It always slays me to find pictures of Angelenos at Venice Beach all decked out in jackets, ties, hats, and long-sleeved dresses that reach the ground. These days it’s all cut-off jeans and bikini tops. Not that I blame anyone—heaven knows it’s far more comfortable. On the other hand, this photo was taken in 1910 so these lucky locals got to experience Abbot Kinney’s vision for his “Venice of America” resort town, which had opened on five years before.

That same view today. You can still see the original buildings and they still have that “VENICE” banner stretched over the street.