My little error
 

Congratulations to Mr procab on this one. I mistakenly called Saugus/Bonelli Stadium... Santa Anita. I removed my previous text and correctly identified the location.
Movie cowboy Hoot Gibson
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps03e196eb.jpg

The track started out as a rodeo arena called Baker Ranch Stadium in 1927. Its construction was announced in December 1926. It was owned by Roy Baker, brother of shoe businessman C. H. Baker. The stadium held 18,000 spectators. During the Great Depression, it was sold in 1930 to Cowboy actor Hoot Gibson.


In 1924, cowboy movie star Hoot Gibson built a 35 acre ranch and rodeo grounds along the railroad tracks and Soledad Canyon Road. Over the years, he hosted many shows, and the spectators came from the city to witness the events. Gibson attracted the Hollywood crowd and used his ranch as a movie set. He also leased it to other companies making films, but rodeos continued to be the main event.

William Bonelli purchased Hoot Gibson’s ranch in 1937 and built a quarter mile dirt track. Bonelli Ranch Stadium hosted a myriad of events, showcasing midgets and hot rods (roadsters). Later, the track was expanded to one-third mile and in 1954, the surface was paved and the named changed to Saugus Speedway. Saugus Speedway grew and gained in popularity, much as the rodeo grounds did before it. The paved track enabled the transition to stockcars, which was the primary race event through 1995, when after 56 years, the races went silent.

William G. Bonelli (1895–1970) was a California politician who became a powerful member of the state Board of Equalization and fled to Mexico to avoid arrest on a corruption indictment. He died a fugitive in Mexico on November 24, 1970.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps1d9d3974.jpg

Bonelli hired journalist Leo Katcher to ghost-write Billion Dollar Blackjack: The Story of Corruption and the Los Angeles Times (1954), in which Bonelli, as the ostensible author, defended himself and attacked the Chandlers. He also sued the Mirror for $1.15. million for libel; it had run front-page stories calling him the Liquor Czar. Facing an impending grand jury indictment, Bonelli found exile in Mexico where he spent the rest of his life. He tried numerous times to have the court case moved from Los Angeles County to San Diego County because he said he could never get a fair trial in Los Angeles County because it was under the control of the Times.

Bonelli had a running battle with the Los Angeles Police Department and Harrison Gray Otis's and Harry and Norman Chandler's Times — which he likened to "a black-jack, a bludgeon, a weapon to be used in behalf of their friends and against their enemies." In his book he accused the Times of all manner of malfeasance, from king-making and union busting to subverting laws, violating civil rights and "aligning class against class, race against race, in an attempt to make bigger profits for themselves.

Corruption in Los Angeles? One might say that Los Angeles is the mother of corruption when it comes to city politics.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps04e354f3.jpg

Ben and Bob Bonelli (sons of William G. and Mary Bonelli) standing in front of the old ranch house on the site.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps049308d6.jpg

William G. and Mary Bonelli in front of the ranch house, Saugus, before he fled to Mexico. He always maintained he was innocent of all charges of corruption.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...psb8a5b190.jpg


William Bonelli purchased Hoot Gibson’s ranch in 1937 and built a quarter mile dirt track. Bonelli Ranch Stadium hosted a myriad of events, showcasing midgets and hot rods. Later, the track was expanded to one-third mile and in 1954, the surface was paved and the named changed to Saugus Speedway. Saugus Speedway grew and gained in popularity, much as the rodeo grounds did before it. The paved track enabled the transition to stockcars, which was the primary race event through 1995, when after 56 years, the races went silent.

Today the site is called Saugus Swapmeet.

1927 - Saugus Rodeo program included boxing. Interesting seating. Judging from crowd, may have been a tuneup match. Dempsey in the blue trunks?:koko:


http://jpg3.lapl.org/pics11/00025060.jpg

http://jpg1.lapl.org/00097/00097693.jpg

Another fight, this time with mother nature.
St. Francis Dam in San Francisquito Canyon (near Saugus) pre-failure? pre '28

http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics20/00009823.jpg


1928 - Post Failure
http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics20/00009835.jpg

http://jpg1.lapl.org/pics20/00009834.jpg


1929 - Image unrelated to dam failure. Nevertheless, try to remain warm and dry.

http://jpg3.lapl.org/pics11/00025065.jpg
All from Lapl

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/2...orianhouse.jpgLAPL

Lewis L. Bradbury wasn't the only early-L.A. muckety-muck with a much-younger wife (28 years younger). Another old goat was the fourth mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio F. Coronel, 33 years older than the Mrs. They built this house at the southwest corner of Central and 7th in either 1886 (according to USC) or 1888 (according to the Times of Sept 17, 1888). Above is a pic of the house early on, interestingly retouched.


Antonio serenading Mariana at what appears to be the porch with the ladies on it in the top photo:

http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/4...onelcouple.jpgLAPL



The earlier Coronel house seen below may have been somewhere else on the Coronel property, or the big Victorian may have replaced it:


http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/1...inglestory.jpgUSCDL

The LAPL's caption: "Exterior front view of the one-story residence of former Mayor Don Antonio Franco Coronel at 7th Street and Central Avenue, where Helen Hunt Jackson wrote the famous book, 'Ramona,' circa 1880."


A news item from the Times of July 23, 1887, describes Coronel's granting of a right-of-way through his property for the extension of Central Avenue:

http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/1...ofwaycompl.jpgLAT


And now for the juicy parts...

http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/6...ousecomplb.jpgLAT May 2, 1899


Dr. Smith went on to have at least one other contentious marriage. And he owned--get this--the "St. Edgar" hotel in Redondo Beach.

Details . . . details . . . details.

1910 Hill Street (re-revisited)

http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/utils/...eet&DMROTATE=0http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/utils/...eet&DMROTATE=0http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/utils/...eet&DMROTATE=0http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/utils/...eet&DMROTATE=0http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/utils/...eet&DMROTATE=0http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/utils/...eet&DMROTATE=0



When were sidewalk curbs cast rather than carved?
http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/utils/...eet&DMROTATE=0

http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/utils/...eet&DMROTATE=0http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/utils/...eet&DMROTATE=0



Just how popular was vegetarian cuisine in 1910?
http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/utils/...eet&DMROTATE=0http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/utils/...eet&DMROTATE=0




What is this light fixture advertising?
http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/utils/...eet&DMROTATE=0http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/utils/...eet&DMROTATE=0http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/utils/...eet&DMROTATE=0http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/utils/...eet&DMROTATE=0




Relax and unwind at The Hulbert?:uhh:

*Conveniently located near the lifeblood of the city. Close to the Walcourt, pool rooms, cigars, landscaped hill, knowledgeable night clerk, and vegetarian take out. Lifeblood includes minimal privacy and questionable noise (and aroma) sequestration from the likes of equine hooves, street cars, non-pneumatic tires and two clangers named Olivet and Sinai.
http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/utils/...eet&DMROTATE=0http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/utils/...eet&DMROTATE=0http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/utils/...eet&DMROTATE=0http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/utils/...eet&DMROTATE=0

.

Circa 1930


http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/utils/...eam&DMROTATE=0http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/utils/...eam&DMROTATE=0
http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/utils/...eam&DMROTATE=0http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/utils/...eam&DMROTATE=0USC Digital

Thanks Godzilla, I completely missed the earlier post.

I don't know where this is but it certainly isn't Bonelli Stadium. The nearest intersection is 1/2 mile away and this pic shows one across the street.

I had a slight reservation about the accompanying identification, but I am unfamiliar with the area. On the off-chance that the LAPL identification is somewhat correct, were there any outdoor boxing venues in the Santa Clarita area in the '20s-'30s?

The pictured venue has the earmarks of permanency, but maybe it was erected for a few events and dismantled.:shrug: Curiously, at least one source links Dempsey with Saugus, so perhaps this is more than just wishful thinking? http://www.katrinadoerner.com/watson.htm

http://www.katrinadoerner.com/14-Wat...mpsey-copy.jpghttp://www.katrinadoerner.com/watson.htm



Circa '37
http://jpg3.lapl.org/pics11/00025066.jpgLapl



Nearby Newhall, circa 1950
http://imgzoom.cdlib.org/Converter?i...0&w=1040&h=771cdlib.org




Circa 1930
http://imgzoom.cdlib.org/Converter?i...=0&w=571&h=771cdlib.org

It looks very much like a baseball field with temporary bleachers moved in from right and left fields and a temporary ring mounted near what would have been the pitcher's mound. It looks very much like Washington Park but with smaller, less elaborate covered stands. Plus I think Washington Park's first baseline seats backed up pretty much to the street, not set back as here.

Also I can find no record of Dempsey ever fighting in Los Angeles/Southern California. San Francisco, Emeryville and Oakland but not down here.

http://imageshack.us/a/img189/4470/aabrodeosepiassp.jpg



Thanks for pinpointing the rodeo/ racetrack procab. -much appreciated.

also....very interesting info on William Bonelli DouglasUrantia
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I can't personally attest to Dempsey's connection with Saugus and was merely quoting "one" source. However, to be fair, Doerrner's description of the photo has Dempsey "preparing" for a rematch against Tunney, '26. So, to the extent there is any validity to the assertion, this could have been a training camp exhibition.


Considering Dempsey's exhibitions/ personal appearances in Santa Monica http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...ostcount=11062 and Pomona, the Saugus connection may be possible although improbable.:shrug: Maybe the Hotel Barbara was looking to expand in Ojai . . . but got lost? :uhh:

1943 snapshot looking north on Grand Avenue.
On the right is the Mayflower Hotel, the back lawn of the Los Angeles Public Library and the art deco Edison Building.

http://imageshack.us/a/img826/1273/a...weredison1.jpg
http://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-1943-Lo...item5aeedc12db



The same view today. The Mayflower Hotel is now the Hilton Checkers Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Public Library has expanded onto its back
lawn, and the Edison Building is now known as One Bunker Hill.

http://imageshack.us/a/img255/593/aa...weredisont.jpg
gsv
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:previous: Also in the above photo is the Zelda Apartments.

http://imageshack.us/a/img41/1273/aa...weredison1.jpg
detail/ebay

I searched 'zelda' on the thread and came up with this detail of a glass slide I posted a looong time ago. The comment is by gsjansen

http://imageshack.us/a/img829/6384/a...spbygsjans.jpg


He mentions both the Brunson Mansion and the Rose Mansion.


Here they are. :)

Brunson Mansion at 347 S. Grand Ave.
http://imageshack.us/a/img59/1088/aa...brunsonlap.jpg
LAPL








The Rose Mansion on the southeast corner of Grand Ave. and 4th St.
http://imageshack.us/a/img21/3668/aa...rosemansio.jpg
LAPL
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Stereoview of movie sets at Universal Studios. I'd love to come across that 'ersatz' gate in some obscure silent film.


http://imageshack.us/a/img826/7272/a...salstereov.jpg
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hollywood-Mo...item3a7eebbba2
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http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/9448/captureihc.jpg

Wow! If we are going to start removing posts for "lunkheadism" I am going to have to go back and take down half of the stuff I have written.



Anyway, I think the Bradbury mansion may have been torn down in 1929 due to a combination of neglect, rough treatment, and maybe poor design or construction.
After all, Harold Lloyd referred to it as "Pneumonia Hall" when his studio was located there.

Through the years:

1880's
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/5711/00061714.jpg
lapl

1916
http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/8969/00055129.jpg
lapl

1927
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/3244/00061713.jpg
lapl

Another wonderful 1943 snapshot.
The Los Angeles Public Library with the little known Hotel Del Mar on the right. pan right--->

http://imageshack.us/a/img824/1899/a...raryandhot.jpg
http://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-1943-Ho...item5aeedc87fd

A bit further down the street (right hand side) is a sign that says 'Church of the Open Door'.

Can someone refresh my memory and tell me what street this is. Isn't this the front of the library? (I need to pull out my vintage map)
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ZELDA Apartments ~ Fourth & Grand
 

Ethereal Reality....and then some.

If I lived in Los Angeles in the 1930s, I'd like to live at the ZELDA Apartments. Wouldn't most anyone living in those noir days?


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ps42dc0ed8.jpg
Image: http://silentlocations.wordpress.com

:previous: I hear you DouglasUrantia!
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below: Roberts Brothers Drive In in Hollywood circa 1943. In the distance you can see the large buildings at Hollywood and Vine.

http://imageshack.us/a/img145/2087/a...oberts1943.jpg
http://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-1943-Ro...item589d1583b5

Trying to pinpoint the exact location I came across a couple of interesting items.




first I found this beautiful graphic...
http://imageshack.us/a/img404/7345/a...jericlecat.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/79761301@N00/8355763477/



Next, I finally found the exact location...Sunset Boulevard at Cahuenga. :)

http://imageshack.us/a/img849/5194/a...fl1roberts.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7976130...4641/lightbox/
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Thanks Godzilla, I hadn't seen most of these pics.

I am 100% certain the LAPL ID on the ariel view is incorrect. The Newhall/Saugus area was very rural at that time. If you were going to hold an exhibition boxing match Bonelli Stadium would have been the logical venue. I agree with MichaelRyerson this looks like a small baseball stadium with temporary seating, but I don't know where.
In street view in front of Bonelli Stadium I don't see any ridge lines that match this pic. The biggest problem I have with the above pic is almost everyone is wearing a hat and not one is a cowboy hat. Remember this stadium was built for rodeos. After reviewing the rodeo pic that started this discussion I don't see many cowboy hats in that crowd either.

This is looking north on what used to be called San Fernando Road at Saugus. You are looking at probably 50% of the entire town. The RR crossing, now defunct, ran to Ventura. The main line, running up the right, still runs to Palmdale, Tehachapi, Bakersfield...

This view is looking south on what used to be called San Fernando Road in Newhall. We are looking at probably 50% of the entire town. In the Upper right you can see William S. Hart's ranch. A little further to the right (off frame) Bugsy Siegel had a place on Arcadia St.

There is a large dose of artistic license in this post card. I can't figure out if this is north or south of the pass. The first gold in California was discovered in Placerita Canyon just north of the pass. Later there were small quantities found in Elsmere Canyon by the Chinese laborers that dug the RR tunnel.