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GaylordWilshire Sep 23, 2011 1:36 AM

:previous:

I'm a stalker. Actually, I could make out "29" or "20" something on the facade, and checking the various possibilities along 77th st--there it was. They're not even my grandparents, but it makes me feel good that their house is still well-kept.


Which can't be said for a branch library 12-13 miles to the northeast:

http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics38/00038766.jpgLAPL
The charming 1926 Richard Henry Dana Branch of the LAPL at Pepper and Romulo in Cypress Park--now replaced by a
bigger library at Cypress and Alice--still stands, if vacant and worse for wear.


https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q...2520PM.bmp.jpghistorichighlandpark.blogspot.com

Los Angeles Past Sep 23, 2011 1:51 AM

Pasadena pilgrimage
 
I made my pilgrimage to Pasadena this morning to visit the old Bullock's building.

I, of course, wanted to see the old Boy's department the most, to see the map mural on the ceiling. Here's sopas_ej's photo from his earlier post.
https://otters.net/img/lanoir/0914111909_mod.jpg
sopas_ej

The red arrow I added at lower right points to a little plush lamb that I bought today as a souvenir. If you look closely in my picture below, you can see that the lamb and the legs of the pink bear to the left of it had barely moved in the last 8 days since sopas took his photo. When I spotted it in the earlier pic, I had actually decided to buy that lamb if it was still there when I visited, and it was! (I collect stuffed animals - not sure if I've mentioned that before.)
https://otters.net/img/lanoir/P9221164_sky.jpg

The opposite side of the map mural.
https://otters.net/img/lanoir/P9221145_sky.jpg

The artist who designed and painted the mural was Robert Majors. I bet he painted it lying on his back like Michelangelo did the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
https://otters.net/img/lanoir/P9221171_sky.jpg

Next to the kiddie department was a barber shop. I had my own hair cut there many times as a kid. The original barber chairs are still there, and even in their original colors!
https://otters.net/img/lanoir/P9221158_sky.jpg

Close-up of the Bullock's custom-designed barber chair.
https://otters.net/img/lanoir/P9221160_sky.jpg

Here are the elevators that fascinated me as a toddler.
https://otters.net/img/lanoir/P9221146_sky.jpg

Everything about the elevators was original, except the brass plates with the up/down buttons. The replacements added Braille, but the brass buttons still looked the same.
https://otters.net/img/lanoir/P9221136_sky.jpg

Took some nice pics of the staircase in the Haggarty's building across from Bullock's/Macy's, too. I also went to the old Robinson's Pasadena building, but nothing whatsoever remains of the original interior, other than the support pillars. Inside, it looks like any other Target store you'd see anywhere.

I might just go back to Bullock's again before I return up north. It was really fun. Looking around the place, I probably muttered "Wow!" to myself about three dozen times during the hour I spent there. ^^

-Scott

SierraMadre Sep 23, 2011 2:17 AM

Nice going, Scott. I'm please to see that the barber's shop still looks like it's open for business.
In the 1960's, Bullocks was THE place for businessmen to get their clothes.
And the neck-tie department was legendary.

Los Angeles Past Sep 23, 2011 4:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SierraMadre (Post 5420260)
GW, you have a good eye. I hadn't seen that.
I'd like to know, in that photo of CH what direction the camera is facing. That might lead to a clue of the construction site behind the truck...any ideas?

I'm reasonably certain the photo shows site preparation either for Union Station, or for the 101 freeway. In any case, the area is definitely east and north of the Civic Center; so we're facing roughly southwest here. Hope this helps!

-Scott

Sebisebster Sep 23, 2011 9:38 AM

A Drive Through Bunker Hill and Downtown Los Angeles, ca. 1940s
 
Hi guys!
I found the next following video on you tube.
It's like a trip on the time machine: every building, every hotel, every street you all have seen on this thread appears on that video just as it was back in the 40's... It cought my eye 2nd street, Grand Avenue (do not miss the Mutual Garage, and the victorian residences, where now stands the Wells Fargo Plaza Towers and the California Plaza Towers), and you'll drive through west 5th Street, and you'll see the Public Library ... as it was in the 40's... and to north Flower Street... Great found!
This a magnificent voyage to the past of Downtown Los Angeles: even the great Richfield Tower is still there! I just love it! Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-I2k...eature=related" target="_blank">Video Link

gsjansen Sep 23, 2011 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SierraMadre (Post 5420221)
I have no info on this photo...
I have many photos from this era, but I am concerned that some may have been posted before. I'll try to stick with the more obscure ones, but on some blogs they tear your head off for reposting a photo, even though there may be hundreds of pages of posts before your join up...
I guess you'll let me know real fast if that's the case here.

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z...fe_landing.jpg

SM, (my well known penchant for using acronyms). we have all posted images that have been previously posted. but as GW indicated, there isn't a single photograph in this forum that doesn't warrant being posted again. so no worry's mate, keep posting without giving a second thought as to whether or not it's been posted previously. :) your recent contributions are all fabulous!

the photograph is looking south west across what was once calle de los negros. the infamous chinatown street that fronted los angeles street.

the photograph you posted is an image from life magazine in 1949.

here's a larger shot of the photograph

http://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/31329a15183764fe_large
Source: Life Magazine

somewhere on the web, i had read a discription of this noirish los angeles thread, stating that it was like driving around with an excited friend who keeps pointing his finger out of the car exclaiming....look at that.....and look over there at that, and omg, look at that!

hop on in SM! glad you're along for the ride!

SierraMadre Sep 23, 2011 12:32 PM

the photo was from a 1949 Life Magazine....
OK, now I'm wondering what could possibly be the subject of the article.
"Beautiful Beer Trucks", no, that can't be it...any ideas?

SierraMadre Sep 23, 2011 1:46 PM

Union Station mishap





I have no idea where these photos came from

SierraMadre Sep 23, 2011 1:53 PM

this photo was taken by one of my photography mentors, the late J. Allen Hawkins, a Pasadena based photographer.
This is a midget car race held in the Pasadena Rose Bowl.
Auto races also were held in the Los Angeles Colisium as has been posted here, no doubt....
This photo wouldn't all that interesting except for the location being one that is never associated with motorsports to most people.

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z...03-19-1002.jpg

rbpjr Sep 23, 2011 7:10 PM

Thanks gsjansen...for another photo of 116 South Hope Street...I mentioned before that my mother was living there in 1934 when I was born. At that time it was called the Brandon House sponsored by the Volunteers of America.

gsjansen Sep 23, 2011 7:51 PM

:previous:

RBPJR:

my pleasure to be posting the new photos being put up at LAPL that cover the never really covered north end of bunker hill

go to lapl.org and under search, type in GPC_b10.

there are lots of new photos of the streets and buildings that your mother would have known and walked on!

GaylordWilshire Sep 23, 2011 10:31 PM

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2...2520PM.bmp.jpgLAPL

Fab Fifties Fan Sep 24, 2011 12:20 AM

Los Feliz
 
Just came across two great color images of Vermont Ave. in Los Feliz taken in the 70's.

I am not sure of the exact year but I would pretty much bet it was 75 or 76 because this is exactly what it looked like when I lived there.

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/236...nave1970s2.jpg

I worked about a year part-time there at Olympic Furniture, in the Los Feliz mart. Total psycho for a boss but the hours were good and it paid well.:D
http://img813.imageshack.us/img813/3...inave1970s.jpg

The fugly 1990's Los Feliz Post Ofiice now occupies that entire site.

~Jon Paul

Photos: Vintage Los Angeles

GaylordWilshire Sep 24, 2011 12:50 AM

Very likely seen here before, but worth repeating...

http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics30/00034631.jpgLAPL

http://jpg3.lapl.org/pics33/00066481.jpgLAPL

Fab Fifties Fan Sep 24, 2011 1:03 AM

Dad Bailey's
 
Not too long ago etheral_reality posted a great photo of Dad Bailey's Newsstand. I, of course, can't find that post right now but here is another photo I came across today and even a little provenance.

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/6280/dadbaileys.jpg

Charles "Dad" Bailey opened his newsstand after his previous business (Luggage Store) was destroyed in a fire and his bookkeeper had neglected to pay the insurance premiums. His stand was very popular and he made a good living from it. He lived until he was 90 and kept the stand until just a very few years before he died.

His great nephew Bodie Bailey has a cool flickr site with all sorts of photos and family stories. As far as the location of the stand, Bodie is unsure but he thinks it was on or near Florence in South Los Angeles close to USC.

~Jon Paul

Fab Fifties Fan Sep 24, 2011 1:10 AM

[QUOTE=GaylordWilshire;5421483]Very likely seen here before, but worth repeating...

I don't remember ever seeing those photos GaylordWilshire, they are great!!! I had no idea that it had once been a cool open air market.

All the businesses in that building were owned by the same family and shared the same enormous warehouse space. It was kind of a shady family too :cool:

Thanks!

~Jon Paul

ethereal_reality Sep 24, 2011 1:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fab Fifties Fan (Post 5421492)
Not too long ago etheral_reality posted a great photo of Dad Bailey's Newsstand. I, of course, can't find that post right now but here is another photo I came across today and even a little provenance.

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/6280/dadbaileys.jpg

Charles "Dad" Bailey opened his newsstand after his previous business (Luggage Store) was destroyed in a fire and his bookkeeper had neglected to pay the insurance premiums. His stand was very popular and he made a good living from it. He lived until he was 90 and kept the stand until just a very few years before he died.

His great nephew Bodie Bailey has a cool flickr site with all sorts of photos and family stories. As far as the location of the stand, Bodie is unsure but he thinks it was on or near Florence in South Los Angeles close to USC.

~Jon Paul


Wonderful information Jon Paul! Here is the photograph that I had previously posted.

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/7...ybodiebail.jpg
usc or lapl


above: Notice the Model Tobacco box on the sidewalk. Here is a great photo of this brand (location of this photo is unknown).

http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/6...ltobaccove.jpg
verne ackular blogspot

Fab Fifties Fan Sep 24, 2011 3:01 AM

Take a 60's trip down Sunset
 
Another great short youtube video of the Sunset Strip. This time in 1964. You see all the usual hot spots including a big ol' hamburger sign on the Sherry's/Plymouth House/Gazzarri's location.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT2tU...layer_embedded

I really want the '56 Nomad that we follow down Sunset!

~Jon Paul

Vintage Los Angeles/Facebook

gsjansen Sep 24, 2011 1:24 PM

well here's something thsat i certainly never knew before...............

it's well known that after the bradbury mansion was leveled in 1928, (or is it 29?), the site was turned into a ..........(most historic sites that become vacant in the city of angels seem to turn into this),........a parking lot to serve the courts and civic center. (well after all, they did just complete the city hall building, and where are all the powers of the city supposed to park anyway?)

court flight, provided a nifty means of transport, from the parking up on court hill, down to the civic center.

http://jpg1.lapl.org/00085/00085775.jpg
Source: LAPL

but how on earth did one get from the no longer convenient parking up on court, down to the civic center, once court flight folded?

why by a bridge that leads to the law building!!!!!!!!!!!!

view looking southwest from the roof of the broadway hotel, showing the connecting bridge 1955.....(note the very prominent dome hotel at 2nd and grand in the distance). this image is looking directly at what was once the upper station of court flight

http://jpg1.lapl.org/00091/00091552.jpg
Source: LAPL

what's that you say?, you don't believe me?......well take a gander at this!

http://jpg1.lapl.org/00091/00091553.jpg
Source: LAPL


in this image, you can see the bridge leading to the court street parking lot on the right, (north), side of the law builidng

http://jpg1.lapl.org/00091/00091554.jpg
Source: LAPL



well i'm certainly amused this morning!

GaylordWilshire Sep 24, 2011 1:25 PM

When eastern Wilshire Boulevard was the center of civilized L.A.: The Hershey Arms at 2600--

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-R...2520AM.bmp.jpgLAPL

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-V...msentrance.jpgLAPL

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y...2520AM.bmp.jpg
The image above via the always excellent http://paradiseleased.wordpress.com/

SierraMadre Sep 24, 2011 4:17 PM

I don't know if this has been posted before and I hope this isn't too far away to be of interest to you folks, but, I sure remember these fuel tanks down in the Wilmington area(?), that were decorated for Halloween. I think they were Texaco (again ?).
They would be all lit up after dark and quite spectacular. I remember an ad in the Los Angeles Times back in the 1990's advertising for families to stop by and get free carmeled corn, so it was a long running tradition.
Being a Halloween nut, myself, I always loved these giant jack-o'lanterns.

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z...a9_landing.jpg

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z...89_landing.jpg

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z...2d_landing.jpg

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z...19_landing.jpg

I believe these were from Life Magazine, maybe not................should I delete?

malumot Sep 24, 2011 4:27 PM

Thanks, GS.......you hit....

PAYDIRT!

".....Let me tell you something, my two fine bedfellows, you're so dumb, there's nothin' to compare ya with, you're dumber than the dumbest jackass. Look at each other, will ya? Did you ever see anything like yourself for bein' dumb specimens. You're so dumb, you don't even see the riches you're treadin' on with your own feet. Yeah, don't expect to find nuggets of molten gold. It's rich but not that rich. And here ain't the place to dig. It comes from someplace further up. Up there, up there's where we've got to go. UP THERE!......."

(I assume most of you will know what movie THAT comes from......

Here's a hint.....it came out just about the time someone pointed that camera out the rear window in the drive around Bunker Hill we all now love so much.)


Quote:

Originally Posted by gsjansen (Post 5421209)
:previous:

RBPJR:

my pleasure to be posting the new photos being put up at LAPL that cover the never really covered north end of bunker hill

go to lapl.org and under search, type in GPC_b10.

there are lots of new photos of the streets and buildings that your mother would have known and walked on!


GaylordWilshire Sep 24, 2011 5:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SierraMadre (Post 5421895)
I don't know if this has been posted before and I hope this isn't too far away to be of interest to you folks, but, I sure remember these fuel tanks down in the Wilmington area(?), that were decorated for Halloween. I think they were Texaco (again ?).
They would be all lit up after dark and quite spectacular. I remember an ad in the Los Angeles Times back in the 1990's advertising for families to stop by and get free carmeled corn, so it was a long running tradition.
Being a Halloween nut, myself, I always loved these giant jack-o'lanterns.

The pumpkin tank was Union Oil's--suggestive of its colors:

http://yesteryearremembered.com/wp-c...in-76-Tank.jpgyesteryearremembered

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yjeXUoQ91k...2%252520PM.jpgvia a marvelous blog (ahem): http://berkeleysquarelosangeles.blogspot.com/

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f...2520PM.bmp.jpg
I love the logos on these vehicles--the Union 76 ball on the '52 Plymouth and
"NBC" on the '50 Country Squire (the first year Ford called its wood-panelled
wagons that).

SierraMadre Sep 24, 2011 6:59 PM

Just about ten years ago, every October, the local "76" station would put a plastic wrapping around the "76 ball" on top of the pole. The wrapping was somewhat transparent and the ball light would illuminate the "jack o' lantern" screened to the plastic.
Even at my age (!) it was a treat to see this giant "jack o' lantern" from several blocks away.
Whimsy is priceless. Too bad it comes with a price.

GaylordWilshire Sep 24, 2011 7:24 PM

:previous:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-z...520pumpkin.jpg

Judging by the prices, I'd say this might have been taken about 10 years ago...

SierraMadre Sep 24, 2011 7:42 PM

good find, GW...!

another dated 1965,

SierraMadre Sep 24, 2011 10:00 PM

A couple of Mr. Thompson's photos that I got out of his trash in 1972.
Two service stations, both in Santa Monica. They were real palaces in the 20's and 30's.
These are scans of decades old prints. I have the huge 8" X 10" negatives and when those are scanned they ought to yield some terrific detail (and maybe the addresses)

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z...sstation-1.jpg

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z...station2-1.jpg

GaylordWilshire Sep 24, 2011 10:21 PM

http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics19/00009250.jpgLAPL

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-D...2520PM.bmp.jpgGoogle Street View

ethereal_reality Sep 24, 2011 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsjansen (Post 5421775)
but how on earth did one get from the no longer convenient parking up on court, down to the civic center, once court flight folded?

why by a bridge that leads to the law building!!!!!!!!!!!!

view looking southwest from the roof of the broadway hotel, showing the connecting bridge 1955.....(note the very prominent dome hotel at 2nd and grand in the distance). this image is looking directly at what was once the upper station of court flight

http://jpg1.lapl.org/00091/00091552.jpg
Source: LAPL

This is a remarkable find gs!!
I had no idea this pedestrian bridge existed. This is one of the best discoveries on this thread......great detective work gs.

GaylordWilshire Sep 24, 2011 10:58 PM

Speaking of Chicken Boy...
 
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G...2520PM.bmp.jpgjericlcat


gs: That ped bridge is a great find!

SierraMadre: I think that Richfield station might have been at 1335 Wilshire in SM--long gone....

GaylordWilshire Sep 25, 2011 12:43 AM

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-n...3%252520PM.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-n...0%252520PM.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1...0%252520PM.jpg

All SMPL

ethereal_reality Sep 25, 2011 1:46 AM

The Ridgeley in 1934 surrounded by bucolic fields.


http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/3...eleyin1934.jpg
unknown / perhaps ebay



below: Luckily this beautiful apartment complex has survived!

http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/9...geleytoday.jpg
google street views

ethereal_reality Sep 25, 2011 1:47 AM

The Uptown Arms in 1928 located at 1812 West 12th Street.

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/3...armsin1928.jpg
lapl




below: The Uptown Arms as it appears today.

http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/2...streetview.jpg
google street view

JeffDiego Sep 25, 2011 4:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sebisebster (Post 5420605)
Hi guys!
I found the next following video on you tube.
It's like a trip on the time machine: every building, every hotel, every street you all have seen on this thread appears on that video just as it was back in the 40's... It cought my eye 2nd street, Grand Avenue (do not miss the Mutual Garage, and the victorian residences, where now stands the Wells Fargo Plaza Towers and the California Plaza Towers), and you'll drive through west 5th Street, and you'll see the Public Library ... as it was in the 40's... and to north Flower Street... Great found!
This a magnificent voyage to the past of Downtown Los Angeles: even the great Richfield Tower is still there! I just love it! Enjoy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-I2k...eature=related" target="_blank">Video Link

Thanks again for that magnificent video Seb. What a look at a lost world. Someone else posted this a few weeks ago but It took FOREVER to buffer each time I tried to look at it and I finally gave up. Your version works perfectly.

SierraMadre Sep 25, 2011 4:28 PM

"The Ridgeley" apartment building looks terrific today!
It's great to see such care given to the landscaping.
Wonderful stuff.
I hate to be a dunce, and I'm sure it's been posted, but could you give me the address?

ethereal_reality Sep 25, 2011 4:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SierraMadre (Post 5422634)
"The Ridgeley" apartment building looks terrific today!
It's great to see such care given to the landscaping.
Wonderful stuff.
I hate to be a dunce, and I'm sure it's been posted, but could you give me the address?

The Ridgeley is located at 615-619 Ridgeley Drive between Wilshire Blvd. & 6th Street.

http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/3...eleyaerial.jpg
google street view

GaylordWilshire Sep 25, 2011 8:04 PM

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2...2520AM.bmp.jpgSMPL

Always seemed a little odd that Richfield advertised its "100% Pure Pennsylvania Oil" in California, implying that "native" oil was somehow of lesser quality.... Maybe it's just me.

Los Angeles Past Sep 25, 2011 8:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaylordWilshire (Post 5422014)
:previous:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-z...520pumpkin.jpg

Judging by the prices, I'd say this might have been taken about 10 years ago...

How very strange. I recognized that location immediately. That photo was taken at the intersection of Central Ave. and Hiller Rd. in my little rural home town, which is 700 miles north of Los Angeles. (The clincher is the trees in the background.)

https://otters.net/img/lanoir/centralandhiller.jpg

Ten years ago sounds about right, but gas prices here are almost always 20-25 cents more per gallon than everywhere else in California, so it might be even earlier. Today, that station still does the Halloween pumpkin thing, but the 76 globe is red now since it was taken over by Conoco, and a deep red pumpkin... it just doesn't look quite right.

-Scott

SierraMadre Sep 25, 2011 10:19 PM

Many cities are now requiring that the gas station signs on the poles be removed and replaced with one that are low and usually made with a slump-stone facade.
When I moved to Sierra Madre in 1973 (lived in Arcadia (1950-1973)), we had four gas stations. Now we have but two and our one that was Union Oil with the orange ball on the pole, had the ball and pole unceremoniously removed about four years ago when Union Oil would not longer support a station here because of the low volume of gas sold. So now it's a "Valero" station.
I saw, just by chance, the old white pole and the orange ball being hauled by truck down to the 210 Freeway. Pretty sad in a kind of pre-geezer sentimental sort of way.
The signs are blight to some, but after decades and decades these signs become landmarks. These landmarks act like a beacon telling you that you are home after a long day trying to make a buck.
They grow on you, these landmarks do.
The slump stone 4 foot high "Valero" sign won't replace the "76" ball anytime soon, especially in October.....

Los Angeles Past Sep 25, 2011 10:35 PM

I lost my Philippe the Original's virginity last night. :D Born and raised 57 years ago in L.A., and I'd never eaten there before. Isn't that sad? :shrug:

GaylordWilshire Sep 25, 2011 11:27 PM

It's great any time of day, but at night... very noirish. I always like to go in the evening, taking a stroll to the station after dinner just for the sense of incipient danger and the chance to see something like a bum in three Eva Gabor wigs tumble off a bus, that sort of thing....

http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics18/00008734.jpgLAPL

SierraMadre Sep 26, 2011 2:00 AM

Yup...that's real entertainment :)

GaylordWilshire Sep 26, 2011 11:40 AM

:previous:

Not to mention

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d...2520AM.bmp.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4...5%252520AM.jpg

Both Paramount Pictures


PS This sort of fun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MP26ZQY2WhQ&NR=1

Fab Fifties Fan Sep 26, 2011 5:44 PM

It looks somewhat familiar, but.......
 
I stumbled across this photo on Calisphere and am wondering if one you Los Angeles experts know the exact location of where it was (or hopefully, is)? It was captioned "Unidentified Building Downtown LA 1930's".

The deco architectural detail is just wonderful.

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/7893/...tifiedbldg.jpg
Calisphere

~Jon Paul

ethereal_reality Sep 27, 2011 2:06 AM

Thanks for the info 'SilentLocations'.
How could anyone destroy that spectacular entrance? The street level 'modernization' is nothing short of vandalism.


_______

malumot Sep 27, 2011 5:44 AM

I agree in principle.....

maybe a quake safety issue? That entrance - magnificent though it is - appears poised to pancake anyone exiting the building in a big shaker.

Don't get me started on the loss of neon and awning and large plate glass windows, changed out in favor of standard Mini-mart sign design.

Then-and-now photos of Downtown are usually depressing. Yes, the buildings often still exist in those parts of town that were beyond the CRA's reach. But inhabited by teeming masses who neither care nor appreciate the skeletal remains of what was once a vibrant Downtown.

Speaking of CRA - they are still at it. The "largest redevelopment agency in the U.S.", they boast on their homepage.

More accurately they are "Ruining Neighborhoods since 1950. Coming to YOUR neighborhood soon!"

http://www.laweekly.com/2011-06-30/n...reates-blight/





Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality (Post 5424314)
Thanks for the info 'SilentLocations'.
How could anyone destroy that spectacular entrance? The street level 'modernization' is nothing short of vandalism.


_______


GaylordWilshire Sep 27, 2011 1:31 PM

:previous:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-R...0%252520AM.jpgXavier de Jaureguiberry


I can't find any updates on the 16th Place story--I'd hope that the "wall" has been ordered removed, but won't hold my breath--but I will say that suggestively describing the old downtown core as "inhabited by teeming masses who neither care nor appreciate the skeletal remains of what was once a vibrant [place]" seems outdated, frankly. Most Angelenos couldn't care less about downtown, and at least half of the population seems never even to have been there. But from what I've seen, it has become the Williamsburg of L.A. And let's not forget that if Bunker Hill had survived, it's possible that most of the old commercial buildings below it would have been replaced with mediocre glass & steel. The point has been made here before--while we all lament the destruction of Bunker Hill, the survival of the old structures of the office core is some consolation. The mid-years of fantastic street life, Broadway bustling in the 70s-80-90s just as it did in the '20s, the incredible wedding-shop display windows--is now augmented by 20-40-year-olds who appreciate urban energy. As much as I might moon over lost Bunker Hill and the noir era and sometimes wish it was still 1925--or '35 or '45--no amount of nostalgia is going to bring it back. End of editorial.

GaylordWilshire Sep 27, 2011 1:39 PM

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0bRrhyfW29...o+downtown.jpg


Here is a great story on Bullocks, including Pasadena--The Department Store Museum:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0bRrhyfW29...o+downtown.jpg

The comments to the post are also worthwhile....

Fab Fifties Fan Sep 27, 2011 7:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality (Post 5424314)
Thanks for the info 'SilentLocations'.
How could anyone destroy that spectacular entrance? The street level 'modernization' is nothing short of vandalism.


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Yes, thank you very much SilentLocations!

I couldn't agree more with you etheral_reality! I was just heartsick, if not actually surprised, when I saw the current photo.:(

~Jon Paul

ethereal_reality Sep 27, 2011 8:32 PM

Here's another photo of the Bankers Building showing it's highly unique 'wedding cake' entrance.


http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/6292/...ngonhillst.jpg
usc digital archive


The entire building is absolutely beautiful.


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