Most photos of the Los Angeles City Hall show us the front view, so I like that this photographer chose to shoot it from the rear, probably from some vantage point along Los Angeles Street. This shot was taken in 1951, so I’m surprised the block behind City Hall is empty. I’d have thought by then it would have developed, but all we can see is an empty field and a few parked cars. I wonder if anyone was making out inside them.
Here’s a (cleaned up and colorized. view from the old courthouse (Broadway and Temple) in 1899 looking southeast towards Main and 1st Street. Los Angeles Street is on the far left.
The 1899 shot is spectacular is revealing details. Just over right from the upper left corner one can see the Southern Pacific’s Arcade Depot that was built to provide “big city” services eliminating those “frontier town” stations. And the angular cut of San Pedro Street’s original alignment is viewed in the area between 1st & 2nd cutting across to Los Angeles street. (The section was renamed when San Pedro was extended north.) A photo truly worth exploring.
Most photos of the Los Angeles City Hall show us the front view, so I like that this photographer chose to shoot it from the rear, probably from some vantage point along Los Angeles Street. This shot was taken in 1951, so I’m surprised the block behind City Hall is empty. I’d have thought by then it would have developed, but all we can see is an empty field and a few parked cars. I wonder if anyone was making out inside them.
and also:
I love the photo of City Hall (1951). Bless you for sharing, your friend L
The 1899 shot is spectacular is revealing details. Just over right from the upper left corner one can see the Southern Pacific’s Arcade Depot that was built to provide “big city” services eliminating those “frontier town” stations. And the angular cut of San Pedro Street’s original alignment is viewed in the area between 1st & 2nd cutting across to Los Angeles street. (The section was renamed when San Pedro was extended north.) A photo truly worth exploring.