This shot from 1928 gives us a glimpse of how Wilshire Blvd looked in the 1920s with its large homes on spacious grounds. This view is looking toward the northwest corner of Wilshire and Shatto Place at the Tudoresque mansion at 3143 Wilshire. I suppose it’s inevitable that the relentless march of progress would decree that a major thoroughfare like Wilshire would eventually give over to commercial interest, but how pleasant it must have been to motor along the boulevard at that time and gaze out the window at homes like these. There is a detailed history of that home here: https://wilshireboulevardhouses.blogspot.com/2013/04/3143-wilshire-boulevard-please-see-our.html
This is what stands on that corner today. This image is from November 2020:
I also liked the bank that replaced this house. The current building is nothing to write home about.
The architect of this home also built Cecil B. DemIlle’s home in Los Feliz:
https://tichenorandthorp.com/portfolio/view/cecil-b-demille-estate/
Website posted one of the history of LA’s founding neighborhoods. In the same vein one of my favorites:
https://www.berkeleysquarelosangeles.com/
Love this one because it takes in the whole environment. Land, structures & individuals involved – Also found perceptive supposition neighborhoods like this lived or died based on the clout, both financial & political, of their then residents with regard to freeway placements in the ’50s & ’60s. Something I’d never even considered before….
Similar sites include:
windsorsquarelosangeles blogspot.com,
fremontplace.blogspot.com, stjamesparklosangeles.blogspot.com