...........another repeat. my computer is having hic-cups. :(

A HUGE map of downtown Los Angeles circa 1954


http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/909/ZQ6UPi.jpg
Hammond's Ambassador World Atlas 1954



This old map helped me to place many of the older buildings in their proper location.
Before, I was lost as to where these buildings were in relation to each other.

_____

downtown 1949

I'm working on replacing the image.

Great pics! I like that old map, too (I love maps). Interesting that what is now Interstate 110/The Harbor Freeway was once called the Harbor Parkway.

And that color pic with the Mobiloil Building is great. Of course now, that building is the Pegasus Lofts:
http://www.you-are-here.com/los_angeles/pegasus.jpg
From youarehere.com

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3188/...f4e0d1.jpg?v=0
From flickr.com

I didn't know the Mobile Oil Bldg is now Pegasus Lofts.
That would be a very cool place to live.

Oh totally. It's got that whole mid-20th Century Modern thing going on.

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/1...undarroyos.jpg
USC archive


above: A 1947 photograph of the southbound lanes of the Arroyo Seco Parkway backed up at the Figueroa tunnels.

The black and gold Richfield Building at 555 South Flower St. (near 6th Street)
Built in 1928, it was demolished in 1968.



http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/1...ldlettersg.jpg
USC archive


above: Soon after it's completion in 1929. Starting to put the letters on the tower.








http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/6...chfieldoil.jpg
USC archive


above: This a great view showing the arch.







http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/7...lddramatic.jpg
USC archive






http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/6...ldandneigh.jpg
USC archive


above: Interesting neighbors, a couple SROs (single room occupancy) hotels.





http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/682...ieldwith14.jpg
USC archive





http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/870...es1957poss.jpg
USC archive


above: You can see the brilliantly lit 130-foot tower atop the Richfield Bldg. in the upper right hand corner. I believe the glowing building to it's
immediate left is the Southern California Edison Bldg (now One Bunker Hill)





http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/5...ideebay194.jpg
found on ebay


above: A rare color slide from 1940s.



http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/1...ld110freew.jpg
USC archive


above: The Richfield can be seen to the right of the 110 Freeway. No date given.

I've never seen photos of that side of the Atlantic Richfield Building with the arch. I would assume maybe because that's the "back" of the building? I wasn't aware it had a light well, either. Very interesting!

A lot of history in this thread.

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/1...geboylehei.jpg
USC archives


above: The Los Angeles Orphan Asylum at 7th Street and Boyle Ave.
in Boyle Heights area.





http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/9...lsorphanag.jpg
USC archives


above: Another view of the Los Angeles Orphan Asylum in Boyle Heights.

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/9...juliewilso.jpg
Julie_Wilson_World


above: May Co. and a very cool Miracle Mile sign , May 1954.

A quick "then and now" exercise I tried earlier this year... Current photos are by me.

Southbound Hope @ 6th, 1930 - lapl.org

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...25_5495434.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...44_6874988.jpg

SE corner 6th & Hope, 1905 - lapl.org

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...46_3115845.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...31_2628305.jpg

NW corner 6th & Hope, 1927 - lapl.org

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...53_5227813.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...55_5523575.jpg

NE corner Wilshire & Hope, 1938 - lapl.org

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...56_3713231.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...62_4407748.jpg

NE corner Wilshire & Hope, 1965 - lapl.org

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...63_2880506.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...64_5472797.jpg

Northbound Hope @ Wilshire, 1951 - USC Digital Archive

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...65_1134523.jpg

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k8...09_3680287.jpg

:previous:

Great then and now photos!

I agree, the before and after shots are very cool.

great work 213! It is very interesting looking at the differences.

Thanks!

Given the sheer volume of archived photos at LAPL and USC, one could pretty much make a 20-page thread of it. If I had more time, better camera skills and maybe a federal grant...

;)

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/6...aerial170n.jpg
USC archive


above: The U.S. Hotel at 170 North Main Street.
This aerial is so much fun to study.
Notice the small gas station center right, and the interesting building directly behind it.










http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/3...170nmainst.jpg
USC archive


above: The U.S. Hotel at 170 N. Main St.




http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/5...170northma.jpg
USC archive


above: The U.S. Hotel in 1935.

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/2...street1943.jpg
USC archive


above: The building at 125 Main Street in 1943.
I love the dingy pool hall.

Can you imagine what goes on in the rooms upstairs.

:previous:
Really great photos! It's a shame that these Victorian buildings in LA were all destroyed. I think many people don't realize that LA had some really old buildings, and I wouldn't doubt that those same people think that LA is a "new" city that only developed after WWII. What they don't realize was that many earlier buildings were destroyed, either because of freeway construction, earthquakes, or just because a newer building was desired; or as in the case of Bunker Hill, "redevelopment."