Recent focus on the Wilshire/La Brea area caused me to look more closely at the south side of Wilshire near its intersection with Detroit (5300 Block). Most Noir'ers might recognize it as the block with the deco camera facade, aka "
the Darkroom."
http://www.loc.gov
But it was other things that caught my attention. Some photographs suggest there could have been a theater on the same block, although I have not located any evidence of one in the directories and other usual resources. Upper portion of the building currently occupied by the US Post Office has an interesting theater screen-like shape. Then there is the marquee above "Busby's," although this is likely a modern contrivance.
Secondarily, above the Post Office is a
freestanding white column that seems out of place. Photos depict the column was an awkward design element that advertised the business
Kress.
http://www.google.com
www.google.com
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"Kress" column - above the post office.
2012 Column is at center of photo.
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...postcount=5905
Column at left
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...postcount=9545
Kress!
1939 Wilshire looking toward southeast corner of Detroit. Kress, Eastern Bldg
USC Digital
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...&postcount=570
1932 Wilshire looking toward the southeast corner of Detroit. Notice "Eastern Bldg." and gas station at far right of frame.
USC Digital
1932 Wilshire and Detroit looking east. "Eastern bldg." and (far right) "Flash" gas selling for 11ยข per gallon! (
$3 to fill the tank!)
USC Digital