6 responses to “The Owl Drug store at the southeast corner of Hollywood and Vine, Hollywood, circa 1947”

1. Keith Jefferds says:

   November 24, 2021 at 4:53 pm

   Astonishing insight re the store name. RX-all. Talk about hiding in plain sight!

   Q: Seems likely this must have existed as an Owl store as early as the 1920s. Seem likely to you? And do you even have or know of posted pics of it from the 20s? (Some period research I’m doing.)

   Thanks.

   Reply
   • Martin Turnbull says:

     November 24, 2021 at 6:33 pm

     Yes, Keith, Owl were definitely around in the ’20s…and earlier, according to Wikipedia
     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Owl_Drug_Company

     Reply
     • Keith Jefferds says:

       November 24, 2021 at 6:39 pm

       Thank you. Yes, I looked at Wiki for the general era of the chain. But I also just discovered that that particular Owl was on the street level of the Taft Building, finished in 1923—so I bet it was the first retail store in that space. Perfect for my timeline.

       Reply
       • Martin Turnbull says:

         November 24, 2021 at 6:41 pm

         I’d say there’s an excellent chance that it was the first retail in that space. Don’t you love it when the fact jibe with your timeline?!?!

         Reply
         • Keith Jefferds says:

           November 24, 2021 at 6:48 pm

           I do love it. This is for a novel I’m writing, but I’d absolutely hate myself in the morning if I were to fudge any actual dates, streets, structures, or events even slightly. I feel obliged to thank the reality as it truly existed by hanging my characters in a factually scrupulous space & time. 🙂

2. Martin Turnbull says:

   November 24, 2021 at 8:32 pm

   I feel the same way with my novels. My preference is to *always* set a scene in a specific time and place.

   Reply