Tom Wetzel
Tom Wetzel
both 23rd and Estrella
Inspired by the photos above, and George Mann's of Bunker Hill, I put together this short slideshow of current shots from Google, which, with a lot less imagination than is required if you actually drive these same streets (in West Adams, University Park, Jefferson Park, Harvard Heights, Mid-City, Alvarado Terrace, and the last in Windsor Square), give an idea of residential Los Angeles before WWII.
Once you click on the link below, hit "F11" to go to full screen, and then start the show by clicking "Slideshow" at upper left.
http://picasaweb.google.com/11576117...eat=directlink
The b&ws of the intersection of Estrella and 23rd above are labeled on the website on which I found them as scenes "obliterated by the Harbor Freeway"--in fact, Estrella Street itself is described as a "street that no longer exists." Well, the intersection and two blocks of Estrella do indeed still exist, along with most of the same palms and the principal buildings in the b&ws--there is even a mailbox still in the same place on the north side of 23rd:
Google Street View
Google Street View
That's Chester Place on left in the shot toward the west on 23rd.