after-dark glamour. The scene embodied the spirit of a film industry at its pinnacle.  Thank you to Historical Los Angeles USA.