It’s not often we get an elevated view of downtown L.A. at the turn of the century, so this shot from 1900 is a rare chance to see what the city looked like. We’re looking at Hill St between 2nd and 3rd Streets as seen from City Hall. These days this block is filled with high-rise housing, but back then it was a jumble of houses gouged out of the hilly terrain that has long since been flattened out. They’re mostly two-story houses, some on fairly big lots, so it looks like a fairly affluent area, which means they’d also have had a carriage house for the horses and carriage, and room for the guy who looked after them.
In this photo from 1900, the church at the left was at the northeast corner of 3rd and Hill. A year later the 3rd Street tunnel was dug across the street to extend 3rd Street under Bunker Hill to Flower, connecting downtown to the westside. That same year, Col. Eddy installed Angles Flight next to the tunnel, carrying passengers up to Olive which can be seen running across the photo near the crest of the Hill. The upper terminal was next to the Crocker mansion which is the 3 story Victorian building up the Hill above the church. I lived on Bunker Hill in the 1940’s – 60’s. It only became “rough” after the City turned its back on it and did all it could to turn it into the slum they said it was.
What it must have been like to have lived in the developing city of downtown Los Angeles in this time in history. I would have taken it over any East Coast city ANY DAY of the millennium. What I would give to go back in time to walk around and experience a couple of days in that era.
P.S. Happy New Year, Martin!
Martin, if it was 1920’s-era L.A, between you and me, we could EASILY pull a couple of 1920’s “flapper” girls. “I like my breakfast eggs over easy with toast and bacon, girl. Ladies, you’re pulled!”
It’s not often we get an elevated view of downtown L.A. at the turn of the century, so this shot from 1900 is a rare chance to see what the city looked like. We’re looking at Hill St between 2nd and 3rd Streets as seen from City Hall. These days this block is filled with high-rise housing, but back then it was a jumble of houses gouged out of the hilly terrain that has long since been flattened out. They’re mostly two-story houses, some on fairly big lots, so it looks like a fairly affluent area, which means they’d also have had a carriage house for the horses and carriage, and room for the guy who looked after them.
I recall riding Angels Flight in the 40s. Still lots of Victorians that had become rooming houses. Rough neighborhood.
In this photo from 1900, the church at the left was at the northeast corner of 3rd and Hill. A year later the 3rd Street tunnel was dug across the street to extend 3rd Street under Bunker Hill to Flower, connecting downtown to the westside. That same year, Col. Eddy installed Angles Flight next to the tunnel, carrying passengers up to Olive which can be seen running across the photo near the crest of the Hill. The upper terminal was next to the Crocker mansion which is the 3 story Victorian building up the Hill above the church. I lived on Bunker Hill in the 1940’s – 60’s. It only became “rough” after the City turned its back on it and did all it could to turn it into the slum they said it was.
What it must have been like to have lived in the developing city of downtown Los Angeles in this time in history. I would have taken it over any East Coast city ANY DAY of the millennium. What I would give to go back in time to walk around and experience a couple of days in that era.
P.S. Happy New Year, Martin!
Rich – if you ever figure out how to go back in time, give me a call first. I want to be your wing man.
Martin, if it was 1920’s-era L.A, between you and me, we could EASILY pull a couple of 1920’s “flapper” girls. “I like my breakfast eggs over easy with toast and bacon, girl. Ladies, you’re pulled!”