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ethereal_reality Sep 27, 2011 8:44 PM

I just found this image as well. It's a good view of the crown of the Bankers Building (mid-block).


http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/6...ngmidblock.jpg
usc digital archive


Jon Paul, I am glad you brought this building to our attention.

Fab Fifties Fan Sep 27, 2011 10:16 PM

You are quite welcome e_r. I have to admit that I have become fascinated by this buidling, especially after seeing the color photo and finding out that it is clad in turquoise green glazed terra cotta tile.

I immediately thought of the Eastern Columbia Building, that I love so much, and lo and behold, they were both designed by Claud Beelman in 1930. The cladding tile for both buildings was purchased from the same supplier.

Beelman was a very prolific architect in the Los Angeles area and some of his other works are the Garfield Buidling and Hollywood Post Office.

Here are three more current shots of the Bankers Bldg:

Google Streetview looking up (that parking garage they erected next door is horrendous)
http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/9892/629shill1.jpg

Google Streetview of the side
http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/5729/629shill2.jpg

Detail from Banker's Building flickr album
http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/223/629shill3.jpg

I am traveling back up to LA in a couple of weeks and am planning on taking a walking tour around downtown. Also, I am promising myself that I will look up so that I don't miss seeing what is above the street level commercial sameness.

That in itself will be a challenge in that being pretty tall I tend to either smash in to or walk over the top of people if I'm not looking down.:D

~Jon Paul

strangedays Sep 27, 2011 11:09 PM

Great, great thread. I feel obligated to contribute.

Looking at Baldwin Hills South/West, 1940-49, at what would become Baldwin Hills Park now. The road wrapping around on the right is probably Jefferson, which changed names into Higuera St., which probably intersects at bottom center (off screen) with Moynier Lane. The small road just after Jefferson/Higuera that dead ends into the hills could be Lewawee (based on a 1941 map). (USC Digital Collection)

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6020/...0139f14d_b.jpg

A shot from the Baldwin Hills north-north/east at the Village Green about 1943. The intersection where the bus is about to turn is Coliseum and Hauser Blvd. You can see the entire video at villagegreenla.net/history.html

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6168/...5c6a0581_b.jpg

Coliseum and Hauser today at center left. Hauser Blvd still dead ends there. The Baldwin Hills Village is now the Village Green. You can see see downtown LA in the tiptop right.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6132/...5902691d_b.jpg

GaylordWilshire Sep 27, 2011 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fab Fifties Fan (Post 5425452)
Beelman was a very prolific architect in the Los Angeles area and some of his other works are the Pacific Electric Building, Garfield Buidling and Hollywood Post Office.

Detail from Banker's Building flickr album
http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/223/629shill3.jpg

This is a great shot, worth repeating-- while I think Beelman did another ceramic-clad building downtown called the Pacific Somethingorother Building (maybe even a few others), which I think is gone, it was Thornton Fitzhugh who designed the PE Building at 6th & Main.

GaylordWilshire Sep 27, 2011 11:38 PM

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eGzZ8PN1Pj.../s640/gray.jpgSteven Keylon

Speaking of the Village Green, here is a brilliant blog about it:

http://baldwinhillsvillageandthevill....blogspot.com/

Fab Fifties Fan Sep 28, 2011 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaylordWilshire (Post 5425534)
This is a great shot, worth repeating-- while I think Beelman did another ceramic-clad building downtown called the Pacific Somethingorother Building (maybe even a few others), which I think is gone, it was Thornton Fitzhugh who designed the PE Building at 6th & Main.

Thanks for the clarification GaylordWilshire! I will send it on to wikipedia who has it listed as one of Beelman's accomplishments on his page even though the PE Building's wiki page has it correctly as Fitzhugh.

Sheesh

~Jon Paul

strangedays Sep 28, 2011 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaylordWilshire (Post 5425541)

Thanks for the blog link, GaylordWilshire. Insightful indeed. I'd read the dam break story, which is very good, but not much else. The construction details proved to be fascinating and he expands on clips from the film.

Evidently, per the blog, Rodeo Road and Coliseum already existed. Does anyone know if they did and if so, when were they graded/paved? Were they around in 1925? The old maps I have are LA city, not county.

GaylordWilshire Sep 28, 2011 8:35 AM

Well, why not?
 
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-A...2520AM.bmp.jpgLos Angeles Times


http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EbmfZnf8hj...leryofglab.jpgLAPL


And, in Baby Jane maquillage, at the Hall of Justice...
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N-kEXbMRSt...g/glab1958.jpgLAPL
"Always smartly dressed whenever hauled into
court, Hazel Glab, now calling herself Hazel
Bridge, appears on a pandering charge in 1958"



Read all about her--including her seduction of the poor old widower, oilman Albert Llewellyn Cheney--in this post about his house at #15 Berkeley Square: http://berkeleysquarelosangeles.blog...ney-house.html


It's part of my now-completed blog on the history of West Adams's Berkeley Square, lost in its entirety to progress in the early '60s: http://berkeleysquarelosangeles.blogspot.com/


http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sxKVbahtK7...orderfinal.jpgHomes and Gardens of the Pacific Coast

srk1941 Sep 28, 2011 7:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strangedays (Post 5425625)
Thanks for the blog link, GaylordWilshire. Insightful indeed. I'd read the dam break story, which is very good, but not much else. The construction details proved to be fascinating and he expands on clips from the film.

Evidently, per the blog, Rodeo Road and Coliseum already existed. Does anyone know if they did and if so, when were they graded/paved? Were they around in 1925? The old maps I have are LA city, not county.

Hi, thanks, that's my blog... In March 1941, when Baldwin Hills Village began construction, Rodeo Road already existed. But Coliseum was built as part of the construction of Baldwin Hills Village.

I've always meant to go up the hill to take a picture from that spot today!

stoogeswoman Sep 28, 2011 8:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaylordWilshire (Post 5174348)
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_z...80258%20AM.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tHIN...eature=related


A remnant in plain sight? "Mysterious stairs" behind McKenzie, Brackman, Chaney and Kuzak (ok, 444 S. Flower) in this youtube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tHIN...eature=related


Are these stairs a remnant of old Bunker Hill? It looks it on film, but I can't really tell if the concrete is definitely older than the newer construction. Anyone have any ideas of where they may have once led? (Btw--there are no clues on the big 1931 map of downtown....)

Hi everyone, I just wanted to let you know that I just joined the Forum, and I'm the person who made the video Gaylord referenced in the post above, several months ago.

My name is Chrissy the Stooges Woman :-). I've worked in Downtown L.A. since the late 1980's and loooovvvee all the history. Worked on Bunker Hill for 20 years, and now am at (the building formerly known as) Arco Plaza.

I use a lot of these photos in my desktop backgrounds while at work, and would really appreciate it if anyone has any old Arco Plaza photos. I found one - just one! - where it's under construction, and that's great. But I'd also like to find photos from when what's now Parking Level C had shops, a Catholic church, Dutton's Bookstore, etc. - probably from the '70's thru '90's.

Thanks in advance and I look forward to being here a lot! :tup:

GaylordWilshire Sep 28, 2011 10:48 PM

"Los Angeles Street; Rainy Day"
 
1940s Los Angeles as 1870s Paris

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality (Post 4338146)
http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/9...aydowntown.jpg
USC archives

above: Downtown in the rain. 1940s



http://www.artic.edu/artaccess/AA_Im...lebotte_lg.jpgArt Institute of Chicago
Caillebotte's Paris Street: Rainy Day, 1877

Fab Fifties Fan Sep 28, 2011 11:47 PM

Oh that Hazel!!!
 
And, in Baby Jane maquillage, at the Hall of Justice...
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N-kEXbMRSt...g/glab1958.jpgLAPL
"Always smartly dressed whenever hauled into
court, Hazel Glab, now calling herself Hazel
Bridge, appears on a pandering charge in 1958"


I actually became curious about the old girl a couple of months ago, when I read about her exploits on your fascinating blog GW, so I went digging for more detail.

I tell you that girl was noir in a can from birth in 1894 to her final curtain call in 1977! At the time she died at 83 her full name was:

Hazel Belford Vendiz Garland Glab Bridge Stoddard

Seems that both before and after the unfortunate Mr Glab there were two husbands. Fortunately, all four of them lived through the experience but that is probably only because none of them had much money, unlike Mr. Glab.

Having already been divorced twice, the 21 year old former vaudeville performer, hopped a train from Oklahoma to Hollywood in 1915.

She caught the eye of a casting agent and is credited as appearing in the 1916 movie The Deserter. She has no recorded credits after that but it was rumored that she did appear in two Ince films. After films it appears that she found prostitution and gold digging more profitable. And eventually murder, forgery and extortion as well.

Ingenue Hazel 1916
http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/6068/hazel1916.jpg

Hazel (center) and her "witnesses" during her divorce from terminally ill Mr. Bridge 1955. She won his house in the divorce and then turned it in to a good ol' fashioned brothel, hence the courthouse picture GaylordWilshire posted.

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/5851/hazel1955.jpg

Even after her madam days, our buddy Hazel didn't stay out of trouble for long periods. There were assorted shoplifting charges and the like for years and then in 1965 Hazel at age 71 got dragged into court for harrassing and threatening the life of her old Tehachapi State Prison cellmate, seen here confronting her outside of court.
http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/8586/hazel1965.jpg

I totally agree that someone has got to make a movie of her life! Can you just imagine all the noirish locations and such that everybody on this thread could suggest?

~Jon Paul (Juan Pablo sounds more noirish:P)

All photos LAPL

SierraMadre Sep 29, 2011 12:03 AM

I'm coming up with some hilarious suggestions for the cast of that movie

strangedays Sep 29, 2011 12:13 AM

Map
 
Gaylord, here is a clip from a 1939 updated to 1941 map you might find helpful.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6009/...1103dac5_b.jpg

Edited to add that this map shows Jefferson as one continuous street around the Baldwin Hills.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6173/...fd0bc8ee_b.jpg

strangedays Sep 29, 2011 2:09 AM

A pic
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by srk1941 (Post 5426471)
Hi, thanks, that's my blog... In March 1941, when Baldwin Hills Village began construction, Rodeo Road already existed. But Coliseum was built as part of the construction of Baldwin Hills Village.

I've always meant to go up the hill to take a picture from that spot today!

Thanks so much for answering the question. I have the map as posted that shows Rodeo Road joining with Jefferson on the east, but have two maps that do not show it and so wasn't sure. None showed Coliseum, so the question lingered for some time. Do you happen to know if Rodeo Road was paved in 1924-25?

I just uploaded a pic you can use for your blog if you want, or until you get up there yourself. It shows more of LA. The funny thing is, when filming that, I didn't know that was the Village Green :)

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6165/...8e2f3af3_b.jpg

I created my flickr.com page to contribute here.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sleepynoir/

GaylordWilshire Sep 29, 2011 3:12 AM

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E...5%252520PM.jpgLAPL

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fab Fifties Fan (Post 5426806)
I actually became curious about the old girl a couple of months ago, when I read about her exploits on your fascinating blog GW, so I went digging for more detail.

FFF: She was really something--I don't remember seeing the two lowest of the pics you posted when I was researching the Cheney house. Maybe they're new to the LAPL.

There was another post a few years ago about Hazel by sopas:
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...5&postcount=74

It included this pic of the house where Mr. Glab died:

http://jpg2.lapl.org/pics29/00049444.jpg


I thought I--or someone--had posted a current shot of 12744 Ventura Boulevard--couldn't find that post, but yes, it still stands:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-s...2520PM.bmp.jpg


PS Great maps, strange

all of the trash Sep 29, 2011 3:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strangedays (Post 5425506)

wow look at all that space! We all look back with shame over the foundation of L.A's sprawl, but if you were around at the time how could you not want to fulfill the new suburban dream? All that open space and cheap land.

GaylordWilshire Sep 29, 2011 11:47 AM

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5...Ty6A/cutts.jpgLAPL

gsjansen Sep 29, 2011 12:40 PM

an amazing view looking south west at the intersection of 1st and hill. the El Moro hotel is at the upper left. look at those hanging gardens! shades of babylon!

http://jpg1.lapl.org/00091/00091576.jpg
Source: LAPL

looking north easterly at a stunning residence which was located at 112-116 s. olive.

http://jpg1.lapl.org/00091/00091574.jpg
Source: LAPL


another image of the bunker hill hotel on hope street between 1st and 2nd. this is looking east from flower street.

http://jpg1.lapl.org/00091/00091568.jpg
Source: LAPL

and this is the view from the rowan apartment, (next door to the bunker hill hotel), looking west towards flower

http://jpg1.lapl.org/00091/00091566.jpg
Source: LAPL


looking west across broadway at the moore cliff hotel

http://jpg1.lapl.org/00091/00091577.jpg
Source: LAPL

GaylordWilshire Sep 29, 2011 2:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsjansen (Post 5427366)


There's one of those infamous L.A. backyard incinerators--

http://www.vaughns-1-pagers.com/hist...ncinerator.jpg

The picture above is from a very interesting site of one L.A. family's history:
http://www.vaughns-1-pagers.com/hist...59-veteran.htm

A history of another of the family's house, in the same vein:
http://www.vaughns-1-pagers.com/hist...tm#yard-photos

SierraMadre Sep 29, 2011 3:46 PM

good grief...that's the first photo I can recall seeing of an incinerator.
In Arcadia where I grew up many were converted into really ugly BBQs.
When I hear people today talk about smog, they usually don't have a clue how bad it was in the 1950's-60's.
People don't like regulations but this city was becoming unbearable.

srk1941 Sep 29, 2011 5:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strangedays (Post 5426976)
Thanks so much for answering the question. I have the map as posted that shows Rodeo Road joining with Jefferson on the east, but have two maps that do not show it and so wasn't sure. None showed Coliseum, so the question lingered for some time. Do you happen to know if Rodeo Road was paved in 1924-25?

I just uploaded a pic you can use for your blog if you want, or until you get up there yourself. It shows more of LA. The funny thing is, when filming that, I didn't know that was the Village Green :)

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6165/...8e2f3af3_b.jpg

I created my flickr.com page to contribute here.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sleepynoir/


Thank you! I don't know if Rodeo Road was paved in 1923/24, but I don't believe Rodeo existed in this location in 1924. I found an article in the Los Angeles Times from 1936, discussing the donation of land by the Baldwin Family for the creation of a playground next to Dorsey High School (then under construction). That playground became what is now the Rancho Cienega Sports Complex.

Anyway, the article talking about the proposed playground mentions that both Rodeo Road and Santa Barbara (now MLK) would be extended to accomodate the new playground, which suggest to me that they would be extended from the east. I found another note saying that Santa Barbara (between Brighton and Crenshaw) was widened and paved in 1940.

Demonio Sep 29, 2011 6:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaylordWilshire (Post 5112704)
http://images.nypl.org/index.php?id=1640789&t=wNYPL http://images.nypl.org/index.php?id=1640789&t=w

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_zXN_GwdMYMo/TS...53623%20PM.jpgGoogle Street View

The New York Public Library maintains a few vintage images of Los Angeles--the most interesting one I've seen so far is this undated one of a small Eastside park I'd never heard of: ELA Park. (It took me a minute to catch it... E.L.A. Park....) I'm getting more and more interested in Los Angeles east of Main Street--if you don't live there (in NY, for instance), it seems a parallel universe to the L.A. west of Main usually envisioned. The gang troubles there I also read about notwithstanding, it's been interesting to discover whole tidy neighborhoods to the east like this one around ELA Park.


P.S. Welcome Brother Bryson

Hello there! This picture is of Eastlake street in my old neighborhood in Lincoln Heights. A few old Victorian homes around there. I believe the fence was added to keep the local gang and screw ups from ruining that little park. Sad.

Cyberider Sep 29, 2011 7:39 PM

This is a wonderful thread and I've been lurking here for months. Especially enjoyed all the Bunker Hill photos and info. Many thanks to all the contributors.

Strangedays, is that 1939/41 map available somewhere online or do you have a copy of it? Being a PE/LARy and map fan, I'd love to see the whole thing.

Thanks,
Dave

strangedays Sep 29, 2011 8:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyberider (Post 5427920)
This is a wonderful thread and I've been lurking here for months. Especially enjoyed all the Bunker Hill photos and info. Many thanks to all the contributors.

Strangedays, is that 1939/41 map available somewhere online or do you have a copy of it? Being a PE/LARy and map fan, I'd love to see the whole thing.

Thanks,
Dave

Cyberider, I've tried and tried to get in all in one image but I'm too dumb to figure it out. I do have panning images that are videos but am not able to get it all on screen in one shot and still make it readable. If you are anyone else has any pointers, that would be great. Then I'll upload it. The camera is a Panasonic TM700.

While here and on the subject of maps, here is another shot of the Baldwin Hills map, a Bekins 1941 that strangely does not include Rodeo Road. The LA Times suggests Rodeo Road was extended (how far) along with Santa Barbara in 1936-37.

LOCATION OF WHAT WILL BE CITY'S LARGEST PLAYGROUND

Pay-Per-View - Los Angeles Times - Nov 8, 1936
... south by the projected extensions of Rodeo Road and Santa Barbara avenue, ... TRACT DONATED Conveyed as a gift to the Los Angeles City Playground and ...

But this map lacks the extensions. Maybe because that was the county line? Anyone know?

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6167/...52ec1be1_b.jpg

srk1941 Sep 29, 2011 8:45 PM

The Baldwin Hills Village design team had the city move the city limits down to the new Coliseum Street at the south edge of the Village in 1941.

srk1941 Sep 29, 2011 8:47 PM

But looking at the Bekins map, I just think it was outdated. Dorsey High School opened in 1937, so Rodeo would have been extended almost to La Brea by '37, which isn't reflected on this map.

La Brea did continue all the way south, that is covered up by the Bekins logo, making it look like La Brea stops and starts again. Maybe they blocked out the Rodeo and Santa Barbara extensions too?

Fab Fifties Fan Sep 29, 2011 9:05 PM

Future Ugly BBQ's...
 
...since that's all they're good for now!

http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/6...cinerators.jpg
W.G. Nye and Loy E. Moore, owners of the Peerless Incinerator Company, 1854 W. Washington Blvd., display their inventory of backyard incinerators as they hear reports of banning all incinerators. "We're convinced we're being made the goats for some other industry," said Moore, Oct. 20, 1954.

The building is still there and hopefully selling non-polluting party supplies!
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/805/1854wash.jpg
Google streetview

Quote:

Originally Posted by SierraMadre (Post 5427576)
good grief...that's the first photo I can recall seeing of an incinerator.
In Arcadia where I grew up many were converted into really ugly BBQs.
When I hear people today talk about smog, they usually don't have a clue how bad it was in the 1950's-60's.
People don't like regulations but this city was becoming unbearable.

~Jon Paul
Photo LAPL

Cyberider Sep 29, 2011 9:34 PM

Thanks, strangedays. I'm afraid I'd be no help. Was hoping it was previously posted somewhere and you had just borrowed a portion! If you ever find a solution to the problem, I'll look forward to seeing it. From the time I was a kid (a long time ago) I've just loved studying maps of LA and the evolution of streets and areas. :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by strangedays (Post 5427948)
Cyberider, I've tried and tried to get in all in one image but I'm too dumb to figure it out. I do have panning images that are videos but am not able to get it all on screen in one shot and still make it readable. If you are anyone else has any pointers, that would be great. Then I'll upload it. The camera is a Panasonic TM700.

While here and on the subject of maps, here is another shot of the Baldwin Hills map, a Bekins 1941 that strangely does not include Rodeo Road. The LA Times suggests Rodeo Road was extended (how far) along with Santa Barbara in 1936-37.


Demonio Sep 29, 2011 10:55 PM

That's AWESOME!

strangedays Sep 30, 2011 3:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srk1941 (Post 5428022)
But looking at the Bekins map, I just think it was outdated. Dorsey High School opened in 1937, so Rodeo would have been extended almost to La Brea by '37, which isn't reflected on this map.

La Brea did continue all the way south, that is covered up by the Bekins logo, making it look like La Brea stops and starts again. Maybe they blocked out the Rodeo and Santa Barbara extensions too?

Funny, I just hunted down the LA Times article you mention above too. This Bekins map also shows Jefferson on the east divided as well. Maybe since it is a city map they didn't bother much with county territory and it was a good excuse to throw the cool truck in there instead. Do you know where the old county line was?

All this information is really helping to put the Baldwin Hills into perspective. I read that there was a paved road there somewhere, but maybe paved meant tarred back then.

Here is another lapl photo from 1924. I can't figure what the development might be on the bottom left, but it could be Culver City upper right and the ocean upper left.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6136/...bb1937ea_b.jpg

We're still on topic because some of The Big Sleep is set in the Baldwin Hills and Marlowe is up to his neck in it.

srk1941 Sep 30, 2011 4:01 PM

It's hard to say for sure, with so little to go on, but I'll bet they're laying out the View Park neighborhood, which was developed in the mid 20's, and features meandering streets like you see here. It appears to be in the right location.

strangedays Sep 30, 2011 6:30 PM

The Lost Studio Backlot
 
http://www.retroweb.com/40acres/40acres_main_new.jpg

In the view above from 1958, one can see a number of "40 Acres" landmarks, including the "Mayberry" courthouse (right edge, center) and the mansion from Scarlett O'Hara's plantation "Tara," from the film Gone With The Wind (just right of upper left corner).

from http://www.retroweb.com/40acres.html

"40 Acres" is the misnomer that was given to what was actually about 29 acres of land in Culver City, California, first used as a movie studio backlot in 1926 by Cecil DeMille, after he leased the property from Italian immigrate Achille Casserini (on March 22, 1926). DeMille's production company utilized the backlot for numerous silent films, including The King of Kings (1927), for which a large Jerusalem temple and town were constructed, The Fighting Eagle (1927), The Forbidden Woman (1927) and The Godless Girl (1929), DeMille's last silent, and for which a large reform school set was built on the lot. In 1928, DeMille's Culver City studio and backlot were acquired by RKO Pictures, whose films which employed the backlot included Bird of Paradise (1932) and the 1933 classic, King Kong. In 1937, David Selznick acquired the property in a long-term lease, and used the backlot to re-create a Civil War-era Atlanta for his 1939 epic Gone With The Wind (after filming the burning of numerous leftover sets on the lot, including the "King Kong" gate, to depict the burning of Atlanta in the film).

strangedays Sep 30, 2011 7:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srk1941 (Post 5428772)
It's hard to say for sure, with so little to go on, but I'll bet they're laying out the View Park neighborhood, which was developed in the mid 20's, and features meandering streets like you see here. It appears to be in the right location.

Maybe that is actually looking from Culver City. Compare this map found at the 40 Acres site.

http://www.retroweb.com/40acres/aeri..._captioned.jpg

srk1941 Sep 30, 2011 7:33 PM

The 40 acres studio backlot was just across the Ballona Creek - see where it is curving, lower right here? This is just below what is now the park and overlook.



Quote:

Originally Posted by strangedays (Post 5425506)
Great, great thread. I feel obligated to contribute.

Looking at Baldwin Hills South/West, 1940-49, at what would become Baldwin Hills Park now. The road wrapping around on the right is probably Jefferson, which changed names into Higuera St., which probably intersects at bottom center (off screen) with Moynier Lane. The small road just after Jefferson/Higuera that dead ends into the hills could be Lewawee (based on a 1941 map). (USC Digital Collection)

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6020/...0139f14d_b.jpg

A shot from the Baldwin Hills north-north/east at the Village Green about 1943. The intersection where the bus is about to turn is Coliseum and Hauser Blvd. You can see the entire video at villagegreenla.net/history.html

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6168/...5c6a0581_b.jpg

Coliseum and Hauser today at center left. Hauser Blvd still dead ends there. The Baldwin Hills Village is now the Village Green. You can see see downtown LA in the tiptop right.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6132/...5902691d_b.jpg


strangedays Oct 1, 2011 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srk1941 (Post 5429008)
The 40 acres studio backlot was just across the Ballona Creek - see where it is curving, lower right here? This is just below what is now the park and overlook.

Here is an attempt to compare the angles of yesterday with today while extending a little. Ok, so comparing these two, the 40 Acres Studio would be in the top right hand corner of the Google Earth view. Is this close?

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6136/...bb1937ea_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6155/...4ea0b7bb_b.jpg

Edit: What is not making sense is where the Baldwin Hills Reservoir would be in the 1924 pic (the circle in the middle in the Google Earth) unless the reservoir was built in that valley and then filled in. Could that be?.

Beaudry Oct 1, 2011 7:17 AM

Been a while since I've posted, and there's a lot on which I want to comment, but before I get to any of that, I'll share a trip I made to the California State Building -- yes, this one:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6008/...936cbde4_o.jpg
USC

...even though it's really rather not there. And while in theory one's not supposed to visit what's left, my wayward youth left me with a healthy disrespect for No Trespassing signage. Soooo...

Up Spring from First there's still the stairway to its east entrance, and the entry to the underground parking garage:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6151/...70cf3571_b.jpg

The approach from First:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6164/...cf2ac38d_o.jpg
Ouch. Behind, L to R, the Hall of Administration, the Hall of Records, the Criminal Courts.

And here we are, that characteristic John C Austin State Bldg shape --

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6147/...9a8efbc2_o.jpg

And there's this flooring,
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6177/...16c13d7c_o.jpg
posted here before, though seen from up in City Hall, but now, let's get a closer look, bust out the ol' Then-n-Nows:

Walk through the revolving door, turn back and look toward First:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6159/...f8dea381_o.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6151/...446b1535_o.jpg

Looking across the lobby toward the east:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6135/...2fb74a4c_o.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6164/...33be0806_o.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6133/...ec9c22a7_o.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6009/...f0240ae1_o.jpg


http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6175/...a60bd4c2_o.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6163/...0b875ed0_o.jpg

Looking back out of the building, toward B'way -- at the pit where the 1960 California State Office Bldg used to be.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6163/...f289a8a2_o.jpg

Note that they're gutting the 1958 Law Library (seen here, center right) -- what's that about? And yes, that crane is up on the site of the Dome, now plugging away at the Broad...

In any event, the midday sun kind of bleached out the images. Would like to see how this marble looks after a good rain. Parting image of a close-up:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6175/...0fddce23_o.jpg


Lobby photos, Mott Studios, Cal State Library, accessed here and here

GaylordWilshire Oct 1, 2011 1:03 PM

:previous:

Beaudry: It may have been a while, but when you post, you really post--that was great!

SierraMadre Oct 1, 2011 2:06 PM

Incredible.....great contribution

gsjansen Oct 1, 2011 5:45 PM

B! what can i say? absofrickinlutely incredible! did you bring images of the before with you, so that you could capture the exact angle, or is this a total recall memory thing?

stunned is all i can say....stunned.

btw, i blew your cover over at the vla facebook page, i had to post the single page of your increduble work! now everyone will know you as beaudry!

you won't forget to let us know when you complete your "after" review of lan, and post it.....right?

you definately get my vote for all time best then and now post ever on the world wide web!

ethereal_reality Oct 1, 2011 6:14 PM

You made my day Beaudry! Jaw dropping before and after photos.
The simplicity of the California State Building's exterior belied it's opulent interior. -Quite a loss-

malumot Oct 1, 2011 7:01 PM

The REAL jaw-dropper is how the site - IN THE VERY HEART OF THE CIVIC CENTER - has remained vacant, crumbling and weed-choked for THIRTY-SIX YEARS!

Sadly - but not surprisingly - it appears the main stumbling block is the site's tri-party ownership between the state, county and city.

Bigger deals have been hammered out over the course of a few hours.

But after three and a half decades, I say leave it as it is. A grand monument to modern government ineptitude.




Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality (Post 5429871)
You made my day Beaudry! Jaw dropping before and after photos.
The simplicity of the California State Building's exterior belied it's opulent interior. -Quite a loss-


Fab Fifties Fan Oct 1, 2011 7:45 PM

I cannot quit staring at your incredible post Beaudry! Thank you so much for the brilliant then and nows!!! The loss of that majestic building is made even more disturbing when seeing the integral beauty of the materials it showcased. In typical mode of 1970's demolition, I am sure little to nothing was salvaged, recycled or repurposed. SAD......

~Jon Paul

Handsome Stranger Oct 1, 2011 7:55 PM

Here's a few frame grabs from the recently mentioned 1948 film Act of Violence, showing Van Heflin on the lam in some familiar territory.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-A...Za0/AOV-01.jpg
[source: Warner Home Video]

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-h...9s8/AOV-03.jpg
[source: Warner Home Video]

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s...kBc/AOV-04.jpg
[source: Warner Home Video]

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-A...Hu4/AOV-05.jpg
[source: Warner Home Video]

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9...Iog/AOV-08.jpg
[source: Warner Home Video]

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-I...3Wo/AOV-10.jpg
[source: Warner Home Video]

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-e...uAw/AOV-13.jpg
[source: Warner Home Video]

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_...5Ao/AOV-14.jpg
[source: Warner Home Video]

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_...JN4/AOV-15.jpg
[source: Warner Home Video]

SierraMadre Oct 1, 2011 9:56 PM

Now that's NOIR....just viewing those screen shots makes me want to look over my shoulder to make sure nobody is standing there with a gun....

ethereal_reality Oct 1, 2011 10:39 PM

-very impressive screen grabs Handsome_Stranger....thanks for posting.

ethereal_reality Oct 1, 2011 11:19 PM

The building at 326 South Spring Street was the location of World Heavyweight Champion Jim Jeffries' Bar.


http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/6...326sosprin.jpg
usc digital archive



below: Jim Jeffries' Gentlemen's Club at 326 Spring Street.

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/7...ringsthuge.jpg
boxrec


above: The wooden bar was the longest in California at the time. The building was demolished in the early 1960s.
The bar was saved from the wrecking ball and now graces a resort somewhere in the Southwest.


below: Boxer James Jackson Jeffries.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/905/At8ADA.jpg
cyberboxingzone




below: This barn located on Jim Jeffries' Burbank ranch became a boxing venue in the 1930s.
During the depression, another outbuilding was converted into a dormitory to feed and house homeless boys.

http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/2...nin1954usc.jpg
usc digital archive



Jim Jeffries' Barn hosted Thursday night boxing matches from 1931 to 1947, and wrestling matches from 1949 to 1953.
below: This view from 1954 shows the barn at Victory Boulevard and Buena Vista Street.


http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/9...toryblvdbu.jpg
usc digital archive




below: In 1954 the barn was to be raised for this hotel/motel development.

http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/5...itepropose.jpg
usc digital archive

The Valley Hotel was never built, and Jim Jeffries' Barn was eventually moved to Knott's Berry Farm.
The site was a parking lot for years until a shopping plaza was built.



below: Jeffries' Barn at Knott's Berry Farm circa 1978.

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/8...barn1978oc.jpg
yesterland




below: Jeffries' Barn at Knott's Berry Farm today. The barn's legacy is painted over. :(

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/5...nottschang.jpg
yesterland

Fab Fifties Fan Oct 2, 2011 1:06 AM

Jim Jeffries
 
VERY impressive!!! um, I mean uh the barn....very impressive!;)

It is quite sad that Knott's has elected to eradicate all the visual history on the exterior of the barn.....it's called provenance folks!

~Jon Paul

ethereal_reality Oct 2, 2011 2:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fab Fifties Fan (Post 5430182)
VERY impressive!!! um, I mean uh the barn....very impressive!;) ~Jon Paul

lol Jon Paul. :) After viewing Jim Jeffries' physique the barn does seem somewhat superfluous.

______

GaylordWilshire Oct 2, 2011 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality (Post 5430117)
This view from 1954 shows the barn at Victory Boulevard and Buena Vista Street.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-p...2520AM.bmp.jpgUSCDL
I always thought Rheingold was a New York-centric beer (not that I've ever had one)--I was surprised to see an ad for it in California. Btw, in studying the photo of Jim Jeffries, strictly from an anthropological angle, of course, I think he has a very modern physique. Often I find that strongmen of past eras seem flabby. The '50s-early '60s--especially as seen in beach movies--were the worse!


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