These days, the corner of Wilshire Blvd and Western Ave, is always so packed with vehicles and pedestrians coming in and out of the Metro subway station, or heading for the Wiltern Theater that it’s hard to imagine it as a sleep little intersection of cute little one-story buildings. If you look closely, you can see a car on show in a cute picture-frame window display. What amazes me is that this now-busy corner didn’t even rate traffic lights back then. I wonder if they came along when the Wiltern opened in 1931.
Point of interest: The bank sign on the side of the building appears to be for San Francisco based Bank of Italy which would change its name to Bank of America in the mid-40’s.
Looks like 1927 was wiped off the face of the earth on this corner. Thank heavens for these pictures. Nothing (for me) to even appreciate in the 2016 version of this same area. UGH
UGH??? So am I to take it you’re not a fan of the Wiltern Theater, built in 1931 and still standing on the southeast corner of this very same intersection? It’s hard to miss, clad in blue-green terra cotta tiles that photos don’t capture well, its signage lit at night with neon – and don’t even get me started on the stunning interior.
But I suppose you’re right. Compared to a 1927 view of a couple of single story house-like buildings, a bank branch, a two story mixed use building, billboards and bus benches, the Wiltern looks so, so tacky. What on earth was Stiles O. Clement thinking when he designed it?
You’re right, PDQ – nothing against the Wiltern and I’m very very glad it has survived the Hollywood/LA massacre.
I was caught up in the “nothing’s the same” frame of mind which is how I’m unfortunately often feeling when looking at then and now pics of what the Golden Age used to look like!
Geez, in this pic, couldn’t they have at least left in those street lamps for decoration?!
These days, the corner of Wilshire Blvd and Western Ave, is always so packed with vehicles and pedestrians coming in and out of the Metro subway station, or heading for the Wiltern Theater that it’s hard to imagine it as a sleep little intersection of cute little one-story buildings. If you look closely, you can see a car on show in a cute picture-frame window display. What amazes me is that this now-busy corner didn’t even rate traffic lights back then. I wonder if they came along when the Wiltern opened in 1931.
Point of interest: The bank sign on the side of the building appears to be for San Francisco based Bank of Italy which would change its name to Bank of America in the mid-40’s.
Looks like 1927 was wiped off the face of the earth on this corner. Thank heavens for these pictures. Nothing (for me) to even appreciate in the 2016 version of this same area. UGH
Thanks for sharing, Martin.
Jean
Jean –
UGH??? So am I to take it you’re not a fan of the Wiltern Theater, built in 1931 and still standing on the southeast corner of this very same intersection? It’s hard to miss, clad in blue-green terra cotta tiles that photos don’t capture well, its signage lit at night with neon – and don’t even get me started on the stunning interior.
But I suppose you’re right. Compared to a 1927 view of a couple of single story house-like buildings, a bank branch, a two story mixed use building, billboards and bus benches, the Wiltern looks so, so tacky. What on earth was Stiles O. Clement thinking when he designed it?
http://www.laweekly.com/music/the-wiltern-opened-80-years-ago-its-survival-story-is-as-grand-as-its-terra-cotta-tile-2412585
https://www.kcet.org/shows/lost-la/from-wool-ranch-to-the-wiltern-a-brief-history-of-wilshire-western
You’re right, PDQ – nothing against the Wiltern and I’m very very glad it has survived the Hollywood/LA massacre.
I was caught up in the “nothing’s the same” frame of mind which is how I’m unfortunately often feeling when looking at then and now pics of what the Golden Age used to look like!
Geez, in this pic, couldn’t they have at least left in those street lamps for decoration?!
Take care –
Jean