Library Of Congress - Los Angeles Mapped
 

While looking for old maps to aid my Lookout Mountain investigations, I came across this online exhibit of L.A. Maps on the Library Of Congress site. I couldn't find anything with detail on Laurel Canyon, but there are some other interesting maps, including a 1912 entry they call "Ghost Suburbs of L.A." That map shows Garvanza along with dozens of other surprising "towns" including, down by Robertson and Wilshire, places called Arnaz and (ahem) Gayland. The site seems a good resource, though online availability of some maps is pending.

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/lamapped...d-exhibit.html

Here's a 1934 paper place map from Bullock's Tea Room that I liked.

http://wwww.dkse.net/david/Maps/TeaRoom.souvenir3.jpg
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/lamapped...d-exhibit.html

Here's another good resource for old L.A. maps http://hypercities.ats.ucla.edu/

Here's a map of the Laurel Canyon / Lookout Mountain / Sunset Plaza area. This is an enlarged scan I made from part of an old auto club map. The good thing is, unlike Google and other online maps, all the little streets are named (including some that don't really exist.) Warning: large file.

P.S. If you see the "F" of Flores St., at the bottom of the image...I used to live there.

http://wwww.dkse.net/david/Maps/WeHo.8.jpg

Nobody bought those? I think they're awesome. If I lived in LA I'd totally get one.

Oh wow, quite a number of places around town. I hope you do well on Oscar night too!

I concur. I'd totally get one too. And knowing how people are, I would think that some people would've started collecting t-shirts for every possible LA neighborhood.

LAPL new pictures added Feb 8, 2012
http://jpg1.lapl.org/00095/
http://jpg1.lapl.org/00096/

folder index
http://jpg1.lapl.org/

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Why hello there! would you like to meet my boobs?

Thanks so much!!

I have a question. I'm researching a TNT pilot called LA Noir. Have there been postings with photos of the Central Ave. jazz district from the 40s?

Here's a strange map that shows an incomplete Harbor Freeway. I can't seem to find the date:
http://jpg1.lapl.org/maps/lg/MAP_0064.jpg
LAPL
http://jpg1.lapl.org/maps/lg/MAP_0063.jpg
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Not that I can recall off the top of my head, not any recent ones, anyway. But here's a picture of the Dunbar Hotel from 1938:
http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/91/dunbar1938.jpg
USC Archive

Here's a shot of the Dunbar in 1928:
http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics25/00032400.jpg
LAPL

Lincoln Theatre, Central and 23rd, 1962
http://jpg2.lapl.org/theater2/00015353.jpg
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Cafe Zombie (5434 S. Central Avenue) police roundup, 1947. Joseph Adolphus Lewis was found with marijuana in his guitar case
http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics34/00036715.jpg
LAPL

A youth at Cafe Zombie.
http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics34/00036710.jpg
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1942. A table at the Downbeat Club, 4201 South Central Avenue.
http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics04/00001857.jpg
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An advert from 1941.
http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics04/00001852.jpg
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The Last Word nightclub, 4205 S. Central Avenue, 1941.
http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics04/00001848.jpg
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Here's an auto repair shop at 2322 S. Central Avenue, 1927.
http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics03/00001261.jpg
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Central Avenue and 41st Street, circa 1944.
http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics05/00002063.jpg
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Dunbar Cocktail Lounge and Grill, circa 1945
http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics05/00002072.jpg
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A handbill, circa 1945.
http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics05/00002065.jpg
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Downbeat Club, circa 1941.
http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics04/00001850.jpg
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Club Alabam, circa 1945. Central Avenue and 42nd Street.
http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics05/00002070.jpg
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I wish I could find exteriors of the nightclubs.

Wow, looking at the above map, you can see the 4-level, but north of there, it looks like the Arroyo Seco Parkway wasn't even extended to that point yet. Very interesting!

Thank you so much!!! These are so helpful. We are doing a pitch and need images to suggest the feel of the series. I've had a hard time finding images for this particular part of LA in the 40s. This forum is such a wonderful resource.

Great map. It's dated May 15, 1952

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...85847939_n.jpgVintage Los Angeles

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_...2520PM.bmp.jpgGoogle Street View

Not long ago, I posted a clip similar to the following one--early '50s Sunset Plaza color. In terms of L.A.
nostalgia, it's just the kind of thing that makes my mouth water: youtube


P.S.: A question: Not that I don't think it's the fair thing to do, but why are we required to post photo sources here, and facebook page photos, for example, do not seem ever to have any attributions? The top shot here is a case in point.

Have been reading the book LA NOIR, enjoying it very much.

Hubby wants to know; what was the exact address of Mickey Cohen's bombed out manse? I know that it was on Moreno Ave. Anyone have the addy or some pictures?

Thanks!

:previous:

Just enter "Moreno" in the search box, and you will find it....

I'll buy one! Have any Mt. Washingtons?

I recently found these snapshots of a construction site at 1250 N. Main Street dated 1943.

http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/1...in1943ebay.jpg
ebay



http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/3...n1943ebay1.jpg
ebay





below: I googled the address and found the building still intact at N. Main & Elmyra Street.

http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/3...eelmyrast1.jpg
google street view




http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/692...teelmyrast.jpg
google street view







below: Across Elmyra Street from the Kelite Building is the William Mead Housing Project (415 units, 1942) built on the former site
of the Southern Refining & Amalgamated Oil Company (1900-1924). In other words it was built on toxic waste. :(


http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/728...hborwillia.jpg
google street view







below: Many of the units in the William Mead Homes feature attractive corner windows.


http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/8018/...iammeadhom.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Mead_Homes






below: Aerial of the Kelite Building at 1250 N. Main Street (above the 'teardrop' A) and the neighboring William Mead Homes.
In this view Elmyra Street turns into Cardinal Street at the curve.

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/728...hborwillia.jpg
google street view






below: Noirish alert !

By pure coincidence, the construction snapshots I found on ebay led me to the site of a body dump (the same year as the 'Black Dahlia' murder).
A mail clerk stumbled across the naked body of 21 year old Rosenda Mondragon at North Main and Elmyra Street on the morning of July 8th 1947.


below: Information on the Rosenda Mondragon murder.

http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/3...bookgoogle.jpg
http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/4...ookgoogle1.jpg
Michael Newton



below: Looking south on North Main toward the intersection with Elmyra Street (the site of the body dump).

http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/4...iammeadbyl.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/auntylaurie/3352350210/

___

I love these finds in the overlooked parts of L.A., usually east and north parts of the city. Great post, e_r. A developer today would probably not advertise his offering with the words "LOW RENT" on the sign.... I was also surprised to see that the small brick wall with "WILLIAM MEAD HOMES" on it is still there--that a car or truck hadn't taken it out at some point in the last 70 years.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-5...2520AM.bmp.jpgGoogle Street View

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M...2520PM.bmp.jpgVintage Los Angeles

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-x...shollywood.jpgGoogle Street View

http://jpg2.lapl.org/pics03/00011400.jpgLAPL