This photo looking north up Broadway from 7th St reminds us how downtown was in heart of L.A. the 1930s. After the war, L.A. experienced a huge population boom, so it was probably inevitable that the ever-sprawling city become decentralized. But look at that sidewalk across 7th Street – it’s packed shoulder to shoulder. And nearly everybody is wearing hats, suits, coats, and neckties—even the little boy at the bottom right near the diamond-shaped sign. Speaking of that sign, I’m not sure what “Beach Road North” refers to. My guess is PCH (the Pacific Coast Highway) but I’m open to suggestions.
** UPDATE ** Before it was called PCH, it was called Roosevelt Highway, and before that, it was called Beach Road North (which made sense because it was a road that followed the beach northward up the coast.)
Roughly the same view in February 2021. At last someone thought to put in a tree.
I know people love the Red Cars, and they were a great resource for the city, but every time I see a photo of downtown from this era, I can’t help thinking how awful it must have been to drive on the same roads with those street cars.
I’m originally from a city with a vast streetcar network and as a local driver, you get used to it and drive accordingly.
Wonderful find, and those appear to be the very same buildings in both photos. The street was very wide, accommodating later traffic lanes (or more streetcars).
I do recall shopping downtown Austin Tx in the ’50s with Mom, and people dressed smartly on the streets then. I suppose we were gearing up for “Keeping Austin Weird” of the ’60s that continues today.
Now, we shop in shopping malls or online. Those who live downtown still frequent Congress Avenue, I’m sure, but streamlined shopping is quite a great social and economical loss.