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Los Angeles Past Nov 7, 2009 9:21 AM

Cahuenga Pass, 1911-1941
 
What a difference a hundred years makes...

Cahuenga Pass, 1905.


https://otters.net/img/lanoir/CHS-10514.jpg
USC Digital Archive



It only took 30 years to go from this:


https://otters.net/img/lanoir/cahuengapass1911.jpg
LAPL


To this:

https://otters.net/img/lanoir/cahuengapass1941.jpg
LAPL


The layout of the roads looks much the same today!

-Scott

Post on my blog here.

ethereal_reality Nov 7, 2009 9:05 PM

Wow sopas_ej....that was a great post with all the old and contemporary photographs. I thoroughly enjoyed them all.
The Garnier Building history and photos were especially interesting.


Also cool pics of Cahuenga Pass Scott.
I briefly lived in North Hollywood when I first moved to L.A., so I used the pass hundreds of times.

For a more exciting drive I took Laurel Canyon with all its twists and turns.
Here's a map. The details are hard to read though.

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/7...lcanyonmap.jpg
unknown


Driving through Laurel Canyon I remember passing the ruins of Houdini's estate (see below).
I always thought this was rather cool. The ruins of the estate remain today, undisturbed for over 50 years.


http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/5...08houdini1.jpg
davesweb.cnchost.com

I just noticed the guy watering the plants. Kind of SPOOKY.
At first I thought he was tied up with a mask on.

ethereal_reality Nov 8, 2009 1:36 AM

Below: The Plaza in 1873...showing the reservoir.

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/9...servoirfro.jpgusc digital archive



Below: A close up of the reservoir.


http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/1...servoir188.jpg
usc digital archive

ethereal_reality Nov 8, 2009 1:53 AM

Below: I just realized the church facing away from the camera is....

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/9...servoirfro.jpg
usc digital archive




...the Church of the Mission Los Angeles 1870.

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/2...rchofmissl.jpg
usc digital archive

ethereal_reality Nov 8, 2009 1:56 AM

The Plaza some twenty years later in 1890.

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/4...lesplazain.jpg
usc digital archive

ethereal_reality Nov 8, 2009 2:52 AM

Below: Looking southeast, this is a view of 6th Street Park in 1883.
The park will later be known as Pershing Square.


http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/4...stparklate.jpg
usc digital archive

Los Angeles Past Nov 8, 2009 6:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality (Post 4546780)


...the Church of the Mission Los Angeles 1870.

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/2...rchofmissl.jpg
usc digital archive

Love this image with the bare hillside in the background. I'm guessing that's Chavez Ravine over the church at left, where Dodger Stadium is now...

sopas ej Nov 8, 2009 7:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Los Angeles Past (Post 4547066)
Love this image with the bare hillside in the background. I'm guessing that's Chavez Ravine over the church at left, where Dodger Stadium is now...

I think you're right. My first thought was that it was Angelino Heights/Echo Park, but Chavez Ravine is in that general area too.

ethereal_reality Nov 8, 2009 9:28 PM

Below: The Sackett Hotel at Cahuenga Drive and Hollywood Blvd. ca.1890




http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/3...hotelcahue.jpg
usc digital archive

ethereal_reality Nov 8, 2009 9:52 PM

Below: Downtown Los Angeles looking southeast from Olive and 5th. 1890
Does anyone know what the large building in the lower right corner is?
It looks like it could be an auditorium.


http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/9...nlalooking.jpgusc digital archive




Below: Main Street from 3rd 1890.


http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/6...eetfrom3rd.jpg
usc digital archive





Below: Looking north on Spring Street from 3rd. 1891
At the corner of the next block is the ornate Bryson-Bonebrake Block.

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/6...ookingnort.jpg
usc digital archive






Below: The Westminster Hotel Main Street at 4th 1893.


http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/3...sterhotelm.jpg
usc digital archive

Los Angeles Past Nov 9, 2009 3:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/v...t/viewpost.gif
Below: Downtown Los Angeles looking southeast from Olive and 5th. 1890
Does anyone know what the large building in the lower right corner is?
It looks like it could be an auditorium.

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/9...nlalooking.jpg
usc digital archive

That would almost have to be the back of Hazard's Pavilion, at Fifth & Olive, where The Auditorium would be built later, in 1906.

-Scott

sopas ej Nov 9, 2009 9:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Los Angeles Past (Post 4545830)
That's completely amazing. I had no idea the Garnier Building had been so altered during its history. Seeing how much of it they removed when the freeway was built, it makes me wonder why they left any of it standing at all. The restorers did a very authentic and convincing job, I must say.

When I was there in July, I saw two old brick buildings on Main Street near the Plaza that were in the process of being restored. One was the Brunswig, but I can't recall the name of the other...

-Scott

Well, I was just in the old Plaza area today, specifically to look at those two buildings you mentioned. They look nearly restored. Yes, one is the Brunswig, and the other one next to it is curiously called the Garnier Block.

I took some pictures:

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/1856/p1060925s.jpg

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/9388/p1060919.jpg

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/1856/p1060925s.jpg

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/7858/p1060921.jpg

sopas ej Nov 9, 2009 10:47 AM

Here's the Brusnswig Building in an old undated photo:

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/171/chs41321.jpg
USC Archive

Here it is in another old undated photo, but look at the other buildings that used to be adjacent to it. You even see business signs in Spanish.

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/791/dw86768isla.jpg
USC Archive

Los Angeles Past Nov 9, 2009 1:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/v...t/viewpost.gif
Below: Main Street from 3rd 1890.


http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/6...eetfrom3rd.jpg
usc digital archive


Below: The Westminster Hotel Main Street at 4th 1893.


http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/3...sterhotelm.jpg
usc digital archive

These are really great images, ethereal. I love those old brick storefronts! That's also a very nice photo of the Westminster Hotel. I admit, when I first started delving into L.A. history, I didn't pay much attention to Main Street, but there were some real jewels on "Calle Principal," after all. One thing I'd like to find is a nice photo of the (1875?) L.A. post office that was at Main & Winston. None of the images I've been able to find so far have been very satisfactory...

Los Angeles Past Nov 9, 2009 1:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sopas ej http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/v...t/viewpost.gif
Well, I was just in the old Plaza area today, specifically to look at those two buildings you mentioned. They look nearly restored. Yes, one is the Brunswig, and the other one next to it is curiously called the Garnier Block.
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/9388/p1060919.jpg

Excellent! When I was there in July, the Garnier Block was still surrounded by scaffolding. Both buildings look great now!

Now, when they get done with this restoration, they should rebuild the old Court House! It was a sin to tear down that grand edifice in the first place...

Los Angeles Past Nov 9, 2009 1:54 PM


https://otters.net/img/lanoir/98535035_o_mod.jpg
Found on eBay.


:cheers:

Beaudry Nov 9, 2009 9:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality (Post 4299693)
http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/3...ecords1957.jpg

One of my favorite buildings, the Hall of Records. The photo is from 1957.




http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/8...mcityhall1.jpg

The Hall of Records west from City Hall, with remnants of Bunker hill in the background 1956.
Anyone know what the solitary building on the left is?




http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/9...ecordswith.jpg

Hall of Records, with Rainier Pale Beer sign....very cool.

Hi all, my first post here…and yeah, dig it, this is too cool a thread, I was tipped off to it by Scott.

One thing I’d like to point out, going waaay back to the beginning of this thread, post #9, ethereal_reality asks what is that solitary building off to the left? (Which is seen again in post #383, for example.) That was the Law Building, by Taylor and Taylor, a twelve-story height-limit built in ‘24-25. Brothers Edward Cray Taylor and Ellis Wing Taylor are best known for their Masonic Temple in Yuma (National Register) and the Wolfer Printing bldg on LA’s Wall St – Historic Cultural Monument #161. Anyway, the Law Building had a 45’ frontage at 139 N Broadway and a depth of 100’. It was just a stone’s throw down from Court Flight. It was occupied mostly by attorneys but also housed a collection of County governmental departments. In 1953 it was remodeled by the famous coffee shop architects Armet & Davis, lots of Colorosa travertine and horizontal aluminum, very cool. The Law Building and its neighbor, Lawyers Title Guarantee (the little building with the columns, best seen in post #11) were the last privately owned structures in the Civic Center mall area before being forced to sell out in ’64…though the owners and the City battled it out in Superior Court for two years over the price! After the City finally got a legal judgment on a price in ’66, they knocked the Law Building down but quick.

Beaudry Nov 9, 2009 9:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality (Post 4523246)
^^^LOL. Sometimes I can be pretty slow.

I have those pics, but I never put two and two together
that the pics are of the SAME tunnel until your explanation
"Here's the east end of the same tunnel."

No wonder I'm always confused by the tunnel pics.
I never considered the other side of the hill. Duh!




below: A photo of the 3rd Street tunnel, west entrance.

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/8...okingeast1.jpg
usc digital archive






below: The only description on this photo was Hope Street, Bunker Hill.


http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/7...illhopestr.jpg
Cal State Library

above: Can you imagine the sordid 'going-ons' inside the Hotel Elmar.

This is a good example of a photograph with 'noir' qualities.....
The transient SRO hotel...the lone man....the empty streets and overcast sky.

Funny you should mention the Hotel Elmar...check out what I wrote about it here ...plus whatever you do, don't miss the ultra-cool 1947 noir footage of the Elmar here.

ethereal_reality Nov 9, 2009 11:20 PM

Beaudry....welcome to the thread!

I checked out your essay on the Hotel Elmar.
I guess I hit the nail on the head when I mentioned 'sordid' going ons.
I had no idea one place could be so crime ridden and stay in business.

So is 'On Bunker Hill' your site? I've enjoyed it numerous times.
You have a great writing style and a flare for details.

Needless to say...I hope you continue to post on this thread. :)

Los Angeles Past Nov 10, 2009 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beaudry (Post 4549444)
Funny you should mention the Hotel Elmar...check out what I wrote about it here ...plus whatever you do, don't miss the ultra-cool 1947 noir footage of the Elmar here.


Hey Beaudry! I was thinking just today that this thread needs more Bunker Hill, and you're definitely the man for that. Thanks for joining in!

-Scott

Beaudry Nov 10, 2009 12:41 AM

Thanks for the welcome! Onbunkerhill.org wasn't my site as much as 1947project.com was the brainchild of my college buddy Kim, we blogged about LA in 47, then 1907, then 1927...then Bunker Hill. The new incarnation is InSROLand, which I'm not posting to because I'm too busy with other more annoying and stupid things, unfortunately.

(I'm only going by "Beaudry," by the way, because "Nathan" is already taken by some other guy named Nathan on skyscraperpage. I don't begrudge him that of course, it's a great name. But call me Beaudry, it's more noir to have a moniker.)

Anyway, I just came back from the post office, the magical wonderful post office, bestower of glorious eBay treats...lemmee make a pork chop and fire up the scannertron...

ethereal_reality Nov 10, 2009 1:08 AM

...and speaking of Bunker Hill. :)


Below: Clay Street.


http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/2...illclaystr.jpg
Cal State Archive




Below: The Vendome Hotel.
I'm not sure of the street address for this one. Notice the archaic telephone booth.

Also why are there windows in what looks like a retaining wall?
They're to the right of The Vendome in the photo.


http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/2...illvendome.jpg
Cal State Archive





Below: The EMS. -no address-
Hmmm...intriguing...why The EMS and not.....say.... The ELMS?
Anyone know what EMS stand for?



http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/9...illtheemsi.jpg
Cal State Archive

ethereal_reality Nov 10, 2009 1:35 AM

Below: The corner of Grand Ave. and 3rd Street.
To the right of the corner building is the Alto Hotel.

Perhaps the corner building is the Alto as well?
The information was vague.


http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/4...illgrandan.jpg
Cal State Archive




Below: Here you see the same buildings from a different angle (Grand Ave.) looking towards 3rd Street.
Note the Alto Hotel sign.

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/8...llgrandand.jpg
Cal State Archive





Below: Here is a close up of the house that appears in the above photo to the right of the Alto hotel.
It looks like the housekeeper is out on the front porch.


http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/7...illgrandav.jpg
Cal State Archive

ethereal_reality Nov 10, 2009 3:35 AM

Below: Looking west along 1st Street from Grand. 1926.


http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/9...westalong1.jpg
Cal State Archive

Beaudry Nov 10, 2009 6:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality (Post 4549918)
Below: The corner of Grand Ave. and 3rd Street.
To the right of the corner building is the Alto Hotel.

Perhaps the corner building is the Alto as well?
The information was vague.


http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/4...illgrandan.jpg
Cal State Archive




Below: Here you see the same buildings from a different angle (Grand Ave.) looking towards 3rd Street.
Note the Alto Hotel sign.

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/8...llgrandand.jpg
Cal State Archive





Below: Here is a close up of the house that appears in the above photo to the right of the Alto hotel.
It looks like the housekeeper is out on the front porch.


http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/7...illgrandav.jpg
Cal State Archive

The deli was 259 South Grand, the New Grand Hotel was 257; they shared that turreted building. The Alto was the big blocky guy next door at 253. 245 S Grand was the house:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2733/...aa11e4c4_o.jpg
(Walker Evans, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 61-62)

Beaudry Nov 10, 2009 6:29 PM

While we're Bunker Hill-izing, there was some talk about the location of Clay St a while back, sooo...1957 Thomas Guide, meet Google Maps:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2721/...8e3fabbc_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2664/...6e51bd3f_o.jpg

As you can see, Clay St. has been wiped out, as has Bunker Hill Ave, which was where all the "premier" Victorians stood. Sack Alley, Cinnabar, heck, the whole of Court St., memories...

Beaudry Nov 10, 2009 6:57 PM

Just picked up some amateur snaps from a guy who liked to go up City Hall, bless him.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2574/...36995ffc_b.jpg

The first is from 6/63, the next from 2/75; most striking of course is the '72 Pereira to the Times. What really gets me is what got done to the Seymour Building (the tall skinny one, 1926) and California Building (1911) on Second btw Broadway and Hill, and facing Broadway is the California Water Bldg (1905), they've all been refaçaded with unrelenting modernity!

Beaudry Nov 10, 2009 7:20 PM

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2701/...df87990a_b.jpg

1962 & 1975. Looking east down Commercial/Ducommun. The 1964 Welton Becket Federal Building (left) has gone up, as has the '73 Stanton & Stockwell City Hall East. But most of all we've lost the gas tanks.

Beaudry Nov 10, 2009 7:31 PM

Speaking of the Federal Building...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2746/...16c0d385_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2662/...4cca213c_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2663/...37ed61f5_o.jpg

Beaudry Nov 10, 2009 7:53 PM

More then & now! Another lost gas tank, this one at Sunset (i.e., Cesar Chavez) and Lyon, now the site of a great collections of buses, and the Twin Towers Correctional Facility.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2791/...38063c0b_o.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2522/...45c13cb7_o.jpg

By the way, in case you don't have it, go on bookfinder.com or wherever you hunt out your old books and pick up "Views of Los Angeles" by Gernot Kuehn. It's the gold standard of Then & Now books, and especially because his "now" pictures are from 1978, they alone are awesome.

Beaudry Nov 10, 2009 8:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality (Post 4549872)
...and speaking of Bunker Hill. :)


Below: Clay Street.


http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/2...illclaystr.jpg
Cal State Archive




Below: The Vendome Hotel.
I'm not sure of the street address for this one.
Notice the archaic telephone booth.

Also why are there windows in what looks like a retaining wall?
They're to the right of The Vendome in the photo.


http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/2...illvendome.jpg
Cal State Archive





Below: The EMS. -no address-
Hmmm...intriguing...why The EMS and not.....say.... The ELMS?
Anyone know what EMS stand for?



http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/9...illtheemsi.jpg
Cal State Archive

Hey, the Vendome Hotel! That was an early one, at 231 South Hill, smack dab in the middle of the block between the two tunnels of 2nd and 3rd, built about 1888, when of course there were no tunnels there.

The reason the building next to it looks like a retaining wall is I think because it looks totally out of place next to the Victorian Vendome. That was a Late Moderne 1949 fire department garage and office building. In this earlier photo (1939, USC Digital Archives) you can see the 1924 fire dept HQ for Engine no. 3, Truck no. 2 and Rescue no. 3.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2551/...5d699218_o.jpg
The 1949 building was built in that parking lot between them.

As far as the Ems goes, if you look at the Baist's Real Estate Atlases, they list it as the Elms...even they thought "Ems" was too weird to deal with. I never did figure out where they got that name from. Much less why they plastered back only 1/3 of the building and then left all that naked shiplap.

ethereal_reality Nov 11, 2009 12:24 AM

Hi Nathan

Excellent information and photographs. They made my afternoon.
It's always amazing to compare before and after photos (especially when the after pics are from 1973).
I found the 1957 Thomas Guide map of Bunker Hill to be very helpful.

Below: I found a photo of the building we were discussing on the previous page. The one at 3rd Street and Grand Ave.
You were absolutely correct.....there is a sign for the New Grand Hotel (as well as the deli).


http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/9...donlylarge.gif

I don't have any info, but I'm guessing this is Walker Evans.

ethereal_reality Nov 11, 2009 12:45 AM

Below: Hotel St. Angelo at the corner of Grand Ave. & Temple Street. 1887



http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/3...angelocorn.jpg
usc digital archive

ethereal_reality Nov 11, 2009 12:55 AM

The Bradbury Mansion at the corner of Hill Street & Court Street 1890.

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/3...bradburysr.jpg
usc digital archive




Below: The same mansion, different angle.


http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/3...ymansionco.jpg
usc digital archive

Los Angeles Past Nov 11, 2009 1:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beaudry http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/v...t/viewpost.gif
Just picked up some amateur snaps from a guy who liked to go up City Hall, bless him.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2574/...36995ffc_b.jpg

The first is from 6/63, the next from 2/75; most striking of course is the '72 Pereira to the Times. What really gets me is what got done to the Seymour Building (the tall skinny one, 1926) and California Building (1911) on Second btw Broadway and Hill, and facing Broadway is the California Water Bldg (1905), they've all been refaçaded with unrelenting modernity!

Interesting! There's a b/w negative on eBay right now showing First and Spring from City Hall, and on the roof of the old building across Spring from the Times, a sign can be seen that clearly says, "Wilson Bldg." I'm assuming that's the glorious old Wilson Block that was opposite the Nadeau, cut down to only two floors?

It's odd which buildings survived and which didn't. The ones that did... well, I would have picked other more architecturally-worthy structures, but I suppose we should be grateful that anything within 3-4 blocks of the Civic Center survived at all...

ethereal_reality Nov 11, 2009 1:20 AM

Below: Looking northeast from Hill & 4th Street 1903.



http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/6...stfromhill.jpg
usc digital archive

Los Angeles Past Nov 11, 2009 1:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beaudry http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/v...t/viewpost.gif

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2701/...df87990a_b.jpg
1962 & 1975. Looking east down Commercial/Ducommun. The 1964 Welton Becket Federal Building (left) has gone up, as has the '73 Stanton & Stockwell City Hall East. But most of all we've lost the gas tanks.
*sighs* The gas tanks. Those things were iconic to me when I was a child. So were the big, brightly-colored ventilation fans on the roof of the Friedman Bag Co. building in front of them! When exactly were the gas tanks removed? In my mind's eye, they were still there around 1980, but clearly that recollection is mistaken. Also, when did the Brew 102 building meet its end? See how much I missed not living in L.A. for the last 26 years? :shrug:

ethereal_reality Nov 11, 2009 1:30 AM

Below: Looking east from the Crocker Mansion 1898. I think this photograph is exceptional.

What is the huge building on the distant horizon?



http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/2...eastfromcr.jpg
usc ditial archive


I just noticed what might be a cyclorama on the right hand side.
I recognize City Hall, but a couple of the other prominent buildings are a mystery to me.

Los Angeles Past Nov 11, 2009 1:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/v...t/viewpost.gif
The Bradbury Mansion at the corner of Hill Street & Court Street 1890.

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/3...ymansionco.jpg
usc digital archive

There's a Newsom-design victorian if ever I saw one! Here is our local example of a grand Newsom manse...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...California.jpg
Photo by Cory Maylett, Wikimedia Commons

Los Angeles Past Nov 11, 2009 1:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/v...t/viewpost.gif
Below: Looking east from the Crocker Mansion 1898.
I think this photograph is exceptional.

What is the huge building on the distant horizon?

That is this landmark structure.

ethereal_reality Nov 11, 2009 1:59 AM

Angels Flight Pharmacy 1960.


http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/2...illangelsf.jpg
unknown



http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/6...llangelsfq.jpg
unknown

ethereal_reality Nov 11, 2009 2:03 AM

So THAT'S the Los Angeles Orphans Asylum.
My god, it's a behemoth.

I had no idea it was so visible from downtown L.A.

Thanks for the info Scott.....much appreciated.

GaylordWilshire Nov 11, 2009 3:14 PM

post 1

sopas ej Nov 11, 2009 6:28 PM

OMG these are all such great pics!

And Beaudry, great name! VERY old LA, I like it. Makes me think of Beaudry Avenue in downtown LA; I assume that street is named for Prudent Beaudry, an early Los Angeles mayor who was originally from Quebec, I believe. :)

sopas ej Nov 11, 2009 6:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Los Angeles Past (Post 4551910)
*sighs* The gas tanks. Those things were iconic to me when I was a child. So were the big, brightly-colored ventilation fans on the roof of the Friedman Bag Co. building in front of them! When exactly were the gas tanks removed? In my mind's eye, they were still there around 1980, but clearly that recollection is mistaken. Also, when did the Brew 102 building meet its end? See how much I missed not living in L.A. for the last 26 years? :shrug:

I'm nostalgic for the Brew 102 building. I remember being fascinated by it as a kid when I would ride in the car with my family and we'd drive right by that building on the freeway (I didn't learn it was the Brew 102 building until I became an adult). What fascinated me about it was that it looked really old to me, and it was right up against the 101 freeway. In my mind as a kid, I thought it was odd that they would build a building right up against the freeway, when of course the building pre-dated the freeway and it was the freeway that was built up against the building, which created a little jog in the freeway. I don't remember when the Brew 102 building was demolished; mid or late 90s, maybe? Maybe a little later than that? I don't know, but even after it was gone, the jog in the freeway was still there for years. I think now with the Metro Gold Line Extension construction and the addition/reconfiguring of on and off ramps, even the jog in the freeway is now gone.

ethereal_reality Nov 11, 2009 8:12 PM

^^^Here is a photograph showing the Brew 102 Building Sopas_ej. It was taken from the top of City Hall in 1952.


http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/3...c1vbrewery.jpg
usc digital archive


I just noticed the Friedman Bag Company is there as well.
Are those the ventilation fans you were talking about Scott?

Los Angeles Past Nov 11, 2009 8:59 PM

Move along, move along. ^^

Los Angeles Past Nov 11, 2009 9:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/v...t/viewpost.gif
^^^Here is a photograph showing the Brew 102 Building Sopas_ej. It was taken from the top of City Hall in 1952.


http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/3...c1vbrewery.jpg
usc digital archive


I just noticed the Friedman Bag Company is there as well.
Are those the ventilation fans you were talking about Scott?

Yep, that's them! Here's another view, from highway level, in this case Aliso Street:

https://otters.net/img/lanoir/00009385.jpg
lapl

Back when I was a kid, each of those ventilator fan things were painted a variety of bright pastel colors. They really stood out against the drab background of the gas storage tanks.

Anyway, your picture above is really fantastic. I guess that wasn't really freeway through there yet, though I'd think it would have been by 1952. There's evidently a traffic signal or stop sign there just beyond the Brew 102 building where cars are all stopped. And I love how Commercial Street is 6 lanes of one-way traffic in the foreground! Then 3 lanes veer sharply to the left and turn into Aliso/101. Great highway engineering there!

-Scott

Beaudry Nov 11, 2009 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality (Post 4551768)
Hi Nathan

Excellent information and photographs. They made my afternoon.
It's always amazing to compare before and after photos (especially when the after pics are from 1973).
I found the 1957 Thomas Guide map of Bunker Hill to be very helpful.

Below: I found a photo of the building we were discussing on the previous page. The one at 3rd Street and Grand Ave.
You were absolutely correct.....there is a sign for the New Grand Hotel (as well as the deli).


http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/9...donlylarge.gif

I don't have any info, but I'm guessing this is Walker Evans.

That's from the Cushman Collection, which is absolutely great. Provides gems like these -- Broadway btw 1st and 2nd, 1952, http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2696/...cd66c4d9_o.jpg
and the 200 block of South Main,
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2711/...1ac2894c_o.jpg
...believe it or not, both of the vintage light poles in each picture remain. All of the buildings have been leveled, save for the tall building on the far right of the South Main image.

Beaudry Nov 11, 2009 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ethereal_reality (Post 4551901)
Below: Looking northeast from Hill & 4th Street 1903.



http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/6...stfromhill.jpg
usc digital archive

This is a great shot, which I'm sure was taken from the roof of the just-completed Fremont Hotel. That's the Hotel Antlers closest to the camera. And it's before the Black Building went in:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2497/...0a9934fe_o.jpg

I've always loved the dome atop the Brighton Hotel at Fourth and Hill.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2776/...84a02dd5_o.jpg

Which of course like other structures that've been talked about here lost its top to parapet ordinances...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2762/...dbf5bc2e_o.jpg

(top, cal state library, bottom two, USC digital archive)


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