In this photo, we’re looking at the corner of Western Ave and Venice Boulevard just a few blocks north of where the Santa Monica Freeway is now. From the billboard urging Angelenos to “BUY DEFENSE BONDS” we can assume this was taken during WWII. There also appears to be very little traffic on the streets, which isn’t surprising because petrol rationing was in effect. (I recently read that gas rationing was motivated by a desire to conserve rubber as much as by a desire to conserve gas.) And remarkably, that Westbridge Apartments building is still around today.
Andie says: “Gas rationing for civilians was so the military would have fuel for the war. My grandpa had contracts with the government to supply beef, pork, poultry, milk and other products to Ft. Campbell and Ft. Knox so there was more gas and diesel allowed than for regular drivers.”
Just behind the Bus Stop sign we can see the inverted triangle one for “Car Stop” related to the electric interurban service (PE Ry) running from Hill Street out to Vineyard, Culver Junction, and beyond. (The Del Rey line had been long terminated at this time.) The tracks here run in Venice Boulevard which had been constructed in 1932 where the rail right-of-way had run out past urban roadways. The original West 16th Street venue was absorbed into the new cross-region route, losing it’s identity. (East 16th remained past Main Street.) Unlike Santa Monica Blvd., this section did not have a separated median for the trolley cars.The gentleman on the right may be transferring from that bus to an oncoming intercity streetcar. No need for ration coupons.
In this photo, we’re looking at the corner of Western Ave and Venice Boulevard just a few blocks north of where the Santa Monica Freeway is now. From the billboard urging Angelenos to “BUY DEFENSE BONDS” we can assume this was taken during WWII. There also appears to be very little traffic on the streets, which isn’t surprising because petrol rationing was in effect. (I recently read that gas rationing was motivated by a desire to conserve rubber as much as by a desire to conserve gas.) And remarkably, that Westbridge Apartments building is still around today.
Hi. Do you know about an old, giant, painted vintage 7-Up billboard on the side of a building in the Koreatown are?
I swear it was near the Pizza Hut near Venice and Western.
Thanks.
Sorry Ty but I don’t know anything about it.
What is the name of this part of town ?
Technically it’s just “Los Angeles” but Google Maps says it’s known as Harvard Heights.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Venice+Blvd.+%26+Western+Ave,+Los+Angeles,+CA+90019/@34.0435721,-118.3112258,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x80c2b87ae4bf7ab1:0x2fc8620fd62ebb0c!8m2!3d34.0435721!4d-118.3090371
Just behind the Bus Stop sign we can see the inverted triangle one for “Car Stop” related to the electric interurban service (PE Ry) running from Hill Street out to Vineyard, Culver Junction, and beyond. (The Del Rey line had been long terminated at this time.) The tracks here run in Venice Boulevard which had been constructed in 1932 where the rail right-of-way had run out past urban roadways. The original West 16th Street venue was absorbed into the new cross-region route, losing it’s identity. (East 16th remained past Main Street.) Unlike Santa Monica Blvd., this section did not have a separated median for the trolley cars.The gentleman on the right may be transferring from that bus to an oncoming intercity streetcar. No need for ration coupons.