There are some images that are quintessentially LA and the Griffith Observatory is one of them. Prominently positioned overlooking Los Angeles, you can see it for miles, and when you’re there, you can see for miles. But when it’s photographed at night like in this 1940 shot, the place takes on a whole different feel, sort of film-noir-ish with LA stretching out like a vast picnic blanket weaved from light.