Nothing quite says “1930s” to me than a photo of a huge railway office—they were like the airline reservations offices of their day (and now we don’t even have those!) This is the Union Pacific building at the corner of Olive St. and 6th St. in downtown Los Angeles. I’m assuming that this is where you went to make your train reservations. This photo was taken in 1937, two years before Union Station opened. So people taking the Union Pacific railway would have left from their Central Station at East 5th St. and Central Ave, about a half-mile south of where Union Station is. Union Pacific had a prime location right opposite Pershing Square, which was considered the heart of LA before the post-war sprawl kicked in.
Prior to Union Station, each railway line had their own separate station. Oftentimes, stars would get off at Pasadena to avoid having to avoid the press and fans.
Nothing quite says “1930s” to me than a photo of a huge railway office—they were like the airline reservations offices of their day (and now we don’t even have those!) This is the Union Pacific building at the corner of Olive St. and 6th St. in downtown Los Angeles. I’m assuming that this is where you went to make your train reservations. This photo was taken in 1937, two years before Union Station opened. So people taking the Union Pacific railway would have left from their Central Station at East 5th St. and Central Ave, about a half-mile south of where Union Station is. Union Pacific had a prime location right opposite Pershing Square, which was considered the heart of LA before the post-war sprawl kicked in.
Back when 39 1/2 hours to Chicago was about as fast as it got… 😀
That is 434 W. Sixth, southeast corner of Olive, not Hill. You can see 412 W. Sixth, which is still there.
Does anyone out there have a picture of the Central train depot? Is it still there
What station would the movie stars of the day use? Pre 1939?
Prior to Union Station, each railway line had their own separate station. Oftentimes, stars would get off at Pasadena to avoid having to avoid the press and fans.