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ethereal_reality Mar 22, 2020 11:00 PM

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mystery location.



It appears that a group of boy scouts, back in 1930, discovered a mysterious cave near the Veterans Home in Sawtelle.


https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...921/OVYUvC.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...921/VV52m7.jpg
UCLA


VOODOO!







A glimpse inside the cave.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...921/LNSRBr.jpg
UCLA

I wonder why there are two girls and not the Boy Scouts?



Additional information. (mostly covered in the letter) except for this enticing clue:

"The location of the cave is given as near the northerly end of Bundy Drive."

"Interior view of cave with rock carvings described as Egyptians, rock carved fireplace in corner, and 2 unidentified girls, one seated on rock bench, one standing, Text from nitrate negative sleeve: 2464. P 1-2-3-4-5-6. Cave. Sawtelle. Cave. Photo by Adelbert Bartlett, 535 15th Street, Santa Monica, Calif. Mysterious cave, with plaque of Lincoln carved above entrance, and figures of Egyptians within, discovered recently by Boy Scouts in Santa Monica mountains near Sawtelle, California. Officials at National Military Home there state the cave was work of colored veteran some 25 years ago. The man would disappear for days in the hills. He was known to have been a devotee of voodoo magic. (Clarice Barclay stands outside door.), The location of the cave is given as near the northerly end of Bundy Drive."


Help me find this cave. . . minions. :superwhip

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BillinGlendaleCA Mar 23, 2020 8:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality (Post 8870508)
.
mystery location.

It appears that a group of boy scouts, back in 1930, discovered a mysterious cave near the Veterans Home in Sawtelle.

VOODOO!


A glimpse inside the cave.


I wonder why there are two girls and not the Boy Scouts?



Additional information. (mostly covered in the letter) except for this enticing clue:

"The location of the cave is given as near the northerly end of Bundy Drive."

"Interior view of cave with rock carvings described as Egyptians, rock carved fireplace in corner, and 2 unidentified girls, one seated on rock bench, one standing, Text from nitrate negative sleeve: 2464. P 1-2-3-4-5-6. Cave. Sawtelle. Cave. Photo by Adelbert Bartlett, 535 15th Street, Santa Monica, Calif. Mysterious cave, with plaque of Lincoln carved above entrance, and figures of Egyptians within, discovered recently by Boy Scouts in Santa Monica mountains near Sawtelle, California. Officials at National Military Home there state the cave was work of colored veteran some 25 years ago. The man would disappear for days in the hills. He was known to have been a devotee of voodoo magic. (Clarice Barclay stands outside door.), The location of the cave is given as near the northerly end of Bundy Drive."


Help me find this cave. . . minions. :superwhip

.

I have little hope of finding the exact location of that cave, however I did find some info to narrow it down a bit.

From the March 10, 1930 LA Times:
https://i.postimg.cc/Fzx360Xc/Annota...-23-010330.jpg
So it was opposite a lemon grove. Let's look at a period aerial photo(1928) from our friends at UCSB and their Framefinder collection:
https://i.postimg.cc/0y1dN5cb/Annota...-23-010736.jpg
This shows us that the northern end of Bundy Dr. didn't go all that far after Norman branches out to the canyon to the immediate east. There are however lots of cultivated trees(I assume lemon) along Bundy.

Now to see why we'll probably never know exactly where the cave was(pretty sure it was filled in and built over), a current view of that portion of Bundy from our good friends at Google Maps:
https://i.postimg.cc/DZQds907/Annota...-23-010858.jpg

MartinTurnbull Mar 23, 2020 2:43 PM

Henry E. Burke Realtors at 6111 Wilshire Boulevard.
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by GaylordWilshire (Post 8870237)

Thanks GaylordWilshire! I figured we must have seen this before but stoooopid me was searching under "Henry E. Burke" and not what I should have searched for, which was the address. I blame the corona virus!

Noir_Noir Mar 23, 2020 4:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality (Post 8870508)
.
mystery location.

It appears that a group of boy scouts, back in 1930, discovered a mysterious cave near the Veterans Home in Sawtelle.

Help me find this cave. . . minions. :superwhip


We're on the case ... but it might be a tough one - witness statements are somewhat conflicting.


https://i.imgur.com/UGkV7KA.jpg


:???: :)

ethereal_reality Mar 23, 2020 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillinGlendaleCA (Post 8870872)
I have little hope of finding the exact location of that cave, however I did find some info to narrow it down a bit.

From the March 10, 1930 LA Times:
https://i.postimg.cc/Fzx360Xc/Annota...-23-010330.jpg

Thanks Noir Noir. I believe that you have narrowed it down! The lemon grove was a great clue.

But, like you, I highly doubt that it has survived ....I'm going to study your maps and then snoop around in the area anyway.


After my initial post I searched through more photographs and found an image of the Abraham Lincoln carving.


http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/102...924/OfjKAn.jpg
UCLA



As you can see in this next photograph, the 'cave' was more like a hidden room. As the article said, the entrance was entirely covered in vines when the Boy Scouts happened upon it.


http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/128...921/fW0OWM.jpg
UCLA

It would have taken explosives to destroy this thing.


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ethereal_reality Mar 24, 2020 5:55 AM

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Here's another mystery location listed on eBay


SELLER'S DESCRIPTION:...."1910'S ORIGINAL NEGATIVE...HANE BROS GAS STATION, MT GRADE LIQUEUR, LOS ANGELES? AREA?"

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/924/t0PBoM.jpg
eBay














Here's a closer look at the Hane Bros. Gas Station and the Mt. Grade Liquor Store.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/922/2B9VAa.jpg
detail

If you look closely at the first triangle on the roof of the liquor store you'll see that it says Mt. Grade.



I typed "Mt. Grade". . ."Mount Grade Cal" . . "Mt. Grade, California" into Google Earth and received no results.

I found a Mount Drive in Garden Grove but that's neither here nor there.




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sopas ej Mar 24, 2020 3:35 PM

:previous:

My guess is that's the Mt. Washington Area, and the street in the foreground along the railroad tracks is Marmion Way...

Noir_Noir Mar 24, 2020 3:43 PM

:previous:


https://i.imgur.com/6PGapLY.jpg
rescarta.lapl.org



LAFD Station 76, built in 1950, now stands there.


https://i.imgur.com/8K6kYuC.jpg
Google Maps


The store selling "Hi Grade Liquors Wines Beers" was owned by Richard H. Smith.

https://i.imgur.com/lBt3ssy.jpg
rescarta.lapl.org

Bristolian Mar 24, 2020 3:46 PM

:previous:

I found this page, http://theoldmotor.com/?p=155068 which mentions two Hane Bros service stations. Apparently they had more than that.

This one was at 3764 Beverly Blvd.

https://i.imgur.com/dIqeaS9.jpg?1

And this one which is described as the main station gives no location. There is a street sign but I can't make it out. The photos are said to be dated 1934 but obviously both are different locations than the one in e_r's image. One commentor speculates that this one might be near the Wilshire District, based on the streetlights.

https://i.imgur.com/5LDxTrS.jpg?1

A third photo with an unknown locale shows what may or may not be another Hanes Bros. station and a cool little Studebaker dealership, and offers a new mystery location.

https://i.imgur.com/owjxkAm.jpg?1

Martin Pal Mar 24, 2020 5:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bristolian (Post 8872212)
:previous:

I found this page, http://theoldmotor.com/?p=155068 which mentions two Hane Bros service stations. Apparently they had more than that.

This one was at 3764 Beverly Blvd.

https://i.imgur.com/dIqeaS9.jpg?1

And this one which is described as the main station gives no location. There is a street sign but I can't make it out. The photos are said to be dated 1934 but obviously both are different locations than the one in e_r's image. One commentor speculates that this one might be near the Wilshire District, based on the streetlights.

https://i.imgur.com/5LDxTrS.jpg?1

[...]
________________________________________________________________

I believe these two photos are the same station, the second photo is taken from the side street in the first photo. Lots of things match up like the gas station signs, the light pole with street sign, telephone pole, etc. So given the address, that would mean that street sign, better seen in the second photo, would be N. Juanita Ave. Does that sign look like it might say that?

Bristolian Mar 24, 2020 6:25 PM

:previous:

Martin, I thought it looked to hilly for that area but I believe you are correct. Looking at the street sign with a magnifier, N. Juanita Ave looks right. You are correct with all the other signs matching up too. That would put the fancy street lights on Beverly Blvd. which makes sense.
I also re-read the caption at the Oldmotor page and it said that all along - duh!

Present Day

https://i.imgur.com/XzwcoEz.png?1GSV
The streetlight has lost some charm but the base appears to have survived

nadeau Mar 24, 2020 8:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noir_Noir (Post 8872206)
:previous:


https://i.imgur.com/6PGapLY.jpg
rescarta.lapl.org



LAFD Station 76, built in 1950, now stands there.


https://i.imgur.com/8K6kYuC.jpg
Google Maps


The store selling "Hi Grade Liquors Wines Beers" was owned by Richard H. Smith.

https://i.imgur.com/lBt3ssy.jpg
rescarta.lapl.org

I think you’ve nailed it. Some of the houses match up too.

HossC Mar 24, 2020 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bristolian (Post 8872212)

A third photo with an unknown locale shows what may or may not be another Hanes Bros. station and a cool little Studebaker dealership, and offers a new mystery location.

https://i.imgur.com/owjxkAm.jpg?1

Following the link from theoldmotor.com, I found the original images in the USCDL. Zooming in on the first two images you can clearly show the "N Juanita Ave" signs. There's also a good clue to the location of the third image on the curb of the sidewalk. On the left it says "THOMPSON AVE" and on the right it says "SAN FERNANDO ROAD 1800 BLK". Click the link under the image to see all three images at USC.

https://i809.photobucket.com/albums/...AHaneBros1.jpg
USC Digital Library

The original image also reveals an "1800" on the door under the "S" of "Studebaker". San Fernando Road and Thompson Avenue intersect in Glendale, although neither has an 1800 block anywhere near. Was San Fernando Road renumbered at some point? Looking at the UCSB aerials, a 1938 image has a possible match on the NW corner of the intersection, which now has an odd street number.

Noir_Noir Mar 25, 2020 12:35 AM

:previous:


The numbering on San Fernando Rd. changed in 1935 - the year after the photograph was taken.

https://i.imgur.com/20A4ly0.jpg
archive.org - Glendale CD 1935
archive.org - Glendale CD 1937

ethereal_reality Mar 25, 2020 6:38 PM

.
Thanks for figuring out the location of the Hane Bros. in the eBay photograph. ...There were so many great responses! :)




Here's another mystery location from ebay.


It shows a parade during the 1938 American Legion National Convention in Los Angeles.

This convention.
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/nM3qpI.jpg
emblem.legion




Here's the eBay photograph.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/U4D70B.jpg
eBay

At first glance I thought the parade was passing by Pershing Square. . .but now I'm thinking Westside Park. (later named MacArthur Park)




Info.
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/8...924/EwWsxZ.jpg







hmmm. . .if you look closely, you can see the roof of a large building within the park.


https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/YBlJe2.jpg
detail



Also note the free standing pillar in the park.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...924/4otC3A.jpg

. . .or is that a lamp post?


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Bristolian Mar 25, 2020 6:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HossC (Post 8872826)
Following the link from theoldmotor.com, I found the original images in the USCDL. Zooming in on the first two images you can clearly show the "N Juanita Ave" signs. There's also a good clue to the location of the third image on the curb of the sidewalk. On the left it says "THOMPSON AVE" and on the right it says "SAN FERNANDO ROAD 1800 BLK". Click the link under the image to see all three images at USC.

https://i809.photobucket.com/albums/...AHaneBros1.jpg
USC Digital Library

The original image also reveals an "1800" on the door under the "S" of "Studebaker". San Fernando Road and Thompson Avenue intersect in Glendale, although neither has an 1800 block anywhere near. Was San Fernando Road renumbered at some point? Looking at the UCSB aerials, a 1938 image has a possible match on the NW corner of the intersection, which now has an odd street number.

Great work Hoss! It's amazing what can be seen when you are able to view one of the high resolution scans. I keep learning...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noir_Noir (Post 8872206)


The store selling "Hi Grade Liquors Wines Beers" was owned by Richard H. Smith.

https://i.imgur.com/lBt3ssy.jpg
rescarta.lapl.org

Hi Grade Liquors, Wines and Beers are needed now more than ever.

ethereal_reality Mar 25, 2020 7:02 PM

.
How 'bout two mystery locations this afternoon?



"O.B. Saloon fire Circa 1970s"

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/qrEiem.jpg
LAFDHS / flicker


The shamrock makes me think the saloon was an Irish bar. . .

. . .and if you look above the window on the left there is a word. . .either "REST" or "WEST". :shrug:




and any idea what the two letters (symbols?) after O.B. stand for?

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/6...921/33JblP.jpg
detail



flicker
.

ethereal_reality Mar 25, 2020 9:34 PM

.
On a lighter note.


Marlon Brando photobombs Elizabeth Taylor, 1967

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/8...922/ue1phu.jpg
vintagetoday


...Ha Ha



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CityBoyDoug Mar 25, 2020 9:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality (Post 8873893)
.
On a lighter note.


Marlon Brando photobombs Elizabeth Taylor, 1967

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/8...922/ue1phu.jpg
vintagetoday


...Ha Ha

.


http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/otcg.gifOTA Gif

BillinGlendaleCA Mar 26, 2020 3:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality (Post 8873693)
.
Thanks for figuring out the location of the Hane Bros. in the eBay photograph. ...There were so many great responses! :)




Here's another mystery location from ebay.


It shows a parade during the 1938 American Legion National Convention in Los Angeles.


Here's the eBay photograph.

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...922/U4D70B.jpg
eBay

At first glance I thought the parade was passing by Pershing Square. . .but now I'm thinking Westside Park. (later named MacArthur Park)

hmmm. . .if you look closely, you can see the roof of a large building within the park.


Also note the free standing pillar in the park.


. . .or is that a lamp post?


.

They're marching south on Figueroa, Exposition Park is on the left. The large building is the Armory with Bovard Auditorium in back of it.

ETA: The palm tree at the top center is the Arcade Palm.


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